Well...so much for New Year resolutions. I am referring to the one I made back in December 2011 to start blogging again in 2012. Here we are one year later and I am finally writing my next post. My, how time flies! This is why I have resolved this year to NOT make any resolutions.
So let me catch my one or two readers up on how I have grown over the last year. It is funny to look back on my old posts to see where I have come from. I used to cover my feet and think of myself as a barefoot runner. There is a term for that - I was a minialist runner. Well, I have now finally entered the world of true barefoot running. I'm not saying that I NEVER wear shoes because there are times where huaraches come in handy but the majority of my running is now without anything on my feet except dirt. And lately snow. And nothing against runners who do wear shoes...to each their own.
I'm just getting back into the swing of things with my mileage. Summer got a little crazy and I ended up going a couple of months without regular runs. I have been doing good the last couple of months though and have been getting three runs in a week. For encouragement and accountability I have been hooking up with some online communities. I started a FB page under the name Barefoot Running Girl and I'm on Twitter as BFRunningGirl. I joined the Barefoot Runner's Society (http://www.thebarefootrunners.org/). In December I discovered Daily Mile (thanks to Mike M) and just yesterday (thanks to a post by Jeff G) I discovered Tribesports. Let the challenges begin!!!
This year has some good stuff in store for me. Following my first official 5k race that I ran barefoot, the Shiver by the River 5k/10k series in December, I will be running the 10k in the series for the next three races in the series ( http://www.pagodapacers.com/races/shiver-by-the-river ) . In April I will be running my first half marathon - the Rumspringa in Adamstown, PA( http://www.uberendurancesports.com/rumspringa.html ). All of this leading up to the Blues Cruise - an ultra trail race on October 06 around Blue Marsh Lake ( http://www.bluescruiseultra.com/ ).
While I might not be making any resolutions this year, I did make sure that I got the year off to a good start. On New Year's Day I completed my longest run to date - 10 miles. And all completely barefoot. Just a drop in the bucket to the 1000+ miles that I hope to get in this year. All while raising the three small children (one of which is actually my granddaughter) that are still at home (also have two teenage stepsons and four young adult children) and working as an adjunct Math instructor at the local community college. Mom, Mema (grandmother), Math teacher and soon-to-be Marathoner...that's me :)
Happy and healthy running!
Lara Rosenberger, a.k.a Barefoot Running Girl
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
A New Life, New Vigor, and New Year
I'm back!!! What have I been up to since January of 2011? I was barefoot and pregnant :) Due to complications I had to stop running. But baby Benjamin was born on November 18 and so last week I ran my first miles in quite a long time. Absence really did make my heart grow fonder...I have hit the trail with a renewed excitement for barefoot running and running in general. I didn't adequately appreciate the physical and mental strength that I experienced from running until I didn't have it any more. I ran twice last week and both times I felt absolutely euphoric at the end!
A smarter runner probably would have transitioned back into running by walking first or following a run/walk method...but not me. Like an animal that had been caged for months, I took off running...well okay it was more like jogging. Friday, 12/23, I ran a little over a mile in my most recent aquisition - my Vibram Five Fingers Bikila LS's (the ones with the laces - the top of my left foot rises slightly higher than my right and the laces make it possible to adjust for the differences which is something I couldn't do with the other models of VFF's). On Sunday, I ran a few blocks short of a mile in my VFF's then bared my soles for the last part of the 1.5mi run. That would be just over a half-mile of barefoot bliss. We ran on the roads and sidewalks around our neighborhood. We must have been quite a sight for the neighbors on Sunday...me with my naked feet and Ben running backwards (he does this on purpose to strengthen the tendons around his knees).
Speaking of aquisitions, today I ordered a new pair of running shoes from A Running Start in West Reading (thanks for your help Sorita!)...a pair of Newton MV^2's ! Newton Running shoes have been around a long time and they were/are frontrunners in promoting the benefits of the natural running form. True barefoot running and running in minimalist footwear like Newton Running shoes encourages a midfoot strike which is the most natural and efficient way to run (http://www.newtonrunning.com/run-better/optimal-running-form). I still very much love my VFF's and I intend to do a lot of bf running but the Merrell Gloves didn't work out for me (they kept giving me blisters) and I still wanted a running shoe that I could not only run in but also feel socially acceptable while walking around in public places... VFF's are becoming accepted among runners but the mall and the grocery store are filled with people who just don't get it .
