Barefoot Running with Charlie

On Sunday I ventured out with my new personal trainer through the park and out into the fields. I decided to go 'barefoot' and put on my Vibram Five Fingers.

This is the longest I've been out in them, but I was perfectly fine walking the dog on the 20 minute walk to the park, then a good 20 minute run around the fields and hills.

I thought running barefoot was a liberating experience, but add 'barefoot' to running out in the fields with Charlie and it's incredible!

I also sprinted flat out for the first time in my Vibrams, which is quite a feat considering I had to maintain my barefoot gait and not smash my heels into the ground. I'll just have to keep an eye out for when the bunnies are about in future. Charlie can't help but chase them.

The whole barefoot thing is going great and I've noticed a real improvement in my calf strength, plus a fair bit of definition. Walking and running in a bare foot gait is much easier after a month of doing bits here and there. It was tough to start, but now it's a lot of fun.

Finally, I was able to wear Charlie out and walked him back home, took my Vibrams off and put on my extremely cushioned Merrell trainers. Barefoot is fun, but I couldn't do it all the time.

Have been chatting to Justin from Birthday Shoes about the new VFFs 2011 range, including the Komodo Sport in particular. Justin is a real nut for the whole 'minimalist' shoe thing. That's all he wears now.

I think I'll stick to having barefooted fun, then put on my comfy shoes when I'm done.