So not running is pretty much making me crazy. I did get out for a ride yesterday and that was nice. It was my first time to use clipless pedals. I hate to admit it, but its true. It wasn't as scary as I thought it might be. No falling straight to the side at a complete stop for me at least on the first ride. It rained all last night and all day today so riding was out for this morning. I spent all last night reading Born to Run. Minus the over-the-topness and Men's-Health writerishness of it all, it was addicting and quite the story and fact sharing. So tonight, just before it got dark, I decided to make a go for a barefoot run. I figured maybe my achilles would do better without shoes. My husband was wary. I don't think he believed I'd make it past a quarter mile. But I trusted that these feet of mine that have been either naked or flip-flopped for the last twenty years could probably hack it. It was three miles of feeling like coming home - it was peaceful to run in my own skin. Hippy-esque I know, but that is my sad, sorry tendency. The run was also a bit grinding on the toe pads and tightened up my right calf a bit. Regardless - I want to pursue the barefoot craze and see if my feet to my knees to my hips start easing up on me. It'd be nice to be back to running.
I did get a 15.3 mile bike in on Mon. I did the same ride today plus 1 mile in my new Bikilas. So my legs were DESTROYED for a week after running barefoot for three miles. I'm going to slow things down and really try to develop what I need to in order to continue the V5F wearing. Hopefully next week I'll be able to get some more working out in. The in-laws are visiting which has cut into mine and my husband's workout time. My husbands workout is higher priority than mine since it directly effects his job and his keeping his job.
3 miles in the fivefingers and then ibuprofin and 30 minutes of ice for the achilles. Oh it felt good to run. Oh how I don't want my achilles to be my achilles heel from here on out.
Another 4 in the five fingers. I iced and ibuprofined the last couple of days and it seems to help. Running feels so darned good. Especially now that fall is finally here. My lower calves are a bit tight. I think I'll try to run more slowly tomorrow. I'll tell you, running in the five fingers for me feels so casual - like I really am a little kid just running to run.
My achilles is still sore but not aching - I iced and ibuprofined some more. My lower calves were still pretty sore today too. I thought about riding the bike, but I fiugured day 3 of anything new is going to be a day of soreness and its best to just push through it. I'm glad I did. It was another cool, fall morning of easy, pleasant miles in the five fingers. I couldn't help but think that I am cozy in the middle of an awfully good time in my life.
My legs didn't feel great when I woke up so I decided to take it really easy today. After having not run for a few weeks I'm finding that every mile I get to do is truly joyful.
I feel like I'll never go back from the five fingers - but I'm still only on my fifth run in them so I probably better not get too definite on that.