My Response to the "Vibram Lawsuit"

As the "barefoot runner" in the crowd, I just want to state my fully qualified and educated opinion about the whole Vibram FiveFingers lawsuit/debate. I've seen several people post this article and have read a lot of "interesting" comments from people ranging from how ugly the shoes are to how they are certain that these shoes contributed to their own injury to still others who remain loyal to their "toe shoes."

First of all, I don't think Vibram (pronounced VEE-brum) did anything deceptive in their advertising; nothing every other running shoe company already does to promote their product. Or just about any company who claims that their product will make you "better, stronger, healthier or faster." It's ADVERTISING. Far, far, FAR more people have been injured wearing traditional running shoes than in Vibrams. Yet, they aren't suing the shoe companies. Yet.

When transitioning from a standard, heel-elevated, cushioned running shoe to a zero-drop minimalist shoe, one needs to do so gradually to build up the muscles that haven't previously been used (calves, ankles, feet). If one does too much too soon (commonly abbreviated TMTS in barefoot running circles), you are guaranteed to get injured. I did when I first switched from Asics to Vibrams. But it was my own fault. I wanted to jump right into minimalist running. I was off for 6 weeks with peroneal tendonitis and had to postpone my first marathon. I went to a (quack) podiatrist who never heard the word "minimalist" before and scoffed at me. He "prescribed" Spira Stinger running shoes along with custom orthotics. I followed his orders and ended up with aching knees and sore hips. I went back to my Vibrams, but did so more gradually and really learned to listen to my body.

I have been running minimalist and barefoot, wearing only zero-drop shoes, for the past 5 years. I have run 4 marathons in Vibrams. I have not been injured since my initial TMTS experience. I love my Vibrams and also my Altra Running, Vivobarefoot, and Merrell zero-drop shoes.

Although I practice a minimalist running philosophy, I advocate that everyone find a shoe that works for them and to stick with it, whether it be a monster pair of Hokas, a pair of stability or motion-control Brooks, or no shoes at all! If someone asks me why I run barefoot, I let them know that since doing so, I have been injury-free with no knee pain. It works for me! I also suggest that everyone do a little bit of barefoot training to strengthen the underused muscles that don't get worked in regular training shoes. But I definitely don't suggest that my way is superior or advocate that *everyone* go minimalist. I support all runners and their decision to put what they want on their feet. I just ask the same respect in return.

It's sad that we live in such a litigious society. I will continue to stand behind Vibram and think that anyone collecting money from this lawsuit is a moron who deserves to be injured. Haters gonna hate.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/10/_n_5302213.html

Race Wish List

Now that I've become a "seasoned" runner, I no longer desire to simply run races, but to find unique races which take me to interesting places and do something out of the ordinary. Running is a great opportunity to go places one wouldn't otherwise venture to and to participate in activities that wouldn't otherwise be possible. It's also a great motivation when you have something special to look forward to that isn't just another 5K on the same old course with the same old group of runners (no offense to my runner friends). :-)

For 2012, I've decided to compose a "Race Wish List" with those races I want to participate in. Here is what I have so far:

