Do y’all remember on VFF post #4 when I said I wouldn’t bug you but every 100 miles? Yep, it’s that time! 
Since you can probably tell I’m still wearing them and still running, you have probably assumed that all is well in happy-running-land, and you would be correct. I won’t bore you with all the details this time, but let’s get some summary numbers (because I’m anal like that 
).
Total VFF/miles record #5: 105
Total yearly miles to date: 552.56
Total VFF miles to date: 243
Miles before VFFs: 309.56
October total thus far: 49.5
If you’ve been reading along, you’ll know that I am contemplating a 10k early next month. When I first had this stupid idea stroke of genius, I was a month out. It goes without saying that I will wait until almost the last minute to register if I decide to.
I’m still working on the minutiae of running outdoors. My biggest issue, I think, is convincing hunny that I am not going to kill myself. I can’t just shrug off his concerns entirely, because when/if it goes south, he’s the one standing in the gap and picking up the pieces (read: taking over the household and taking care of me while I’m incapacitated). I am hoping I have enough time to show him that there won’t be an explosion of badness because I’m running outside.
What’s noteworthy is the increase of mileage. I’ve increased by 1.5 miles and added a day, which means an addition of 12.5 miles a week. At this point, I am going for distance and not speed.
Within the daily miles, I’ve added incline training (my treadmill is so old that back when I got it, it was something to have any kind of incline, particularly combined with a space saver model. This means I have three levels of what I fondly call low, mid, and normal. :D ). Today I did 2 miles of incline work; 1 low; 1 mid.
What’s important to know about these two newer things (increased mileage and incline work):
- I am not following the “don’t increase more than 10% a week” rule. You’ve already figured out I generally don’t play by the rules, unless I have a compelling reason to.
- My pain levels have not increased. Because I am thinking about trying that thing next month, I don’t want to get myself in a position where I’m injured and can’t do it. I have noticed more hip soreness, but I’m trying to counteract that by upping my hip strengthening exercises. Injury is just one less excuse for me to have to think about, as I try to talk myself into it.
While I have had some soreness, it’s not prohibitive. It hasn’t slowed me down at all to this point <knock on wood>. In reality, I think if I had 2 months of prep time, I’d certainly jump in with no reservations. I’m looking at two weeks and some change. We’ll see.
On the one hand, I have the voice that says, ” Your mileage is fine- you can do this even if you have to walk some.” On the other hand, I have the voice that says, ” You’re freaking nuts.”
Where I’m landing today? Today, I am encouraged by my bloggy friend runningthriver who ran a half marathon recently and then will run a marathon a short two weeks later. Today, I’m thinking that if this mother here could run a marathon and then deliver a healthy, full-term baby 7 hours later 
, maybe I can do a measly 10k……. 
This is what I run in too. Although torn hamstring has kept me from running at all in months (no …wasn’t wearing the 5 fingers when I tore it…I was in TEVA sandals and running “races” with my niece and son. Just messing around)
I have had multiple knee surgeries. I used to be fast but have to realize I won’t be running sub 5′s again. The vibram’s forced me to completely change the way I run so that it’s easier on the hips and knees. longest distance in them so far has been a little over 10 miles, but plan to do a marathon in them too.
the most challenging run was a tough mudder. 7+ miles over a ski resort. the last 2 miles of it were almost exclusively over gravel. I was wearing my KSO’s then. Felt every rock through those. A week later i got the Bikila’s and it was a world of difference.
keep it up!!
peace to you
LFBA
My bloggy friend runningthriver was using Komodosports, and had the same experience with feeling the rocks. I have a new pair of Komodosport LSes, and have not had that issue, but I’m not running in them, either. I am totally hooked on my Bikilas!
Hope your hamstring heals and gets you back out there. I seriously go nutty if I know I can’t run for an extended period of time, even if it’s the pain keeping me away.
Rock on!
Yay….I tested out the hamstring tonight with a run/walk session. Felt comfortable at about a 7 minute clip. But could only go about a 1/2 mile at a time. Still…nothing re-tore so that’s good news. Knees were tight and hamstrings were tight, but no injury.
bwahahahaha …yes..yes… that is the evil laugh…I am running a lot more in mine…
you should however, tell your hubby that it is gonna kill you… you might get a foot rub outta it… wink..wink…
As for your running thriver friend…umm well she’s a freak…let’s not piss her off..she’s driven in a way that I’m not and I thought I’m a bit scary…well she would teach me a lesson or two…
T.
Glad to know your ankles are getting into shape!
Nope, hunny has no sympathy if it’s self-inflicted, I’m afraid. He’s of the mind that if you are dumb enough to do it to yourself, you get what you get. 
I think RT in comparison to the lady who did the marathon and 7 hours later delivered a healthy, full-term baby- well, she’s pretty tame in comparison.
I’m definitely rooting- on the sidelines 
- for her!!
I think she is younger than we are……….
You can do iiittt! You’ve done quite a bit of running already.
And YAAAYYY, Vibrams! I love my Bikilas, three 5k training sessions in.
And you can still walk?!
I ♥♥♥ my Bikilas and honestly will never go back. I am definitely not back to my 15 mile a day pace, but something is better than nothing (especially when you are chronically ill and spent your life in bed a few years ago), and one of these days, the kids will be at a point where I can take the time for some nice long runs. And maybe my oldest will be able to keep pace with me! 
And THANK YOU for cheering me on!! I need all the encouragement I can get these days.
Oh, wow! You’ve come a long way, huh?! Good stuff! I’m feeling pretty encouraged just from stories like yours.
And you’re running in Bikilas. I like you more now. *makes note of new amount of “like”*
LOL, lici.
In my case, it’s like being where you wanted to be, falling down the rabbit hole, trying to claw your way back out while being mostly incapacitated, all the while being told you are nuts and there’s nothing really wrong with you…..
For about two years, the only thing I did any day was run- get out of bed, run, and spend the rest of the day recovering; hardly having the strength to even move my legs. It is a completely bizarre sensation to have the feeling of straining and pushing your legs, not just when simply moving them, but when they are extended and relaxed. Someday, I kept telling myself, it *has to* get better- because anything less is unacceptable.
And, being stubborn (or stupid :lol) enough to go against the grain and prove people wrong- to do what they say “can’t be done.
We need a club for those of us running in Bikilas, lololol.
AWESOME, LFBA!! And you’re going twice as fast as me!
Not re-injuring would have to be a huge relief!!