Week 2 - Thanksgiving

Another week closer to running that first marathon. In case you were wondering, the holidays do not help with training for athletic events. My feet are adjusting slowly to life in the five fingers. Soreness still persists in the lower foot, calf, and now along the top part of my foot. These would be my extensor digitorum muscles? Guess my lazy toes are not used to functioning as individuals. Here's the rundown:

-Nov 23: Wore VFF's to gym and put in normal "push" routine. Mostly upper body and core work with some lunges thrown in. Ran for 5 mins on the treadmill.

-Nov 24: Worked out at gym, "pull" routine, in my old Asics during lunch. After work, drove down to Yuba College track. Used camcorder to record myself running a half mile in normal running shoes versus a half mile in the VFF's. Only noticed a subtle difference in stride length when playing back in half speed. I should note that my running technique has already begun to change due to basically running barefoot for the last 2 weeks.

-Nov 25: Soreness forced me to wear my Asics to the gym. Ran 20 minutes on treadmill and followed up with 16 minutes of interval training on the elliptical machine.

-Nov 29: After stuffing way too much stuffing, ran a mile with the wifey at the Monterey High School track in the VFF's. She didn't laugh at the sight.

Week 1 - VFF Crazyness

Running a marathon has been rattling around in the back of my head since I was 19 and running cross-country for the local junior college. Twelve years later and about 15 lb heavier (Monday), I finally worked up the machismo enough to register for the Big Sur International Marathon (BSIM). Granted, there was plenty of recent motivation that led to this decision. Last weekend a few friends ran in the Big Sur Half Marathon. Thousands of hyped up fit-farts were there in full effect. I have been logging a few 5k races recently, but witnessing the excitement of the 13-milers got my adrenaline pumping. When I mentioned the idea to an old buddy, and fellow x-country runner, he attested to already planning on running in the BSIM this year. He then went on to tell me that Oprah Winfrey ran a marathon in less than 4 hr 30 min. This was the kicker. If a yo-yo dieting talk show host can pull this off, then certainly any rugged stallion such as myself can do it. The BSIM is highly acclaimed: consistently ranked in the top 3 marathons in the country. Scenic but difficult, I am sure it will prove memorable if I survive. Three people bit the dust at this year's Detroit marathon.

Nov 14: Ran 7:30/mi pace in the Run Forrest Run 5k.

Nov 15: Offered moral support to friends running the Big Sur Half Marathon.

Nov 16: Keith - Bib # 2492, Jose - Bib #2504. It's On!

Nov 17: Drove an hour to Chico to buy a pair of Vibram Five Fingers (VFF's) that I've been reading so much about. After wearing them around the house, it was evident that I needed a size larger.

Nov 18, 5:30 PM: Exchanged sz 43's for sz 44's at Mountain Sports, Chico.
5:35 PM: Ran effortlessly through Bidwell Park for a mile in the new kicks.

Nov 19: Wore new monkey shoes to office. Mixed reception, some laughter, but curiosity seemed to be the overwhelming response. Muscles on feet mildly sore.

Nov 20: Calves SORE, feet loving life in the wool toe socks that I bought to wear with the VFF's. Despite the sore muscles, logged 2 more miles in the frog feet. Going to let the legs recover for a couple days now.