October 31, 2009
by dhoytt
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First 7 Mile Run in Vibram five Fingers

I’m just back from my first run (hour ago) in VFF (Vibram Five Finger) KSO’s of over 4 miles I should have done it earlier but head colds, home projects, schedule & trepidation delayed me a bit.
The first part of my run was pretty standard pace for my 4 miles runs and maybe a little faster than I wanted as there was a runner going the same way I was on my course for the first time I could recall in a very long time. The other runner kept me from backing too far off of my pace as you tend to do when running a longer distance than you had in bit.
During the run I reminded myself to keep a slight 10 – 15 percent body lean forward which seems to insure my proper foot strikes and stride.
Normally after my initial run of this manner my body feels a bit beat up and jostled around. Today I just feel like I had some cardio and my calves feel like they did some stretch work and I felt a tinge in my right knee (slowly going away) that has been there since June well before my introduction to the Vibram Five Fingers.
The trepidation’s I had were my old reasons of the stress on the body I knew running this distance previously when not being in the best shape and how it keeps you from sometimes running again soon. I was also trying to ease into the VFF KSO’s since I felt weird about being able to get so comfortable in them for the 4 mile runs.
Well I don’t feel all beat up I don’t have to get into my hammock and crash for a while and take it easy after this run! I now know I should have been doing this run about 2 or 3 weeks ago if not for the head cold!

October 11, 2009
by dhoytt
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Smoked Whole Chicken

HPIM1489.JPG
Here are some chickens I smoked this evening so I will not have to cook a main dish the rest of the week.
I used the “Indirect Smoking” method with my Char Griller model #2424.
They came out very tender and the smoke taste was all the way through the meat.

October 9, 2009
by dhoytt
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Weights, Running & Vibram Five Finger KSO’s

I noticed that when I skipped my weight workouts where I hit my legs I’m not quite as flexible in my muscles as without hitting the weights.

I’m not talking about “peaking” or lots of weight and low reps to build bulk but medium to high reps with lower weights and an amount of weight where you can do at least 3 complete sets.

The leg exercises I’m speaking of are, while wearing VFF (Vibram Five Fingers) doing my presses, curls, extensions, calf raises and sitting on a bench with my leg fully supported with just my foot off the bench and placing a collar on my foot connected to weights and then puling my foot towards me.

The aforementioned exercises really help me feel a lot more comfortable when running in my VFF KSO’s.

I noticed this week as I had been to busy to hit the gym last night and then ran right afterwards. My calves weren’t as tight and it was very soothing after I was done and feels really stretched out today.

October 2, 2009
by dhoytt
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Differences Running Vibram Five Finger After Three Weeks

I am settled in more comfortably than I could have expected after about three weeks running in my Vibram Five Finger KSO’s and have noticed the following differences for me. Here are some I can recall at this time having just run about thirty minutes ago.

  1. My stride is more upright and effecient
  2. My lower back and hamstrings aren’t tight and strained after a run.
  3. The part of my body that becomes tight is are my lower back calves right around the Achilles. This stretches out as I run and is becoming noticeably stronger.
  4. I have a lot more spring in my step when going up steps and my instep I think it called is getting new muscles.
  5. My pace is nice and fast even though it seems it isn’t since the run feels so comfortable once I’m into the run.
  6. When I step on a branch or large stone I didn’t see in time to avoid stepping on my ankle doesn’t roil. I think this is due to the fact I don’t have a single/solid piece of material strapped to my feet that can only go one way. My feet actually mold around it and yes its not comfortable but I’m not rolling my ankle either!

September 28, 2009
by dhoytt
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KSO Vibram Five Finger Runs Continuing Well

This morning was the first time that my runs in my KSO’s that I didn’t run a faster time than before. That could have been because I kinda strained myself moving items around the house.
I am trying to increase the frequency of my runs but my left Achilles is a bothering me a bit. This was an issue before I started using the KSO’s but it had been stretching out earlier in my runs than it did today.
Everything else is going fine, in fact I had a slight knee issue I thought was going to hold me back before I started running in the KSO’s but that has gone away almost to nothing now.
Evaluating the whole Vibram Five Finger KSO running expression has been very positive and I don’t think I will be going back to my traditional running shoes since my lower back and hamstrings aren’t as much of an issue any longer.
I just need to start running more frequently and progress to back to back days so I can get in the shape I have been in in the past and really push it!

