First run...questions

[wookmaster]

Hey all,

So after reading tons and tons about running correctly, naturally, etc I decided to grab a pair of KSO's.  Only had them a short while with some minor walking (about a mile) and took them to the treadmill today for about 1.2 miles (about .75 running)

I was trying my hardest to make sure I was landing on the front of my foot and rarely using the heel,  wasnt too hard,  as landing on your heel just hurts barefoot and in VFF's.

The first thing I noticed was I was sweating a lot more,  anyone else experience this?  I could feel my feet and legs getting sore,  I was expecting this so that is no surprise.  I didnt feel tired at all after the run,  feet just hurt.  I am currently working up to a 13.1 mile race in April but I dont plan to do it in the VFF's as I dont think my body will be ready.  Normally I dont really start sweating until about 1.5 miles or more so it was a bit odd.  Just wondering

Thanks for any replies

[Rana]

I'd imagine that it's because you're working the muscles more, instead of relying on your skeleton to provide stability.  More work = more heat = more sweat.

Welcome to the boards! 

[Jeepman]

You are relying on a new set of muscle you haven't used in a long time. Kind of reminds me of some of the lines in the movive "The Matrix" just after Morpheus rescues Neo.

Neo - What are you doing?
Morpheus - Your muscles have atrophy; we're rebuilding them.
Neo - Why do my eyes hurt?
Morpheus - Because you've never used them before.

As the new muscle groups get stronger, running will become easier than it was before you started with the VFFs. You'll be able to fly once you get those muscles strong.

Rgs. Jeepman.

[wookmaster]

Ohhhh yeah do my calves hurt...lol I have been limping since yesterday.  Probably be another day or two before I try another run in them.  Thanks for the replys

[inbetweenmytoes]

I've got a half marathon at the end of May, and even with months of VFF running under my belt, I'm a little anxious about being ready for that distance. You're smart to take it easy and not push for your race in FiiveFingers. BTW how are stairs?  Welcome to the boards and the muscle pain of transition.

[wookmaster]

I normally only use the front half of my foot on stairs so they have been ok so far,  feel kinda good because I can stretch my calves out good on them.  Good luck on your race,  I was trying to convert my running style in my normal shoes to be more like barefoot running yesterday and man did I cramp up good.  Definitely a lot of fun doing this!

[inbetweenmytoes]

A great resource for similar running posture and technique to barefoot running is 'CHi Running' by Danny Dreyer. When I first got into running last year, I had no one to guide me, so I latched onto the Chi idea. I didn't buy the book back then, just googled and read reviews and articles on it to get the gist of the principles behind the technique. It helped me focus on a mid-foot strike, posture, faster cadence, looseness, lifting my feet, etc before I ever thought about barefoot running. Now, I don't have to break too many old habits.

[dpollitt]

Neo - What are you doing?
Morpheus - Your muscles have atrophy; we're rebuilding them.
Neo - Why do my eyes hurt?
Morpheus - Because you've never used them before.

Jeepman - you are awesome.  Great analogy, and very true.

Glad to see others in a similar position as me..
@wookmaster - My muscles all felt the same after my first run.  Very similar sensations.
@inbetweenmytoes - I'm doing a half marathon at the end of June, so hopefully I can pull it off with 4 months of VFF training!  Anxious as well, but hey, it will be fun either way!

[hinogi]

Well I'm not planing to participate in any official race or anything, but I plan to either run an marathon/ultra or a triathlon before december I also have sore calves but not too much anymore because I do a lot of stretching and swimming and so on.

[balsam0]

My transition wasn't that bad.  I am think the reason is because I always wore skateboarding specific shoes.  There is no heal support what so ever and I have always felt those shoes to be more comfortable than your standard gym shoe.  I ran 4 miles yesterday and I am thinking about running 2 - 3 miles today.  The focus will be more on the Pose or Evolution running techniques. 

Inbetweentoes, I also tried the chi running method as a way to judge my form.  What sort of mile per minute times are you experiencing?  I have a lot of elevation changes where I run that seem to slow my pace.  I used to run 8 minutes miles in High School and I am trying to get back to that speed.  I am afraid ChiRunning loses efficiency in the process. 

[Jeepman]

My transition wasn't that bad.  I am think the reason is because I always wore skateboarding specific shoes.  There is no heal support what so ever and I have always felt those shoes to be more comfortable than your standard gym shoe.  I ran 4 miles yesterday and I am thinking about running 2 - 3 miles today.  The focus will be more on the Pose or Evolution running techniques. 

Inbetweentoes, I also tried the chi running method as a way to judge my form.  What sort of mile per minute times are you experiencing?  I have a lot of elevation changes where I run that seem to slow my pace.  I used to run 8 minutes miles in High School and I am trying to get back to that speed.  I am afraid ChiRunning loses efficiency in the process. 

I see you are in Ohio. If you are anywhere close to Toledo go see Joe Sparks. He is an awesome Pose coach. You can contact him at :

http://fitnesswithjoe.com/index.php

Rgs, Jeepman

[balsam0]

I see you are in Ohio. If you are anywhere close to Toledo go see Joe Sparks. He is an awesome Pose coach. You can contact him at :

http://fitnesswithjoe.com/index.php

Rgs, Jeepman

I saw that on their website.  I am about 3 hours away from Toledo.  Not really interested in driving that far to learn how to run. 

I tried to give the Evolution Running method a try during my lunch break today.  It is going to be a tough transition.  I was winded after two laps on the track that requires 12 laps for a mile.  I think the problem was I was thinking way to much and not running.  Maybe my current form is working well I just need to turn my feet over quicker.  I am all about efficiency though I would like to find a method that works for me and is the most efficient as possible.