So what is next? I have the shoes and I am beginning to reacclimate my soles to bf'ing so now I am considering my goals for the new year. I am thinking that 250 miles barefoot would be a nice accomplishment. I would like to fit in a half-marathon and a mud run. This year I am going more for increased distance rather than speed...although it would be nice to set a new PR in the 5K.
Hope to see you out there...Happy Running!
A smarter runner probably would have transitioned back into running by walking first or following a run/walk method...but not me. Like an animal that had been caged for months, I took off running...well okay it was more like jogging. Friday, 12/23, I ran a little over a mile in my most recent aquisition - my Vibram Five Fingers Bikila LS's (the ones with the laces - the top of my left foot rises slightly higher than my right and the laces make it possible to adjust for the differences which is something I couldn't do with the other models of VFF's). On Sunday, I ran a few blocks short of a mile in my VFF's then bared my soles for the last part of the 1.5mi run. That would be just over a half-mile of barefoot bliss. We ran on the roads and sidewalks around our neighborhood. We must have been quite a sight for the neighbors on Sunday...me with my naked feet and Ben running backwards (he does this on purpose to strengthen the tendons around his knees).
Speaking of aquisitions, today I ordered a new pair of running shoes from A Running Start in West Reading (thanks for your help Sorita!)...a pair of Newton MV^2's ! Newton Running shoes have been around a long time and they were/are frontrunners in promoting the benefits of the natural running form. True barefoot running and running in minimalist footwear like Newton Running shoes encourages a midfoot strike which is the most natural and efficient way to run (http://www.newtonrunning.com/run-better/optimal-running-form). I still very much love my VFF's and I intend to do a lot of bf running but the Merrell Gloves didn't work out for me (they kept giving me blisters) and I still wanted a running shoe that I could not only run in but also feel socially acceptable while walking around in public places... VFF's are becoming accepted among runners but the mall and the grocery store are filled with people who just don't get it .
So what is next? I have the shoes and I am beginning to reacclimate my soles to bf'ing so now I am considering my goals for the new year. I am thinking that 250 miles barefoot would be a nice accomplishment. I would like to fit in a half-marathon and a mud run. This year I am going more for increased distance rather than speed...although it would be nice to set a new PR in the 5K.
Hope to see you out there...Happy Running!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Toasty toes and timing tools
I can't get anyone to go barefoot running with me in the middle of winter! Go figure. None of my Facebook friends (many of whom are Pagoda Pacers!) have taken me up on the offer. My 18-year-old daughter won't run outdoors in the cold, shod or not. My 23-year-old son laughed at me (it's okay kiddo - I enjoy bringing laughter to my loved ones). My husband calls it de-evolution and is hoping it is a phase that will soon pass (it isn't and it won't). I guess I will have to blaze this trail alone for now. Unless anyone wants to run with me on Friday...
Wednesday night I went for a 57 minute, 5.6 mile run with the Pagoda Pacers on the inadequately plowed roads of Shillington, West Reading and Wyomissing in the dark of night. I haven't run with the Pacers since late spring of last year, so even if it was light out I probably wouldn't have known anyone. It was three or so miles into the run before the one and only person introduced herself to me (thank you Liz - it was great running with you!). There were about 15 or 20 runners that were nuts enough to plow through the snow in the dark.
No trails on this run due to the several inches of snow that arrived the night before, but I was prepared if we would have gone off-road. Although I failed in my attempt to procure neoprene booties from the scuba shop on my last run, it is just as well. To prepare for this run I decided to try out a less expensive alternative... neoprene fin socks (see pic above). This time, when I went to the scuba shop to get the fin socks I waited until the scuba shop was actually open. It was the same salesperson that helped me with the booties on Monday night, so I didn't have to explain myself all over again...although I would have welcomed the opportunity just so that I can spread the joys of barefooting!
Neoprene keeps the snow and cold out but it also keep the sweat in. Fortunately, I anticipated this effect because it was shared by the barefoot runner who posted the idea of using fin socks for running in snow. He also shared his solution - socks within socks within shoes. The concept is that the shoes provide the grip, the fin socks provide the warmth, and the socks absorb the sweat. I purposely stood in several inches of snow to test their snow-proof abilites and sure enough I didn't feel the cold at all. I would recommend waiting to put the fin socks on until immediately before the actual run though due to the sweat factor. I walked around in my triple layers for about 45 minutes before the run and then ran for almost an hour and the sweat made the bottoms of my feet a little raw.