2012 Race Wish List
Date	Event	Location
03/18/12	St. Patrick's Day 8K	Bay City, MI
	Reason for running? Tradition. It's a hometown race with a huge following. It's the largest race in Bay City and one of the largest St. Patrick's Day races in the country.
04/14/12	Martian Marathon/Half Marathon	Ford Park, Dearborn, MI
	Reason for running? Coolness. It's a Martian-themed race subtitled "The Invasion of Races." It's got a quirky "Area 51" vibe to it. It's a flat, fast, USATF certified course and it's a pretty big race.
05/06/12	The Trail Marathon/Half Marathon	Pinckney, MI
	Reason for running? This is one of three races in the "Serious Series" of races which take place on some of the best trails in southeast Michigan. I love trails, exploring new places, and of course, a challenge. If you run all three races in the series, you get a pint glass.
05/20/12	The Qualifier Marathon	Midland, MI
	Reason for running? This is an inaugural event and the first local marathon. The course is designed to be flat and fast ; to be the best chance one has for qualifying for an elite marathon like Boston. The route goes through Bay, Saginaw and Midland counties and was designed with input from Bill Rodgers and Greg Meyer who will also be at the finish handing out medals.
06/09/12	Flirt with Dirt 5K/10K Trail Run	Novi, MI
	Reason for running? This is the second race in the "Serious Series" of trail runs and goes through what is described as "6 miles of gnarly single-track dirt trails" starting and finishing at the top of a sled hill.
06/16/12	Michigan Brewing Co. 5K Beer Run	Webberville, MI
	Reason for running? Beer. This race begins with a tour of the microbrewery and then starts as the runners dash out the doors of the brewery and run around the grounds for 3.1 miles. Post-race refreshments include beer and root beer.
07/05/12	Auburn Corn Stalk 5K	Auburn, MI
	Reason for running? Sentimentality. This was the first race I ever ran and the first time I ran 3miles in July of 2008. I have run this local race every year since. It's a good size race with around 300 participants.
07/29/12	Warrior Dash	Mt. Morris, MI
	Reason for running? Fun. This race is as challenging as it is fun. What's greatest, though, is the feeling of accomplishment knowing that you conquered all the obstacles. Where else can you climb over 20 foot walls and trudge through mud up to your arm pits? My oldest son and I ran this last year and next year we've enlisted my husband and younger son to join us.
08/04/12	The Legend Half Marathon Trail Run	Sleepy Hollow State Park, Laingsburg, MI
	Reason for running? This is the last in the "Serious Series" of trail races. It is a 13.1 mile trail run through Sleepy Hollow State Park. Last year there were over 320 participants in the half marathon. Plus, it has a very cool name, "The Legend."
08/25/12	North Country Trail Marathon	Manistee National Forest, Wellston, MI
	Reason for running? Dubbed "one of the most beautiful trail races in the country," the North Country Run consists of an ultra-marathon (50 miles), marathon, and half marathon. I'm not sure if I want to tackle the full or the half. The ultra is not even a consideration for me at this point. The course begins on a 1.2 mile section of paved road and then leads to a 25 mile loop of well-marked trail. The post-race party offers burgers (beef and vegetarian), soup, beer, soda, and water. Also, North Country boasts of having the largest half-marathon and ultra-marathon finisher's medals in the country (and the 3rd largest marathon medal).
09/02/12	Barefoot Triathlon	Traverse City, MI
	Reason for running? The name. I'm not a triathlete (yet). I don't think I could swim a single lap in a pool, let alone 1.5 km in East Grand Traverse Bay. However, there is a "Sprint" version which has a mere 500 m swim. That I might be able to do (with some training). The Sprint Triathlon consists of a 500 m swim, a 16.4 mile bike, and a 3.1 mile run. All of which I'd attempt barefoot. Is there any other way?
09/08/12	Mackinac Island 8 Mile Race	Mackinac Island, MI
	Reason for running? To race around the entire perimter of Mackinac Island. I've run across the Mackinac Bridge, and I've run the Great Turtle Half Marathon through the Mackinac Island trails, but I've never raced around the smooth, paved road that encompasses the historic isle.
09/16/12	Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo 5K/10K	Detroit Zoo, Detroit, MI
	Reason for running? Wild animals! Well, the 5K/10K runs actually take place on flat, paved roads around the perimeter of the zoo while the "fun walk" happens within the zoo. But, all participants get to enjoy free admission to the zoo following the race. The money raised from this race goes toward the veterinary care of the animals.
10/27/12	Great Turtle Half Marathon	Mackinac Island, MI
	Reason for running? Scenic and challenging. This course follows some of the paved road around the perimeter of the island with spectacular views of Lake Huron as well as many challenging hills along the island's interior trail system. It is a good reason for a fall getaway. After the race, enjoy a cold beer and a good seafood dinner at one of Mackinac Island's fine restaurants.
11/03/12	Hot Chocolate 15K	Chicago, IL
	Reason for running? Chocolate. First of all, I've never run in Chicago, so it would definitely be something new and different. Secondly, it's a 15K -- a distance I've never raced before. And lastly, it's called "America's Sweetest Race" because after the race, refreshments include a chocolate fondue, hot chocolate, and other chocolate treats provided by Ghirardelli. The race goodie bag includes a reflective wind and water resistant running jacket.
11/11/12	Malibu Marathon/Half Marathon	Zuma Beach, Malibu, CA
	Reason for running? California. Most of this race (all of it for the half) takes place along the famed Pacific Coast Highway. With the Santa Monica mountains and the magnificent Pacific Ocean in view, I can't think of a more beautiful place to run.

