This morning I took off on a run with cool air, clear skies, never met another soul, and ran underneath the sunrise, with Jay Clark on my iPod (which I rarely ever use while running but happened to grab this morning on my way out). It was heaven.
Also on this run, I was wearing my Vibram Bikilas that my wife bought me for my birthday back in January. I hadn't tried them yet, admittedly I was skeptical.
I have a pair of original KSOs that I mostly run in and love, and I have a pair of KSO Treks that I wear a lot (run in only occasionally as they are a bit to large and my feet slide in them if I'm not wearing socks... and I hate wearing socks in FiveFingers). But the Bikilas were different. From what I had seen, I liked some, and was quite skeptical about other points. The pods on the bottom I was mostly indifferent to. I could see the grip could be nice (having slid while running down hill in the rain in my KSOs a few times) but also was concerned about the feel. The fact that they advertised "more padding in the forefoot" bothered me, and the arch construction freaked me out. It LOOKED like a stability web in the pictures.
So this morning I took them for their first run, and here's what I found:
The "extra padding" was not noticeable (not in a negative way) at all. I still maintained great feel.
The arch I was completely wrong about - it's not a stiff material at all, it still bends and flexes, and it does not provide any support (like I was afraid it would), it merely serves to "hug" your arch and make the shoe fit more glove like.
On that note, the glove like fit is what I loved about the Bikilas. Unlike any other VFF, the glove like fit is superb, it's like the shoes are painted on.
The material is soft and form fitting.
The pods on the bottom (though not an issue today on flat and dry conditions) I'm sure would provide greater grip, however I can "feel" them ever so slightly on the inside forefoot.
By far the best part of this shoe is the fact that, so much better than any other VFF, the inside is completely seamless! There are no hot-spots, no rubbing, no sliding, no seams, no blistering - perfectly smooth. For that reason right there, I feel (after first run) that they will probably take over as my favorite running specific VFFs. I say running specific because the fit is phenomenal for running, but doesn't lend themselves to casual wear like my KSO treks.
Conclusion: Though the pods are slightly noticeable under the forefoot, that is not enough to sway me away from these as my new favorite, running specific, Fivefingers.
Second Wind
"Run With Purpose!"
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Live at 5 at 4:00
Hey guys, today I'll be on NBC's WBIR (Knoxville, TN) show Live at 5 at 4:00 for an interview on Second Wind - tune in!
Spring running:
My favorite times to run (to live!) are early spring and early fall. The changing weather, the crisp mornings, that breeze you only get those times of year... I love it!
As I broke out on my run this morning I had run about a mile when I realized that I had missed it. See, I was coming off of a series of breathing issues over the past couple months (asthma and bronchitis) and I was determined to get out and run and get to it! But after running about a mile it hit me that I was running on damp ground from the rain last night, the ground was old busted and broken asphalt sidewalk covered in a million textures, there was a cool breeze blowing, the sky was blue, the morning was quiet, and there were colors changing for the spring all around me, and I hadn't seen, heard, or felt any of it. All I had in my head was noise. I was focused on body angles, breath cadences, pressure points on my feet, and....work.
Form is so important, but once you know it, forget it! Once you know what you're supposed to do, and you've trained yourself to carry it out, just trust your body - it will do what it was designed to do - and enjoy the run! I had momentarily forgotten my rule of run for the love. If we run as work, then that's all it will ever be.
As I broke out on my run this morning I had run about a mile when I realized that I had missed it. See, I was coming off of a series of breathing issues over the past couple months (asthma and bronchitis) and I was determined to get out and run and get to it! But after running about a mile it hit me that I was running on damp ground from the rain last night, the ground was old busted and broken asphalt sidewalk covered in a million textures, there was a cool breeze blowing, the sky was blue, the morning was quiet, and there were colors changing for the spring all around me, and I hadn't seen, heard, or felt any of it. All I had in my head was noise. I was focused on body angles, breath cadences, pressure points on my feet, and....work.
Form is so important, but once you know it, forget it! Once you know what you're supposed to do, and you've trained yourself to carry it out, just trust your body - it will do what it was designed to do - and enjoy the run! I had momentarily forgotten my rule of run for the love. If we run as work, then that's all it will ever be.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Warmer weather!
With warmer weather approaching (teasingly) for a lot of us, the itch for running passes through many people who don't typically run at all or those who don't brave the cold conditions.
As your interest for running forms, or as you get ready to begin your warm weather program again, please remember to take it slow! When you are learning a new style such as the mechanics put forth in Second Wind, your body requires adjustment time. Though it will be the best, most freeing style that will result in better health, less pain, less swelling, and greatly diminish running related injuries, it will also take time for your body to adapt. Remember that your muscles (and particularly those in your feet) are in a state of atrophy. You are beginning a physical therapy session to recuperate your dormant muscles, ligaments, and even bones. Like all physical therapy, it is what's best for you, but it takes time, dedication, and isn't usually comfortable on the front end as you work your body back up to the level of performance it can achieve.
Let your feet (and calves!) be your guide - and get out there and get to it!
Run with Purpose,
-Levi
As your interest for running forms, or as you get ready to begin your warm weather program again, please remember to take it slow! When you are learning a new style such as the mechanics put forth in Second Wind, your body requires adjustment time. Though it will be the best, most freeing style that will result in better health, less pain, less swelling, and greatly diminish running related injuries, it will also take time for your body to adapt. Remember that your muscles (and particularly those in your feet) are in a state of atrophy. You are beginning a physical therapy session to recuperate your dormant muscles, ligaments, and even bones. Like all physical therapy, it is what's best for you, but it takes time, dedication, and isn't usually comfortable on the front end as you work your body back up to the level of performance it can achieve.
Let your feet (and calves!) be your guide - and get out there and get to it!
Run with Purpose,
-Levi
Second Wind in the news
http://www.insideandersoncounty.com/ recently did a piece on Second Wind (1st story on their homepage at the date of posting).
The Herald Citizen (Cookeville, TN) also ran an interview in their Sunday paper
Additionally, the Oak Ridger, the Herald Citizen (Cookeville, TN), and The Oak Ridge Observer have all requested interviews regarding the book that we'll set up soon.
I'm also excited to have just received an interview request from Live at 5 that will probably take place mid March.
I'm interested in supporting locally owned independent book stores in the area - email me with your favorite ones and we'll see what we can work out!
The Herald Citizen (Cookeville, TN) also ran an interview in their Sunday paper
Additionally, the Oak Ridger, the Herald Citizen (Cookeville, TN), and The Oak Ridge Observer have all requested interviews regarding the book that we'll set up soon.
I'm also excited to have just received an interview request from Live at 5 that will probably take place mid March.
I'm interested in supporting locally owned independent book stores in the area - email me with your favorite ones and we'll see what we can work out!
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