Wow! I am loving the feed back on my Happy Meal post! If you haven’t seen, head over and throw in your thoughts, too!

Or, if you’re more interested in hearing about barefoot running, here is Sara’s Vibram FiveFinger story:

I guess you could say that I’ve always been a runner. I have always been the girl that would run around the playground and neighborhood any chance I could.   All of my siblings were in cross country running, my parents ran, so I just assumed that I should run too! I was involved in Cross Country running in middle school and then re-directed that love of running into Soccer during junior high and high school.

But, like so many other stories I headed to college and running (and most other physical activity) flew out the window. I would go running every once in a while but really it was just in random spurts to "get in shape." And so years passed with me having a few months of a lot of running, and a lot of months with no running.

Then came the move to South Korea. My husband and I decided to move to South Korea to teach English and let me tell you… there are no gyms with aerobics classes or spin classes (at least not in the rural city we were in). Running became my only option. I figured the only way to truly hold myself accountable was to sign up for a half marathon. I began my training, and found that I really fell into a "groove" with running. I was really beginning to enjoy it more than I ever had! A few weeks into my new found love a friend emailed me an article about "barefoot" running with Vibram Five Fingers and how it was so much better for your body. I have to admit, I was quite intrigued. Not only did the research sound promising, the VFF’s looked a little odd and different… and I’m always up for being unique. I continued to run and think on the VFF’s but when we were at home for a break I deemed them to expensive (even though I bought a new pair of running shoes for the same price).

I continued training for my half in Korea, and after my 8 mile training run (the furthest I had EVER run at that point in my life) they texted me saying it was cancelled due to the swine flu!!!! I was thoroughly unimpressed and my running took a bit of a break.

Enter the new year, signing up for a new half marathon, and finding healthy living blogs. Soon I began to see VFF’s and barefoot running everywhere! I really started to research the benefits and was kicking myself for not buying them the previous fall. But I continued on my training path and finished my first half marathon in May in Busan, South Korea! It was magical, but I was ready for the next chapter in my running life. It was time to lose the shoes. See, as much as I feel like I was the girl that was always running, I’ve also always been the girl that LOVES being barefoot. I’ve never enjoyed shoes, socks, or anything else that constricts my feet. I figured I should give barefoot running a shot.

After reading so many blogs like The Edible Perspective, Abby Normally, and birthdayshoes.com. I decided it was time to get some VFF’s… but how to get them to South Korea!? All in all I had to wait about 4 months to get them after ordering them, but in that time I started barefoot running on a track. I loved how freeing it was to just run! I love feeling the earth (track) under me and the grass between my toes (when I’m lucky enough to find grass).  Now when I look back I’m thankful I had the time to run barefoot before getting the VFF’s. I think it improved my form and toughened up my feet a bit.

Since getting my VFF’s I’ve worn them for running, yoga, hiking, and just walking around! They’ve toured around Jeju Island in South Korea, Finland, St. Petersburg, Paris, and they have a few more countries to go The strange looks and stares I get from everyone are just part of the fun

I really do love how freeing they are, and my feet (especially my toes) absolutely love them.

For anyone that wants to try them I would suggest just taking it slow. Everyone’s feet react differently to them. Mine absolutely loved them, and since I go barefoot often anyway, my muscles didn’t seem to take to long to adjust. But I’ve known others that have needed a lot more time than I. I think the best advice is if you’re curious, just try them! (Or borrow a friends for a few times… of course washing them in between users)

Happy Barefoot Running!

Thanks, Sara!

Sara blogs at Word on the Stainbrook’s Street, and I recommend it! She and her husband are currently touring Europe and the pictures are amazing!! I’m kind of jealous..ok, ok, I’m incredibly jealous!!

If you want to share your own barefoot/minimalist running story on Abby Normally, send it to me at abby.normally.blog(at)gmail.com!

Missed the other stories? Read Melyssa’s and Tom’s!

The Bare{foot} Essentials I
The Bare{foot} Essentials II
The Bare{foot} Essentials III
The Bare{foot} Essentials IV
The Bare{foot} Essentials V
The Bare{foot} Essentials VI
The Bare{foot} Essentials VII
The Bare{foot} Essentials IX
The Bare{foot} Essentials X
The Bare{foot} Essentials XI
The Bare{foot} Essentials XII
The Bare{foot} Essentials XIII