In the words of Tao Te Ching.....

I had my second go out in my minimalist running shoes yesterday. The Vibram Fivefingers are hardcore minimalist. 3mm runner sole, no cushion and no support.
After my first go, where I set a 5k pb I ended up with calf strain for a week so I slowed down on purpose this time.
I still felt light on my feet and more connected, they definitely promote good running posture and increase cadence. As a result, I ended up running off my forefoot more but my calfs held up this time. Overall, the run was more fun and felt less like I was crashing through the countryside, more like I was skimming along it.
In the words of Tao Te Ching, "The best runner leaves no tracks". Maybe he was on to something.
Slow and steady seems the way to increase distance on minimalist shoes so I'll look at a seven k run next time.
Meanwhile, plans for a big run later in the year continue to develop.
Ultramarathon anyone?

One more goal....

Over the last two weeks I've not run as much as I'd like.

Why?

1) My new minimalist running shoes crippled me and left me with no calf movement for a week,
2) I worked overtime on nights doing a 60 hour week and feeling pretty crap, and
3) I spent last weekend blasting round Yorksire on my Motorbike with friends (although I did manage a cheeky 8k in the moring before everyone lese got up).

Have I been resting and enjoying the break from running?

Have I hell!!!

I've realised that having met two of my three goals for this year I needed to really test myself. When I set the three goals of losing weight, beating my 10k PB and raising money for charity, I kind of figured that the third would be the easiest. And it pobably would be but for the fact that I seem to think differently now.
Rather than accept and achieve the norm I find myself constatntly testing and pushing myself. Having realised that I can accomplish anything I really want to, when I decided to do a run for charity, I figured I had to come up with something unique....

I have planned a run which will smash any goals I've set before and I'm well excited for it.

I'm looking to finalise details this week as i want to get some support first but watch this space....