Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Photos of the Boston Barefoot Running Festival
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Running: Segment Two - Video - WCVB Boston
David Brown finished the Boston marathon and then went to work to report on it. Here is the link to some of what he talked about on WCVB Boston's Chronicle.
Running: Segment Two - Video - WCVB Boston
Please go to the link and watch all the segments. Segment number Four is very inspiring. THe references I made in Segment Two were about the Boston Marathon 2011. I was just a spectator this year. We had a blast cheering everyone on. It really is amazing to be on the other side of the rope. Congratulations to everyone who made this years journey with the Boston Marathon.
Running: Segment Two - Video - WCVB Boston
Please go to the link and watch all the segments. Segment number Four is very inspiring. THe references I made in Segment Two were about the Boston Marathon 2011. I was just a spectator this year. We had a blast cheering everyone on. It really is amazing to be on the other side of the rope. Congratulations to everyone who made this years journey with the Boston Marathon.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
100 Day Crow Running Streak
Yesterday I finished the 100 day running streak! Since January first I logged in 491.5 barefoot/minimalist miles. Was happy to have some motivation to keep training through the winter. :)
Friday, April 6, 2012
40 miles. My longest and farthest run!
Here's the course.
Untitled by kawimae at Garmin Connect - Details
Well, I did it. Why? Because I can and I have a 50 mile event in 8 weeks.
I woke on Sunday morning 4/1/12 and knew I was about to face a long day. Several things happened before I hit the road. First I had my coffee and my oatmeal (standard long run recipe made with raisins, nuts, applesauce and almond milk) then I logged on to my Facebook page. It was a sad morning because I found out that Micah True,"Caballo Blanco", had indeed been found. My heart goes out to all his friends and family. I did not know him personally, but like many others, I was inspired by the stories of his running. Following his passion through others pictures and their stories of what a great person he was. I wish I had known him.
When I run on trails through the woods I can't help but to feel free. The true meaning of run free for me lies in the ability to let it all go out in the woods and run down the paths of single track as though there is not a care in the world. Running through the forest and imagine that I am an animal. Getting to the point on the mountain where the view is just breath taking, stopping for a moment to take it all in, making it a memory. I realize my interpretation of "RUN FREE" may not be the same as others, but it's mine.
My 40 mile journey was on a double track woods road from one end of the park to another. climbing a little over 700 feet and back down again. And repeating this course 4 times. It is hilly and a challenge. I was surprised to find snow on the trail which was crunchy at the start and very mushy at the end. I had a wonderful group of friends that all took turns running parts of this with me. I was grateful to have the company. I learned that I am stronger than I think, that I can run/walk and jog for 8+ hours, that I still love bacon, and the ocean it a beautiful thing. (I could see the ocean from the top of the trail through the trees) I learned that if I can run 40 miles I will be able to go the 50 miles on pure will if my body fails me. I was really concerned with how my body would deal with this run on the days to follow, but I am fine. I didn't run fast enough to build up lactic acid so my muscles were just tired not sore. I wore my Trail Gloves. I am hoping to run some if not most of my 50 miler barefoot, but I couldn't seem to do this run barefoot. I'm still a wimp when it comes to running in less than 30F and snow on the mountain.
And when the day was done I stopped at a big tree at the beginning of the trail head, posed for a picture, walked around and stretched for a few minutes, got in my car and sat there for a few minutes warming up. I had tears of joy in my eyes as I headed home. I did it. Nothing is impossible. Believe in the run. Believe in yourself.
Untitled by kawimae at Garmin Connect - Details
Well, I did it. Why? Because I can and I have a 50 mile event in 8 weeks.
I woke on Sunday morning 4/1/12 and knew I was about to face a long day. Several things happened before I hit the road. First I had my coffee and my oatmeal (standard long run recipe made with raisins, nuts, applesauce and almond milk) then I logged on to my Facebook page. It was a sad morning because I found out that Micah True,"Caballo Blanco", had indeed been found. My heart goes out to all his friends and family. I did not know him personally, but like many others, I was inspired by the stories of his running. Following his passion through others pictures and their stories of what a great person he was. I wish I had known him.
When I run on trails through the woods I can't help but to feel free. The true meaning of run free for me lies in the ability to let it all go out in the woods and run down the paths of single track as though there is not a care in the world. Running through the forest and imagine that I am an animal. Getting to the point on the mountain where the view is just breath taking, stopping for a moment to take it all in, making it a memory. I realize my interpretation of "RUN FREE" may not be the same as others, but it's mine.
My 40 mile journey was on a double track woods road from one end of the park to another. climbing a little over 700 feet and back down again. And repeating this course 4 times. It is hilly and a challenge. I was surprised to find snow on the trail which was crunchy at the start and very mushy at the end. I had a wonderful group of friends that all took turns running parts of this with me. I was grateful to have the company. I learned that I am stronger than I think, that I can run/walk and jog for 8+ hours, that I still love bacon, and the ocean it a beautiful thing. (I could see the ocean from the top of the trail through the trees) I learned that if I can run 40 miles I will be able to go the 50 miles on pure will if my body fails me. I was really concerned with how my body would deal with this run on the days to follow, but I am fine. I didn't run fast enough to build up lactic acid so my muscles were just tired not sore. I wore my Trail Gloves. I am hoping to run some if not most of my 50 miler barefoot, but I couldn't seem to do this run barefoot. I'm still a wimp when it comes to running in less than 30F and snow on the mountain.
And when the day was done I stopped at a big tree at the beginning of the trail head, posed for a picture, walked around and stretched for a few minutes, got in my car and sat there for a few minutes warming up. I had tears of joy in my eyes as I headed home. I did it. Nothing is impossible. Believe in the run. Believe in yourself.