In addition to the interesting array of races I have slated for 2012, I still have some pretty awesome races still on the docket for 2011. Tomorrow night, I will be running the Headless Horseman 5K/10K in Howell, MI. (I'm doing the 10K and my sons are both running the 5K). The race takes place at night on a course lit by luminaries and wanders through a cemetery. There is even a *real* headless horseman mascot and a costume contest. I'm going to dress as a bumblebee. Next weekend is the "Run Thru Hell on Halloween Eve" in Hell, MI. That race has a 5K and 8K option. I'm doing the 8K and my sons are running the 5K. There is a costume contest for that race as well. I'm dressing as an angel. :-)

There is nothing eventful planned for November as we will be spending a week in Cancun for a conference. I plan on getting in a couple of runs there of course. I love the Garmin maps of runs in faraway places. I was looking for a good "Turkey Trot" race to do on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but there is nothing within an hour from here and I'm not sure I want to travel that far just to have something to do that day.

The big race this year is December 4, 2011 -- The Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Marathon. We are doing a weekend getaway to Vegas and hoping to catch some shows, visit some shops and enjoy some good food before I run the Strip at night on Sunday. The marathon starts at 4pm and they are shutting down part of the Strip for the run. There are going to be live bands at every mile and Cheap Trick is the featured band. There is also an opportunity after the race to get your picture taken with a showgirl. I'll do it just because. I'm planning on wearing either gold lamé shorts/sports bra or a metallic purple shorts/sports bra combo for this flashy run. I'm hoping to have a good time and also qualify for Boston. Wish me luck!

The Agony of the Feet

It's been 12 days now since I've been able to run. This is the longest I've gone without running in about 3 years. Not being able to run is intensely frustrating and at times, outright depressing. There is a big race coming up in 2 days that I know I will not be able to participate in, save for a miracle. It could happen. But I'm not holding my breath.

On June 5th, during a 10K run-of-the-mill road race, I started experiencing some mild pain in my right Achilles tendon area. By the end of the race, it became excruciating. I limp-ran toward the finish line with all the strength I had. I came home, took some ibuprofen, lay down, iced and elevated my foot. I stayed in bed the entire afternoon and did the same the following day. I thought I pulled a muscle or strained a tendon and that in 2 or 3 days I would be able to run again. I was wrong.

After 11 days with no real progress and fearing a stress fracture or tear, I went to see a highly-recommended podiatrist who specializes in sports injuries and who is a runner himself. I found myself waiting for about an hour and a half in the waiting room before finally being ushered into an exam room where I was asked a few questions about my injury, had a couple of foot x-rays taken and my blood pressure assessed. After about another 15 minutes, the doctor came in and asked what shoes I was wearing when I got my injury and how far I ran each week. He did a very brief exam of my feet, doing nothing to elicit the pain or even really examining the sore spot. He then went on to say that I have high arches and tight muscles and need to stretch more and wear a supportive shoe with orthotics. He told me I should get the Spira Stinger shoe and went on about people who wear them and how they win races and blah, blah, blah. I asked him about how I should treat my injury. He said, "You don't have an injury. It's just from overuse. There's no swelling." (When in fact, it was/is clearly swollen in the injured area.) I asked, "How should I treat it? Will I hurt it if I continue to walk on it?" He said to just do some ice and NSAID's and that I wouldn't really bother it by walking on it. I was given no real treatment plan, no pain relieving measures, no timeline as to when I could run again. Just a "prescription" for orthothic inserts and $100 running shoes that have springs in the soles.

