Transitioning to Vibram Five Fingers + how I feel

Transitioning to Vibrams can wreck your body is you’re not careful. Here’s how I’m building up in them, plus some FAQs about running in Vibrams.

Build up mileage in Vibram Five Fingers

My loose schedule right now is:

• Monday – run in Vibrams 2 miles*
• Tuesday – Body Pump
• Wednesday – run in Asics 3-5 miles
• Thursday – Body Pump
• Friday – teach cycle
• Saturday – longer run in Asics (5-7 miles, switching to Vibrams for the last 2 miles) and/or Body Pump
• Sunday  – rest

I might toss in a 1 mile run on Tuesday or Thursday evenings in my Vibrams, mostly to exercise my the boxer dog. 🙂

*I built up to 2 miles gradually, completing two runs at each distance with a day of rest in between: 0.5 miles, 1.0 miles, 1.5 miles. (So I ran 0.5 miles the first time, then rested a day, then 0.5 miles again, then rested, then 1.0 miles, then rested, etc.)

I’ll probably keep this schedule for a few weeks and then try to increase the distance in my Vibrams some more.

I love the responses I got running in Vibrams and why I’m doing it. And I think the majority ruled that it’s pronounced “VIE-brams” not “VEE-brams.” 🙂 Some background about making the switch!

• I am a pronator and have always run in stability shoes. Asics, to be precise. The Asics 2100 series to be very precise, including the 2120, 2130, 2140, and 2150.

• I am switching between my Asics 2150 and the Vibrams. No, I don’t know if that’s OK or counterproductive. But I’m doing it anyway.

• Last Saturday, I ran in my Asics. Honestly, it was nice just to run and not have to be so conscious of my form and landing. But my legs felt like LEAD and my SI joint starting hurting after a while. I switched to my Vibrams after 3.5 miles for one more mile loop and felt great.

• Maizey thinks minimalist/barefoot running is the only way to go. She’s so progressive.

How I feel so far

• I went for a short & speedy run yesterday in my Vibrams. I was really frustrated and the run was a great stress reliever. It sounds weird, but it was like the frustration was escaping through my feet through the Vibrams, like it was just flowing from me to the ground without the extra barrier of a thick sole. Hard to describe, but I loved it.

• My left shin hurts today. I haven’t had shin splint problems in over 10 years. I’m not sure if it’s related to running in the Vibrams yesterday, Body Pump or something else.

• I plan to run in my Asics on my longer runs until I build up my foot and ankle strength by gradually increasing my distances in my Vibrams.