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!

They Have Arrived!!

My Vibram 5 Fingers are here!!!!!! My husband had today off and wasn't really doing anything...(haha) so I asked him to hang around in case Fed Ex came by. He kinda breathed into the phone and said "ok"....PERFECT! What a sweetie! This is why I married this man. I knew someday I'd order a pair of Vibrams and I'd need to count on someone to be there for me. He's the one...sighhhh...

Anyway....I looked up from the desk and there he was....my Knight In Shining Armour. With a box. Oooohhh....I got all tingly. I knew what he had there under his arm! I was excited for a couple reasons...
1. I love packages
2. I couldn't wait to try these bad boys on
3. I couldn't remember what color I ordered (black and tan) (only cuz they don't come in pink)

I took off my sandals and thought I'd "throw" the Vibrams on. W-R-O-N-G! They don't just get "thrown on". It's hard to get these on. My toes had a mind of their own and wanted to stay together. It took me a few minutes, but I got 'em on finally. I walked around the office in them, pretending to run. My husband sat watching me with a smirk on his face. He's just jealous my sports stuff is way cheaper and more easily acquired than his. Whatever.

I had to stay in the office, I couldn't go running down the road like I wanted to. In the meantime, I wore them around the office. After about 3 hours, I noticed some discomfort in a couple toes. I was expecting this, so I wasn't deterred. I was late but I made it to the last half of my yoga class (the best half may I add) because I worked late. I slipped the Vibrams off. I need to be barefoot for yoga. Trouble was, there were people waiting to get into the room once yoga was over and I could not get those shoes back on so fast. I walked to my car barefoot. No biggie.

A handful of people at work saw my Vibrams and thought they were pretty cool. I think. They're all so sweet, they'd never make me feel bad, so who knows what they really think...lol.

When I got home, I put them back on and went for a quick run down the street. It was awesome. I felt barefoot but protected. It was so weird to actually feel the road beneath my feet. I can see how my feet land now. I love this feeling! I will be careful not to go for too long of a run. I know there isn't any support in these. I'm wondering if I could put a pair of Dr Scholl's in there. I'll look around and see....in the mean time....I'm out of work by noon tomorrow...I plan on getting a little 2 miler in with these on. I'll be back after that to give a full report!

For now, 2 thumbs up for my Vibrams!!!!!

See Kim Run (kinda)

Well, I did run Saturday afternoon. A little. A very little....lol. I went to the gym and warmed up on the bike then went out. I ran the first mile in 8:37. I swear this is a true mile and time! I know in the past I've been negligent on my actual mile measure, but I got it this time. Anyway, it was about 93 degrees out and I'd worked the night before until after midnight. Might have gotten 4 hours of sleep. To say I was tired is an understatement. So I walked back to the gym, kicking pine cones all along the way. Had my iPod on my faves playlist...had some "me" time I guess.

I haven't been too into running lately. The kids are out of school, I'm working days now, Friday Runners Club ended for the summer and my tried and true running friend went to Maine for the summer. Probably eating lobster all day....grrrrrr...(come back Mike, come back!!!!!)

There are a few exciting things going on that should get me back in the spirit.

1. July 5th 5K
2. 1/2 marathon training program at the YMCA in July
3. 5K weekly beach runs at Siesta
4. Ed is going to start running with me!

All are pretty exciting, especially numbers 2 and 4. The 1/2 marathon training program is run by my coach (he's letting me be a co-captain) so I know the program well. If all the people I've talked to really do sign up, there should be a pretty big turn out. I'm looking forward to meeting some new runners and working on my speed for the space coast marathon in November.

Ed is a friend of mine. He and his wife Joan are one of the first people I met when I started running in October. I met them in my first race on December 15, 2007. They are 2 very special people, very involved with the Zoomers club and our community here in North Port. Joan was city commissioner for a while and still is an interested, active contributor to so many committees. Joan doesn't hear/understand the word "no".....LOL. Not that she hears the word too often anyway. Who can say "NO" to Joan????? I've been to a few of these meetings and have seen her in action. She's an inspiration to so many!!!

Joan doesn't run anymore but she is at every race helping from beginning to end. Ed runs. And I have the good fortune to be able to run with him. YAY! I need to run with people one on one now and then to keep me focused. I realised that when Friday Runners Club ended. I don't have anyone to run with anymore. It's kind of a weird thing. Runners are usually loners on the road, but I'm a major people person. While running by myself is wonderful 80% of the time, I still need to have people to talk with, compete with and share the road with. So I'm really looking forward to running with Ed. And guess what Ed has??? Yeah....a GARMIN! He even said I could use it! I wouldn't know how....you should see me with my stopwatch...haha!!

I mentioned Ed in an earlier post. He's the friend who was waiting to hear about the NY marathon lottery. Remember I was being selfish and hoping he didn't get in so he could run Space Coast with me in November? That was Ed. And he got into NY! While I'm sorry he won't be running Space Coast beside me (well, 4 miles ahead of me) I am very, very happy for him. Running NY was a goal for him. How can I be unhappy about that??

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads. I hope your day is a special one. My husband is a wonderful father and as soon as he gets home from work, he'll know just how much we love him. Which is A LOT!

I Have The Running Blahs.....

Sigh. I cannot get motivated these days. I haven't run in 2 weeks! Granted, I was sick the first week, started a new day job, still working my 2-3 nights a week OTHER job and have had a few embroidery jobs on top of that, but c'mon. I can't be the only busy person around here. The kids have been out of school for the summer the last couple weeks too. (They get out early here in Florida.) Friday runners club at the YMCA slamming to a halt for the summer doesn't help either. At least I had a guaranteed time with a running partner to keep it enjoyably competetive. I didn't realize how much I needed those weekly runs.

