Way back in April last year, I found myself in Orlando, Florida for work and I took the time out one day to travel to the edge of town to go pick up a pair of Vibram Five Finger Bikilas (and a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves). They cost me about $140, which at the time worked out to about £88.
I recently purchased a pair of Vibram Five Finger Seeyas
This morning I headed out for my longest ever training run which also happened to be my longest ever run in Vibram Five Fingers - today I ran in the Seeyas.
I went out with the intention of running for 3 hours. I worked out I'd probably cover about 33-35km in that time. I ended up covering just over 35km in 2 hours and 57 minutes - I'd already tacked on a run round the block as I got back home way quicker than I anticipated, so didn't push things to get the final 3 minutes.
It was a lovely run. Not a cloud in the sky and thankfully very little traffic on the country roads I was running on. One thing is for sure: I definitely over dressed for this run. It was 2C when I left, so I dressed for it, only to find that the sun was very warming and I soon warmed up meaning I ended up running most of my run with the outer jacket wrapped round my waist.
Today's run also took this week's "kilometer-age" over 100km. My 5th 100km week of the year, and probably my last for the year. I however plan to get in a lot more of these big weeks next year - I'm thinking at least one a month. We'll see how it goes.
Anyway, the sun is still shining, I have tired legs, so I think I'll spend the rest of the day on my bum drinking beer (after we've popped to Sainsbury's for a little top-up grocery shop). Wonder if I can convince the Mrs to take me to the pub whilst we're out 
The posty came to see me again today to drop off my newest order...
Vibram Five Finger Seeya
Let me hear you all say "Ooooooo".
These will now be my primary road shoe, though I think I might rotate them with the Spyridons. Now I can finally retire my Vibram Five Finger Bikilas and my Merrell Trail Gloves, both of which you can see day through the soles. My colleague who sits next to me will also be pleased with this new arrival - the Bikilas are starting to rot they smell so bad at times 
Look what the guy from the postroom just dropped off at my desk...
Vibram Five Fingers Spyridon
So those who were curious as to which option I went for when deliberating over my next pair of trail shoes, now you know.
This is quite interesting... Adidas appear to be taking a brave and bold step into the world of "barefoot shoes" (what a silly expression) with their own Vibram Five Finger-a-likees, the Adidas Adipure:
Photos from Gizmodo
As I see it, this is an interesting development. First, Adidas appears to be making a much bigger statement about the potential impact of minimalist shoes on their market than any of the other major brands have dared do - Nike Frees are NOT minimalist or "like barefoot". I don't care what Nike say. Secondly, Vibrams are currently suing Fila for patent infringement. Has Adidas licensed these patents from Vibram or are they going in guns blazing and hoping to dig themselves out when the pooh when it hits the fan?
I've already got 3 pairs of Vibram Five Fingers (VFF) and really enjoy running in them. I also quite like the look of these new Adidas Adipures and if the planned price is anything to go by, they'll be offering a good alternative to VFFs at a comparable price. The pictures and the Gizmodo review however concern me a bit: they seem to indicate a fair bit of cushioning so I'd like to try these on before coughing up my cash.
I've just been in Orlando, Florida giving a presentation at Collaborate 11 and just happened to come home with 4 news things in my suitcase...
A left and right one of these...
A couple of weeks ago, I received the following query in a comment...
Hi,
I'm a Physio based in Guildford. I've been looking into barefoot running for the last 6 months having had repetitive shin splints from running in expensive shoes-and finally found some fivefingers on sale. So I've taken the plunge and ordered some kso's to test the whole barefoot running out of both personal and professional interest. Can I ask, how did you start out? What sort of training plan would you advise?
Thanks,
Joe
I started to write a response to the comment in the comments section of that post and realised it was becoming a rather long response and should probably warrant it's own post so others can find it too. So here it is and sorry about the delay in writing it Joe, it's been a crazy few weeks.
Looky looky what I received in my inbox from a kind lady at Terra Plana (click for full size):
My Vibrams recently developed a mind of their own, and were about to grow their own legs, I'm sure of it. They absolutely stank and a lovely cheesy smell followed me whenever I wore them, and even after I'd taken them off and washed my feet (it wasn't me, I promise). Sadly washing them normally (ie in the washing machine) and allowing to dry completely didn't completely relieve them of their smell and they were soon creating a fugg around me again within a run or two. As you can image, the Mrs was not happy at all - "he normally smells so nice".