anything... yikes. I'm getting better, I swear.
I'll make this post short and simple. I've decided to join the minimalist running
movement! After watching many of those around me slip into their Vibram running
shoes and talk endlessly about how great they are and how they prevent various
injuries... I had to check it out myself. Lucky for me, two weekends ago REI was
hosting a Running Shoe expo and they had the latest and greatest out on display.
To be completely honest with you, I'm not a fan (at all) of how the Vibram 5
Fingers look. Simply put, they're hideous. I'm sorry Vibram, but the truth is the
truth. You can only wear them semi-normally while running. If you wear them
with anything else, they look absolutely ridiculous. Nonetheless, I tried a pair on
and they felt amazing. Like they belonged on my feet and that I was born to
run in them. Still, I couldn't get over the look of them on my feet... I looked even
more freakish because I tried the black ones. No bueno.
Enter Merrell Women's Pace Glove.
It's everything I've ever wanted in a running shoe and more. Super comfortable
(they have the patented Vibram sole so the minimalist idea is the same), mesh
cloth design to allow for breathing and easy drying and a microfiber footbed
that's treated with antibacterial solution to prevent odors. I can sit here all day
and talk about them, but you can just read all the awesome specs here:
RUNNING AMAZINGNESS
Once they were on, I didn't want to take them off. I don't think the Merrell
representative appreciated that.
I should have just run off with them on. :) I decided to be a good sport and finally
take them off and put in an order for a pair of my own. $75 dollars later (thank god
for my 20% member coupon + dividend) I was ready to hit the pavement in
minimalistic style! However, I didn't just want to jump into running with these babies...
I wanted to wear them around for a few days so my feet could get adjusted first.
So that's what I did for a few days this week and then last night I just went outside
and ran... and kept running... and running. It sounds like forever, but it was actually
just 4 miles. It was GLORIOUS. Absolutely no IT band problems and I felt like I
could have kept going forever. It was soooooo good to feel like that again. I miss(ed)
that the most about running. The freedom from everything and the ability to run
injury free. I thought I shed a few tears of joy but it was actually just rain. :) I'm not
going to count my chickens before they hatch, but I'm already in love with these
shoes and am looking forward to logging some serious miles with them in the
upcoming weeks. Stay tuned!
