As I stated back in January, around mid-November, I decided to take the plunge and try out a pair of VFFs. As someone with a history of bad ankle and shin injuries (plus a bad back and knee), I was willing to at least give it a go with something that could help me with my running. It didn’t hurt that after some research, the logic behind the design of the shoes just made sense to me. So what began as a basic trial turned into a way of life, so to speak.

As the winter months turned to spring, I turned my attention from skiing and climbing to prepping for the Ragnar road relay. My first year, my goal had been to just complete the race and not die. (I succeeded in not dying, but I gave myself some really bad shin splints) Last year, it was all about running farther without doing major damage to myself. This year, I wanted to increase my speed and rock times that were lower than 10 minutes per mile, which I felt was a very doable goal.

The other thing I decided was that I was going to train up and run Ragnar in my Vibrams. This was a conscious decision I had made after I stopped working out in my brooks beasts in December. I reasoned that if it was causing me pain to work out in the shoes, I shouldn’t try running long distance in them anymore, either.

So, thus, I began my running training in my Vibram Sprints. It was a slow build up as it always was, but running in Vibrams just felt better. I felt closer to the road and my form came to me much more naturally than when I was running in my old running shoes. I also noticed, that as I was training, my times were all better and I wasn’t icing my legs down as much as I had to as I did when I was training in my regular shoes. Overall, I was feeling very confident about my chances for the relay. Especially after I transitioned to a pair of Bakilas that I picked up in late May from city sports.

So fast forward to race day. I met up with the other people I would be running with and within a few minutes, a bunch of people noticed that I was wearing my sprints. Now I was expecting to be the only person running Vibrams, but as it turned out, multiple people on my team had pairs, although I was the only person who didn’t bring a backup pair of regular shoes with me. It was definitely fun to smile back with a hardy yes to the question, “are you planning on running ALL of your legs in those?”

So how did I do? Well, here are my results. And the best part is that, while I was sore for a couple of days following the race; I didn’t have any lingering injuries or pain.

As for my old Brooks Beasts? Well, I can happily say that I haven’t worked out or run in them since December. Additionally, the one time I have worn them in the past six months (playing football at a picnic), I woke up the next morning to a sore knee. It’s pretty safe to say that I have a barely used pair of traditional motion-control level running shoes I should get rid of. (I need the space on my shoe rack for more Five Fingers ^_^)

Firstly, a couple of weeks ago I decided to splurge and take a trip to Hawaii. Since I had the miles and someone was willing to host me there, I figured I’d go before work got crazy. Let me tell you, it was one of the best ideas ever. I spent most of the time laying on the beach and lounging around. It was amazing. I didn’t make it to see any of the famous sites, but I figure I’ll go back and do that again later.

Beyond the trip to Hawaii, my life has pretty much come down to a few basic activites: training for Ragnar, working, and climbing.

As is normal for the month of July, I’m completely deep into my training for the Ragnar relay. As has been the case in previous years, I’m in a good regimen of running, lifting, and abstaining from drinking in any way. This year, I’m actually pushing myself a bit more in my runs, and I’ve decided not to ease off the lifting. As it turns out, I’m seeing great benefits over my training in my previous years and I’m really excited to see how things go with this years race. I’ve also been training in Vibrams, which I feel have helped me a great deal. As the relay is less than two weeks away, expect to hear more from me about the whole thing soon.

The next big thing in my life has been work. With the upcoming of release of Windows Phone 7, my team has been ramping up for the last push. As it often goes with software, this final push is where it all falls into place. Unfortunately, this also means a lot of work, some long hours, and a bit of a toll on me physically is all in store. I am, however, really loving what I’m doing. I’ve always been a bit of a phone freak, so getting the opportunity to work in this technology space is a real treat. It’s very much akin to my time at Zune. Although we aren’t quite marching like we did there.

The last big thing I’ve gotten even more into has been climbing. Since November, I’ve gotten into a pretty good rhythm of climbing with my friend Shawn. We’ve been climbing generally at least once a week, and life permitting, even more. Given that Shawn is quite a bit better than I am, I’ve actually improved a great deal, which has been rather awesome. I’ve also started climbing outdoors and leading, which is something I never thought I’d be up to doing.

So yeah, that’s kind of the life I’m living right now. I’m really happy with everything. As I told my friend Josh today as we were walking to dinner, “Life is good.”

First, I want to just say that, I have a pair of Brooks Beasts. They were what I ran this past years Ragnar in. I used them in tandem with a pair of custom orthotics. That should tell you had badly my feet used to pronate. When running season was done, I would lift in them. They were, my athletic shoe of choice.

Note the key usage of the past tense. In case you hadn’t picked up on it, I haven’t put on my beats in about two months.

Just before Thanksgiving of this year, I decided to get a pair of the Vibram Five Finger KSOs. My friends Lowell and Cailyn had been living in them for a couple of months and wouldn’t stop going on about them. After doing some research I decided I’d give them a try. Given how my feet are, I figured at worst, I’d just be sore for a bit, give up and call it a day.

Well, after easing my way into them (seriously, give yourself time to adjust), I discovered that I really really loved wearing them. It started off as me wearing them to work and around the house. Then I started wearing them pretty much full time, accept for the gym. Then, after a weak of wondering why my knees were bothering me after working out, I realized I wasn’t handling being in the Beasts for working out and walking anymore. So I ditched them and it was my KSO’s all the time.

When I got back from vacation, I decided that I actually wanted a couple more pairs of 5 Fingers. I decided I wanted a pair of Sprints to work out/run in, and I wanted a pair of brown KSO Treks that I could wear with dressier ensembles, as well as to work when I was drying my regular KSOs. Thankfully, Lowell was able to hook me up, so I didn’t ave to wait to get them. I can honestly say that I love my Treks and Sprints as much as my original pair of KSOs.

I’ll probably write up more of the experience next month when I’ve started up my initial change in training from Skiing/Climbing to Running/Convention. (Yes, I actually have to train a bit for the Con. I’m on my feet for most of 4 days.) For now, however, I cannot stress how awesome the shoes are. They are super comfortable and I’ve reduced the amount of pain I’ve felt in my legs and back since picking them up. I whole heartedly recommend them.