tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499041410735103265.post1077909306639141097..comments2023-05-18T04:10:19.019-06:00Comments on Run Faster! The kids are catching up.: My thoughts on women and barefoot running.Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788242660040874176noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499041410735103265.post-8865774771608315802012-01-26T15:48:47.000-07:002012-01-26T15:48:47.000-07:00I didn't see your reply till now so I'll g...I didn't see your reply till now so I'll give you an update as far as comments on my strange selection of footwear, while running in a conventional half marathon running clinic at the Running Room. I must say that it probably depends a great deal on what kind of instructor you end up with. My instructor is not only very organized and sociable but also very open minded and not quick to judge. Read: MATURE. I say a small prayer every day when I attend clinics, thanking God for bringing such a wonderful person into my life, because my running adventures wouldn't be the same without her. She is also becoming a friend :)<br /><br />The first few classes there were a few comments from some of the more vocal members of the group about my 'gorilla feet' 'yeti shoes' 'wierd toe shoes' etc. And the requisite comments and questions about 'how can you run with no support' and 'don't your feet get cold' etc. I have tried to emphasize always that these strange shoes are RIGHT FOR ME, but aren't necessarily right for anyone else. The right shoe for any runner is the one that lets them run injury free. <br /><br />One girl I run with has incredible form, very upright, tiny tiny steps, feet landing right underneath her, and a super speedy cadence that must be near the perfect 180. She wears conventional shoes. I try to emulate her, and when she wore bells on her shoes for our Christmas eve run, hearing her feet bang out the cadence for 14k was soothing and very helpful to me. She has no injuries AFAIK. Her shoes work for her, and she shouldn't change a thing. If only it were this perfect for every runner....<br /><br />My instructor told me on one of the first days that her adult son has a pair of VFFs so I knew she wouldn't be completely negative about them. I told her and others that I was coming back after being sidelined by injuries after running two halfs in conventional heeled shoes, and that these had allowed me to run (so far) without injury, but that it has taken months and months to transition. <br /><br />The DSW are the way to go for extreme cold, slush, oatmeal, cookie dough, and deep snow. I ran in them two weekends ago and it was minus 30 with the wind, and lots of blowing drifting snow. The ice was biting into my face as the snow blew and swirled around us, the worst part of that run was my frozen eyeballs...needed ski goggles. My feet however were TOASTY WARM, and I really liked feeling all the snow beneath my feet. At times it felt like I was running in piles of marshmallows....I had great ground feel, which of course helps you mind your stride... The DSW that I have are the scuba shoes, and have neoprene up the ankles with a zipper. I usually can't do the zipper up with the thick sock, but regardless even when I ran in shin deep snow on that really cold run, my feet stayed warm. They were wet with sweat when I took my socks off, but much warmer than if I had worn conventional shoes.<br /><br />The DSW are pretty good on any type of snow, and even some ice. Sheer black ice not so much, but that's when your short stride with your feet landing under your centre of gravity will prevent you from falling...<br /><br />Overall the clinic members are pretty accepting and non judgemental (if they even notice) about my minimal shoes. I have two nicknames, 'Yeti Feet' when I wear the VFF's and 'Aqua Belle' when I wear the water shoes. I feel like the instructor and group leaders (pacers) have been extremely supportive towards me, and even when I had a very bad long run due to not being able to breathe properly; I found kindness and care, not judgement. I liked this clinic so much that I have signed up to be a group leader (pacer) for the next clinic which starts TONITE! We are broken up into pace groups according to our finish goals, and people can move up or down into different pace groups whenever they feel like it!Kotoula01https://www.blogger.com/profile/12000972204481238748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499041410735103265.post-80915087969209462832011-12-20T07:33:14.261-07:002011-12-20T07:33:14.261-07:00I can agree more with your comment. I can't be...I can agree more with your comment. I can't believe that I can run. I too have asthma and well before I lost weight I had severe plantar fasciitis, heal spurs, and really I could barely walk let alone run. Now that I run I feel like I could take on anything and do anything. <br /><br />Any comments on the fancy watershoes?? I always feel a little strange in mine but really only when I stop at a light or something otherwise I don't pay much attention. I wonder if people even notice that I am not wearing 'normal' shoes.Robbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12788242660040874176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499041410735103265.post-64386931352834040152011-12-14T17:09:03.405-07:002011-12-14T17:09:03.405-07:00Hahaha, I just saw this post before I'm about ...Hahaha, I just saw this post before I'm about to go to the Running Room for my half clinic and do 5 hills with my group...it will be interesting to hear the comments about my strange looking shoes. They were all used to seeing me in my gorilla feet, 'yeti shoes' so maybe they won't really care that I'm running in *gasp* water shoes?!?! I could really relate to your reasons for loving running, running away from stress, feeling strong and powerful, feeling like an athlete, which for me with severe asthma, is a real accomplishment. <br /><br />I guess I don't care as much about how I look, as I do about how I feel, IOW, no pain or injuries, which transitioning to minimal has done for me. My injuries are non existent, and every single run feels good. Even the one last sunday in the pelting snow, with Nike frees on, and wet sticky melting snow soaking my feet. I'll let you know if anyone comments or even notices my new sexy watershoes lol.Kotoula01https://www.blogger.com/profile/12000972204481238748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499041410735103265.post-919062329176044282011-11-14T08:23:02.959-07:002011-11-14T08:23:02.959-07:00Great point about paving the way for your kids! I ...Great point about paving the way for your kids! I think about that all the time. I had only run for a few months, and was about to give up when I discovered minimalist/barefoot running. I want that to be the way they run always! But yes, winter time is tough.. I am going to give the water shoe idea a try.. As a guy, I am oblivious to any fashion statement I make (hence the black injinji toe socks in my Invisible Shoes! (I would draw the line at pink.. perhaps). Anyway.. great post.. look forward to hearing about the coaching session!Jeff Galluphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10218695593361254227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499041410735103265.post-32737467287321389202011-11-11T10:45:52.183-07:002011-11-11T10:45:52.183-07:00It gets easier, I promise! It doesn't take lon...It gets easier, I promise! It doesn't take long at all for new muscle memory to set in and you will be running free with less brain and body energy. Hang in there, it gets better FAST! And the Evos are definitely going to help with the ugly shoe issues. :) See you soon!Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02688106387124354167noreply@blogger.com