New to my "goofy shoes".

[EricMontgomery]

Hi all,

My name is Eric Montgomery and I live in (South) San Jose, California.

This board was the first one that met my eye when I logged in as a newly registered member so I figured why not.

I've only had my first pair of VFFs (Bikilas) for a little over a week. I'd wear them everywhere if my wife would let me get away with it. I'm already wearing them to work every day and have a number of coworkers seriously considering a purchase.

I can't claim to be a runner as I haven't seriously run more than a couple hundred yards at one time in more than 15 years when the Navy forced us to run 3 miles a year (1.5 miles, twice a year whether we needed it or not), but I'm hoping to eventually get myself to the point of being able to comfortably jog a few miles a couple times a week. At age 39, 5'11', and 213lbs (and ramping up for my mid-life crisis) I should seriously be doing it for more reasons than just "I want to".

In addition to all of that I have the added hurdle of having had a triple spinal fusion (L2-L3-L4) 2 years ago so being able to jog without heel strike causing a huge amount of stress and loading on the system is a HUGE plus for me! The attached picture will give you a good idea of what I'm working with. Within 2 weeks of surgery I was up and walking about 2 miles a day and 2-5 miles a day at the one month point. I was expected to limp for the rest of my life since they were removing a tumor on the L3 nerve and were expecting to need to remove the nerve, but my rock star neurosurgeon managed to save the nerve leaving me to walk normally and contemplate life as a runner/jogger without having to limp everywhere.

As I mentioned, I just recently bought my first set of Bikilas and have already started secretly pining for a new pair of Black/Black KSOs to keep them company. My wife calls them my "goofy shoes" and just shakes her head when I put them on. I've had almost zero issues in the transition with the sole exception of a huge increase in foot odor after wearing them all day. I'm looking for good ways to cut down on that though. Needless to say, the new pair is going on my "Dear Santa" list and I'll continue to wear my Bikilas wherever my wife allows.


I look forward to interacting with (and hopefully running with) all of you in the future!

Take care,
Eric

[SugarD]

Welcome, Eric.

I know you'll continue to enjoy your new VFF's.  I am a runner but was a major heel striker which equaled having a knee or hip or back iproblem at least once a year.  Now having learned about chi, and pose and using the VFFs for short runs, I can run in regular running shoes and be striking the midfoot without thinking about it.  I've run shorter runs in my VFF's (bikilas) and love the run and only on Sunday did I do my first 9.5 miler in them and they were great.  I do have to wear the injinji socks in them so I don't get any hotspots though.  I want to wear my VFF's everywhere. 

Hopefully you can walk and maybe eventually jog in yours.  Just do like everyone says, take it slow even if it feels good. 
I have the black kso's too and love them for everyday use and water use.  Have fun!

[mactarkus]

The key is to get your wife into her own pair of VFFs.  I got my wife into a pair and now she is hooked with two pairs and more in her future.

I also have been forced to stay in run-shape in 17 years in the Air Force.  Overnight VFFs turned my from hating running to sort of enjoying it.  Each time I slip them on, I feel like running.  I running further, faster, and more often with no aches and pains.  Hopefully, your VFFs can give you similar pleasures given your back problems.

[Rana]

Welcome!

[delucio]

I'd wear them everywhere if my wife would let me get away with it.

I know the feeling. I wish I could wear mine everywhere. Mine just gives me this look when I start to put on my sprints, when we head out the door. Sometimes, I can slip them on with out her noticing but once we get somewhere and she finds out, she gets a little upset.

[EricMontgomery]

Happily I can report that she has since gotten used to the idea that they aren't going away. she's even given me "permission" to go get a second pair (KSOs this time) at the end of the month! Since getting the Bikilas I've worn them absolutely everywhere and they have ceased to raise eyebrows at work. I've only worn my regular shoes twice since I got them 3 weeks ago and the last time I put them on they felt REALLY confining.

[delucio]

Unfortunately at work I still have to wear my combat boots... Yeah I bought my second pair last week and just got them in today. Its a pair of KSOs with the black/Grey camo. The cat and I have taken turns chasing each other around the house, and I think I might go walk around somewhere in public. People here in MS have very little clue to these shoes, but I love it when some kid is like "Mommie/Daddie look at his shoes!" I just grin as I am walking away.