Courtney sent in the above photos from a recent cross country race she ran in her black KSO FiveFingers. Courtney’s been running in here KSOs since the fall. I can’t help but notice Courtney’s resolve in the leftmost picture of the collage as she bounds up a hill in her VFFs. Her fellow racers look whipped but Courtney just looks determined!
Here’s Courtney talking about her experiences (and the reactions of coaches and fellow runners, too) with her KSOs:
Other runners think that they are odd, interesting, cool, etc. One coach at a meet was bugging me about them and lecturing me about how I needed something with support and cushion, and did I have any idea how many pounds of force I was putting on my foot, etc. It’s very annoying getting talked to like you’re an idiot. But I raced in them at that meet anyways. 🙂
When I running, or walking around I can also hear people talking about them, pointing them out. I wish they came with a box of pamphlets so that I could answer more questions about them.
I’m also planning on converting my friend on the guy’s XC team by having him read Born to Run, because it’s appalling how the modern running shoe and “correct form” are based off of well-sold lies.
Sounds like your coach hasn’t seen the latest study showing that running shoes result in more impact being experienced than when running barefoot (or walking in high heels!).
Way to go against the grain, Courtney! Keep on spreading the good word, and eventually we may be able to turn the tide of misinformation!
8 replies on “Cross Country Running with Courtney in KSOs”
Great stuff Courtney! I get the same reactions all the time. I bet your friend will be ordering his first pair before he even gets halfway through Born to Run.
Great photos! Best part of this, for me, was her mentioning “Born to Run.” I just added it to my Amazon wish list. I hadn’t heard of the book till now but I’m gonna have to get it soon. (Along with the Bikilas – can’t wait for those.)
That’s awesome! I wish I had discovered FiveFingers when I was running cross country! Probably would have enjoyed it even more than I already did! Either way, Way to go Courtney! Keep on runnin’ girl!!!
Way to go Courtney! I love to see that high school runners are competing in competition in these shoes. I have found through searching that there are other girls,besides yourself,that have competed in high school events in FiveFingers shoes,as well as some guys this season.Here’s a short list:
Sarah Glass(Albuquerque HS,NV)
Chloe Emerson(Mt.Ararat HS,ME)
Emily Simons(Onalaska HS,WA)
Julianne Bandy,Mackenzie Sayre,and
Warren Smith(all from West
Jessamine HS,KY)
Patrick Ousamaner(WY)
Dallas Beal(GA)
Jacob Wilkinson(Anzar HS,CA)
There may be more to come next season,but this does go to show you what a new trend can do. Ilike to go casual running in my FiveFingers shoes myself and I love them!Keep it going Courtney!You rock!
We have a young man here in Wisconsin who is now competing in races 5k and beyond and winning his age division while running in his VFF KSO’s at the age of 14 (8th grade). His name is Logan Polfuss and he is the fastest 8th grader in his city.He trains by running 120 miles a week,all in his FiveFingers KSO’s’ and he is expected to be on his high school cross country team this fall as a freshman(Yes, in his VFF’s!). He is someone to watch the next few years.
XC in VFF looks awsome. The last two years I have been unable to finish the XC season due to injury. Unfortunatly, I’m not doing XC this year but I want to use them for track. Just ordered my first pair last week. Cant wait to try them out.
My 13 year old boys started running in KSO’s a few months ago and will wear them when competing in Cross Country this fall in Central New York. They are fast with sub 6 min. mile times. I bought myself a pair as I run trails too and it’s made running a far more sensual experience. It’s nice to feel the ground under your feet! My turnover and stride have improved drastically!
Rock on Cortney
I am 52 and really dont care if people think im odd. I pay no attention
I just do!