We’ve recently been working with a new tool that allows us to set up forms to make it easy for readers to review products, books or places. Called Long User Review Forms, I’ve set up a few to try. Give them a spin and let me know what you think.

• Review Treeless Saddles
• Review Fly Spray
• Review Hoof Boots
• Review Grooming Spray
• Review Riding Helmets

When I started running again last summer, using Robert Ullrey’s excellent C25K program, I started out with a pair of fairly cheap shoes. I decided it was time for an upgrade in the fall, but I wasn’t happy with the ones I chose. Although they fit well, and caused no discomfort, they felt cumbersome. I really felt they slowed me down. In addition, and probably largely due to bad postural habits, I was having a lot of lower back pain and stiff sore muscles in the hip area. Then I started to read about barefoot running and the research that suggested that running barefoot was actually better than the best crafted running shoe. Back when I was in high school, I ran in a pair of leather moccasins. In fact you can still buy the Tandy Leather Moccasin Pattern Pak.

As I researched, I kept finding pages about these weird looking ‘toe shoes’. Remember toe socks? Called Vibram FiveFingers Sprint , these strange looking shoes conform exactly to the contours of your feet, toes and all. They promised to protect your feet, while still giving your that barefoot feeling.

I went to a local store that carried Vibram shoes and asked what feedback they were getting. The salesman said they were popular with runners, walkers, hikers, dancers, climbers, Pilates and yoga enthusiasts…you name it. Apparently, they are having trouble keeping them on the shelves. As I was browsing, a man noticed I was looking at the Vibram display. He said he’d bought a pair, but found they gave him a blister between the big and second toe. I’d read reviews on the internet that warned ‘expect blisters’. I tried them on and despite the difficulty getting my toes coordinated, I liked them.

Vibrams fit snugly and weigh almost nothing compared to a shoe. Think Isotoner Gloves for your feet. The first thing I noticed was a sense of freedom. I’m usually walk around barefooted in the house, so what could the difference be, right? As I’ve found out, the difference is pretty amazing. In the house we tend to mince around, and not a lot of us live in houses where we can hit full stride. Vibrams give you the confidence to stride out, without worry of cuts or bruises, but still feel the contours of the earth beneath your feet. I feel much more fluid in them, and more balanced and confident climbing up and down small hills.

Fearful of the blister warning, I walked in them a few days before going for a short run. They leave pretty funky footprints. They felt pretty cool, and the next day after the run, I didn’t feel the familiar pull in my hip muscles. So far, I haven’t felt any discomfort, not a blister. I don’t run far or fast, so perhaps things might happen as I ramp up. But for now I am delighted. I’m excited to try them in water where it’s rocky and slippery (thinking the beach at Craigleith) and go for a real hike in them.

After a quick trip to Wasaga, paddling around in the water and sand, it was nice just to give them a quick shower in the laundry tub.  I hung them up and they were dry by morning. The bath didn’t seem to affect their shape. (Ever laundered running shoes?)

From My Vibram Five Fingers and I playing at the beach.

The downside is there is no warmth to them. I wore them after a chilly rain shower and the cold penetrated the shoe immediately. I don’t like cold feet. I don’t anticipate I’ll be dashing through the snow with them. You can’t wear any type of sock with them that I know of.  And I did manage to pick up a bit of grit while I was walking and taking them off to empty them, and then putting them back on was a bit cumbersome. In that respect I might have been better off with the Vibram Five Fingers Flow – Women’s rather than the more open Sprint.  Also, you can’t slip them on quickly. Actually, my left toes are defter than my right. Go figure. Because they are thinner soled than a shoe, you do hit the odd sharp rock that is uncomfortable. The perils of (almost) bare footing.

At this point, I have no thought of going back to clunky running shoes. The shoes I bought last fall might get used again when the snow flies. I was pretty successful running in them with ice cleats attached, when I had to slow down anyway. But until then I’ll be sticking to my Vibram Five Fingers.

Barefoot Running

• Long-Awaited Barefoot Running Study Finds Sneakers Are Harmful
• Barefoot Running – The Pros and Cons of Going Shoeless
  A Growing Number of Runners Are Embracing the Barefoot Running Trend
• Research Penn State: Probing Question-
  Is it better to run barefoot?
• Harvard Science: Barefoot running easier on feet than running shoes

From 365 Days of Photos 2010

Look out! Coming through!

I usually build websites from scratch, but for a change I decided to experiment with using WordPress as a content management system. WordPrss as a CMS made the job of putting this website very easy. It felt like cheating, especially as I used an existing theme. Overall, I’m happy with the results and so is the organizing committee of the 2010 Canadian Distance Riding Championships. Take a look. There’s a few little finishing touches left. But now, it’s easy for the organizers to update the pages themselves. I’d definitely consider doing a site like this again.

From 365 Days of Photos 2010

I revisited the dock and boat I photographed January 29.