VFF Friday

Apartelle de Francesca, Puerto Galera, Philippines

How awesome is this pool? I think they should have made water tunnels from the main pool into the toes…

A couple weeks ago, VFF’er Josh, shared photos from the Spartan Race in Miami with me. It seemed to me that he had a great story to tell about the race and his Five Fingers experience, so I invited him to share with us:

So six months and forty pounds ago, I decided to give myself a lifestyle change. I started running and eating right. One of my old friends was asking me if I had ever heard of barefoot running. He convinced me that I should start changing my running style. I did, but I took my sweet time getting rid of the “bricks” on my feet. Back in January I dropped a hint on Facebook that I wanted to run the Warrior Dash. It was only three miles with a few obstacles thrown in. For my birthday, my wife surprised me by registering me for the Super Spartan Race (8 miles, non-refundable).

So, with the money spent I decided to start training for this race. About a month before the race I finally spent the money on the best investment I have ever made in running. I bought a pair of Vibram Five Finger Bikila LS’s. And I slowly started making my way back up to the pre-barefoot distance. About a week before the race I was ready to run the race in the Vibram’s.

The day of the race I was a little nervous about running through a state park and obstacle course in Vibram’s. It was my first race, which surely didn’t help. As the race started through a sidewalk and a small dirt trail I was optimistic about the race. As it turns out, that was nearly the only smooth surface I would encounter. I ran on paths made almost entirely of rocks (not gravel). I ran on gravel before, but these little stones were a little rough in comparison. My feet were getting sore in the first 2 miles. Then we entered the woods. It was mile after mile of the same jagged rocks, dirt, and exposed tree roots. After tiring out over nonstop vertical terrain I stopped picking my knees up as much as should have. I didn’t realize that until I had jammed my toes on both feet twice.

The obstacles that required traction (climbing ANY surface) were easier thanks to the Vibram’s. While several traditional running shoes let their wearer down (typically down to their knees in rocks), I never lost my footing on the run or obstacles. Chainlink fences, ropes, rocks, logs, concrete, wood, sand, mud, or anything else they could throw at me fell to my mighty Vibram’s. I am glad I wore them.

Although, having the passing conversation with a quarter of the racers I encountered was getting a little repetitive.

before the muddy madness

after the muddy madness

He looks way too happy, covered in all of that mud!

Thanks, Josh, for sharing your story and experience with all of us. Congratulations on your first race; keep up the good work. Long live VFF!

If you’re interested in participating in a Spartan Race near you, visit spartanrace.com. Events are hosted all across the US, but also in Canada and the UK.

soaking in the salt from the Atlantic Ocean

From yours truly (Cindy – VFF-Friday.com admin): Today, I spent Easter Sunday, working at TKD, then I went to explore Wollaston Beach for a little bit. The Bikila LS have a nice grip on the rocks at the beach. It didn’t really do too much in the keeping-sand-out department though – I wasn’t even running either!

For more of my Easter Sunday photos, please take a look at my Flickr.

You can follow me on my personal account @peemmfivekay and of course, @vfffriday on Twitter!

Paula's walk through one of Holland's dikes

Paula was so kind to share this great picture of her on a local VFF adventure. This might be the first Dutch VFF posting on this site!

Paula commented on the rarity of Five Fingers in the Netherlands: I always make fun of the fact that people are falling of their bicycles when they see me wearing my 5-fingers. It’s not a common thing to see around here, at least I haven’t seen anybody else wearing them in the Netherlands.

You can follow Paula on Twitter as @paulaN900.

You may be wondering why there aren't any VFF in this picture...

...this is why

Thanks for sharing these pics, Clinton! Perhaps you can comment on how well the Sprints worked as kayaking shoes

You can follow Clinton on Twitter as @ClintonTrench or check him out on his website.

what a great view, indeed!

Correct me if I’m wrong but I think these look like the Men’s Sprint in Castle Rock/Navy… anyway, what an awesome view! This is a perfect example of good VFF photo. Take notes, folks

You can follow Brie Anne on her adventures through Twitter as @breezyskies.

black KSOs

Brenna is out to ninja Mickey and Minnie at Disneyland

You can follow Brenna on Twitter as @brenbot.

Karen and her ninja KSOs

Karen and her VFFs visit Chacchoben Mayan ruins in Mexico.

You can follow Karen on Twitter as @kbrownz.

Meredith in black

Unforunately, Meredith took this shot –after– she picked the good strawberries so we get the leftover unripe ones :-p

You can follow Meredith on Twitter as @viajeravegana.

Justin in grey/green KSOs

Justin is posing with the @Cantaloupe_TV sign!

You can follow Justin on Twitter at @JustinGutwein.