June 26, 2010

On running and not even being chased, and alien shoes

"That is so alien looking. Or maybe animal. Either way it's unique...perfect for you." -My husband.
fingershoes

I just finished the second week of the Couch to 5K program. SECOND WEEK.

If I can do this for two weeks, a n y o n e can do this. (If you want to.)

SECOND WEEK!!!

I am not "exercising" to get back into a certain size, I don't even have a working scale, that's not what it's about for me. I want to feel good in the size I am now, or whatever I am supposed to be, and getting out and walking/running regularly has surprised the heck out of me... I actually enjoy it!, I look forward to it, buy new shoes for it, plan my day for it, check to see if the hotel we're staying at on vacation has a fitness center for it,

and I love how it makes me feel mentally and physically.

About the shoes- despite my undying love for shoes and more shoes, if I could, I would be barefoot always, save a good fancy dress up time.

If I'm going to keep up with this running thing, I think the whole barefoot craze is more "me" than buying a pair of ugly athletic shoes. I decided I really wanted to try the Vibram Five Fingers shoes and didn't want to risk getting the wrong size online, so I stopped in the big REI store today on my way home from Chicago.

I decided on the KSO style because they are supposed to be best for what I will be doing (I run mainly on sidewalk and roads.)

[ed: I wore them for the first time on my run tonight.] They feel different, kind of like I have on a pair of really protective socks, or super-snug gym shoes. I can sense the ground and pebbles and bumps beneath my feet but am protected. (Oh, and if it helps at all, I am usually a size 8.5 and wear a size 38.)

Yes, they look weird, but I love the idea of barefooting and it feels good. I think I'm going to like this.

ivyshoes

How about now? Still too weird? You have to admit this is pretty cute.
By Stephanie Precourt, Adventures In Babywearing - 8:49 PM
tags: , , , ,

53 comments:

  1. They kind of give me the willies. I've seen LOTS of runners with them in Austin but I stick to my Saucony's.

    BTW I'm on week 3 of C35K and I hate it with every fiber of my being. But I will finish it.
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  2. Good for you! I ran all through high school and college, and I miss it these days (I'm 35 weeks prego, so no running again for a while).

    Those shoes - wild! I'm intrigued. :)
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  3. John (my hubs) loves these. He even wore them on a rugged terrain trail run. They do look weird. Actually, pretty freaking weird. But he swears by them. (Have you read that book about this? The title's escaping me...)

    Glad you survived your overnight away from your girl. I have my first night away from Axel next Saturday.... :S

    -elizabeth
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  4. Those are so funky looking but hey! Whatever fits you best! Great job on starting the Couch to 5K - I did it before I got pregnant with K and loved it! Can't wait to hear when your run the 5K! ;)
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  5. I can testify that my ability to get around and move from place to place during this time of the broken leg is because I have exercised so much before I broke the leg. All the medical personnel I've seen have been surprised by my ability to move the leg so well. Plus I do not have osteoporosis!! Had the Dexa Scan on Tuesday and passed with flying colors. By the way it is easier on your joints to run on the road surface rather than the sidewalk. Wonder how many stares from passers by if you run in those shoes? I'm sure you'll get lots of attention. Hope they are comfortable.
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  6. I'm in on the barefoot craze, so I'll have to check those out!
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  7. I just saw those in two magazines tonight! Too funny! But they look pretty cool... even if ivy looks skeptical :)
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  8. They look weird, but as someone who loves to be barefoot myself, I could see trying them out. When you're running, it's function over fashion EVERY time.
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  9. Ha ha! I can't wait to hear how they feel when you run in them. I want a FULL report! ;)
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  10. Hey...I did the COUch to 5K program too (& have blogged about it)! Isn't it fun! :) Keep with it...you will amaze yourself. :0) I love my running time. Its refreshing to me to be out on my own, thinking, alone.
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  11. Those are amazing! Ha!