Monday, March 12, 2012
1/2 marathon PR!
So I decided to run a local 1/2 Marathon; The Midcoast 13.1 on 3/11/12 in Lincolnville, Maine. It was hosted by the Cellardoor Winery and sponsored by some terrific local businesses.
When you run the roads in the Midcoast area you know you will encounter a few hills. This Half marathon was no different. There was one biggish hill around mile 5 and the last 2 miles were up hill to the finish!
I had no expectations. I am in a very competitive age group and I knew I would be going up against some fast women. I didn't want to start out too fast and then burn out at the end so my plan was to start off at a conservative and slowly pick it up and save some energy for the 2 mile uphill finish. I usually run around a 1:50-1:54 half and I hoped I could come close to that.
It was a cool, windy start. Probably about 36 degrees. I was hoping to try this completely barefoot but tested the asphalt the day before and it was REALLY cold. I decided to play it safe and wear my VFF. I didn't want to injure myself by running on the roads and not being able to feel what I was doing. I do think the temps warmed up by the finish so that they were around 40F but I didn't know how long it would take for my feet to warm up and with all the training I have to do to get ready for my 50 miler I just didn't want to chance an injury. ( This is a pic of my very first barefoot half marathon in 2008, 6 months after starting barefoot running, on a cold October morning, when the roads were wet and cold)
This pain was all I could think of happening to me again, so going for a little protection seemed ok. I am also into my 5th season of barefoot running so my style and technique have changed but I still can't get that picture out of my mind when I question the weather conditions in relation to my training.
Anyway, it was a cold walk to the start (about 1/2 mile from the venue) and then we were off. I did start out on the conservative side but I felt really good. By the 5 mile mark I had passed about 10-12 people and felt like I was getting stronger as I went. I kept thinking: "Am I going too fast?" I still have 8 miles to go. I just felt good. I continued to monitor my technique, running loose, relaxing, keeping my breathing at a nice steady pace. I caught up with some friends around mile 8 and tried to give them some encouragement hoping they would go with me to the finish and we caught up with another friend who was indeed barefoot. He was looking great and we ran together for a mile or so. Near the end with about 2 miles to go I just felt wonderful. I again monitored my form and tried to relax and get ready for the 400 ft. climb to the finish line. I kept a steady pace and tried to run through the head wind without slowing down. With a 1/2 mile to go I could see and hear the people cheering at the finish line. I was going to finish strong and I felt wonderful.
I saw my time as I crossed the finish line. "WHOO HOO" I yelled! "That's a PR!" 1:38:51! Who says determination, hard work, training and practicing good form doesn't pay off? I am so excited! This is a good place for my training to be right now.
(with friends at the finish)
I am excited to run again today. It's warmer (about 50F) and I can stretch my toes and give them the barefoot run they wanted yesterday. The asphalt will be a great and wonderful experience today after being warmed by the sun all day.
Onward...a new day and 3 cheers for more training...:)
When you run the roads in the Midcoast area you know you will encounter a few hills. This Half marathon was no different. There was one biggish hill around mile 5 and the last 2 miles were up hill to the finish!
I had no expectations. I am in a very competitive age group and I knew I would be going up against some fast women. I didn't want to start out too fast and then burn out at the end so my plan was to start off at a conservative and slowly pick it up and save some energy for the 2 mile uphill finish. I usually run around a 1:50-1:54 half and I hoped I could come close to that.
It was a cool, windy start. Probably about 36 degrees. I was hoping to try this completely barefoot but tested the asphalt the day before and it was REALLY cold. I decided to play it safe and wear my VFF. I didn't want to injure myself by running on the roads and not being able to feel what I was doing. I do think the temps warmed up by the finish so that they were around 40F but I didn't know how long it would take for my feet to warm up and with all the training I have to do to get ready for my 50 miler I just didn't want to chance an injury. ( This is a pic of my very first barefoot half marathon in 2008, 6 months after starting barefoot running, on a cold October morning, when the roads were wet and cold)
This pain was all I could think of happening to me again, so going for a little protection seemed ok. I am also into my 5th season of barefoot running so my style and technique have changed but I still can't get that picture out of my mind when I question the weather conditions in relation to my training.
Anyway, it was a cold walk to the start (about 1/2 mile from the venue) and then we were off. I did start out on the conservative side but I felt really good. By the 5 mile mark I had passed about 10-12 people and felt like I was getting stronger as I went. I kept thinking: "Am I going too fast?" I still have 8 miles to go. I just felt good. I continued to monitor my technique, running loose, relaxing, keeping my breathing at a nice steady pace. I caught up with some friends around mile 8 and tried to give them some encouragement hoping they would go with me to the finish and we caught up with another friend who was indeed barefoot. He was looking great and we ran together for a mile or so. Near the end with about 2 miles to go I just felt wonderful. I again monitored my form and tried to relax and get ready for the 400 ft. climb to the finish line. I kept a steady pace and tried to run through the head wind without slowing down. With a 1/2 mile to go I could see and hear the people cheering at the finish line. I was going to finish strong and I felt wonderful.
I saw my time as I crossed the finish line. "WHOO HOO" I yelled! "That's a PR!" 1:38:51! Who says determination, hard work, training and practicing good form doesn't pay off? I am so excited! This is a good place for my training to be right now.
(with friends at the finish)I am excited to run again today. It's warmer (about 50F) and I can stretch my toes and give them the barefoot run they wanted yesterday. The asphalt will be a great and wonderful experience today after being warmed by the sun all day.
Onward...a new day and 3 cheers for more training...:)
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