The neoprene fin socks warmed my feet, but my brand new Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS-enabled sports watch with heart rate monitor warmed my heart. It was an early anniversary present from my better half. We got an AWESOME deal on http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/ . The amount of data that I can get about my runs appeals to my overly-analytical, geeky personality. Good riddance inaccurate Nike+ sensor (I suppose I should mention that I was using it in a manner that was not intended.)! Fumbling with it on my run in the dark last night wasn't the easiest way to experience it for the first time, but I must of done something right because the data includes the time and distance that I ran, my best overall pace, my avg. pace for each mile, a map of the course I ran, the elevation changes along my course...the list goes on. LOVE it!
Today, Thursday, was a day of recovery. Tomorrow, the plan is to run one mile barefoot and two or so maintenance miles. Well, maybe a speed burst or two. I am hoping to finally get over to Grings Mill on Sunday for a long, slow, distance run.
A last note...not a good idea to try to set up a collapsable running/bike child stroller/trailer in the dark minutes before start time when you are running with a group if you have only used the trailer once before and it took two people and 20 minutes to set it up in the light of day. I am too embarassed to elaborate.
Happy Running! ....I dare you to join me on a barefoot run!
Wednesday night I went for a 57 minute, 5.6 mile run with the Pagoda Pacers on the inadequately plowed roads of Shillington, West Reading and Wyomissing in the dark of night. I haven't run with the Pacers since late spring of last year, so even if it was light out I probably wouldn't have known anyone. It was three or so miles into the run before the one and only person introduced herself to me (thank you Liz - it was great running with you!). There were about 15 or 20 runners that were nuts enough to plow through the snow in the dark.
No trails on this run due to the several inches of snow that arrived the night before, but I was prepared if we would have gone off-road. Although I failed in my attempt to procure neoprene booties from the scuba shop on my last run, it is just as well. To prepare for this run I decided to try out a less expensive alternative... neoprene fin socks (see pic above). This time, when I went to the scuba shop to get the fin socks I waited until the scuba shop was actually open. It was the same salesperson that helped me with the booties on Monday night, so I didn't have to explain myself all over again...although I would have welcomed the opportunity just so that I can spread the joys of barefooting!
Neoprene keeps the snow and cold out but it also keep the sweat in. Fortunately, I anticipated this effect because it was shared by the barefoot runner who posted the idea of using fin socks for running in snow. He also shared his solution - socks within socks within shoes. The concept is that the shoes provide the grip, the fin socks provide the warmth, and the socks absorb the sweat. I purposely stood in several inches of snow to test their snow-proof abilites and sure enough I didn't feel the cold at all. I would recommend waiting to put the fin socks on until immediately before the actual run though due to the sweat factor. I walked around in my triple layers for about 45 minutes before the run and then ran for almost an hour and the sweat made the bottoms of my feet a little raw.
The neoprene fin socks warmed my feet, but my brand new Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS-enabled sports watch with heart rate monitor warmed my heart. It was an early anniversary present from my better half. We got an AWESOME deal on http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/ . The amount of data that I can get about my runs appeals to my overly-analytical, geeky personality. Good riddance inaccurate Nike+ sensor (I suppose I should mention that I was using it in a manner that was not intended.)! Fumbling with it on my run in the dark last night wasn't the easiest way to experience it for the first time, but I must of done something right because the data includes the time and distance that I ran, my best overall pace, my avg. pace for each mile, a map of the course I ran, the elevation changes along my course...the list goes on. LOVE it!
Today, Thursday, was a day of recovery. Tomorrow, the plan is to run one mile barefoot and two or so maintenance miles. Well, maybe a speed burst or two. I am hoping to finally get over to Grings Mill on Sunday for a long, slow, distance run.
A last note...not a good idea to try to set up a collapsable running/bike child stroller/trailer in the dark minutes before start time when you are running with a group if you have only used the trailer once before and it took two people and 20 minutes to set it up in the light of day. I am too embarassed to elaborate.
Happy Running! ....I dare you to join me on a barefoot run!
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