Running Update

Progress has begun on my goal of running a sub-20:00 5k, though the amount of progress is difficult to measure. I’ve stuck reasonably well to the 5k training program I am using, so in theory I should be getting faster. I’m using logyourrun.com to, predictably, log my runs and the easiest way to check my progress is through Twitter (www.twitter.com/khren). Personally, I feel great. It is nice to have a training program and I enjoy running fast. For example, the other week I ran 3 miles in 23:15, which is a sub-8:00 pace. While very slow relative to many other runners, it was very fast relative to my old speed.

I have also bought into the barefoot running craze. If you don’t know what this is, I’ll summarize. I take most of my information from these articles from Wired and The Daily Mail.

There is a growing body of research that says running barefoot is better for the human body than running in trainers. The theory behind this is that humans have evolved into good distance/endurance runners. Our feet all by themselves reduce shock to joints when running barefoot. The key problem is that many people (myself included) heel strike when running in trainers. This is not how your body is built to run; you should instead be striking at the midfoot to best reduce the impact of your foot striking the ground. Heel striking increases the impact of the strike on your feet, ankles, knees, and hips, and is the reason behind many running injuries. Running barefoot, you will instead naturally midfoot strike. Try it sometime, you will find that you will always strike on the ball of your foot when running barefoot. The articles mention several other ways by which your feet reduce impact. Thus, running barefoot is the best way to have a natural running stride and reduce impact on your joints. This is the theory at any rate.

I decided to test the theory for three main reasons.

1. The articles I linked above mention several common running maladies, such as plantar fasciitis, that researchers blame on improper running technique caused by running in trainers. I have had nearly every injury specified and have always run in trainers.
2. My training goal this summer is to run faster. In addition to the benefits I mention above, running barefoot builds muscle in your feet and calves, which should help make me faster.
3. The Wired article turned me on to Vibram Five Fingers, which is a crazy shoe with toes. Here’s a picture of them on me. They are super crazy, geeky, and awesome. Barefoot running gives me a reason to flaunt these about my neighborhood.

To date, I have only run barefoot once, yesterday in the Vibrams for half a mile of a three mile run. As far as the shoes go, wearing them was just like running barefoot with heavily calloused feet. As far as barefoot running goes, my ankles hurt. It is supposed to take some time to get used to barefoot running, so I will continue to slowly ease myself into it. I will post updates as I discover if barefoot running is really better for me or just some hippy, anti-Nike crap.

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Update: As you can see in Twitter, just did 6×400 interval training, first three in Brooks and second three in Vibrams.  I was faster in the Vibrams, but my ankles are in some pain now.  I think that tomorrow’s run will be in regular trainers.