September 26, 2009
by dhoytt
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Picking up Time on My Runs Barefoot Alternative

Well I got a couple more runs with my VFF ( Vibram Five Finger) KSO’s in since my last post including earlier this morning and my time improved again over a 30 seconds on my 4 mile run.
I’m starting not to worry so much about adjusting to the KSO’s and just going out concentrating on running. Thursday I was running errands so I went and ran a bit over 4 miles at one of the local Junior College track at ARC and that felt good as well.
I’m not quite ready to go over 4 miles yet but I think I will try an LSD (Long Slow Distance) in my KSO’s soon.
As far as how I feel after the runs my back, hamstrings & shins don’t feel the tightness like a ball I used to feel. The place I feel a bit of impact is my lower calves but its just like working a muscle in the gym. During the day I notice I have more spring in my calves when going up the stairs and with my normal steps my walking stride is changing.
I’m really liking my KSO’s for running so far.

September 22, 2009
by dhoytt
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Runs Improving With Vibram Five Finger KSO’s

Well today after missing a few days running due to my schedule I took a run just about and hour ago and my time improved past what had been my PB since getting back into my runs in June. I am able to push my stride a bit more in the VFF (Vibram Five Finger) KSO’s than previous runs.
I had been improving already with my previous footwear, Saucony Propel Grid Plus, but with the VFF KSO’s I don’t get all of the cramping I had with all previous shoe wear. The only shoes previous to these VFF KSO’s I could run in consistently without injury were the Saucony brand. I would still feel my legs were beat up with traditional running shoes I liked.
I do pretty extensive stretching every night before going to bed and have noticed that even then my legs aren’t as tight as normal on days I run.
The thing I have to work on now is running more consistently not letting my schedule get in the way taking my runs before it gets too hot.
So far changing to the VFF KSO’s have been better than anticipated in the short time I have had them

September 19, 2009
by dhoytt
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Relearning My Running Stride with Vibram KSO’s

This morning I completed my third street run and fourth workout in my Vibram KSO’s. Taking my standard 4 mile run and it was very comfortable and my speed improved from the last time and is getting closer to my times with my previous athletic shoes.
I’m adapting better than I could imagine to the more upright approach you need with the KSO’s. When I’m out there its strange sometimes I don’t feel like I’m putting forth the effort I should, like I should be struggling more.
I have bad habits I know I have to be conscious of during my runs and those seem to be changing on their own with the KSO’s. One bad habit I have is my feet would fly off in an awkward angle (sometimes scarping m other ankle as I pulled in trying to correct my stride) as I tried picking up speed, wasting energy and effort. I started to pick my pace up today and my feet through habit started to fly out to the side but because of the running style you need to have with these KSO’s, in one stride I corrected this, in fact the KSO’s just let me put my energy & power into my forward stride easily!
I put a lot of importance in how I feel after my runs and I don’t feel like my body is as beat up as normal from my runs. My hamstrings, quads and lower back aren’t in a tight ball as normal yet I’m not far off from my previous pace with my normal running shoes.
This is cool, yet strange I don’t know what to think about this, I’ll keep moving forward with my workouts to see how things progress.

September 16, 2009
by dhoytt
4 Comments

Another Vibram Five Fingers Work Out

Today I took another run in my KSO Five Fingers from Vibram. I took a 4 mile run today.
The run went well even though technically I should be taking it slower.
My pace was quite a bit slower but it felt good.
When I’m out there in the KSO’s the feeling is so unusual I almost feel like I am running in socks, but of course I have the soles of my KSO’s under me.

September 15, 2009
by dhoytt
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Second Vibram Five Fingers Workout

I did my second Vibram Five Finger KSO’s workout in the gym. I went and did my full body workout in the gym with with weights while wearing my KSO’s and then did a 30 minute session on the treadmill.
I felt pretty good after my Sunday run with my KSO’s of about 3 miles and this session felt good as well.
With everything going on its nice to have a great workout! A good workout, especially running, is like a good meditation session but more exhilarating!
So far I have noticed once into my run on the street and on the treadmill with the KSO’s I fall into a very comfortable rhythm for a while once my muscles relax. I think its a promising start so far with not as much discomfort as I imagined initially.