A Variant of my "Harrier" and "Kishwauketoe" Run
Route: Kishwauketoe Varient 4
Activity: Run
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/3302/7a27/4b65/7a5d/Runmeter-Run-20100825-1141.kml
Shortened Google Maps URL: http://j.mp/a7XeXL
Started: Aug 25, 2010 11:41:33 AM
Run Time: 35:58
Stopped Time: 0:00
Distance: 4.04 miles
Average: 8:54 /mile
Fastest Pace: 6:42 /mile – Yah! My pace is coming back! For years I have felt like I’ve been “plodding” in big heeled running shoes, running slow slow times. It’s not so much the time that I care a ton about, when I haven’t been competing, but feeling slow and cloddy is just not like the “flying” I prefer to do.. After all, my best mile time was a 5:08 and my best 10K was a 38:48. Best 5 miler (Als Run) was a 30:05. I like to fly when I run or at least blow in the wind!;). Tripping on rocks and roots on the trails, falling and getting all scraped up isn’t a fun thing.. sure, now with Vibrams I might actually step ON a root or a rock but I’d rather feel it quickly and step off than trip over it and fall … Vibrams are to me like whiskers are to a cat. … … and I am beginning to fly again!
Climb: 200 feet
Calories: 409
Official Route: Yes, a variation of my “big loop” Harrier Run (yeah, I’ve named most of my regular runs since I was 16!… the funniest name is probably “Hernia Hill Run”
Notes: Bandaged my right foot so as not to aggravate the cuts further.
I didn’t want to stop today. Lately that’s been common place as my running has been light and childlike again thanks to the minimalist running shoes, Vibram five fingers.
My first two years running and competing (distances) in high school at age16 were like this… I never wanted to stop. Id get back from a race and I’d go back out for another run.
Then it all crashed… I trained too hard with Iowa State cross country program and I was injured all the time. … All these years, 30 years later, I’m getting it back. The life of running, the love for it, the well being it gives and the powerful lessons I’ve learned from being in my running…
After all, had it not been for some of the powerful mediative practices, the art of visualization, and the mind, body and spirit discipline honed during long runs and races, I may likely not have survived a 19 degree overnight in the canyon on March 13, 2010. But by the grace of God and with the focus that the gift of running gave me I’m here to tell the story.
How could I ever not love to run? …it’s my teacher, connection to the earth, connection to my own vitality, spirit, to God and to life itself.
…… By the way, since running in Vibrams I no longer get migraines!
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Thank you for sharing what you found to work for you. I think I may need give barefoot (five fingers/foot gloves) a try. When I first saw those, I thought they looked a little funny, but its probably just because I am not used to seeing them. I used to run barefoot through the woods, pastures and hills with my dogs as a kid. It felt like freedom coming home from school, ripping off the shoes and getting outdoors; pure bliss. These days my knees hurt when my dress shoes at work become worn on the outside heals from overpronation. I dont get in as much milage as I used to due to occasional knee pain. (Its been 2 yrs since I ran a 1/2 Marathon, but I would like get my milage up and do a full next spring.) I have noticed I feel no pain when I walk the dog barefoot. The physics are better when we move the way our body was designed!
I think your story has made me want get back to running the old way. Thanks and keep up the fantastic photography. Bill from Texas
HI Bill,
Nice to hear your background of barefooting as a kid! Thank you so much for sharing and commenting! ..
I hope you do get back to what you know. I think you will find less pain in your knees as well as you will pick up your natural way “au natural”. Keep me posted!
I’m wanting to up my mileage too for next year racing (haven’t raced in years) … but I also find that the transition to barefoot or near barefoot is a commitment that needs patience .. can’t go as long as I’d like yet and it feels so good that I want to! The achilles take some time to stretch and to lengthen.
Good Luck and Have Fun!
Kristen