My Rusty Conversion

I went to the local school track to test out my new Vibram FiverFingers KSO's.  I had never ran more than 2 miles in my life prior to this day!  Truthfully I wasnt sure how it would go. 
My first lap around the track was a difficult one!  Out of breath and not knowing where to place my feet...the whole concept was very akward for me...should I keep going?  Yes!  I was only able to make it around twice before I called it quits for the day.

Little did I know that those two laps lead to a life changing passion for long distance running.

I returned to the track everyday for close to two weeks, each time increasing the distance and speed.  I felt like a water faucet with rusty water in the pipes...If you run a faucet with dirty water for a period of time, what happens?  The water becomes clear after it runs its course.

I was so out of shape I simply needed to get the rust out of my blood stream, bones, muscles, lungss...everything!

By the end of the first week I was able to run a mile and a half!

I started to get board of the track.  I didnt like seeing the same thing over and over again...i felt like a hamster in a running wheel.  I needed a change.

One late evening I strapped on my KSO's, put in my ear buds, tuned my iPod to 'Metallica mix' and I ran out the front door.  What I thought was going to be a couple of laps arond the block turned into 8 miles!  I dont know where it came from but I had the desire to keep going!  My pipes were clean and i was flow'n!

I came home to a very worried wife (it was after midnight)!  "Where the hell were you!  I thought something happened."  I could barely hear anything she was saying...my earbuds were dangling from my neck and I could hear the sound of Metallica playing loudly...I was happy, confused, and confident.  What just happened?  How did I?  With a big smile I looked at Rach and said "I was running."  She had the look of disbeleif on her face...after looking closely at my sweat drenched body she realized that i was telling the truth.  She was just as excited for me.

The following day I returned to work smiling from ear to ear.  I could hardly make it up the stairs, I was so soar.  I couldnt wait to tell the 'runners' what I had just accomplished. 

what would happen next in this journey that I recently embarked on?

Welcome 'barefootclydesdale' to blogging...

Well...i did it!  I'm blogging about my experiences in hope that i might be able to reach out to someone and help them in their journey towards a healthier life style.

I am 200+ pounds and have been running long distances for the past year in vibram five fingers...i know, i know, "but your so heavy"  "can your feet handle the weight?"

The reason I am starting this blog is to bring some clarity to the running community and the ones who want to join and help them understand the benefits of barefoot running and how to do it properly.

I hope to gain some follwers!  See ya'll on the road!