Category Archives: shoes

run like a hippie?

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My poor feet. I think every one of my toes has a blister, and there’s one on my right heel too. Even my blisters have blisters. I was expecting that to happen when my mileage went up to the double digits.

But I think I may have a solution. I may never wear shoes again.

OK, that’s a bit unrealistic. Especially when I just bought my very own first pair of TOMS. But they aren’t for running, so it’s a bit different. (Although, until Wednesday, I didn’t think my Birkenstocks were for running either).

My word, you can never tell how dirty your floors are when you take pictures with Instagram ;)

I’m not sure what exactly I should do. I have two problems associated with becoming a barefoot runner:

  1. First, at the moment, I currently hate running unless I’m barefoot. This could be due to the last two days being speed-work days and the fact that I LOATH speed-work (no matter how much fun I try to make it). However, I did a 1/2 hour easy run on the treadmill barefoot on Monday and it felt great. Tuesday, I attempted a 3 mile fartlek run that was awful (I didn’t even make it 2 1/2 miles, and I wore my shoes the whole time). Yesterday, I had a 40 minute fartlek run planned, but I only made it 10 minutes before I was walking and debating on taking my shoes off. 5 minutes later, my shoes were off and I was running home.
  2. I don’t know that I can justify buying another pair of shoes; however, running completely barefoot is not going to work out. It’s just not safe to run without something to protect your feet. The mile or so I ran after taking my shoes off yesterday wasn’t the smartest thing for me to do, but I had to for moral (and curiosity sake). Otherwise I would have walked home. I don’t know that I want to jump into wearing Vibrams or another minimalist option because that’s another $90, and I just bought new shoes in May (for $115, because I thought I needed more stability, not less).

Really, I want to enjoy running again. It’s not that I don’t enjoy it, but it’s becoming a bit of a chore. Running barefoot seems to be having that freeing effect that allows me to enjoy it more. It’s something about the way my feet connect with the ground that just feels right.

So, I’m not really sure what my solution should be. I know I need to figure out something before I get myself in the habit of taking off my shoes mid run. Paul said we can go to a running store this weekend, so hopefully I can get some answers there.

Aren’t they so pretty? Don’t you just want to take them home with you?

I also think I’m going to sell my newest pair of shoes. I haven’t been wearing them lately and it’s the only way I can justify buying yet another pair of shoes (if I end up going that route). They’re Mizuno Wave Inspire 8′s, size 8.5 (Mizuno runs a bit small and I’m normally an 8), and they only have about 50 miles on them if anyone’s interested. Not that I really expect to sell them here on the blog, but if you really are interested in them, feel free to email me at bobbie(at)runbobbierun(dot)com (I have more pictures and we can chat a bit and become real good friends).

Have a wonderful weekend!

maiden voyage

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So I went ahead and got new shoes. After I reached 300+ miles on my Asics, I decided I needed to try something new. I headed to the mall in search of the right fit.

After receiving NO help at Foot Locker, I stopped at a smaller shoe store in our mall. Unfortunately, neither store had the specific Mizuno model I was looking for (Wave Inspire 8). The guy I talked to at the smaller store was much more helpful and had me try on the Precision 11 model. I’m not sure if he was hitting on me on purpose or if it was part of his sales strategy (I needed the ego boost either way). I really liked how the shoes felt. They offer a lot of support, but you can still wiggle your toes. My Asics have given me blisters on long runs, so hopefully that won’t be a problem with these.

Of course I wanted to think about it some more before buying the shoes, so I checked another shoe store and looked around online a bit. I compared the Precision 11 with the Precision 12, and ultimately ended up buying the 11s because of the price. Since this is my first pair of Mizunos I wanted to make sure I liked them before I spend over $100 on shoes. I figure I can train in the 11s for a while and switch to the 12s if I feel I need a back up shoe. Right now my Asics will have to remain my back up. They still have a few miles left in them and I think they’ll do better in the snow.

My first run in the new shoes was a treadmill run. I wanted to wait until the snow melted before taking them outside. I should have gone out yesterday afternoon, because it was sunny and the snow had melted, but it wasn’t logistically possible with T. It snowed again this morning, so the new shoes will have to remain treadmill shoes for a bit longer. On Sunday it’s supposed to be 50º, so maybe it will be possible to go outside then. Either way I’m happy to have a new pair of shoes. It seems to give me more motivation!

And speaking of snow…T. and I have been enjoying watching it fall all morning. I’m sure he doesn’t know what to think of it!

morning treadmill run

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Well it finally happened. Since T. came along I swore I wouldn’t have to get up in the morning before 8:00 7:30 7:00, but today I was up at 6:00. There are two reasons for this. This week we are rabbit sitting and I decided it would be best to check on them before T. wakes up at 7:00 so that Paul could be home with him. (Rebecca, in case you’re reading, the rabbits are doing well. I gave them carrots and they were very happy about that). I also decided that I could get my run done during that time before T. woke up.

That last part didn’t happen exactly as I planned. I was all geared up to head straight down to the treadmill as soon as I got home. I was actually happy to run on the treadmill today, even though I usually prefer to run outside. I finally got new shoes and wanted to give them a try. It snowed a bit last week and I wanted to wait until it had cleared out before taking them on the road, so I was happy to give the treadmill a go.

However, when I walked in the door at 6:40, someone was crying. It was probably for the best. One thing I had not anticipated was the more endowed physical features my body takes on first thing in the morning. Sorry if that’s not descriptive enough. Basically, since I had not fed T. at this point, I was looking a bit more like Pamela Anderson than usual. So, I decided to feed him first, then we headed downstairs and hit the ‘mill.

Today also marked the first day of 5K training. I decided start from scratch since it’s been awhile since I’ve run consistently. Today’s plan was for 1.5 miles at an easy run/walk pace. I don’t know if it’s me or the treadmill, but I never do very well on it. Of course today wasn’t much of an exception and, although I ran the whole time, it still took me 18:15 to complete the run.

After my run I got the cat out from under the treadmill and we headed back upstairs to get ready for nap time. I decided to try making an iced-coffee-protein-shake since it was breakfast time, but I had just finished running (and we don’t have any chocolate milk). I don’t really have a recipe, but here are the ingredients:

  • Coffee, brewed and cold
  • Protein powder (I tried half vanilla/half chocolate, but I think I’d do just vanilla next time)
  • Milk or coffee creamer
  • Sugar or sweetener

Mix it all in the blender and voilà – look at all that foamy goodness! I actually made quite a lot so next time I won’t make so much, because I don’t think I’ll be able to finish it all.

300+ miles!

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I actually got a run in last week, but then Paul took the computer and I never got around to writing about it. This past week we had record highs and T. and I were able to go for a walk without coats on! I don’t think I’ve ever done that in January.

Anyway, I just did an assessment this week, because I figured it had been about a month since I started running again and it seemed like a good time. My bigger accomplishment this week is that I have officially logged over 300 miles on my shoes! I was going to wait until spring, but my shoes are getting pretty old, and since I’ve hit 300+ miles I think I’ll start looking. It seems like we won’t be getting too much snow this winter anyway, so I don’t need to worry so much about getting my new shoes all snowy.

The shoes I’m currently using are Asics 1140s (an older version of the 1150s). I’m fine with them, but I’m looking for something different. I got them originally because my mom gave me her old ones, so when I bought my own I went with what I was used to. I used Runner’s World’s Shoe Advisor and narrowed it down to the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8 or the Nike Air Pegasus+ 28. I’m looking for something a bit lighter than my Asics, but also decent for distance running.

If anyone uses either of these shoes, or similar models, and have advice or opinions I’d love to hear from you!

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