Help, I've been committed!!!

to a race, geesh. What did you think I was talking about?

Published on February 18, 2006 By Spc Nobody Special In Sports & Leisure

Heh heh, I did it. I'm gonna race next month. I'm running in the first ever Killian's Shamrock Half-Marathon in Virginia Beach. (they've had full marathons, but this is the first time they're doing a half with it.)

Who gives a crap? This is my first race in over a year, and I'm finally commiting to my milage again. End results are, I've dropped twenty pounds, three belt notches, and I'm back down to about 8:30 minute miles on my long runs. I'm hoping to get this race in under 1:55.

I found a running store here in VA beach, and got some of the essentials this week; a pair o' scandalously short shorts, body glide (no, it's not a sex toy,) and a beautiful pair of Sauconys. With little gold symbols on the side. It's like magic leygs. Ey got magic leygs leu-ten-int Dayn.

I also love walking back on my cool downs barefoot. It drives the Marine NCOs mad, but I'm not theirs, and there's no real rule against it, so all they can do is drive by me slow, and glare. Heh heh, silly marines. I'm seriously thinking about taking up barefoot running again for my next run cycle.

(No. Despite what you're going to say, as long as you're careful at the beginning, you'll actually run faster barefoot, and are less likely to get injured, not more.)

Meh. It's supposed to be record lows tonight, so I think 11 miles tommorow on the treadmill. Blech. Treadmills suck. Not as much as frostbite of the willie. But they still suck.

Rewards for competing (somehow, I doubt I'll win) are; a technical, wicking type Brooks shirt, shamrock medals, and my personal favorites, Killians beer and Irish stew at the finish. Usually I don't drink, but in this case...........oh yeah, baby.

Comments

Furry Canary

on Feb 18, 2006

'No. Despite what you're going to say, as long as you're careful at the beginning, you'll actually run faster barefoot, and are less likely to get injured, not more.)'
But I'm going to say it anyway! You're less likely to get injured running narefoot on SAND, but far more likely on any other surface.

Janders

on Feb 18, 2006

Very cool! Whens the race?

SSG Geezer

on Feb 18, 2006

Sometimes we thought that we might have to commit you!

Moderateman

on Feb 18, 2006

Semper fi,, run well. enjoy.

kingbee

on Feb 18, 2006

You're less likely to get injured running narefoot on SAND, but far more likely on any other surface.

unless...you decide to run along the water's edge from the very beginning of torrance beach til you're directly under the lax outgoing flightpath and back (there are a couple places where you gotta leave the beach).

there are easier ways to be reminded why they make sandpaper outta sand.

smoky

on Feb 19, 2006

I just bought myself a pair yesterday (OMNI 5 Moderate). Very cushy.

Spc Nobody Special

on Feb 19, 2006

You're less likely to get injured running narefoot on SAND, but far more likely on any other surface.

More likely on sand actually. The general gist of the advantages of running barefoot, besides sweet run times, are that they strengthen the foot, and the support structures, which atrophy when encased in expensive running shoes. From the ankles up, it significantly decreases impact on distant runs, something that increasing the cushioning on shoes doesn't. There are multiple studies showing decreased rates of injury when barefoot, and increased rates with the expensive "protective/corrective" shoes.

Sand however is a definite risky surface for injury. It varies wildly between extreme give, and extreme compactness, causing a variation of surfaces that often leads to stress injuries like plantar fascitis, sprains, or tendonitis. This is especially risky if it's the only place that you run barefoot, as your foot is weakened and not prepared for the more difficult surface.

I've run barefoot before. Know what happens when you step on that dreaded pop top, or piece of glass? Nothing. Sometimes a very minor scrape. I don't go out of my way to aim for busted beer bottles or anything, but ONCE THE CALLUSES ARE BUILT UP, the only things that ever were a problem was the occasional lucky sand burr between the toes, (on grass only) or once when I stepped on a yellow jacket. Nyeh

Spc Nobody Special

on Feb 19, 2006

Very cool! Whens the race?

March 19th.

Semper fi,, run well. enjoy.

Hoorah, and goodnight Chesty Puller wherever you are.........

I just bought myself a pair yesterday (OMNI 5 Moderate). Very cushy

That's them exactly. Walking around in them to break them in faster. Cool, huh?

11 today, 13 next sunday, and I'm back down to about 14:45 on the PT run. Woot!

singrdave

on Feb 19, 2006

You truly impress me, X-X-SPC.
I am very proud that you have gotten back into the whole Army thing fully cocked and whole-assed (as opposed to half-cocked and half-assed).
Good luck on March 19th. Hope the weather turns out for you, as it's miserably cold up here at the other end of the Chesapeake Bay, too.

kingbee

on May 13, 2006

if these are truly what they appear to be, techno-barefoot has arrived.

Link

barefood ted wore em in this year's boston marathon as well as a 50-mile ultramarathon in the high desert out here 5 days later.

Link

hope you're still checkin in so you find this.

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