I went home resigned to the fact that I would have to give up the idea of barefoot/minimalist running and that racing with springs on my feet just might be fun. But, after really pondering the whole visit, I realized that my foot was still just as sore as before I went in, clearly injured, and that this boob did nothing to diagnose or treat my problem. I felt like I had been to see a shoe salesman, not a healer. I am not one to readily go see a doctor. I have to be really sick, sore or near death before I will make an appointment. For me, allopathic medicine is a last resort. So, for me to take the initiative to go to him was a huge deal. The more I thought about the whole experience, the angrier I became.

I went to the Runner's World "Barefoot Running" message board and posted a message to the forum about my experience to see if anyone else had similar stories or advice. Sure enough, they agreed that my injury was most likely related to overuse (running too much too soon as a minimalist/barefoot runner) and that the podiatrist sounded like a quack. One person stated that they had never heard of a podiatrist who didn't recommend support shoes and orthotics. Here I went, trusting that this "professional" would be able to pinpoint and alleviate my problem and perhaps even encourage my pursuit of barefoot running. Unfortunately, I left the office feeling that I had just wasted a great deal of my time and money and being no closer to a solution than I was the day before. I did, however, learn a valuable lesson: to never to go this doctor again.

From my own research and analysis, I believe what I have is peroneal tendonitis. It is treated with rest, hot/cold therapy and NSAID's. All of which I am already doing. Now, the hardest part of the treatment: TIME.

I thought briefly about giving up my dreams of being a barefoot runner. About how I have engraved on my Road ID Ankle Bracelet, "RAW VEGAN BAREFOOT" and how it wouldn't be true any longer if I had to wear shoes. I thought about all the hard work and miles I've put into strengthening my calves and foot muscles already. I thought about the Vibram Bikilas I pre-ordered and how I'd have to cancel that order and instead order a pair of Spira Stingers. I thought about not being able to follow through on my goal of running at least one race this summer sans shoes. I then thought about how much I love being barefoot and this is who I am and who I want to be. About how this "expert's" opinions ran contrary to all I've read and researched. Yes, this guy might know a lot about feet, but he knows nothing about me.

I feel like everything I do is a sort of science experiment, from what I eat to what I wear to how I run. I am always trying something new and different based on what I believe to be the optimal path. Sometimes the experiments succeed, sometimes they fail. I guess that's why they are called experiments. I have to find what works for me and stick with it. I also have to be true to myself and continually strive for what I believe is best, and right now that means I am a raw vegan barefoot runner girl. At least for now.

Sore-ing to New Heights

I finally got them. My brand new Vibram KSO's. I had been waiting for no less than 3 months to obtain the Holy Grail of minimalist running shoes. I was sitting on the bench by the front door just having laced up my right shoe, getting ready to go for my mid-week mid-tempo run when the doorbell rang. It was my Vibrams. Actually, it was the UPS man delivering my new Vibrams. So, naturally, I took off my Asics and immediately donned my KSO's. I was so quick to get out the door and try them out that I forgot my chewing gum (something that is a prerequisite for my runs as my mouth and throat get so dry otherwise). I guess I would just have to tough out having a dry mouth. It was only a 5 mile run, I would probably be alright.

My feet felt light and quick. I did notice that when I happened to step on a large piece of gravel, I did feel it--something that didn't happen with my regular running shoes. I was travelling at a good quick pace; even faster than my goal pace. This was very cool. But, by the time I hit mile four, I could feel the familiar sting of blisters forming on my inner upper foot just below my big toe. Now every step was painful, but I couldn't decrease my pace. I would just run through the pain and deal with it when I got home. I couldn't understand why I would be getting blisters in my Vibrams. From all the dozens of reviews I read about these shoes, blisters were not mentioned!

