You Say You Want a Revolution...

... the Barefoot Running Revolution, that is.

I have purchased two pairs of minimalist shoes, and let me tell you, after one run, I'm a fan.

Nike Free 3.0

Why I'm a fan...

Reason #1: They're cute. NOT pink. but still cute. I'm hoping for a pink one to come out soon so I can trade in.

Reason #2: They make my form impeccable. I'm forced to run on the balls of my feet - like I'm supposed to! - and they propel me forward with minimal effort, thus leaving more gas in the tank for longer miles. Double score!

Reason #3: They make me fast. See above. It's the same reasoning. I run so smoothly. I FLY. Ok, not really, but it feels like it.

Proof? I ran 5 incredibly difficult miles with Lise & Sky on Saturday morning (I blame the heat and pacing more than my lack of talent!). Then, on Sunday night, I ran a 5k very easily in my new shoes. I was barely winded, I ran two of the miles at 8 minute pace, AND I included a hill. I felt so good afterward. Those kinds of runs make me love the damn "sport."

Only drawback so far is that my calves have staged some sort of rebellion against this new style of running (I guess they are not fans?). They have seized up in protest. Walking up stairs was a feat of gargantuan proportions. Hopefully, this is only temporary resistance and they will embrace the barefoot movement as I have.

In other news... Travis tells me my shoulders are noticeably stronger. Well, that's great news, because when I'm in a bikini, my first worry is that my SHOULDERS don't look good. Gosh. Hey Trav, how about them love handles? The thigh jiggle? I still can't bounce a quarter off my ass. These are the real problems here, kid.

Next run will be a 4.5-miler Wednesday after PT. Actually, PTx2 because I have Physical Therapy, followed by Personal Training. I want to try the Frees again, but apparently you shouldn't go more than 2-3 miles the first few weeks. Ugh, I hate the idea of putting those clunky stabilizing shoes back on.

So, I have to run a 5-mile race in less than a week. WTF. I am so unprepared. Hence the required 4.5 miles on Wednesday. And then I leave for the Sierras early early Saturday, and need to run up there to acclimate to the altitude. Last year, I barely ran 10 minutes before I was practically collapsing. Then I waited 2 days and ran the race and won my age division in 47:something.

We are all hoping for a repeat performance. I told myself to cut off 2 minutes of last years time, but promptly ignored that all year until this week. Stupid injuries.

By the by... I know 9-minute miles are crap, but seriously, it's like 7,000 ft above sea level. Cut me some slack!

Even if I don't cross the line first, I still get Indian fry bread and a Jolly Kone raspberry marshmallow shake afterwards, so really, who's the loser?

Next post: Race results and the OFFICIAL START OF MARATHON TRAINING!

Personal training: it's new

i had my first PT session with travis today. apparently, my triceps and shoulders didn't get the memo. they are total weaksauce. i can NOT do pushups. or those weird shoulder pushups. wow. there were abs, biceps, mini sprints... dear god. and i felt bad because trav had this whole session planned out and my damn knee ruined it. he had to make it up on the fly. i appreciated the rests while he thought of new stuff though. =) so next sesh is wednesday. weeeeeee.

soccer news! i played for the first time in like 6 weeks last night! we played a super easy team and had a full squad so it was a nice transition. i even managed to score and assist. it's alllll comin' back. knee is still iffy. i'm scared to do more because it's still not 100% and i don't know why. the doc better figure it all out on tuesday. watch... something's torn now. grrrrr. i mean, it pops when i move it laterally, and clicks when i get up chairs, not to mention the constant dull ache and large muscle knot. that just ain't right... right?

update from my last post: that 4 mile run last week went along swimmingly. i actually made it 4.5. and i did do parks hill. slowly at first, and i had to rest at the intersection before phase II, buuuut i did it! and it hurt. not death-hurt, but normal run-hurt. so i was pretty happy about that.

running apparel!! i need it! i bought some UA running shorts yesterday. but seriously, all the good running shit is expensive! i need shorts that don't chafe, a sports bra that keeps in the ladies, and a breathable running shirt. although i might just run the damn marathon in my sports bra (by then, my PT should have given me flatter abs and NO love handles!!). and my running sneaks have just about had it. not to mention the fact that i want to try minimalist shoes just to see how it feels.

then there's the accessories. oh lord. i really need a good running watch. should i spring for that nike shoe thing that tracks my miles and times and all that jazz? and what am i supposed to do about holding protein and energy snacks? i hate putting things in pockets.

this post was so boring, *i* was falling asleep reading it. i'll try to be more witty next post, but hey, cut me some slack. my body is still recovering. tomorrow: tkb!!!

Competition Begins in 212 days

it's finally happened. i've changed the subtitle to my blog. huzzah.

ok, what's really happened is in march i decided to sign up for the disney world marathon. yes people, i've gone barking. i blame lisa.

this NEW and IMPROVED blog will (attempt) to showcase my training and all the drama that comes with it. technically, training doesn't start until july 4, but i'm starting the blog now because i know i won't post again until, ah, may-tember?

FAQs:

melissa, why are you running 26.2 miles?

BECAUSE I CAN!" if i can run 15, i can run 26." simple as that. and i've run 15. lisa inspired me. i only wish she could run with me. =(

melissa, why are you going to disneyworld to run this?

i can't think of a better place to torture myself. plus, i make a vacation out of it, and even if god forbid, i don't finish (please... we're finishing), i'm at disneyworld people. mum has promised me a churro no matter what.

melissa, how are you training for this?

3-day a week schedule starting july 4. i'm making my 4th of july 5 mile run in the sierras my tip off. i was 1st place last year, so i need to make it a back-to-back. the pressure!

ok i'm done answering questions. here is the lowdown lately:

i've been injured with this stupid knee thing for like 5 weeks so i haven't been running. last week i tried an easy 3-miler. eh, not so much the easy. i felt like i was going sooo slow. turns out, i was. i took me like 30 minutes. come on now.

then, last thursday, i tried again. i've been having some tough emotional problems, so i really wanted to push myself to pain. it worked! i ran 6 miles in the heat and almost died. well, almost fainted anyway. it was the toughest most grueling run i have done in a verrry long time. i could barely see straight, and on the 5th mile hill, i was going so slow, i was almost walking. the dehydration was incredibly taxing. my mom was pisssssssed...

today i am trying a 4-miler. but this time, i am waiting for the SUN to go away, and i am NOT doing hills. we'll see if i come back alive.

on a related note, it's like everyone and their mother is doing the LB half this year. WTF?

next post topic: running apparel! why i need to fork over hundreds of dollars on shoes, shorts, shirts, and other crap. spare watch, anyone?