Hard Hard Core Workout

Okay, so I know it's been awhile since I've posted (and by awhile, I mean 15months in dogyears). I haven't been feeling great at my running, but at least slugging through it. I wanted to post again because I've been doing a new workout. This one was proposed by Jamoosh, who I've been reading his blog. He put up a new Hard CORE Club challenge, which to me is like daring me to thrust hot pokers into my eyes; I'll only do it if I mention it to my girlfriend that I might do it, and she then threatens to call me a wuss if I don't follow through. I usually don't follow through, but THIS TIME I kinda/sorta have....... Hopefully that makes some sort of sense and you're following my rambling post.

It's been almost a week since I ran, because I felt like I pulled my back and was really sore. I was looking for every excuse I could, but fortunately, my girlfriend kicked me out of bed this morning after my alarm had gone off at least a dozen times. I grumped and groaned, saying "I can't get up." Eventually I got out on the road and did a quick 3mi in my Vibram FiveFingers for the first time in at least 4mo. And it was a quickie (that's what she said)..... I ran the 3mi in just over 8:08/mi avg. It even felt good enough that when I got home, I plopped on my back on the floor on a yoga mat and cried for 10min started my CORE exercises.

They weren't actually that bad either! (Jamoosh, if you're reading this you can stop right here.) I did five exercises and they felt like TORTURE!!! I mean, I feel stronger already! My CORE workout went like this........

Crunches - 30 (not bad, I can almost feel my abs, from what I remember of 'em!)

Leg Lift - 30sec (felt this a lot in the abs and glutes)

Hip Lift - 30sec (easily could do this all day, might actually drive kids to the orthodontist in hip lift position)

Front Plank - 45sec (some trouble with these, due to aforementioned lack of abs)

Push ups - 20 (took several rests, since I'm now lifting more weight doing this than in high school)

Superman - 15 reps (this actually was a great stretch for my back)

Since I've got started so late in the week with doing CORE exercises, I'm planning on doing a couple days of them this week. It will probably end up being Thurs/Fri/Sat if I'm lucky, or best two outta three of those.

So, I do hafta say my CORE is underway! (Hey, I'm a poet and I know it!) Anyways, my running feels pretty good even despite the week layoff. So I'll keep at it, keep doing my CORE and hopefully get more posts up here too to show my progress. Maybe someday I'll have ripped abs, downward pointing nipples, and a bad bronzer tan like Adam. On to the next one!!!

That's "SIR" Fivefingers to you!

Sweet! So it finally happened! YEEEAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!

As an employee at REI, we have uber opportunities to sit-in and learn about the various products we love and use ourselves. I attended a Vibram (apparently pronounced vee-brum in La Moda Italiana) clinic with a Vibram rep who explained the usage and fit of the FiveFingers line. I had used my FiveFinger KSO's for the RAGNAR Relay Race the weekend before, and had turned in some of my best running times ever for an event. I was excited to see a guide for actually fitting these on users, as well as a full catalog featuring pictures of people using them for running. It was also interesting to see the different styles that are set to debut soon.

I asked when she was done if Vibram does a sponsorship for its athletes for local events or anything. She mentioned that Vibram doesn't necessarily "sponsor" athletes, but that they may become ambassadors for the brand. This involved being a "face" for FiveFingers (as strange a visual as that may sound) and basically wearing them in public. I've been a proponent for FiveFingers for almost a year now, and LOVE living in them.

So now my info has been forwarded on to Vibram, so I just have to wait to hear from 'em. I think this will be the hardest part. But I SO looking forward to being a representative for FiveFingers! I can't wait!!!!! I have a Twitter, Facebook, and DailyMile account where I spout off a lot about Vibram FiveFingers. Check 'em out if you haven't already!

Up In Your Bedroom, After The War

"It's us, yes, we're back again
Here to see you through 'til the day's end
And if the night comes and the night will come
Well at least the war is over."

Stars - In Our Bedroom, After The War


This is one of my favorite Stars (is it "The Stars?" I was corrected once by someone who assured me there was no "The" in the band's title) songs, and have often thought about the meaning while I'm out on the road running. I often have it "running" through my mind (forgive the bad pun, ask my girlfriend, I really can't help it) and it again popped up in my head today while running.

This last weekend I did the Ragnar del Sol Relay from Prescott to Tempe. It's a great race, and tons of fun to deal as a team. I did it the first time two years ago, and this year I was the only veteran among 11 other "newbie" teammates. The race was immensely surreal, as, in the middle of the night during a leg along the dark highway, a teen runner was hit by a vehicle. He wasn't actually running, but handing off water to a teammate before he unknowingly stepped backwards into a lane of traffic and the oncoming car. He was rushed to the hospital and was on life support for several days before he later died of his injuries in the hospital. It was quite a somber mood as we were awakened early that morning by a call from the other team van saying we needed to get up and meet at the next checkpoint where they were going to mass start everyone again. Our team was mostly silent as we met the other runners to restart the race after the road closure.

Some people thought the race should be called off, others were upset that their teams had been delayed. Even after the restart of the race, we all knew it could've been us who was hit, or that it could happen again at any time. That's why this relay can be so dangerous. But with that danger comes such exaltation, from not only the length of the race, but the camaraderie among the teams for what you've put yourself through. Together.

I could overhear people talking about the accident, and what had happened. I heard people say he's now in a better place. That it was his time. Personally, I think this is total bullshit. He was 18 years old, and a high school senior. He had A LOT of life left ahead of him. I think it's tragic that it was cut short, but disgusting that people push their ideals onto the situation. As a parent, I think it's horrible when a parent out-lives their child, and that this should never happen. My thoughts go out to his parents and family at this time, and I hope they remember him happy always. I can't imagine the grief and pain his family must be going through. I just wish people wouldn't turn it into their own theological pulpit.

Anyways, I think this song has been popping up in my mind because of recent events. I don't know that I'm still "as atheist" as I used to be. I know for a good long time, I didn't believe there was a god. I think there's many others that share my sentiment. I know I see things in different situations. I can't help think there's a higher power, whatever that higher power is, I think it's beyond what you or I can comprehend. But I see it in a sunrise. I hear it in a baby's coo. And I definitely feel it on a trailrun when I reach a peak and look at the world around me.

Anyways, thanks for listening.


~Danny

The Revolution Will Not Be Shod

I am starting this blog to chronicle my runs on roads, trails, in shoes, outta shoes, and even some other activities in which I partake in between runs. I am a huge advocate for barefoot running, because it works for me. I have heard the benefits of the activity, and been running in Vibram FiveFinger KSO's for about 9 months now. I've found they help my posture, improve my form, and actually make me a bit faster than "shod" (shoe) running. I think everybody should try running barefoot, it's an amazing and freeing feeling. But do your research first. Don't go out and run 8mi your first day in VFF or barefoot. Be smart. Also, I recommend reading "Born To Run" by Christopher Mcdougall. I have several other friends who are part of the barefoot running movement, so check out their thoughts, blogs, and sites. Most of all explore what works best for you personally. And have fun!