Step into barefoot running with FiveFingers

A few months ago, I only knew of barefoot running in two ways. The first was as a style of running with devout converts who could sing its praises for hours. That was scary. The second was by seeing the weird colored frog-shoes. That was even scarier.

But there was something intriguing about the toe-separating shoes and then I found myself in the market for a new pair of running shoes.

With the ultimate goal of running a marathon in 2012, I knew I needed to invest in a worthwhile pair.

Minimalist shoes have recently become a fad within the running world, but don't let that description fool you — there is certainly merit in the design. Vibram FiveFingers are the extreme of minimalist design and go for $75 to $125 based on style.

In 2007, the shoes were considered the "invention of the year," allowing a simulation of barefoot running without destroying the soles of one's feet. (Just picture running around Baltimore without shoes on. Gross.)

There is virtually no cushioning in FiveFingers and that is reflected in their weight (5.7 oz). I throw them at the bottom of my purse and forget that I've been lugging them around all day. What a change from my previous Nike's.

I was apprehensive to make the first steps to barefoot running, though. Were my feet strong enough to make the change? Was I even an intense enough runner to strap on FiveFingers?

I always thought that people who wore the frog-shoes meant business. I wasn't sure if that was me. So, I started doing my research.

In 2009, a book called Born to Run started the dialogue about barefoot running. The theory behind it states that if you can more intensely feel the impact when your feet hit the ground, your body will naturally make the adjustments to lessen said impact.

Simply put, there is virtually no shock absorption and that's a good thing. Switching from running in flat-surfaced Florida to hilly Connecticut, my knees had taken a toll but I didn't want to stop running. The promise of less impact was appealing.

The new LS version of FiveFingers has laces, unlike the Velcro straps of my own model: the Vibram FiveFingers Bikila. Just to give you a visual, my shoes are blue and yellow and I do feel like an aquatic animal when I wear them.

To transition to running in them, I followed Vibram's advice to the letter. I had heard horror stories of people who had messed up their feet by trying to run their usual mileage straightaway. I was averaging about 20 miles a week when I got the shoes. As per Vibram's website FAQs, I wore them on alternating days, only running about 10 percent of my standard per day mileage. I never wore them two days in a row.

On days when my toes were hurting (an apparently common complaint) I would hit the indoor track instead of Baltimore streets. I did this for three weeks.

I noticed a difference after only the first week. Not only did my legs feel better, but my entire body had responded to the change in footwear. My strides were better and I cut my time significantly. And the best part was that none of this was a conscious decision on my part.

The shoes have their drawbacks, however. On internet running forums, other barefoot runners urge each other to exercise caution. In the winter, the shoes offer no protection to your soles from dangerous chunks of ice. Pebbles and rocks pose similar problems. This is definitely something to keep in mind if you're a trail runner.

For me, though, the transition to barefoot running has been one of the best decisions I've made. My form has improved, my knees have stopped aching and I now have the brightest shoes when I decide to run on the indoor track at the Rec Center. And who wouldn't want that?