Good morning and HAPPY FRIDAY friends! Wahoo! TGITW (Thank goodness it’s the weekend!)
Sorry to disappear on you yesterday. Tues/Thurs are my BIZ-EEEE days and I had two additional pieces of fun in my Thursday that kept me away from the computer.
One was a visit from one of my all time best buds after she got off of work, where we polished off about 3/4 bottle of our favorite Riesling and jibber-jabbered non-stop for two and a half hours. It was such a wonderful time.
The other exciting thing on Thursday was my little brother and his wife welcomed their second baby into the world! Unfortunately I live 1300 miles from them, so I won’t be seeing Baby #2 anytime soon. Thank goodness for webcams! 
I was really hoping the new baby would wait until next Wednesday so that we could share a birthday, but she must have been in a hurry to meet her big sister sooner!
Speaking of birthday, MSP wanted to share with me what my gift would be a little early because it would require some ‘trying on for size’ before he could order the actual gift. That got me curious!
In addition to reading “Born to Run“ currently, Matt from No Meat Athlete has inspired me to want to give barefoot running a go.
MSP heard that and decided to gift me with some VIbram Five Fingers! SO EXCITED!!!
In anticipation of the arrival of my new fitness ‘gadgets’ I decided to get a head start on Wednesday. Barefoot running is something you must start SLOWLY because all that running around in my fancy Nike SHOX will have changed my gait and most likely weakened some of the supportive structure of my lower legs and feet.
I did intervals of a different sort on the treadmill this time: shoes on, shoes off, socks on, socks off, shoes and socks back on, shoes off, etc.
I did 3 miles, about two of which were ‘shoeless’.
OK, first: holy calves of fire, Batman! Not so much DURING as much as the days following. I have some DOMS going on in my calves the way I figure I would if I did 1000 sets of heavy calf raises. You should see me trying to walk DOWN a set of stairs. Comical.
Second, it was so FUN! You feel so much ‘lighter’ on your feet, almost springy because it truly forces you into a completely different gait. Apparently I’m a heavy ‘heel-slapper’ in shoes and that just won’t work barefoot. You need to be more onto the balls of your feet, while still letting your heels come down lightly.
Afterward, I did about 15 minutes of deep yoga stretching because I knew my legs were going to need it.
Then yesterday I did another 30 minutes of yoga, including a LOT of downward dogs to hit those calves a bit.
I won’t be using my new “unshoes” during the marathon, because I don’t think there’s enough time to safely transition to that distance. But I definitely plan to use them as much as my calves will allow during my shorter training runs. Maybe the marathon after this one… 
And I have to give props to our good friend Bo, because he had FiveFingers YEARS ago before they were trendy. And I think I remember teasing him about his crazy looking shoes. Bo, I’m eating my words now and you can tease me all you want to get me back!
Today’s question: Any barefoot running ‘aficionados’ out there? Read “Born to Run”?
Friends, have a FANTASTIC Friday! I’ll be back tomorrow sometime after my 9 MILE training run. I really hope my calves stop crying before I head out or it will be a L-O-N-G 9 miles…
– Shari B. =)
#1 by Cindy on January 29, 2010 - 6:20 pm
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my first jog on the Mas was barefoot. I actually have to make myself wear shoes…I am totally excited to see how you like them. I have flat feet so I am curious if it provides any arch support! (my only problem)
(the are fun looking though!)
I haven’t read Born to Run….might have to Kindle that one!
xo
Cindy´s last blog ..Cloud 9
#2 by Shari B. on January 31, 2010 - 4:49 pm
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Hi Cindy, from what I’ve read so far, people with flat feet can do barefoot running, they just may take a bit longer to transition because the muscles around the arches need to be strengthened (Or something along those lines). The ‘shoes’ themselves do NOT provide any arch support. That much I do know.
#3 by Carrie on January 29, 2010 - 3:37 pm
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Woops – I meant, “Yeah for Jimmy & Brenda!” I’m doing too many things at once right now!
#4 by Carrie on January 29, 2010 - 3:35 pm
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Yeah for Jimmy & Shari! Your mom called my mom yesterday afternoon to share the exciting news! I hope I get to meet Taegan when we’re home this summer.
I’m anxious to hear more about your marathon traning and barefoot running! AND, you’ll have to do a full “book review/report” after you finish “Born to Run” – it sounds like a book I would really enjoy reading also!
My half marathon training starts Feb. 8. You’re way ahead of me!
#5 by Joan on January 29, 2010 - 12:03 pm
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Wow what an interesting post Shari! I’ve heard of barefoot running which made me wonder what the feet look like after a year. These ‘shoes’ would definately help that and I can definately see the advantage of these over shoes. I wonder how they’d be for walkers too.
Cool idea!
Joan´s last blog ..On The Verge
#6 by Fallon on January 29, 2010 - 9:40 am
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Hey Shari! Interesting shoes, I just started running and feel great in Asics. So those barefoot shoes should make running a little more interesting now. At least it something to look forward too!
I was looking through your Amazon shop and was wondering how the Nutribiotic protein is? What does it taste like? Does it mix well? Right now I’m trying to finish up Jay Rob Vanilla Brown rice protein and I can’t stand the after taste it leaves! I also have from Jarrow in the chocolate flavor and I like that, tastes good, no bad aftertaste and mixes really well!
Fallon´s last blog ..Banana Coffee Cake with Macadamia Nuts
#7 by Shari B. on January 29, 2010 - 4:35 pm
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Hi Fallon! I do really like the Nutribiotic rice protein. I used the “Natural” flavor though because I knew I would never mix it with just water. The three ways I typically used it were:
1.) mixed with unsweetened almond milk (and sometimes a squeeze of choc syrup for flavor)
2.) mixed into a green smoothie (or other blender smoothie drinks)
3.) mixed into my oatmeal after it was cooked.
I found it mixed fine when shaken in a ‘shake cup’ with a lid. I don’t recall a strong aftertaste. I liked it for its very mild flavor. I recently purchased and reviewed a multi-plant source protein called Life’s Basics I think (if you run a search on FitFeat for “plant protein” it should come up). That one is SUPER sweet but I like it too, for different uses. So it just depends on if you are going for mild or strong flavor.
I can’t speak to the Nutribiotic mixed w/ just water though – never tried it that way, but I doubt the ‘natural’ flavor would be good that way.
Thanks for checking out the FitFeat Store! I appreciate it!
#8 by Bernadette on January 29, 2010 - 9:04 am
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Hi Shari!
I wanted to say KUDOS to you for trying the vibrams! I love the idea behind it and walk around barefoot most of the time but I just haven’t mentally ‘gotten there’ with the barefoot running. I’m sure it’s the memory of a small sharp rock to the heel that has me scared.
And I have Born to run, started it but just haven’t gotten into it yet. It’s in my stack of books I’m determined to finish.
Have a great Friday!!
#9 by Shari B. on January 29, 2010 - 4:27 pm
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Hi Berni! So thrilled to see a comment from you! Thanks so much for stopping by! I’ll definitely be writing about how the Vibrams feel and work. I don’t blame you for being nervous about stepping on a rock. I’m ‘baby-stepping’ first on the treadmill… I wonder when I’ll work up the nerve to take it outside for real!
#10 by tray on January 29, 2010 - 8:59 am
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omg! i’m actually thinking of buying the vibrams!
tray´s last blog ..writing makes me hungry