Barefoot Running?

I've been reading up on running and injuries of late, and here's what seems to be the most fuss-free remedy for most running ailments: barefoot running.

Interesting. 

The basic premise to why barefoot running is good for you seems to be that all the cushioning and arch support found in running shoes actually do you more harm than good by "encouraging" poor stride. Moreover, there have been some articles that indicate the more expensive the shoes, the worse they may be for you.

So. Barefoot running. Just another fad, or is there actually something to this?

I'm intrigued enough to give this a try. Some runners have recounted how most - if not all - their running-associated problems went away once they switched to barefoot running, including joint pains. Whilst mine have been attributed to early osteoarthritis, which is a result of wear on the cartilage in my knees, which is a result of the impact generated from running, it's been written that barefoot running will force you to run with the correct stride and posture (ie. as the human body was designed to run) which in turn will result in lesser impact to the joints. Supposedly because you're doing things "correctly".

An acquaintance recommended Vibrams when I complained about my toenails hurting post-Energizer. Subsequent reading pretty much made the case for them. Funky-looking; I must mention that toe-socks freak the hell out of me, nevermind toe.. err.. gloves. Still, they seem pretty well-received by some runners, and are especially endorsed by barefoot runners, so why not? Also, some of them come in cute colours. *ahaks!*

Here are a few reviews on ye Vibrams, for those of you who might be interested, or skeptical. Also, a reminder to go slow with the Vibrams in the intial stages. Obviously, our feet have been conditioned to wearing shoes and barefoot running will be something we'll have to ease our muscles back into gradually. 

I'll most likely pop across the glorified longkang for a pair sometime next week, so we'll see how these babies perform. 

In the meanwhile, here's an interesting TED Talk by ultra-marathoner Christopher McDougall, a renowned proponent of barefoot running and author of Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, a book on, well, a tribe of barefoot runners. 

Energizer Malaysia Makes Amends

Okay, so I know what I said about being reimbursed and belated gift packs sent for the botched Energizer Night Run being poor compensation for the booboo in the first place, but perhaps I spoke a leeeettle too hastily. 

Ha! Ha!  <- ala Nelson Muntz

Final haul: 

• Cheque for RM50 as reimbursement of Registration Fee
• Finisher's certificate
• Finisher's medal (even though there wasn't meant to be one for 11KM but no complaints because I get a sweet memento of my first race, yay!)
• Energizer Night Race T-Shirt
• USB Double AA-size Rechargable Battery Charger
• Energizer Headlamp (yes, another one)
• Schtick Quattro Razor
• Err.. Playtex Tampon samples (??!) <- I wonder if they give these out to the male participants too??

Now, a month and a half since the kerfuffle, I suppose most of us would've forgotten the irk, so (for me anyway) the cheque and the goodies are most welcome. And it is nice proof that Energizer Malaysia actually walk the talk of their apologies. Their commitment to making amends, if nothing else, impressed this perhaps-too-easily-mollified-by-freebies-in-the-mail runner. Lol. *G*

Eh, no use holding on to jarum yang patah, right? Live and let live.. and "Thanks!" Energizer Malaysia for sticking by your commitment! I think you handled the crisis remarkably well in the way that Expose Media did not.

ps. They should've finished mailing out all the reimbursement cheques and gift packs by now. If you haven't received (but insist that you want) yours, email them at cst.msia@energizer.com.

Of Knee Pains and Minor Heartbreak

My left knee started twinging a couple of weeks after the Energizer Night Run. At first, I put it down to the hard workout of the Run and *nyeah*ed it aside. It wasn't a persistent twinge after all, just a sometime occurrence. 

A few weeks after it started, the twinge would consistently appear at the mid-point of a standard run. I'd hit the 5km marker, and there it would be, that niggling little pinch that went *tuit*tuit*tuit* in my left knee. It wasn't any real pain though, just an annoyance. A mention of it to the gym trainers begot me the advice of making sure I warmed up and stretched sufficiently pre-run. Check. 

A couple of weeks after that, no change, despite the more careful warm ups. It still didn't really hurt, but it was sure getting somewhat uncomfortable. I had begun to wonder if there was reasonable cause for me to see a sports therapist or physician or summink, but thought it a little too paranoid at this stage. Then three days ago, after some 4 too-busy-to-run-days, at approximately 3kms my right knee started twinging. Alamak! Concerned, I slowed down and jogged through it. And at the 5km mark, it happened: a sharp, shooting pain through my left knee. 

After hearing first-hand of too many people who were forced to forsake running forever after as a result of a bad knee, I was horrified. And paranoid or no, I made an appointment to see the orthopedics specialist at Columbia Asia the next day.

Long story short, the diagnosis was early osteoarthritis. Because my bones/kneecaps/joints are "imperfectly aligned", which resulted in wonky wear on the cartilage, which was causing the pain along my joint line. Incurable, due to it being a structural issue. Inevitable. Hereditary (which would really explain all my aunts & uncles on Mum's side who all have problems with their knees). Recommendation: give up running and take up swimming instead (low-impact sport, mah).

The personable ortho was right; I really didn't want to hear what he had to say. But the good news is that the paranoia paid off: The osteoarthritis is in the veeeeery early stages yet, which means that mitigation is still possible. So he's prescribed a course of daily glucosamine supplements and a firm recommendation to half my running and allow swimming to make up for non-weight-bearing cardio work instead.

Highly sensible; I think I'll take his advice.

Unfortunately, this may mean a much slower progression of my running "career". It also throws huge question as to whether or not I'll be able to finish the half at the Standard Charted KL Marathon, which is little more than a month from now. Even without this injury I was already worried about finishing it. Now with this knee... *sigh*

I've been told to rest the joints for a week or two. Swimming, boleh, so I'll do that to keep ye old cardio at optimum levels. And I think I'm going to give the half a go anyway. Even if I don't finish, at least I can say I tried.