I know i know. First article in over a month and I come up with a presser? Sucks eh? But no worries, my annual world tour (okay fine nationwide tour) is practically over and we will try to slog through the backlog of articles for your lunchtime enjoyment. But before that, let's tackle for today's menu the recent Vibram Five Fingers launch, held at the Metropolitan Club near Rockwell.
As I got there, I realized it won't be your typical launch. The beautiful people of mass media were there, and local distributor Barefootwear Inc. pulled out the stops in bringing VFF to the public consciousness. Old hands in the running community are pretty familiar with the brand as it had been used by enthusiasts for several years now, but this was the first time it was actually taking front and center on the big stage.
The main point of contention, well at least from my viewpoint, was to somehow to prove to the public that a seemingly novel item could play an integral role in one's everyday activities. To the skeptical mind, a typical query would dwell on how a piece of footwear that mimics having well, er, none at all provide enough support for intense athletic pursuits?
Is it, um, hard?
VFF's philosophy is predicated on the notion that wearing shoes is much akin to putting your foot in a cast. We've just been mind conditioned to wear them since birth, so we don't really notice it. The key word is to de-evolve in terms of how we approach our footwear, given that our caveman ancestors survived eons without them right? If you gave them a Gel Kayano, they would most probably try to whack some bear on the head with it.
The rest of the tribe did not exactly approve of Peach es' new "toy".
In an attempt to showcase this theory, a multisport coach was brought to explain the theory behind the science, along with a quick demonstration.Well, supposedly that was the idea... . too bad the treadmill wouldn't work. In related news, the event manager was seen taking shots at the nearest bar right after.
Hey, is that a mini Shaolin pony?
Highlight of the event was when VFF unveiled their "ambassadors" (for lack of a better term, I forgot what they were called exactly so sue me). These were all top athletes who espouse the use of VFF's in their respective disciplines. Among others, there was a yoga master (former model Corey Wills, who seemed to have lost a ton of weight from his yoga gig), a top surfer gal/commercial model, a Capoeira guru ( whom I recognized as one of the guys behind that cool Score Card we featured a few months back), and a kettlebell instructor who was channeling Gov. Arnie ( didn't know what kettlebell was before this presser, but throwing around a gigantic bowling ball with a handle seems like fun).
However, in spite of their star power it was two-time BDM vet and Team Endure buddy Ronald Declarador who stole the show with his Tagahlohg spiel amidst the sosyness . And why wouldn't he? He's the only guy to ever complete the Bataan 120 kilometer race! (sorry Reema Chanco, I couldn't resist.)
Idol Ronald hits the big time
Seriously though, if someone deserved the raucous applause, it was Ronald. He was already hyping VFF's to us years ago, way before it even became a cool niche accessory. When we were gasping for air at BDM amidst the 41 degree heat, I was almost floored when I saw him wearing them. From a marketing perspective, you couldn't find a more compelling pitchman to would -be clients from the running community. Why? In this day and age of pronation, stability, and motion control, we are fussier than a cranky Persian cat when it comes to the "protection" we get from our shoes. But once people see a guy finish the country's longest solo road race on them, the naysayers are automatically turned into believers.
If you listen to Ronald, he'll say "Screw your foot type". "The shoes won't adjust to you. You adjust to the shoe". Hmm, interesting.
Pique your fancy much? If you expect me to copy paste the entire product line from the press kit here, that makes you a 10 on the GBM Laziness Meter, 1 being a hummingbird and 9 being a three-toed sloth. So do yourself a favor and pay their website a visit at http://www.barefootwearinc.com/ , you may find something suitable for your lifestyle.
I asked Grandpa Nick (we call him Pops) what he thought of this "newfound contraption" that mimicked how people walked around when he was a teenager (smirk). " These are great, I can feel my blood flow and it feels so... . free. I think I can bike 3 minutes on the stationary with these babies. I feel like its 1920 all over again! They're the greatest thing since sliced bread. By the way, can I have these?"
Arbor?Another day, another new believer. Now if only I could uncurl em' toes... ...