Other things to do besides Running

A recent post by Maple Grove Barefoot Guy got me thinking. "Should I be doing others things besides running?"

His post brings up some good points:

-Do you think that primitive man ran 100 mile weeks?
-Or 60 mile weeks? Or even 40 mile weeks? Did they even run regularly?
-I would suggest though that just because we are "born to run", doesn't mean we are "born to run all the time".
-Take a lesson from your running man past. You can and should run...occasionally. You should also lift and carry heavy things, walk, swim, throw, balance, jump, use tools, and do all the other basic human movements that are your birthright.
-And More

I'm sure back in the olden days people didn't have a schedule of when to run, how far, or how fast. They probably just went when they needed to; to go hunting, deliver a message, or meet up with their lover(or lovers). In the mean time they were probably doing chores like working with the crops, building a house(s), cutting some trees, basically just using our muscles to get whatever job completed. So, in a sense, they were always working out. So when they needed to run somewhere, they were ready for the run, and they didn't need a constant running schedule to keep them going.

So I am going to vary my workouts more and see how I feel. I have been running mostly 3 miles almost everyday, and 6 miles on Tuesdays. I occasionally throw in some sprints during those runs, and my legs have been a little sore from that. I will still be barefoot, in my Invisible shoes, or in my Op Oxford lace-up sneakers that I wear a lot and find very comfortable (recent post about them). I have also grown fond of the Body Glove Riptide water shoe. They are very comfortable, and maybe a little loose. A smaller size would have good.

I may also be getting a pair of Soft Star Shoes, but I'm unsure as to what kind I want. I would like to get some nice Brown Dash Runamocs for work, but it's extra to get some brown ones. I may start of with the original Runamocs, then eventual get some other pairs. I want to get some with a leather sole so they are all made of leather and no rubber, but I'll just have to wait and hope money starts growing from my peach tree at home.

Minimalist shoes, I would like some please!

I recently post a pair of Body Glove Riptide water shoes or "Aqua socks" to try out when running through snow or mud. They are nice and wide so I will try them out and see if they are good for running, but I think they will be good just walk around in. They are a bit heavy so I know they won't be my primary running shoe. I am hoping to win a pair of Merrel Road Gloves from the Running and Rambling blog.

Running 2012

My goal for this year, RUN, RUN, RUN!
Maybe a Half Marathon or 2 or a 10k

Still running in huaraches. I've been looking for some running shoes to run in snow and mud. They're just so damn expensive! And I don't know if they'll be worth the money.

Running Through the Snow

We finally got our first big snow storm this past Monday, and it became my first experience running on a snow packed road. I wore my Invisible shoe sandals on this run. The temp must have been in the low 30s because that snow was still powdery and wasn't melting.

I went for a 3 miler. I started out fine. The cold air didn't bother me much, but whenever I'd go through some snow that hadn't been packed down by a car, my feet would get really cold and numb instantly. The slight burning from the numbness went away after running a little ways further. One thought kept going through my though, I kept think "Will I get frostbite?". I repeatedly looked down at my toes to see if they were getting black or if they were still attached. The 4 small toes on each foot were the main ones that felt the numbness, but the big toe was fine. Any snow that I went through would melt under my foot. So, most of the time I was running on wet rubber. I did not blister so my feet must have a nice thick tough layer of skin. I made it back home just fine.

I have recently started running during my lunch hour at work, because I get home when it's too dark. The elevation is around 6250 ft. (5500 ft. at home) for most of my route, and their is a lot more pavement, which is a new experience.The road has been wet due to the recent snow and I would run through this moist road and not get too many blisters when barefoot. It's nice when part of the road is dry, because that allows my feet to dry out before hitting the next patched of snow, ice, or wetness.

I also purchased some running shirts from Walmart that have been really helpful in keeping my core temperature up on my runs in the cold. They aren't too expensive and plan on getting more.

So far I can tolerate running in 30 degree weather and take pride on that.

The Barefoot Runner VIDEO

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