    I'm on week 2 as well! Started the same C35K program last month, injured myself, healed and now back at it. Week 3 here I come!

    Never thought I would be the "running type" and I LOVE it!

    Do you have an iPod or do you run without music?
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  12. How fun! I have always wanted to try these out.

    So true. I feel the same way. If I can run, anyone can.

    I get together at a local park with my fitness mom group and we always see a couple gals running completely barefoot. It's pretty cool.
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  13. I have wanted a pair of these for so long! Good luck with the C25K, sounds challenging and inspiring all at the same time.
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  14. My running partner loves hers and swears by them. She ran our last marathon in them and did great. I'm looking into getting the Bekillas soon too. I've just heard raves about how they really cause you to focus on striking the ground right and cause less impact to the joints because of it. Keep up the awesome effort on the C25K... Oh and to respond to Boy Crazy's comment, the book she is referring to might be: "Born to Run."

    Run Happy!!!
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  15. Kyle has a pair! He loves them.

    Congrats to you. I found that training for a race was far more rewarding than training to fit into a pair of jeans. Glad you're finding the same to be true!
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  16. I've been reading your blog for a while and in addition to running...I'm a mom who also baby wears. Thanks for sharing. Oh, and I blog at www.runrgv.com.
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  17. Omigosh. Omigosh. You did NOT. I am JUST about to order these. I have been running/walking/trying to run and I've had trouble with my knees ever since buying a pair of fancy running shoes. I've been reading Born to Run and researching barefoot running. Yesterday I actually went out and ran barefoot on the pavement for about a mile, carried my shoes, then put them back on b/c I was afraid I'd cut my foot.

    Those Five Fingers shoes look so wacky and I was trying to avoid getting some but I think I'm going to go for it.

    I wonder if any stores around here carry them. I, too, was worried about getting the wrong size.
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  18. I am so proud of you for doing this and so glad it makes you feel good. I ran all the time before I got pregnant with Tommy and ran until I was 24w with him (okay, it was more of a slow trot, then). I really need to get back to it, because it does make you feel so good!
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  19. Ooo, I love my five fingers - make sure you ease into them. Your calves WILL hurt! :D
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  20. I love those shoes! The good part is that they are so much better for you...runners who wear them have fewer injuries and less pain.
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  21. I have never in my life... neverinmylife... seen something so crazy funny!

    But, it makes sense in some weird way, and I'd probably love it :)

    I just want to see a picture of YOU wearing them! heehehehehe....

    http://www.mybutterflynest.blogspot.com
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  22. My hubby came this.close to buying some months ago. I said they were ugly and gave him funny looks *blush*... I get it, really I do... but they're just different! :) I think he still wants some, so I'll have to show him this!
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  23. I get really bad knee pain when I run without support shoes, but my GOAL is to get stronger so that I can switch over to there!
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  24. You are awesome! I am so proud of you. Before you know it, you just might be signing up for a race or two : ).
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  25. They are super weird! :) But I bet they feel really good! :)
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  26. I actually saw these weeks ago and decided if I am ever able to run again I would try these out. They do look insane, but I bet they work great.

    Nell
    @nelltaliercio
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  27. Can't wait to get a pair of these myself.
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  28. I miss running. Never thought I'd say that, but I do! I've seen those shoes, and my friend John (who is a runner) wears those. Thanks to some stupid hip and foot injuries, I'm only able to run in my pool right now. It's turning out to be a great workout, but going in circles gets old ;) The plus is that I'm getting a really nice tan!
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  29. Good for you! I don't know if you're actually on thebabywearer all that much because I can't recall seeing you there (or at least not making the connection between your blog and your user name over there). Anyway, there is a VERY active running thread that offers a lot of encouragement and support. A lot of women who post there have done/are doing C25K. So, you might want to head over to TBW if for no other reason than to post on that thread!!

