So w/ my vibrams on my feet, I was ready to get back into running.  I knew I was going to have to take it easy and give my feet and calves a chance to accommodate to a type of activity I'd protected them from for most of my life.  I started with short runs to the end of the street and back, and would wake up with sore calves and feet the next morning.  But it was a good sore, not at all like an injury.  It was the kind of soreness you get from using muscles more than they're used to.  I gradually progressed to longer and longer runs, until one day I decided I could make the .7 mile lap around our whole neighborhood.  The next morning, I was less sore than my first run to the end of the street and back.  That was probably just before Christmas.  Since then I've been confidently adding distance to my runs, and have gone as much as 4 miles in a single run.  Typically I go between 2 or 3 miles per run.

During that break in process, I'd been doing some reading and watching some videos on true barefoot running.  I remember one guy saying that it would take a runner about 3 months to build up the skin on his feet adequately to run barefoot regularly.  I thought, meh... why would I need to do that?  Running in my Vibrams is just as good from a cardiovascular standpoint.  Why is it even necessary to run fully bare footed?  Some claim that the extra feedback you get through your feet gives a little more benefit as far as your body having enough information to know how to safely run, but it didn't seem like it was a necessity.  At the time, I didn't think I'd have an interest in true  barefoot running.

I took a break (as well as got sick for a little while) just after Christmas, and then resumed my running.  One day, after my run, on an impulse, I decided to take off my Vibrams for my cooldown walk.  While they were off, I decided to try just a short distance of barefoot running.  I ran about 1/2 way down the street, on the sidewalk.   The sensation was not at all what I expected.  Being January, the sidewalk was nice and cool.  The balls of my feet didn't strike the pavement as hard as I expected.  It really was not much different at all from running in my Vibs, except that I could actually feel the cool pavement.  So I started thinking, why not just try it a few more times?  So I started making a habit of finishing my runs barefoot.  Soon half a street became half a block.  Then a whole block.  Wednesday, I ran the .7 miles around our neighborhood fully barefoot.

During this process, the only negative aspect of the experience is that my skin would start to tingle or sting slightly after a certain distance of running.  I'm a very tender footed guy who sits behind a desk all day, and never goes barefoot, even in the house.  So each time I'd feel that stinging sensation, I was sure that I was starting to wear holes in the bottoms of my feet.  So I'd walk the rest of the way home and check things out.  Each time, I'd look at my skin and never saw any abrasions or blisters.  I'd feel the stinging for maybe another 20 or 30 minutes, and then everything went back to normal.

After about 7 or 8 experiences like this, I gained the confidence to know that the stinging didn't mean I was doing any real damage, so today I decided to do a complete run fully barefoot from start to finish.  Liz and Margaret joined me.  We went to Rose Rudman and ran on their paved trail.  I ran a total distance of 2.2 miles.  I didn't spot it, but Liz said that at least 3 or 4 people stared at my feet as I ran by.  Towards the end of the run, I was certainly feeling it.  Nothing too uncomfortable, but I could tell that my skin was enduring some use.  But I tripled my previous barefoot distance, so I expected that it'd be a little worse than normal.  It wasn't too bad, though.  At no point would I say that I was in pain.  I'm typing this about 3 hours after my run, and I can still feel some mild stinging.  Normally this goes away w/in 30 minutes of a run.  Assuming it feels normal by tomorrow morning, I think I'm ready to start running barefoot as close to 100% of the time as I can get from now on.  I'd really like to run the Race for the Cure 5k this May barefoot if they'll let me.  I think by then my skin should be plenty tough to run on the brick streets of Tyler.  At the very least, I'm running it in my Vibrams.

So if you're interested in barefoot running and haven't yet tried going fully barefoot, give it a shot.  You may find that you enjoy it.

My Sprints are still doing great for running I know some people don't like how the heel fits but I don't mind it. I do have to say over all my favorite pair to run in was my KSOs. But I am still planning to hold out for the Bikilas.

As suggested by my first comment I am going to try and pick a copy of Born to Run this weekend while we are out. Assuming Barns and Noble doesn't want an arm and a leg for it. Otherwise I'll just do what I normally do and order online.

We have both gone full time VFF wearers so you pretty much will always see us with some funny shoes on.  I had ordered a pair of blue camo KSOs but the strap started to fray so I sent them back.  With inventory being so low I didn't have many options on another pair and I didn't want to wait till mid March for another pair in my size so I got a pair of Classics which I am loving.I did do one run in them and didn't like that at all. But for your everyday wear that are great and a lot easier to get on and off fast. I ended up ordering two pair to make sure I got the right size this time and I think Margaret thought a pair was for her.  They don't have VFF right now for kids and I doubt they will.  But I did find Margaret a pair of minimalist shoes they are also expensive at half the cost of a pair of VFF. But I was able to find a pair brand new on a forum for $7 shipped so that was without a doubt my deal of the week. They were not the color or size I would have picked paying full price. But then again I probably wouldn't have a pair at full price and both Will and I want to keep her feet in good shoes too.  They are Preschoolians for anyone interested. We will have this pair for a while cause they are pretty big right now.

We have gave ourselves a little challenge. We both want a pair of Bikilas when they come out. They are the first pair of VFF designed for running.  So in order to get a pair we both have to run five miles.  Will has already done four so I don't think he is going to have much trouble. I think he is pushing to run his five totally barefoot.  I on the other hand have a little ways to go.  We are also planning on running all the local 5ks like we used to.  A while back I picked up a jogging stroller at a garage sale for $10 bucks and its safe to say we have got our moneys worth. So we can shouldn't have any issues doing the runs with Margaret as long as she is in a good mood and has plenty of snacks. We have even talked a little here and there about doing a half marathon.

One other thing I want to point out about VFF is that before Will started wearing them he couldn't bend his toes at all.  He really couldn't get them to move.  He has been wearing his full time since November and he can not only move them but bend them a fair amount. So all the talk you hear about them strengthening tendons in your toes is true.

First meal was Tofu Tacos its was pretty good. I think if I cook it again I need to cook the onions a little longer than two or three minutes. But we all ate it and were full and happy. Was my first time ever to cook tofu and it went really well. Before we even left I had no idea what the cost of tofu was but for on package of organic tofu at Whole Foods was only $1.79 which is way cheaper than any organic meat. Also we didn't even use the whole package so it was a very affordable and healthy meal.

My second cooking adventure was  Zucchini Brownies. They were a bit of a leap as the whole idea just sound wrong. But my normal curiosity took over and I knew I had to try these. So Sunday afternoon I gave them a shot. At first I didn't think it was even going to work cause it's a very dry mix even after adding the zucchini. I think when I make them again I am going to do a good heaping or well packed two cups of zucchini so they are extra moist. I did the two cups this time but they were not packed cups cause I was a little scared off adding to much zucchini. But now seeing that won't hurt the taste any I will be sure to do more next time. Anyway just to cut to the chase as weird as these sound they are really good. I have gave them to more than four different people that all thought they were great and would have never guessed they had zucchini in them. This is a vegan recipe and would be great to making for a school event or any other social event were you don't know what everyone food allergies are since you would be eliminating dairy and egg.