I feel like there's so much random running stuff on my mind, and nobody to be a nerd about it with, so that's why I made this blog a few years ago.
Lately there's been this huge lawsuit on the Vibram Fivefinger shoes. Someone claimed they didn't provide a stronger foot muscle and basically destroyed their running instead of making them better. The whole thing kind of irritated me because any thing I've ever read about minimalist/barefoot running, it has ALWAYS been stated you need to start slowly and cautiously, and ease your way into training that way. It's also not said to make you a better runner, it's been argued and scientifically proven that if you run barefoot- the way you're born- you improve your stride and posture, which could in turn improve your time/speed/overall performance. Most people who know me, whether they're runners or not, know that I'm a huge fan of minimalist running and I run barefoot a lot. I can run on any surface that way, and I used to wear the Fivefinger shoes. I kicked a log during a race while wearing those shoes, and my foot broke, having nothing to do with the shoes, but I stopped wearing them because I'm annoyingly superstitious when it comes to running and just saw them as bad luck. ha. (I'm not like that with anything else in my life, and I realize how dumb it is.) When New Balance & Vibram combined and made the NB minimus, I jumped on board and have like 5 pairs of those and just rotate them.
Most of what I want to say about the Vibram lawsuit, is perfectly stated in a blog written by the self proclaimed "Barefoot Runner". (I just searched for the link and now can't find it. But here's his facebook https://www.facebook.com/barefootrunners?fref=ts for reference purposes). Everyone seems to have a magic shoe that's gonna make them faster or better or injury free. It's not something you're going to safely transition to over night, (I will admit, my first fivefinger run was a 5 miler. Probably not smart.) I've been injury free since, and I have had nothing but good results. Running barefoot/minimalist for many years has helped me improve and be faster and lighter, and honestly.. I love the feeling of the grass in my toes, or the pavement stinging my soles. I'll do it forever, and Isabel is even a fan sometimes. Some of my favorite memories are barefoot track running with her & having black feet at the end. It's freeing. It's good for the soul.
Of course it's not for everyone, but this isn't everyone's blog. :)
Isabel hasn't been doing a lot of running this year, but she's been active in soccer and she's been riding her bike with me a lot. She rode almost 5 miles with me last week and she's doing super great. She's a little too big for her bike, but her birthday is just over a month away, and that's her gift- complete with a basket. She'll be excited! She asked to do a 5k again this year, so I'll have to find her one. The Fenton one fell on the same day as a a soccer game, and the Crim won't work out since they put it too close to the 10mile. and I'm not able to do both. Speaking of the Crim, my mom is doing it ths year. I'm pretty proud of her, she's dong a 10k next week. I asked my dad if he was coming out to Michigan like he has the last few years, and he said probably not.. but hopefully that changes!
GLR is 2 months away! One of my favorite weekends during the year. There's something charming about constant sand in your hair, pooping in the woods, falling all the time,the fear of getting lost in the woods and eaten by a bear, living off granola bars for 3 days, sleeping on the ground for like 5 hours a night, and seeing some super cool people that I only get to see once a year, that I can't say no to. This is my fourth year in a row, and I still have a pretty wicked scar from the first year. I love everything about it. So many of my best running memories take place in those woods.
Today's run was super great. I unexpectedly saw Isabel riding her bike with her daddy while he was running, and I got to give her a big kiss! I ran a solid pace, and never felt fatigued. And the smell and taste of summer is in the air! I love smelling grass and bbq while running.
Speaking of bbq, I'm almost at 7 months of the diet change. It's getting difficult. I'm really proud of myself for making it this far, but it's starting to get rough. I need encouragement, and I think I'm gonna watch a documentary or something soon to reinstate the obviously biased views they have, so I remember why I started. I was super strict with myself, and then I'd feel guilty if I went out to eat with anyone wasn't vegan (so, basically anybody I know), and I'd be like "well, it's ok if they made this with a little milk.." and just play the ignorant card and not ask. Also, since I moved closer to Flint, there's a whole lot less veg-friendly places and it's really embarrassing for me to be *that* person who's constantly asking if soups are made with vegetable broth or beef broth or if there's secret egg in something. I constantly feel like an inconvenience. Last week, my cousin made some cookies that definitely weren't vegan, but I ate pretty much a whole dozen in a 24 hour period. Then I had a custard donut. And then, I had potato salad and m&ms. I haven't had any meat, so I've been mostly vegan and all vegetarian for these 7 months, but I just hate being a burden. It makes me super stressed out and I feel guilty about it a lot. Also? I really miss pickled bologna. I do try to remind myself that I was almost 40lbs more than I am now, and not that long ago, and that I'm a lot lighter on my feet and feel confident with my body... We'll see what happens I guess. A term I'm gonna steal from someone else.. I don't wanna turn into a ve-can't.
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