I got my VFF Komodo Sport since July 2011. For the whole year 2011, the longest training and racing distance covered in VFF is 12.3km during the Men’s Health Night Race. The running in VFF then was temporary put on hold as I signed up The River Jungle Marathon and lots of training needed for my first 42.195km. I will not able to cope with the training loads that focused on both endurance (FM training) and strength (VFF training).
4 months had gone; I completed 3 FM and some races in shoes. VFF used only few of my shorter training workouts. I didn’t lose my interest in running with VFF and finally, I restarted the VFF training in last month. It’s still fun to run with VFF! I spent all the training in CNY breaks with VFF in Ipoh, and the legs eventually addicted to the feeling. Post CNY, I completed 2 more LSD in 19k & 21k respectively in VFF. The experience is great and I didn’t have much problem post run. Only felt some hot spots on my sole and both calves are sore.
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| 2012 CNY running in VFF, before the Bare with Me! mini running clinic. Photo by Tey. |
I also joined the mini clinic that organized by Facebook group “Bare with Me!” regarding barefoot running. It was a great sharing session by the seniors/experts who love to running barefoot. I realized that I am still lagging on calves & quads strength and the sole is still too soft. Barefoot drills needed to fix these shortfalls. Some key take away from the clinic (for barefoot or minimalist shoes runners),
1. Running light with soft landing on mid foot.
2. Training on hard surface is better than soft surface.
3. Barefoot drills as cross training will helps to improve the strength of the muscles groups and the sole.
4. Important to run in proper form.
5. Give your foot & legs enough time to heal, never attempt running TMTS (too much too soon).
(More detail in FB post by CPTan, LINK)
Now I am included a morning of barefoot walking (hopefully soon it will be running) as part of the cross training. You will never realize how rough our road surface really is until you do this. The first BF walk was painful! I will also alternating the VFF and shoes on weekly basis. Hopefully I will be ready to run with VFF in SCKLM in June.
Looks like your VFF training is bearing fruit. I could never run with VFF's or even barefoot. My legs are just too old for it and still need some form of protection. The best I can do is using minimalist or light weight trainers :D
ReplyDeleteYou usual shod running is good enough to smoke me :P
Deletetried VFF in the early part of 2011. Didn't quite persevere with it because of time. Only managed <10km with it so far. But will definitely give it a try again once my marathon season is over....perhaps end of this year. Otherwise, my "Bikini" VFF Bikila will feel awefully neglected....
ReplyDeleteNice post! And keep up the good work!
Me too diverted the VFF training when I got my first FM to train up to. :)
DeleteNow is your time to maintain your practice and seeking for major break through in your coming Tokyo and Boston Marathon. Good Luck!
Doing great progree with your BF training, Neoh. :)
ReplyDeleteJust trying to put some verity into the training, and its turn out to be very addictive kind of fun :P
DeleteI 1st tried running barefoot at Siemens 10k and then race 10k barefoot at Nike 2010 (got good blisters after 7km :D ) but those were the only times.. nanti dah retire boleh start semula haha
ReplyDeleteBarefoot lets us see things in a different perspective..
Retire! Not so soon please, I still hope to run with you in one of the FM :)
DeleteThe BF walking/running give me some idea on how to run better. But I don't think I will be venture into full time BF very soon. Still love my shoes and VFF :P