Feeling Springy

Good morning.

I always look forward to springing ahead with our clocks. I love the additional daylight as it allows us to absorb more vitamin D. It just brings more hope and happiness knowing warmer weather is just around the corner. More light, more sun, more fun.

I have seen many forms of life emerging from winter. The tulips and other flowers have awakened and have broken through their thin, crusty dirt roofs. I really love watching the foilage come alive again. Also, new species of birds are arriving from their winter spas. You may not see them, but, you can certainly hear them as you walk around the neighborhood. The familiar sound of the Robin or Cardinal is in the air.

I had an excellent, slow, aerobic 8 miler yesterday. I did make sure to keep this run slower because I have some other types of runs this weekend. You can't run them all fast and just use fast twitch muscle fibers. Sometimes you have to slow it down and give your slow twitch muscle fibers some work. I wore the new Karhu shoes for this run. They are already back in the box to be returned to the store. They were not what I am looking for. So far, Nike Luna Racers are my favs.

There is an excellent article in the April 2010 issue of Runners World about, "minimalist running." Later in the issue is a minimalist shoe guide. Exactly what I was looking for. In a way I feel validated with the way I have felt about running shoes. I will be shoe shopping again. I am in agreement with the minimalist movement. I do think, for the most part, that natural running makes sense, at least for me. I believe that the body and foot know how to deal with the stresses of running. I don't expect to start running barefoot, except on the beach. It seems that if ones stays on the minimalist, racing flat side of things, it will make shoe selection so much easier. Of course, this will not apply to everyone so tread at your own risk.

Split Time Distance Elevation Gain Elevation Loss Avg Speed Max Speed Avg HR Max HR Steps Calories
1 0:09:18 1 39 75 9:18 7:48 119 133 0 87
2 0:08:51 1 108 46 8:51 6:59 122 131 0 82
3 0:08:42 1 75 52 8:42 7:01 128 133 0 86
4 0:08:46 1 89 92 8:46 6:33 128 131 0 81
5 0:08:42 1 36 59 8:42 7:45 127 131 0 78
6 0:08:43 1 98 49 8:43 7:29 129 133 0 79
7 0:08:48 1 79 85 8:48 6:49 130 133 0 77
8 0:08:34 1 33 62 8:34 7:40 133 139 0 81
9 0:00:21 0.04 3 0 8:13 7:41 133 134 0 3
Summary 1:10:48 8.04 561 525 8:48 6:33 126 139 0 654


Born To Run:

"I never really discussed this with anyone because it sounds pretentious, but I started running ultras to become a better person. I thought if you could run 100 miles, you'de be in this Zen state. You'd be the Buddha, bringing peace and a smile to the world. When I'm out on a long run, the only thing that matters is finishing the run. For once, my brain isn't going bleblebbleb all the time. Everything quiets down, and the only thing going on is pure flow. It's just me and the movement and the motion. That's what I love-just being a barbarian, running through the woods."


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" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."

* It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before... to test your limits... to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” - Anais Nin