A Journey to My First Marathon Part 3

After 20 November 2011 Half Marathon Run, my interest for running was at a low. But I still carry on with my treadmill running about twice a week but no longer than 40 mins. The Half Marathon has scared the hell out of me. After a rest of two months or so, amnesia sets in. The scary part of half marathon has slowly fade away. The truth is time heals. And then I discovered a pair of new running shoes, the Vibram Fivefingers. A running shoe that is closed to barefoot running.

Vibram FiveFingers Treksport

I visited one of my client/friend shop at Straits Quay just before Chinese New Year and was just fascinated with the design of the shoe. I do not really know about barefoot running until later. But they do not have the size that I wanted.

I call up another friend of mine in Kuala Lumpur who runs a specialist shop in Kuala Lumpur selling outdoor equipment and also Vibram Fivefingers. He was kind enough to bring the size that I wanted from Kuala Lumpur to Penang during Chinese New Year. So I got it on 1 February 2012.

It was really difficult to put on the shoes initially. (I still find it difficult at times after wearing it for more than 4 months). But it was cool to wear if you go shopping with people keep staring at your feet. My friend advised me not to take the complete black pairs as it may look like gorilla feet! 

So I started reading about the shoes and slowly understanding about barefoot running and minimalist shoe.  I have tried running on a treadmill with them as your running form is completely different from previous running shoes. You will be running with a forefoot strike as opposed to heel strike. As the running progresses, my interest in running rekindle. The runner's high is back !!!  The feel of running in Vibram Fivefingers is so different. The feel of your feet on the ground as opposed to traditional running shoes. You can really feel the pebbles on the road. It took sometime before I took it on the road. I have taken some hikes in it also. But i don't like the feel especially if you are hiking down a terrain. It takes too much effort and accidentally stepping on a rock or a root of the tree can be pretty painful.

When I was finding out about barefoot running, I also discovered the Tarahumara barefoot running which is just eye-opening.

The Tarahumara can run very long distances just barefooted or very little footwear. And I also discovered an ultra marathoner from Penang and he is older or about my age who is a friend of Andrew on Facebook. This ultra marathoner commented about Tarahumara and the book "Born To Run" by Christopher McDougall. I immediately look for the book and read the book. Such a good book on running and the Tarahumaras. The thought comes to mind "If people like them can run ultra marathons or such long distances barefooted. Are humans really born to run?" The seed of running a marathon starts to germinate. The idea start to get exciting and challenging ...A goal to run a marathon...

The next step..is preparing for it ....

To be continued....