Since 2011, I have been running with Vibrams, the Five fingers shoes which has been touted to cause bad foot health and other health problems. I am not at all born to wear the shoes, originally a heel striker and wearing the conventional covered shoes. I did not like my transition from normal shoes to Vibram Five finger, in fact, I have very bad swollen Achilles’ heels after the first try.
History
I started running around 2006, covering only short distances like 5km to 10km. I never liked running in the first place and got into it because of my job then. I always find it very tiring to run and maybe it was due to my wrong breathing method, I get very breathless after a run and also due to the hot weather in Singapore. But as time goes by you will slowly get addicted to this sport, which is both cardio pumping and a lot about determination and pacing yourself.
Being a conventional foot wear user, my initial running form was very much of a heel striker. I had bad posture since young with a lot of slouching. The running did not make me change. I got even worse after starting to run 10 km and above. As time goes by, I begin to develop some knee problem. Initially, it was not that pain but it got worse after every run.
Vibrams
Komodo Sports LS women
The change came about 2010, I was introduced to this shoes. Its initial outlook did not attract me at all because it is very minimal and being a person with short legs, it does not enhance my legs at all. The worse was the usual sore that came with running with it. There was even a point I thought that I will not be able to walk again with the injury that I sustain.
But little did I know that I did the training the wrong way. I was not supposed to go longer than 5 km and also to bring along my usual shoes, if I do not feel right in any case I should change back to the old shoes.
How to get started with Vibrams
Some of the runners especially barefooters find that wearing Vibram is not really running barefoot but I find that it is the way that you run that is more important. Running full bare foot have also other implications, including hurting the feet and causing abrasion, especially when usually we wear thicker soled shoes to help prevent cuts and being cut by sharp objects.
Getting used to Vibram 5 fingers
Users of the Vibram 5 fingers need to get used to running with the ball of the foot. Most of the 5 fingers users tend to take very small steps and not much of a big leap forward because of the impact that the landing creates to the foot. It can be very hard and harsh for the feet.
Injinji Five Finger Socks
Some of the users wear the 5 fingers socks, although I don’t, wearing the socks mostly for hygiene reasons is recommended.
The good thing about the shoes is that it is light weight and easy to keep because it is very flat. The design is also nice. It is also easy to was as it is not so thick.
Vibram 5 Fingers for Trail running
For trail running it might not be that ideal especially for the technical slopes ( whether going up or down). The 5 Fingers portion can in fact be a hindering point because it can pick up grass and affect your running. The lack of thickness meant that there is also more feel of the ground as compared to other shoes. It will not be easy for the more bumpy roads and rocks. But it’s grip is definitely good for rock surfaces.
Overall, the Vibram 5 Fingers is good depending from runner to runner , some like it but to some it may be difficult to switch from the normal type of running shoes. But do give it a try and find out for your self whether you like it a not.