Oooohh, I Like 'Em...

I ran in my Vibrams today. I ran one mile out, walked about 1/2 mile back and ran the rest of the way in. I felt great, but I wanted to take this first time run a little on the easy side. It really felt wonderful. It felt smoother and so free! Very natural. My legs seemed weightless. The bottoms are pretty thick rubber so I didn't feel too much through them as I ran.

The down side is my baby toe on the right foot is hurting a little. It doesn't seem to fit in the spot for it very well. When I was looking into these shoes, I read a few times about this happening. All of the people who had this problem said it worked itself out over time. All my other toes fit fine. I did pull the back lace too tightly at first too. I had to loosen that up so I don't know if that had any bearing on my toe hurting. Maybe it was too tight?

All in all, I think I'm going to like these shoes. I plan on running very short distances in them maybe twice a week and do the 5K beach runs in them. Anything more than that and I'll be wearing my Asics. I don't need an injury 3 weeks before I start the half marathon training. And Jim advised me to be careful with these Vibrams. Since I have not had any bad advice from him yet, I'll keep listening!

A Wise Man Once Said...

"If you're too busy to run, you're too busy." Hmmmm, now where did I hear that? Oh yeah, my coach of a million quotes....lol.

So I have been busy, yes. I took on another job for the summer, which I do enjoy, but I need to figure in my personal time somehow. I've been training in the office this week, so it's more hours than I'll wind up with so I sacrificed my "me" stuff for now. And laundry. And grocery shopping. And making the bed before 4pm. Boo hoo (not). I cut my evening job down to 2 nights starting next week. That will open up some time.

The bonus is, I work in the office where my kids are going to summer day camp, so I get to see them throughout the day. It's also next door to my gym and I have been able to still make my yoga and core exercise classes. Another plus. I'll be home at night with my family more too. My husband is thrilled with that one. But he's still gonna have to make dinner on those nights I used to be gone. (kiddin')

Jim's half marathon training program starts up in July. I am SO looking forward to that. My daughter Kerri is still planning on doing it too, but Kirstin has already opted out. I knew she would so the pang of disappointment was minimal. I'm lying. I'm so disappointed. I was excited to have something the 3 of us were going to do together. I understand though. She just bought a car and is working her butt off. She won't have time for training. Don't think for one minute I won't be using her guilt to get her to make time for mother/daughter moments!!! Hahaha!! She knows it too....

I BEGGED Jim to let me be a "co-captain" for this training program. He agreed! He's just like any guy who can't stand to see a woman cry, so he yelled "ok" as he ran away from me.....LOL. Hey, I don't care HOW I got to be a part of it, just as long as I am. I've talked to a few people who have said they always wanted to run a half but didn't think they could. When I tell them I ran a whole marathon after 4.5 months of training, having NEVER run before, they start to see that it CAN be done. I love seeing them brighten up when they realize it's not an unattainable goal. If you want it, it is yours. I'm hoping to bring this kind of support to the team. Jim was very good at making me feel confident throughout my training, I know how much it helped me when I was feeling crazy for taking on this big of a goal. If I can do that for anyone, I'll be happy. This will also give me the opportunity to find some running partners!! Yeah, it all boils down to ME in the end.....lol.

I joined another track team. They have 5K races on the beach every Tues night. Perfect! my husband has Tues off so we can all go. Only problem is, my yoga class is at the same time. I figure I'll take turns each week. Tues night yoga was just getting more challenging too! I was sore for 2 days after the last class. My obliques screamed every time I did any bending. I love that!

I will be ordering my Vibram Five Fingers today. I'm very, very excited. I'll definately be posting about that! I don't think I'll be running further than a 5K in them though. I'm concerned with the "no support" thing. I have never had an issue with my feet from running. I'm sure I'll feel a difference in my legs and ankles after a couple runs in those. The Vibram's will work some different muscles, I'm hoping they will strengthen my ankles too. We shall see!!!!!!!

I Ran Barefoot.....

....for 4 minutes. HA!!! I ran in front of my house and it felt too weird. I'm hitting the beach Thurday, I plan on going for a barefooted run on the sand. In the sand I mean. I do believe this running without shoes will take a little getting used to.

Update On Running Barefoot

Ok, I guess I did not invent this type of running....lol. I have found so much info on running barefoot since my last post. I am so interested in this! Look at these funky shoes.....

I need to have these (even though they don't come in any girly colors). They're called Vibram 5 Finger running shoes. While they're not barefooting, they allow the feet to move more naturally while you run. I've talked about the dynamics of the foot movement inside a pair of running shoes with Jim (my coach) quite a few times. He's really into the scientific approach to running (almost to a comical degree....lol) The Injinjy socks kind of have the same idea, but if you ask me, once you put your sneakers on, it defeats the purpose of the socks. I'm still reading the info about these shoes and about running barefoot.

Another thing that's clicking in my head is that the speed spikes I have are very soft. Very flexable. I even thought they felt like slippers. Jim told me not to run long distances in them as there is no support, so I do have some questions about running barefoot.

I haven't found any info on the cons of running barefoot, I'm sure I'll find it though. I imagine burning the soles in this Florida heat, stepping on rocks/glass and even an occassional doggy dropping would be most unpleasant. Actually, I have stepped in doggy droppings barefoot as a child. It wasn't unpleasant. It felt kinda good in a freaky kinda way....LOL. But then the reality of what it was hit me and I threw up. True story. I was eight years old.

I'm going to go run around the block barefoot in a little while. I'll come back and give a recap about it later.

BTW, when I told Bobby I NEEDED these shoes, guess what he said. Yep, he said to wait a couple days for some auto withdrawls to come out first. He thinks it's a passing interest. I know for a fact he's about to get a new pair of bike shorts though. I do believe I hold the Ace this time....LOL

Running Barefoot In A 5K

First let me say....3 posts in one day! I guess I'm over my measured (or unmeasured) mile mix up...ha!!!!

I am going to run a 5K on Siesta Key Beach and it got me thinkin'. No....I'm not thinking of running it in my bikini. Geesh. I'm thinking of running it BAREFOOT. It just popped into my mind because I don't really like running on soft surfaces. I thought of my Injinjis, maybe I'd feel like I had a better grip or something. Made me wonder if being barefoot would be easier. It's on a beach so I can't see why there'd be a problem really.

Does anyone have any info on running a race barefoot??? I'm going to Google that, see what comes up....