A year ago today I started training to run a 5K with the Couch To 5K Running Program. I had never run before and I trained wearing Vibram FiveFingers.

Nine weeks later I ran a full 5K at a pace of 11:30/mile. My first official 5K race was on September 11, 2010, and my official pace for the was 9:49/mile. After an unfortunate hiatus during the winter, I started back up on the treadmill after the new year, and peaked at a pace of 8:37/mile.

In May of this year I was off the treadmill and hitting ...