I have joined another track club. I figured this would help me stay focused. This one has 5k races on the beach every Tues night, but now I'm working too late on Tues to go to them. It's almost funny.

My Vibram 5 Fingers should be arriving any minute. That might get me going. I can't wait for those to get here. I was hoping to try them out before I bought them but I couldn't find a dealer here. I called to order them and found out the sizing is weird. I had to order 2 pairs to try them out, then I'll send the other pair back. I was disappointed they don't come in any girlie colors but the ones I did pick are cute.

My husband is out racking up his cycling miles. He's doing very well, biking with the Coastal Cruisers Tuesdays and Saturdays. They average about 35 miles each ride. After today's ride he'll have about 135 miles in this week. And he works between 55-60 hours a week! He did have an extra day off this week, that got him an extra ride he wouldn't normally get. I'd like to take this opportunity to mention his H-O-T legs. They go rather nicely with the rest of his H-O-T self. Lucky ME!

I am going to run right now. By the time I get dressed Bobby should be home. I'll be back later to let you know if I really ran or not....ha! Maybe I'll go to the track and do some speed laps.......

Trauma At The Cusick House

Yeah, it's about me, of course. Last January I was taking off the nail polish on my toes when I realized my big toe on the right was black. The nail I mean. I was horrified. I was worried. I didn't want to lose my toenail. I quickly repainted it and pretended it was just fine. I kept painting over it, staying in denial. I do that sometimes. It's how I roll. I'm "Queen Of Da-Nile". I figure if it isn't something that causes me to think about it 24/7, it's not worthy of my obssession. I moved on. I forgot about it.

About a month ago, I woke in the night because that very same toe was KILLING me. Just for the sheet to be touching it hurt. The pressure was unreal. I did what I usually do. I ignored it best I could and tried to go back to sleep. It was tough, but I have experience in this kinda thing. In the morning I'd forgotten all about it. It wasn't hurting anymore. Ok, whatever.

WELL...fast forward to last night. I was watching tv, minding my own business when I rolled around on the couch enough to catch my toe in the quilt. I felt a funky tug. I felt a little unsure about taking a look. I guess you could say I KNEW what I was gonna see. I slid my hand down to my foot. Nice and slow. Like it would make a big difference. I tapped a bit, not at all liking the sensation. Which was NO SENSATION. It didn't hurt at all. I was a little nervous. I was a lot torn. I thought it would be a painful thing, losing a toenail. Then I thought....well, it's a dead thing. Dead things don't hurt.

I pondered this point of view while I felt around at my toe. Trying to feel SOMETHING, ANYTHING. I just wanted one little sign the inevitable was not happening. My curiosity got the best of me. I got up and turned on the light. Got back on the couch, got comfy again. Started watching Larry The Cable Guy talk about some very redneck stuff. Pretended I didn't care that I could possibly be losing my toenail. But I was not convincing myself at all. I just knew. My toenail was gonna be coming off.

I pulled the quilt back off me. I pulled my foot up close to my face. Which BTW, is so easy since I've been doing yoga. I had a very clear view of said toe. It was (yeah, was) dark maroonish painted. Perfectly shaped and sculpted. Matched all my other toes uniformly. Then I did the unthinkable. I gave it a little pull. To my HORROR, it lifted way too far up to be able to pretend it would be ok. Except for the very bottom at the nail bed, it was NOT attached. I was scared. I was worried. I was sickened. I was intrigued. Yeah, I know, weird, but true. Like when you're on the highway and you're passing an accident. The whole 15 miles you are travelling at 10 MPH and bitching about the rubberneckers and thinking you'd just fly on by without looking but then when you do finally get to the scene you rubberneck right along with the rest of 'em. Yep, just like that. I had to look. So I did.

Oh my. Yikes. I didn't like this at all. But I couldn't stop playing with it. I flicked it while I watched Larry The Cable Guy. Took about 20 minutes before I felt it not return to that original "clicky" place. Oh no. I had to look again. It was SO not attached. So I did what you're probably thinking you'd have done long ago. But you don't know that for sure. You need to walk a mile in my Asics before you go judging me. Anyway, I gave it a yank. It came off. It looked so weird to be off my toe and in my hand.

I examined it closely. It freaked me out. I was pretty upset. But then I thought....HEY...I wonder if that guy needs anymore of these for his necklace?????? Problem was, what the heck was I gonna do with it while I found out that bit of information??? This was about midnight last night. My family would not understand. I got up and threw it in the trash. Then I leaned down and stared at it for about 5 whole minutes. Then I covered it with a paper towel in case someone came by and saw it there. Went back to the couch and played with my naked toe for about an hour. By the time i was headed for bed, I had convinced myself my toe looked just fine without a nail. By morning, i was not as easily fooled.

It looks awful. My husband, of course, wanted me to take a picture of it and post it here. No. I would not do that. If I haven't posted a picture of me in a bikini after working out and dieting for 2 months, I most assuredly will not be posting my toe here. Even though my toe is sexier than me in a bikini. Ha....whatever, the world may never know......

Today, I am pleased to report, my toe is fine. No pain. It looks awful but nothing a little artistically placed nail polish won't hide. Actually, I have a fake fingernail that fits my toe perfectly. I may glue that bad boy on tonight, we'll see. I'm just so glad it doesn't hurt!