July 2009

[Sweder]

Having flapped about the house like a demented penguin in my new-found footwear last night I decided to get out on the trails this morning. Mrs S had fallen to weep uncontrollably on the sofa as I padded in and out of the living room, but I'm used to such stoical support; water off a web-footed creatures' back. Putting these things on is an art in itself; big toe first, following in sequence by the other piggies. Heel snuggled in and velcro cross-strap affixed it was time to face the world.



Once again we’d had a decent amount of overnight rain and yet the ground seemed as hard and uncompromising as well-set concrete. I set off up my usual track, replete with loose stones and occasional canine deposits, heading towards the sheep field. The first thing to note is how free one feels in these … what are they? Skins? I’ll go for skins. Although the KSO* is enclosed – designed for off-road, mucky habitats with a protective canopy across the top of the foot – it did feel like running in bare feet. The toughened areas of the sole – under balls of the feet, each toe and the heel – are effective in offering protection much as I imagine heavy calouses would. I must report however a Pavlovian reaction to the occasional loose impediment. Every now and then a stone would appear beneath the rather softer arch area and I’d wince and hop.

Onto the grasslands of Landsport Bottom I was spared this occasional torture. Running freely I certainly felt different. Naturally one fixes attention on the ground ahead so as to avoid unpleasantries, but even so I felt more upright. Heal strikes were jarring and painful so I gradually moved my weight forward, spreading the impact more evenly on each foot. I can see where an amount of practice will over time lead to an entirely altered running stance.

Mindful of the advice to take it easy at first I cut short the run, hopping the fence at the dew pond and heading off down the bridle path that forms the South Downs Way proper. Here I encountered more stones and twigs, testing my powers of concentration and endurance. There’s no doubt these encounters are painful at first, but even over the course of this short jog – 2.4 kilometres total – I could sense my feet getting used to the occasional jab.

The upshot is I intend to persevere. I’ll hit a few more of these short runs, and maybe in a week or two step up to my regular five-miler. I’ll have to revert to my Mizunos for the Sunday plod – I’m not ready for a longer stint nor the merciless ribbing likely to come my way. But, first impressions; interesting.

[SIZE="1"]* Other designs included for yoga, sprinting, rock-climbing, watersports etc.
More details here[/SIZE]