Ugly Gorilla Feet

So this is the first of many posts regarding Vibram Five Fingers, or VFFs. (www.vibramfivefingers.com) These foot gloves are designed as a barefooting alternative. You can wear VFFs for a number of activities like running, hiking, yoga or just wearing around day-to-day. I bought them specifically for running, but I will use them for everyday use, especially when I won't be seeing anyone I know.

Barefoot running is supposed to be very very good for you - improving your strength, agility and balance while cutting down on soreness, aches and pains in the long run. Basically the idea is that you run more efficiently because you are running the way your body was designed to, strengthening your legs, feet and toes in ways that conventional running shoes fail. VFFs are made to bring you as close to barefooting as possible while protecting your feet at the same time. I'll have to wait and see how my running changes over time before I can really comment on all that, but in the meantime, the transition from conventional shoes to VFFs is enough to write about.

I bought the KSO style, which stand for keep stuff out. (Living in the filthy city of Philadelphia, I'd like to keep as much of the city's grime out of my shoes as possible.) They are light and comfortable but difficult to get on. Lining up your toes to fit in each little socket is a lot harder than it seems, and I found the KSO the most challenging with the extra fabric. It's gotten easier every time though.

The first time I wore them out was Wednesday night. I went for a couple mile jog in my regular Lunartrainers and then switched the VFFs and walked back home. I have read that you really have to ease into wearing these things because it can hurt a lot in the beginning, just like it hurts any time you build up new muscles. I was expecting a lot of pain right away just walking in them. A man shopping in CitySports for his second pair told my boyfriend, Ryan, and me that he wore them for 5 min around the house at first and added a few minutes each day, and it hurt a lot and we should be patient. (Ryan and I both bought the KSOs earlier this week.) That said, I thought I was being overly ambitious in walking 2 miles home on the first go. Luckily, it didn't hurt at all! It felt great. It felt like I was getting a calf stretch with every step, and my toes never felt so good. Ryan didn't have so much luck, but he thinks that it might be easier for me because I am used to wearing thin flip flops for half the year. There are few things you have to get used to though. You must pick up your feet when you walk - dragging your foot on the ground or getting it caught on stuff doesn't feel good. Don't heel strike when you run or walk - it sort of sends an uncomfortable vibration up your bones from your hell, like when you hit your funny bone.

The next day I felt fine and I figured I can walk as far as I like in these things without too much pain. I wore them all day, walking all over the city and felt great. I tried to walk on gravel and sticks to see if it would hurt, but it really didn't. The only thing that scared me a little was walking on grates. I thought my little toe might get stuck. Walking over them wasn't an issue - although I think I'll try to avoid them when running. So everything was great, EXCEPT the way they look. Most of me is concerned with the benefits of wearing them, plus I think they are cool. I don't even mind the weird looks from strangers (and not strangers), and I even like that people are stopping me to ask about them. But, I don't like the looks of disgust that I'm getting from some strangers (and not strangers). I walked out of my apt building and little boy riding by on a school bus yelled out the window, "What the hell is on your feet?!?" I know they are ugly, but I just wish it was obvious that they are functional. Like I wish I could have a bubble over my head explaining that I am wearing these ugly shoes to improve my running, balance and strength and not because I think they look great. I mean, I've spent a lot of time and money choosing my clothes, and I don't want to ruin my outfits with gorilla feet that scream, "LOOK AT ME!" So, I am a little unsure of how often I will wear them in the future. For now, I am going to try to wear them as much as possible so I can get used to them. I'll just wear them with running clothes so it's a little more obvious that they are for running, not a fashion choice.

More to come very soon on on my first runs in these things. This post is just getting out of control long.