Running with the Pack Podcast

Okay, I finally admit that I have a chemical addiction. I’m flying on an endorphin high and loving it. We also talk about the 2010 Winter Olympics, Stevie selecting new shoes, and listener mail about triathlons, staying motivated, and more.

Stevie and I talk about our first experience with our Vibram Five Fingers, barefoot running, Stevie’s attempt to work out in Vegas, my growing lust to do a triathlon, and the admission that we don’t really “love” running.

This week, we talk about Stevie’s trip to see Chris McDougal speak about the book Born to Run and barefoot running, my trip to Austin, running the race before the race (and why not to do it), and my top-10 tips for your first marathon.

After doing this podcast, Stevie and I went to a local retail store and bought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers (which are like gloves for your feet) and went to a track to give them a try. I lasted about a mile before my calves started to cramp up. Stevie made it to around the 3 mile mark. My calves are pretty sore today, but I’d like to keep using them to build them up. I thought I had started to run on my forefoot before, but with the Vibrams, I ran COMPLETELY differently than normal. Now I understand the sound that Brandon (brandonsmarathon.com) talks about when he says that he can identify a forefoot runner by the sound their footfalls make.

Stevie and I talk with Jim, a listener who has just completed the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge in Walt Disney World. We are planning to go there in 2011 to participate in the Marathon weekend: Stevie is doing the 5K and Half-Marathon. Jim and I will be doing the Half-Marathon and Full-Marathon. We also talk a bit more about ice baths, the possibility of hot beverages in a camelback, and advice for a mom of two who is training for a half marathon.

In this show, I talk about my recent trip to Denver, being sick for a few days, several things related to the Philadelphia Marathon, and I’m starting a Hornet Juice give-away. The rules are:

• Leave a comment on this post (or any other post) before the end of November
• You must mention Hornet Juice in your comment – mostly so I know that you want some
• One entry per person – although leave more comments if you like
• On December 1, I will randomly select 10 winners
• The 10 winners will be contacted by me to get your address so the folks at Hornet Juice can send you a sample
• All of this is subject to change – I’m not affiliated with Hornet Juice, so I can’t guarantee things like their delivery time or anything

Oh, and as promised, here are our bib numbers: Allan (5915) and Brandon (4906) so you can track us. I haven’t talked with Jeff yet to get his. If you’re running the race and want to share your bib number, please post it as a comment. And don’t forget the meet-up at the Hard Rock Cafe at 2:30 on November 22!

Jeff and I talk about Jeff’s Hornet Juice trial, the new shoes (and socks) that he’ll be trying out, and two New York Times articles – the first about the increase in slower runners completing marathons and the second about running through pain. Three weeks to go until the Philadelphia Marathon!

Jeff wasn’t around today, so I did a solo podcast to get caught up with the recent comments and e-mail messages that people have been sending in. If you’d like to get in touch with me, send a note to allan@parkedthoughts.com

Related Links:
Brandon’s Marathon
Confessions of a Runner
Jena’s “Running from…” Podcast
Nuun Tablets

Jeff and I talk about our training in the heat, inspirational stories from our listeners, and upcoming races. If you want to submit your own story, leave a comment at parkedthoughts.com or send it to allan@parkedthoughts.com or jeff@jsswain.com

Mentioned in this episode:

• Brandon’s Marathon
• Ultradad Podcast