In the beginning Father Patrick Dorn wore traditional shoes — that is until he found Vibram Five Fingers.
Read Fr. Dorn’s story after the jump.
I’m Fr. Patrick Dorn, priest at “runner friendly” Church of the Apostles (Anglican) in Evergreen, Colorado. I switched to Vibram Five Fingers in June 2010, and now, when it comes to minimalist footwear, I am an enthusiastic “convert.”
I lost 60 lbs at the age of 50 several years ago, but occasionally had foot, knee and lower back problems. VFFs were my salvation, at least in terms of rescuing me from injury, strengthening my feet and legs, and increasing my speed. VFFs lift my spirit and fill me with the joy of running, even uphill.
I prefer Trek Sports for trail running around the foothills and mountain community I serve west of Denver, but when leading church services or working as a chaplain for Total Longterm Care, I prefer Treks, which I consider “dressier.” I wear Bikilas for the twelve or so charitable 5K pavement events I run each year.
Since switching to VFFs, I am running more smoothly and gracefully, not to mention more swiftly. Thanks to my Five Fingers, this summer I’ve knocked two full minutes off my 5K time. One church member quipped, “Too bad those toe shoes don’t make Fr. Patrick’s SERMONS go any faster!”
With winter approaching, I am looking forward to running in the snow wearing the VFF Flows I just ordered. It’s as close to walking on water as I’ll ever get.
Fr. Dorn, thanks for sharing your story with us. It’s great to hear that Five Fingers are your choice of footwear “to run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
3 replies on “Father Dorn’s Conversion to Five Fingers”
Here’s to you, Sir! Great read and you look very healthy, happy, and fit! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
I agree, KSO Treks are a dressiest model:
The upper is made in a single color,
the leather is a more conservative material since it has been traditionally used in shoes, and also considered as a sign of distinction,
there aren’t highly visible labels (the brand is simply engraved in leather),
the upper covers your whole foot.
The only other model close to such sobriety is Moc (in black.)
For some weird reason, however, it is not considered appropriate for men in solemn situations to even partially show the skin of their feet.
Perhaps it could work for a buddhist monk, not so reluctant to show their nudity in public.
Fivefingers is great! its my first time to wear barefoot shoes.its an all terrain shoes but light weight its awesome! more power to fivefingers. Godbless!