Bikila Trail Running

  Before.

I just experienced what I imagine is the feeling a hunter gets while running through the woods.  For the first time, I donned my brand spankin' new hot pink and orange Vibram Bikilas and ventured out onto some of the Tantalus trails.  Christian and I ran up 1.5 miles of paved roads then Concrete Hill in regular shoes.  When we got to the top, I quickly switched into my Bikilas, and I was off.

I have been pretty skeptical about these weird-looking shoes that make you look and feel like a gecko/pink Avatar.  I just ran these trails on Saturday for H.U.R.T. Mango Madness and struggled to make the downhills out of fear of spraining my ankle.  Today, I ran the same trails and could feel the difference when running down the slippery slopes and roots in these foot gloves.  I stepped over roots, rocks, and mud with no problem -- in fact, I was shrieking with delight as I danced over them.  It was still slippery so I had to be careful not to slide in the mud and off the edge, but I felt much more stable and controlled without a heel and cushioning under my feet.  Foot placement is much easier when it's actually just your foot you're placing!  It was incredibly liberating and cathartic.  I can't remember the last time I've felt so elated after a run.  You're not even supposed to run this kind of mileage in Vibrams without having slowly adjusted, but I just couldn't help it.  They felt AWESOME!

I had just been walking around in them since I got them three days ago and did a short one-mile run on the grass yesterday.  Today, I just decided to go for it once I felt the rush.  I know these shoes might not work for everyone and in all conditions, but I can't tell you what a rush it was for an injury-prone, ankle-twisting runner like me to finally be able to run as fast as my legs wanted to go.  My calves feel a little tight, but I'll take muscle pain over soft tissue/joint pain any day.

The only negative to today's run was that my new Vibrams got all muddy.  I was going to clean them and hang them to dry for tomorrow morning, but I figured I'd leave them for the night.  When I wake up tomorrow and see my mud-caked miracles, I'll realize it wasn't just a dream.

   After.