I had a 5K race in two days. I thought that would be good enough to give my feet a rest and resolve the blisters. I decided that I would probably just wear my regular racing shoes for the race since I didn't want to make the blisters even more angry. By the evening after my maiden KSO run, my calves were starting to ache. It felt like I just did a major workout at the gym isolating my gastrocnemius muscles. I hoped that two days would heal that too.

Well, by Saturday morning, the blisters were pretty much gone, but I could still barely walk without pain. So, with the help of some naproxen sodium I ingested soon after arising and some Bio-Freeze massaged into my sore legs just minutes before the race, I decided to race in my Vibrams. I wasn't planning on winning the race, just getting through it. This was a training exercise if anything. Well, there were only about 55 participants and about 20 of those were walkers, so I didn't have a lot of competition. I ran as hard as I could. Almost to that point where I feel like I'm going to puke and then back off a little because that would be just too humiliating. My initial paces were great, but by the time I got to 3K, I was ready to be done. I was tired. I guess I went out too fast. Well, I pushed myself to the end. I didn't set any PR's that day. I finished in 23:29. But the good news is that I was the overall female winner! :-) Not my best time, but I guess I got rewarded for my effort.

Today is Sunday. My calves didn't get any less sore after pulling an all-out effort running basically barefoot on Saturday. And, as fate would have it, today is the "Long Run" day on my training calendar. I didn't think I should be heroic and don the minimalist shoes today. After all, I was still dealing with trying to walk without pain. So, I put on my good ole Asics Nimbus 11's and headed out to the trails for a 13.1 mile (21K) jaunt -- slow and easy. Every step was torture. All I could concentrate on was the pain I felt with each stride. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Even my iPod wasn't able to distract me from the discomfort. I didn't think there was any way I would survive 13 miles today. But, I would push myself as far as I could. This wasn't about speed, but endurance.

By the time I was about 5 miles into it, the calf pain seemed to subside. Either that, or some endorphins kicked in and dulled the pain. But it was still a laborious run. I wasn't going nearly as fast as my normal "slow" pace, but disappointingly much slower. It was humid and I was sticky, sweaty, and hot. I was tired. But I kept on going. I ran to Tobico Marsh and did the big loop twice and the small loop around the marsh once. I saw a black squirrel, a grey squirrel, several "normal" squirrels, almost got tripped by a scampering chipmunk and also met up with three fawns who pranced across the trail and then stopped about twenty feet away to watch me pass. I waved at them and (after I looked around to make sure no one was behind me) said, "Hi guys!" After a grueling nearly two hour run, I made it home and did and extra 0.2 km to boot.

Once safely inside the door, I could now fully experience and express my exhaustion and agony. I peeled off my shoes and socks only to reveal blisters on my blisters. My clothes were soaked and my face was covered with the salty residue I get when I know I put in a good workout. I downed a cold coconut water (this was the same coconut water I reminded myself was waiting for me if I hurried home and finished my run--my reward). Then, I headed to the shower, got dressed, uploaded my workout from my Garmin watch while sipping some freshly made apple juice and then crashed on the bed for an impromptu hour long nap. When I got up, my legs were even more sore and I could hardly move them, let alone actually walk. Ouch. I hobbled around for a while, played some games on the computer as a diversion from the soreness and later when I got up, it wasn't as bad as before. It's almost tolerable now. Nearly back to the level of moderate discomfort I had before I decided to add insult to injury with my half-marathon sized workout.

Tomorrow I have a day off of running. It's my cross-training day. Hopefully these legs will be able to pedal the stationary bike. I guess I'll find out. The next day, I get to do intervals. Oh, joy. I might even attempt them barefoot if I'm feeling bold enough. I hope my legs will have recovered a bit more by then. I know that this pain is just a sign that I'm using my muscles in a whole new way that theoretically should make me a stronger and better runner. I have another race next Saturday. I will be wearing my Vibrams. That is, if I am able to run at all.