More Thoughts on Rainy Trails and FiveFingers

After working more than 60 hours since Monday and not really having a weekend to speak of, today’s rainy, empty trail was especially timely. Perhaps one of the best parts about running is the absolute catharsis you feel from only 45 minutes of time alone in the woods. At least for me, anyway.

I set out intent on barefooting it, knowing full-well that I need to work up some good pads for October’s marathon. As I pulled into the park, tough, the temperature dipped to 49, which is below my threshold for any shoeless adventures. I chickened out and wore the FiveFinger KSOs. But hey – they still feel great to me.

Heritage Park was empty, aside from two vinyl-poncho clad hikers with crampons and ski poles and two stoned teenagers sitting by the river with their feet in the water. Both were surprised to see me, but more so the high-ons. Days like this are some of the best for running. I love having the trails utterly to myself, and the sound of the rain falling through the trees sets a rhythm that kind of Zens you out and drives you forward. It’s too easy to get lost in your thoughts, and that’s a good thing.

I took a rest at my favorite portion of the trail, which is also the highest point of the park with the best view. As trail runners, we’re exposed to a lot of outdoor beauty, but stopping to reflect and observe gives you a much more in-depth experience than just running past it. You don’t often think of Suburban Detroit as having spots of breathtaking beauty, but I’ve found a few.

More thoughts on FiveFingers

This was my first run in them this year, after a long respite for the winter, and I’ve got a few new observations.

Despite offering little traction on muddy inclines – they’re practically weightless, they develop your leg muscles in the same way, and for my level of experience they offer welcome protection against gravel and wood chip portions of trail. That said, they do make a noticeable difference in form and technique compared to a naked foot. With the extra protection, you allow yourself to run more recklessly and do things you wouldn’t when completely unshod. The point of barefooting is to step softly, work in tune with your body and reduce stress on your bones – and that’s somewhat undermined in the FiveFingers. I think Vibram marketing them as a “barefoot alternative” is a bit dishonest, not to mention contradictory. It’s like calling a bathing suit a “nudity alternative” (or to that end, calling the Swimsuit Issue “the Hustler alternative”). You can’t really have a half-absolute.

Still, the FiveFingers have been an excellent gateway drug into minimal running, and I’d recommend them to anyone willing to give them a shot. Aside from the most important thing – making running more enjoyable – they’ve helped me rework and improve my running form. As such, I’ve fixed a lot of the knee and foot problems I was having before, running in my New Balances, Pumas and Salomons. I think it’s best to view them as training wheels of sorts, though, recognizing that they are shoes nonetheless.

4 Comments to “More Thoughts on Rainy Trails and FiveFingers”

April 21, 2009 at 9:34 pm
dan says:

Hey, I just found your blog and have read the last 1.5 years of it. I am considering getting some FiveFingers. It looks as if you have taken some time off due a knee injury, but how do you think the FiveFingers made a difference with your IT band pain? Currently, I run mostly on sidewalks (currently live downtown detroit and will be moving to ferndale/royal oak area). Could I wear these for my sidewalk runs? Do you still recommend?

April 21, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Nate says:

Dan:

Yeah, the injury was pretty rough – but PT and gentle running have helped considerably.

I wear FiveFingers on pavement/sidewalks just fine. As much as I endorse real barefoot, I’d probably not do it if I lived in Downtown Detroit (as I used to, Lafayette Towers). FF’s are your best bet if you want to try something in that direction.

Changing my form with barefooting helped me take the pressure off my knees. Try a few barefoot runs and (if you’re doing it right) your calves will feel like they’re about to explode the day after. A lot of the landing-impact goes there, rather than sending the shocks up through your bones and joints. That’s been the case for me, anyway. It’s not a complete cure – using a foam roller (painful, but magical in its effects) and stretching properly has gone a long way too. Truthfully, I’m still recovering.

If you’re iffy about FiveFingers, definitely find a place you can try them on before buying. I know Gazelle Sports in Holland and another place in Okemos might be the closest storefronts to carry them, last time I checked.

Thanks for reading!

April 22, 2009 at 2:19 pm
dan says:

ha! I live in lafayette towers now! …west tower. I have some IT band symptoms that come and go (lateral knee pain)…. stretching, roller, and working on my form has worked so far, but I am definitely interested in barefoot running or a similar alternative. I run around the city, river walk, through downtown, around belle isle, etc. I see broken glass ALL the time. Moving out end of May though. Hopefully I can find some dirt trails in the burbs. I am originally from the west side of the state, just north of Holland, so I might be able to swing by there. I might just check out Okemos or Ann Arbor, depending on how impatient I am though. So you think they will let me go for a short run in them? Thanks for the advice!

April 23, 2009 at 8:23 am
Nate says:

Nice – you got the good view. I was in the East Tower – 14th floor. Facing downtown, but your building was blocking the really good view.

I’m going to work on making this site more of a resource for local trails (in my “infinite spare time”). I’ll try to post some info here in the following weeks. Not entirely close to Royal Oak are Lakeshore Park in Novi and Heritage Park in Farmington Hills. These are my favorite close-by spots, and they’re definitely better than having to drive all the way to the Poto.

I’m not sure if those stores will let you run in them before you buy. Try barefooting somewhere clean and see if the idea kills you or not. If you can take that, FFs will be easier. Not much different in form other than slight protection for your feet.

Good luck!