The tale of two journeys

As I said in my introduction, I want this blog to be an opportunity to share about my journey toward completing 50 races in 50 states.  However, I also want to meld it with what I am learning on my Christian journey.  To me there are numerous parallels between triathlon training and growing in my relationship with God.  The latter is often times too easy for me to put on the back-burner in the course of a day.  Both require regular training, focus, dedication, and always something to be learned.  

This past week one of the pastors of our church challenged us to commit to spending some time reading the Word and talking to God everyday (something I have not been as consistent with as I would like to be).  He challenged us to begin by reading six of the Psalms; Psalm 19, 33, 40, 86, 96, 145.  Running allows me to settle into a groove to reflect on what I read listen to sermons, think, pray, and talk with God (I am still trying to learn to listen more). 

For some reason when I set out on my run tonight I felt like I needed to run to the cemetery where my dad's ashes are buried. His grave marker was finally set in place today.  It reads, "He lived. He died. Now he has arrived. All you need is love." The run was a time to reflect on these words my dad chose to be remembered by forever.  He recognized that this journey of life is a gift, a time to be treasured, a time to love, but most importantly only a small fraction of what is awaiting us for in eternity.  Daunting to think about how long that is.  But it is also exciting.  I hope to be able to pursue my relationship with God with passion and fervor.  I thank God that He has saved me and blessed me with the physical abilities to participate in endurance events.

New Shoes

I made the plunge today, as I expected I would, to join the world of barefoot running.  The plan was to get some FiveFinger Vibrams.  My wife and I set out to REI to try them out and snag a pair for me.  I think Julie thinks I am crazy, but at least she is supportive.  She warned me before we even went that she didn't think my toes would fit in the FiveFingers; she was correct.  I highly recommend you try a pair before ordering a pair via the internet. Fortunately, Merrell has accommodated for individuals like myself.  I found a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves that facilitate the barefoot feel but look like normal shoes.

I know that I said in my previous post that I would stick mostly to walking, drills, and strides on softer surfaces trying to avoid asphalt, but tonight I felt a flood of adrenaline to try the new shoes.  I kept it conservative, but strided out a fast 3/4 mile run.  The premise of the shoes are that they create a forefoot running pattern that causes you to maintain the "perfect" running posture.  I don't know if it was placebo effect or if it really did it, but I felt great.  I felt like I was gliding across the pavement keeping my upper body still with a nice front-to-back arm swing.  I still don't want to get carried away.  The plan is to ease into the distance and maybe tackle some trails.

Even though tonight was only 3/4 mile, it reminded me how I felt during the Tobacco Road 1/2 marathon in March.  Absolutely the best I have ever felt running (minus the last half mile).  It was one of those moments when your stride feels good and effortless (again, minus the last half mile).  During that race my friend Michael and I set personal bests thanks to some pacing from our good friend, Ryan.  The three amigos of running.  We have the type of camaraderie that draws me to sports.  I am hoping the new barefoot training mixed in with our usual workouts we'll continue to push toward new PR's.

So far I give the barefoot shoes a positive endorsement.  I will continue to update as I log a few more workouts in them. 

Barefoot

I spent the past week traveling around Texas.  Unfortunately, I deviated from my training plan because of not having my bike or a pool large enough to lap swim.  That being said the change of scenery running was awesome and hilly!  I grew up in San Antonio which is relatively flat, running in Fort Worth, however, was like climbing mini-Everests.  Or at least it felt that way because of the 100+ degree weather.  I hope that doesn't sound like complaining because the runs were actually some of the best I have ever had.  I felt light on my feet and took a break from GPS and heart rate monitors.  I just did what I thought I could handle comfortably, got in the zone, and let it rip.   

On my trip I read the book Born to Run.  I think that is what inspired me to make the workouts as natural as possible, attempting to be in-tune with my body.  If I felt I needed to slow down, I did, and if I felt like opening up the throttle, I did.  It was inspiring to read about runners who love to run for the sake of running, not being held to a clock or pre-set distance, and being competitive yet full of admiration for their fellow competitors.  As many of you know, Born to Run, has lead a charge in the barefoot running world.  I may be a few years late in tackling the subject or thousands of years late compared the Tarahumara (The Running People), but I think it is leading to a paradigm shift in how I want to run and treat my patients.  I doubt that I will jump in full-go and I don't think it is necessarily for everyone, but I like the idea of spending some time doing training with minimalist footwear.  I think doing strength and balance training or stride drills on safe ground is a great place to start.  I would never recommend jumping into running barefoot for extensive distances without building up to it. 

This week I have been having my patients exercise in their socks only; partly as a mini-experiment and partly as a tribute to the Tarahumara.  It has been neat to see their feet working to find the ground and proper position, it's like their feet are trying to read braille to send  a constant flow of messages to their brain.  I know this sounds corny, but you can't appreciate the intricacies of the foot wearing shoes.

I don't think shoes or shoe companies are the enemy.  In fact, it wasn't until I found a great pair of cushioned-soled, high-end running shoes that I could run without knee pain.  I hope that the shoes aren't just compensating for improper mechanics, but they have worked for me.  I am trying to become more conscious of using a forefoot running pattern, as I do believe that is how we were built to run.  I am contemplating investing in some 5Finger Vibrams to do some training.  If I do, I will be sure to post my experiences. 

It's Been Awhile

I have not been good about staying current with blogging, but now that I am three weeks into my ½ ironman training plan and was heckled by an old lady while running last night I figured it is time to write.  

You read that correctly…heckled by an old lady.  During my run yesterday this lady started shouting, “Run, Forrest, Run” repeatedly.  I don’t know how to react to this; should I take that as a compliment or an insult.  Little did the lady know that down the street it would turn pseudo-Forrest Gump because a group of neighborhood kids began to run behind me for awhile.  Like I have stated before, I hope that people see me exercise and it inspires them to do the same.  I guess mission accomplished…somewhat. 

Since starting this workout plan I feel like I am in a perpetual state of exhaustion.  My legs feel tired all day, everyday.  Despite feeling this way I continue to push through personal best times during workouts.  I usually bike longer and at a greater intensity than the workout plan calls for since I am riding with a group out of the local bike shop.  I hope that this doesn’t turn out to backfire on me down the road.  In the mean time I plan to keep pushing as hard as my body will allow while looking forward to an active recovery week coming up soon.  

I will try to be better about blogging more frequently, incorporating pictures, and any interesting tips or stories that happen along the way.  For anyone that takes the time to read this:  I hope to see you on the race course soon!