Week 22: Monday 2 – 8 June

Run: 5hrs 33mins (42mi) / Gym: 48mins / Crosstrain: 0 mins

This one started with a familiar pattern—Monday’s morning round clocked in at 1 hour and 1 minute again, like a metronome with a mild grudge. Heart rate was on the high side, cadence low, and the whole thing felt more like ticking a box than hitting a groove. Tuesday’s rest day felt like a necessity rather than strategy. Come Wednesday, things perked up—1 hour flat, with HR and cadence just about acceptable. Nothing flashy, but a definite improvement. Thursday brought a change of pace: a cautious 10-minute trial on the treadmill in my barefoot shoes. Light, bouncy, up on the forefoot like I was skipping over hot sand. I stayed disciplined—cut it at exactly 10 minutes—and walked away feeling tall, springy, and slightly nervous about the consequences. Friday morning’s usual run (yes, 1:01 again) was the real test—and to my surprise, the calves and Achilles reported for duty without complaint. Even squeezed in a gym session afterwards, figuring I might as well press my luck. But Saturday caught up with me—tight calves and twinges in the Achilles reminded me that adaptation takes more than optimism and a pair of minimalist shoes. Still, I ground out a decent 10-miler, then rounded off the week with 8 more on Sunday. All in all, a solid week with a touch of experimentation. The Vibrams whispered promise—but the calves told a different story.