I've finally decided to get off my lazy *** and start running. I bought myself a pair of Vibram VFF Classics and am just waiting for them to come in the mail before I start the C25K program.

I figure it'll be easier to learn how to run properly in these right away, rather than either having to relearn proper running down the road after using regular trainers. Also people say to start slow in the VFFs, and since I'm starting at W1D1 of C25K, my body should acclimatise to the VFFs at the same time and rate at it gets used to running. I think it'll be a good system.

Honestly I always found running boring when I tried it before (in addition to wearing myself out by starting too fast), so I have high hopes that the novelty of running 'barefoot' and feeling the ground beneath my soles will keep things fresh and keep me at it.

I confess I actually ordered the VFFs after seeing someone on some other message boards posting about his KSOs, and basically thinking "Hey, they look neat". Then I saw a load of people saying they run in them, and that got me thinking. And here I am.

Haha, any other time and that would be an entirely valid point.

I'm actually studying abroad at the moment (from the UK, studying in Iceland of all places). All the footwear I brought with me is two pairs of full-on hiking boots (one pair I wear every day, one I keep for course fieldwork), and a pair of sandals. The hikers are enormous and far too heavy to run in (I ran to the local shop earlier in the 'lighter' pair actually, but that was a nightmare) and the sandals are just not suited at all (they stick way out at the front and my foot moves all over the place in them).

I really want to get out there and start this, right now. I only hope my resolve to do this doesn't fade in the week or so before the VFFs turn up! I know I heel-strike when I walk/run every day so I'm looking at trying to improve my posture before they arrive - Chi-running/walking seems good, so I'm trying to get the hang of that posture.

And I'll try my best to remember to post back, yeah. Thanks!

Don't sweat it - usually I would be procrastinating! I'm terrible at it. This time I set my sights on running, and have stated that I'm going to start on a few sites I visit frequently. I know that if I don't, or if I do and then fall out of routine, people will give me s**t for it - it's quite the incentive to stay with it.

I'm hoping that that, plus the novelty of feeling the ground beneath my 'bare' feet, will keep me interested and going with the C25K program.

I've come to the conclusion that chi-walking, at least, is almost impossible in built-up shoes like my hikers. There's just too much of them, and it feels REALLY unnatural to walk that way. Barefoot, on the other hand, isn't too bad. I try to at least walk more upright, and with a midfoot strike, when I walk barefoot around my flat. It also seems easier when running - I ran (in my boots!) to the shop last night and although it was terrible, and nothing appraching chi-running, I was at least landing with a more midfoot strike. Maybe by doing it as much as possible now, it'll be easier to break into something approaching chi-running when the VFFs arrive...

It does sound like the Vibrams will sort that out though - if you heel-strike, even while walking, you feel it through your body just like when you're barefoot. Perhaps after adapting to the VFFs and learning to walk midfoot in them, I'll keep to it when I put on my boots. It'll be interesting to see, for sure.

I got my VFF yesterday. I got a pair of the Sprints. Very comfy!! Although my little piggy is sore right now. Seems like he is streached out for the first time. I do like them, I do not think I will be running a 13.2 or 26.2 in them any time soon. I still love my Pearl Izumi's.

However. I do feel my self standing taller and striking more on the balls of my feet, I used to heel strike a lot.

Well, I finally got them on Tuesday. I've been walking around in them, and even did an impromptu 5 minute run on the first day, and I love them. They make me want to run, to run along and over things, up and down things. It's an amazing sense of freedom they seem to instill in me the second I slip them on my feet. I am sold.

So, C25K. I'll be starting on Sunday. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday will be my run days. I have no qualms about running in the VFFs thus far so hopefully this should go pretty well. I'm looking forward to it.