Snagging ‘em at a solid price of $7 plus the $7 for shipping.
I figure for $14 it is worth a try at Vivobarefoot shoes which might be a bit easier with some cold weather days ahead (hello toe socks that won’t feel jammed into toe shoes!).
They remind me a little like Crocs. And have that same smell. Bright side is that these will be about 100 times better with cleaning and getting the smell out than the Vibrams.
But I still haven’t given up on my VFFs! Just figure I’ll try a little something different every now and then.
Like we seriously didn’t predict that this would happen…I mean, really, honestly, it was completely predictable.
Won’t wear them until the nail fungal infection clears up, but the coupon expires Friday so it’s too good to beat.
Also, at the store a new employee was impressed by my Vibram family (I brought in my purple bikilas but they have on record the ones I bought plus the ones listed as previously owned by myself as a “running history” pun intended).
I’ll update the pictures later this week with my Vibram family or next when I’m not insanely busy.
But I just had to share the newest VFF in my life. <3 (And I was *this* close to getting the SeeYas but the store manager convinced me for the extra $20 the tread really was worth it for the Spyridons.)
38 days. That’s how long it took me to realize last year that I was truly a runner. 38 days of running a mile, sometimes two, and rarely three miles a day. 38 consecutive days, no rest, during the holiday season. Looking back to the RWRunStreak of Holiday 2011 makes me realize just how much I’ve grown in 5 short months.
I went into Summer RWRunStreak 2012 with my head held high, gym membership in hand, ready to crank out similar mileage to what I had done last year. I spent 30 of 38 days of the running streak not only running but biking, swimming, rowing, stair climbing, and elliptical machine working out. 38 days of no rest days (excluding a tropical storm day where knee deep water limited movement outside). 38 days of running a mile, a mile and a half, and two miles became the thing I look forward to in my day. The hours would revolve around when I was getting dressed, where I was running, would I bike before run or run and then bike. Those questions were answered simply by how I felt when I stepped in the gym. My body never failed me, proper eating and proper recovery made me stronger.
Last year the RWRunStreak defined me as a runner. This year it inspired me. It reminded me how far I’ve come and how far I still have to go. Most importantly, it made me realize that as long as I have the motivation, desire, and tools to run, that I will put my feet on the treadmill or asphalt and run.
With Vibrams or barefoot, running is running to me. It makes me the person who I am today. So I challenge you, as I did once before, make a running streak of your own. Let it motivate you, let it define you, and let it take you to places that you have never been before. Surprise yourself and realize the potential that you have to accomplish great things.
And then training for NYC Half Marathon I got my current pair.
In the year since I transitioned from hard-sole, corrective shoes to Vibrams I have gotten a lot of weird faces, odd questions, jokes, remarks, and been made fun of by multiple members of my family. But the things that stuck with me still put a smile on my face — hiking the Smokey Mountains in my KomodoLS, running the streets of New York in my purple Bikilas, hiking trails in Alabama in all 3 of my Vibrams, running miles upon miles, spending adventurous evenings with new walking routes with the dog, and finding the courage to try something out of the ordinary and make it be a part of who I am.
Not only am I a runner. I’m a minimalist runner. I’m a barefoot runner. It defines who I am. It brings me courage, determination, and strength to try new things, hike new places, take on new adventures. I look forward to the years and miles to come.
Awhile ago, before I even started looking into Vibrams, I came across a post by Jonathan and saw the book Born to Run being suggested as a book to read before making the transition to barefoot running.
So one of my lovely followers inquired about how I transitioned into my Vibrams. While I promised her this post about 3-4 days ago, I apologize for being late, but at least it is finally getting written.
And now that I have about 15 of my Vibrams posts pulled up on Google Chrome I can go ahead and delve right into recapping the past 2 months of having my Vibrams and how I’ve transitioned from a beginner barefoot runner to where I am today. Also what led me to the decision to start training in my Vibrams for a marathon in January.
Yes to all of what is listed. Especially the last one. I can’t tell you how many people I talked to at my last 5K before the race as they saw me in my VFFs. And there was this one parent who was standing with her son after the race who got into a conversation with me about them in the pouring rain. One of the main things I recall her saying “They give you killer calves”. Well, I’m starting to see the results, and I’d have to agree with her statement for sure!
But seriously, take a look at them. They take some getting used to and working out, but I love my VFFs, and I will not hesitate to go and purchase another pair when the time comes—although I might go online to save a few $$ since I know the make and size.
My toes still feel a little funny getting used to them being individualized (I’ve been sitting here/walking around the apartment for the past hour or so with them on, but I have a feeling in the next 20/30 minutes when I’m done with dinner they’re coming off since I’m sitting on my bed doing homework). I’m a forefront striker when I run, so they told me transitioning should be a lot easier. Also, if you have wide feet, I’d recommend looking at Bikila LS or the speed shoes, the ones that velcro or just slip on will be too tight on your arches [most likely]. The place I went to sells a lot of stuff besides running shoes, so they can sell Vibrams easily—in fact everyone there trying on shoes were trying on Vibrams and I think there were easily 5-8 people there when I entered and another 2-3 families came in afterwards, and I went with @themoonandyou about 40 minutes before they were closing.
I was super excited to find a place that sells these! Since TrackShack sells almost primarily shoes, their profit won’t come from minimalist/barefoot shoes like other running shoes (which Travel Country told me yesterday) and when I called up FleetFeet they had the New Balance minimalist shoes that don’t individualize toes. I’ve read mixed reviews that they don’t create the true minimalist feeling and how individualizing the toes gives you better balance and support, so I really wanted to try Vibrams. Luckily my friend (@themoonandyou) was looking online and we ended up going up to Travel Country—which is actually before Fleet Feet up in Altamonte Springs near the mall. They were definitely helpful and understanding about me wanting to switch AND they said they never heard of people getting heel blisters from these shoes—so super yay for me!
