Sun 24 Jan 2010
Running with the Pack 66: Barefoot Running, Running the Race Before the Race, and Top-10 Marathon Tips
Posted by Allan under inspirational stories, podcasting, running, travel
[12] Comments
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.
Barefoot Running, Running the Race Before the Race, and Top-10 Marathon Tips [48:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Allan and Stevie,
Nice discussion on training programs and long runs, and thanks for the info. I'll keep a eye out for the Nature article.
Thanks,
Jay
Hi Allan and Stevie!
I recently started listening (love the show!) and have been meaning to email you for awhile. But for now I just want to comment on what you guys were saying about your / Chris McDougal's view that running is "supposed to be enjoyable" and too many runners today see it as chore. I have to disagree because I don't think running is "supposed" to be anything, it is many different things to different people. You guys run simply because you find it enjoyable, and that's great. Other people don't actually enjoy running but use it as a means to an end, such as losing weight, and I think that's great too. And yet other people (myself included) see running as a way to push oneself to the absolute limit, to see how far and how fast we can go. Almost none of the runs I'm doing these days are "enjoyable" in the sense that you would envision, because I'm training for a sub-3:10 marathon and I bust my ass in every single workout and it hurts like hell! But hey it's what I love to do!
Basically I'm just saying that everyone has a different relationship with running and I would never judge anyone because of it. Anyways, great podcast and I'll shoot you an email sometime… keep up the good work!
-Anita
Hey Anita. You have a good point. I think attitude definitely shapes your relationship with running. Personally, I don't particularly like the act of running. I know that sounds odd for a guy who hosts a running podcast, but it's true. I enjoy companionship (when I have a running partner or a crowd at a race), how I feel about myself right after a good workout, and how I feel about my life that incorporates running. I am a calmer, kinder, and more patient person because I run. I like the culture of running and the runners that I have met. In contrast, I enjoy swimming for the sake of swimming AND for how it makes me feel.
So to be more precise about the way I think about it, if you're going to be a runner, you should try to enjoy being a runner. That may mean that you don't like the act of running, but you love the idea of breaking 3:10 at a marathon because it's "what I love to do!", right? Or maybe you don't like running, but you love feeling more fit or being more healthy as a result. The problem that I sometimes have is that I get into a rut and forget ways that I can make running more enjoyable for myself. FOR ME, that means signing up for a race or trying a new gadget or traveling to run or doing interval work so I can feel fast, even if it is for only two laps around a track.
Hi Allan and Stevie,
Loved the episode and thank you for the comments on running a first marathon. I did use them all and had a great time.
I do run for enjoyment and modified my running plan when I found that it was a chore instead of doing it for fun.
I think I have been forefoot running but am unsure if that is what I am actually doing so your comments above really make me think I should try the Vibrams. Cannot wait to hear full story on next podcast.
Thank You,
Jorie (and you did fine pronouncing it. It is like Lori but with a J.)
Cool…so then what do you have planned next?
And yes, you'll hear a LOT about the Vibrams during the next podcast. Stay tuned.
Hi Allan & Stevie –
Thanks for another great podcast! I'm very interested, Stevie, to hear how you like the Vibrams. I'm going to try some, too.
I admit to being a runner who doesn't like to stop jogging in place while waiting to cross the street. Although a few months ago I was listening to another podcast, and the host made the point that if you're out running, why keep jogging in place because, hey, you're already out running. Why not take a short break? I see the point. Usually I'm doing it because I'm listening to some good tunes and I don't want to stop moving. But I can see that its good to slow down, check in and enjoy the scenery a bit. My compromise has been to dance a little and sing out loud while I'm waiting. I'm generally feeling so great that this doesn't seem silly at the time at all!
Thanks,
Rebecca A
I am totally with you on this, Rebecca. I have a hard time "stopping to smell the roses" and am really trying to do better at looking around me these days. I don't "love" running, but I love how it makes me feel (as Allan was saying earlier) and how it helps me control my weight (as I like to say, "We Roccos are a stocky people."
BTW, I am LOVING the Vibrams (more on that on the podcast we're recording tomorrow), but Allan and I haven't compared notes yet, so it should be interesting.
Sorry to post twice, but my first comment was too long. I also wanted to add that I'm one of the lucky Hornet Juice winners, but still waiting for my sample. I'm excited to try it, and will definitely report my results. I'm currently on a training plan (Hal Higdon's, which I've used before) and will be running Boston in April.
Thanks and cheers,
Rebecca A
Hey guys. It has been a long time since I left a comment. I have been a dedicated follower of the podcast since the beginning and I love the addition of Stevie to the show. It is very enjoyable to listen to your podcast while on my long runs. I would love to try the VFF but I dont know if I could fit into them because I am one of those people that the second toe is longer than the big toe. Rebecca, I love Hornet Juice so much I receive a monthly supply of 10 packets and it really helps me on my long runs. I could send you a packet to try if you still have trouble getting your sample. It takes awhile though because it is from NZ. Stevie if you would like to try Hornet Juice I could send you one also. Lemme know. I am also running the Disney Marathon in 2011, would love to meet you guys. Keep up the awesome work guys. Sorry for the long post. Jaydog.
Hey Jaydog! My second toe is also longer than my big toe. When I went to the store to get them fitted, they had a plastic blue foot for you to see what size you should be wearing and it takes the measurement of your longest toe (big toe or second one). I tried on a few sizes to be sure, but found the size 40 to fit best.
As for the packets, I had an order go missing as it went through customs. I'll work with Rebecca and Hornet Juice to make sure that she gets her samples. Thanks for offering one of yours though…very kind listener-to-listener interaction there.
Hey Allan and Stevie
Don't have anything exciting to say but just finished listening to your latest podcast (edit: notice there is a new one in – I originally posted under that) in which I heard a reference to "only four comments" on the previous episode. Just hope you weren't interpreting that as any indication of listener enjoyment. If you were, please cease and desist from such behaviour immediately! Anyway, decided I should stop being a parasite and start telling people when I enjoy their show…so: I enjoy your show!
RWTP has long been one of my favourite podcasts. I like the back-and-forth dynamic and the topics-driven format. Greatly enjoyed the 'Allan and Jeff years' and having just as much listener pleasure with the arrival of Stevie – indeed, it's good to have a girl's take on some of the issues. And Stevie, you have a sense of fun that is infectious.
TBC……
Will be interested to know how the VFFs work out for you both. When 'barefoot' running thing first entered mainstream running consciousness, I didn't pay too much attention: too heavy to run without cushioning, too impatient to 'retrain' my body to run in a different way, too much urban detritus where I live to contemplate running in anything less than the trainer equivalent of Army boots… But I'm increasingly curious and there may come a day in the future where I find myself out there in penguin feet – if only to entertain my aged neighbours!
Okay, this is far too long for a comment – as evidenced by IntenseDebate demanding that I split my original across two posts – so going to stop rambling. Thanks again for a great show and good luck with your running (barefoot or otherwise).
LDGirl aka Llamadoughgirl
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[To my shock, the user name 'Llamadoughgirl' was already taken at Intensedebate, hence the abbreviation. But just remember: 'Accept No Imitations'