Barefoot Running Shoes Update: Vibram Five Fingers - KSO Trek Sport

Over the weekend my friend, Mark, purchased the Vibram FiveFingers KSO Trek Sport at REI. I haven't been to REI in awhile and I was very happy to see that they now carry FiveFingers and have them prominently displayed. It appears that this barefoot running concept is really picking up steam.  I think the success of Born to Run by Christopher McDougall has alot to do with it.  Mark grew up in South Florida and was always playing barefoot as a child and was not happy wearing regular running shoes to run trails so he made the switch.

Mark is now my second friend who has purchased FiveFingers. My friend David picked up a pair of Bikilas a couple of months ago.  Both of them made the switch after reading Born To Run after initially considering me to be a whackjob for wearing them. The Bikilas are the FiveFingers made specifically for running and also have improved traction. David intends to do marathons wearing his Bikilas and using the Jeff Galloway marathon method.

Maybe in a few years it will be the footwear with the big shock absorbing heels that will be the oddity and the flat minimalist shoes will be the norm.   I am also glad they came out with the Trek Sport because I really didn't care much for the regular Treks since they are made with Kangaroo leather. I just didn't find that particularly minimalist. The Trek Sports looks like a more rugged version of my standard KSOs. The biggest visible difference is the better traction and toe protection.

Today was Mark's first run in his new Trek Sports.  We did our usual 5 mile trail loop through Colonel Francis Beatty Park today.  It was a great day to run with temps in the 50s.  We spotted 4 deer about midway through the run.  As they scattered upon seeing us, one of them got on the trail and ran about 20 to 30 yards in front of me before veering off into the woods - usually I only see squirrels at Beatty so that provided some entertainment.  

So how Mark's run? He kept up with me quite well and improved his usual 39-40 minute run to 37 minutes.  Was it the FiveFingers? He certainly thinks so and is very happy with his purchase.  He told me that he felt more surefooted in the very rooty turns and curves of the singletrack.  We have been running the trails regularly now since the weather has gotten cooler so his cardio was bound to improve but you can't deny that a two minute time improvement on a five mile run is pretty impressive considering it was his very first run in his new Vibrams.  I am curious to see if the balls of his feet will be sore tomorrow.  If not - he is truly an anomaly or I need to get a pair!!!