    http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?190549-A-thread-for-ALL-the-runners-fast-slow-old-new-and-everyone-in-between!&p=4462405#post4462405
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  30. Sweetness, pardon me for missing the fact that you started the Couch to 5K! Congrats on making it to week 2! Yay!
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  31. I'm doing the C25K plan too! just did week 3, day 1 today! I enjoy it, but don't love it, i wish i did love running.

    those shoes are c-r-a-z-y! i love it. :)
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  32. apeshoes

    monkeytoes

    :)

    You rock the running. Keep it up, lady.
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  33. Regular running flats or spikes for me, call me old school. Good work getting out there and running in northwest indiana.
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  34. I start week 3 of the C25k tomorrow. The idea of that 3 minutes at a time scares me! Good luck to us both :)
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  35. From a VERY ENTHUSIASTIC fan (and finisher!) of C25K - HOORAY! I am so proud of you, mama. Your reasons for running are the same as mine.

    I love the idea of barefoot running (you KNOW I do!) but I have these stupid fallen arches (flat feet) . . . not sure if I can buy into the craze or not. :(

    Keep us updated on your progress!
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  36. Congrats on week 2 of C25K! I started it but had to stop when I was diagnosed with asthma. I'm planning to restart again after my vacation.
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  37. I am about to do my 3rd 5K next weekend after doing C25K... you go girl!! You can do it!! Those shoes look pretty funky but you gotta do what works for you. Ha! And if anyone I know would love those shoes, I can see you loving them. :)
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  39. I told Sheryl the other day that I need to move to a more liberal area so I can walk around in stores and other place barefoot. She said "I don't think the word you're looking for is "liberal", I think it's "hillbilly"." LOL!!!

    I hate shoes.
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  40. My husband runs in these. He loves them. He read "Born to Run" two times in a row. His business partner just wears them as his daily shoes. You should see the looks he gets when he plays in the worship band on Sunday morning wearing them. Whatever makes it easier to run!
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  41. Mr. CE tried a pair of these on in Saugatuck this past weekend. He decided we spent too much this weekend, so he didn't buy them, but he liked them.

    and I am very proud of you for sticking with c25k!
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  42. My DH has a pair and they totally FREAK me out. Like give me the willies to look at them. No idea why.
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  43. My husband LOVES his 5 finger Vibrams! I think I might try a pair on next time we are at REI :)
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  44. My BIL is a barefoot runner. It has been great for him, corrected some stride issues and no pain. I'm too wimpy for it, and I don't mind running in sneakers, but I think its cool. He wears the Five Fingers to give his feet a break every so often. Good luck with the program! I didn't think I would like running either, but I love the powerful feeling I get when I've done a good distance.
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  45. good for you Steph! I started C25K last week and am amazed when I get done I don't feel like I'm gonna pass out. Keep it up girl!
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  46. That is too cool! Hubby just read that book on barefoot running and talked about getting a pair of these. I offered for Father's Day and then he decided he didn't know if he would really wear them or not. It was a Runner's World magazine subscription instead. :) So proud of you, Steph!
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  47. My brother in law has some of those shoes. He loves them.
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  49. I have been running barefoot for over a year and highly reccomend just going bare all together!
    Glad I found your blog! I have been an avid babywearer for years now as I have 4 boys.
    Try reading Born to Run also by Christopher McDougall! It will inspire you to run and run and run....
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  50. Those are sweet shoes, I myself, however, like a bit more rubber underneath. I don't think those shoes would fly on my country road jogs. :-)

    Well done to you on the running!
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  51. Look at you! You'll be running that 5K in no time. :)

    stephanie@metropolitanmama.net
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  52. I have been so curious about those! Love it. And also so proud of you!
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  53. So, when people say they run barefoot, do they always wear some sort of protection? Because (I can't believe I am admitting this) I just picture people running barefoot. And I can't bring myself to even try it because I don't like dirty feet.

    Seriously, I have a Master's degree. I am smart (just obviously really gullible). I promise.

    I am so interested in the shoes - Where in the world did you hear about them?
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