I spent the holidays in the Midwest during and after a snowfall of 18 inches or so and with temperatures below zero. Needless to say, my barefoot running was somewhat interrupted.
Having been living in my blissful barefoot Bermuda bubble for the past year, it was enlightening to be reminded of what a “real” winter looks and feels like. When I originally started barefoot running I loved the sensations of it so much that I didn’t see myself as a future owner of a pair of minimalist shoes. I’m in Bermuda – what would I need those for? Bare feet work just fine. But when I arrive in the cold, snowy Midwest, I was grateful that I had had the forethought to order a pair of Vibram Five Fingers “just in case” and that they were waiting for me upon my arrival.
Because I have been a runner by one description or another for most of my life, the funny part of my trip is that I took my running shoes (unworn for several months) with me. It just felt weird to travel without them and I had this idea that I’d regret it if I left them. As it turns out, I was glad to have them because I had not really put much thought into footwear and flip flops were hardly warm enough to stand around in outside during my first stop-over in Boston. But of course, since my VFFs were waiting for me in the Midwest, I’m pleased to say that I was able to do all my holiday running without cushioned running shoes.
As far as the VFFs go, I am very happy with them. Certainly they are a far cry from the joys of actual barefoot running, but they kept my feet from getting frostbitten and were far more comfortable than regular running shoes. They didn’t have much traction in the snow, but I was more interested in just being out there than I was in being fast.
I arrived home last night amidst gale force winds and bouts of rain, making my first run back FAR less pleasant than the silent crispness of my snowy Midwestern runs last week. Nonetheless, my feet were happy to be warm and are thrilled to be reunited with the ground once again. The plan is to get a run in every day during January. I think a January half-marathon is a little premature for my not-yet-fully adjusted bare feet. I did run 10km barefoot before I flew to the US, and didn’t have any pain or blisters, but I think I need more time before I can run twice that. I would like to run a full marathon (my first) this year and have set May 24th as the date for that. It’s time to stop pfaffing around and do a marathon already.
Hi, barefoot in Bermuda,
A quick question. Do VFFs hold up while walking or running over rock salt? I was wondering as living in Chicago barefooting (for a long time) is somewhat impossible due to snow and cold. Altho I do short bfwalks as to the alley to toss the garbage and to the street to brush off my car those pesky grains can hurt as well as dry up one’s feet.
All the best w/ your marathon prep.
David in Chicago
By: David on January 9, 2010
at 10:32 pm
Hi David,
when I was in the Midwest for the Holidays I was out in the country and didn’t experience much rock salt. The only times I did, it was very cold so there wasn’t any slush and it didn’t cause a problem. I imagine that rock salt in slushy snow and on wet roads could get into the toes of the KSO’s but from what I understand, the VFF Flows are designed for cooler weather and have a more enclosed toe than the Flows. If I were living in the midwest, the Flows would be my VFFs of choice but they are too warm for island life.
B.i.B.
By: barefootinbermuda on January 10, 2010
at 9:56 am