I say “sort of” because it was raining, and I went to the gym. I planned on using the treadmill to run, but I really and truly hate running on a treadmill. I had hoped that the novelty of my new shoes would overcome my dislike. It did not. I only lasted 8 minutes on it before switching to the elliptical machine.

Observations:

On the treadmill, I found it much easier to maintain the forefoot strike. Albeit, I was only on it for 8 minutes.

I did not like the elliptical because I had to keep my feet flat the entire time. Did I mention that I have been told that I have a short heel cord. I am not certain if this is true or not, but keeping my heel down on the elliptical was uncomfortable and felt entirely unnatural in the “barefoot” state. I love the elliptical when I am in my super stiff shoes with orthotics. I was not a fan in my Five Fingersâ„¢.

I did find that my arch on my right foot got really irritated and felt like it was on fire after about 18 minutes on the elliptical. I needed four more minutes to make the goal of 30 minutes. So, I powered through that hoping it wouldn’t be sore the next day. I am happy to report that the burning stopped as soon as I got off the elliptical and did not result in any soreness. As a matter of fact, I was not very sore in either left or right foot or ankle the next day.

Woohoo! Progress!!! Or was it just not as strenuous on machines? Or both?