Monday, April 12, 2010

Sweet ass barefoot run, Road ID, Nathan handheld and GU

My time management was terrible since I was gone all day but I went out for a run anyways.  Thank you Jaymon for watching the kids. I know they have been stressful today but it was a wonderful gift of time that you gave me!

  I ran 10 miles in 1 hour 45 minutes and it was my hill route.  Its up and down the whole way and it was great!  This is my best time so far on this route after having gone barefoot.  Its been a work in progress to get my form right.
I love the hills. I feel like my form is spot on going up. Downhill, not so much.  Today though, was so sweet!  I let go and let the hills draw me down instead of holding back. What a blast that is!  Going up hill is easy if you imagine that you are running through snow. Your feet go up and down  with a bit of a high step and you lean forward at the ankle for momentum  using gravity as your friend yet keep your core strong and back straight.

My  core is so  much stronger now and I am only in the 2nd week of P90X. My hip flexors are getting stronger as well. I could feel the ease of lifting my feet off the ground and placing them down again at a faster speed which is crucial in barefoot running.  Cadence is key.
Often times in barefoot running,  imagery helps with form. I love how going downhill I hunker down and just move the feet really fast. Quick steps with hardly any time on the ground at all.
The yoga from last night made me sore enough that today I was able to get in touch with my muscles very easily. I could feel my glutes and hamstrings and my obliques even. My soles are tender but no blisters. The sand from winter kind of irritates but it was fun to cuss out loud and then be done with it.

I wore my Road ID.  I love the color and now that I cut it down to fit snugly I didn't even notice it was there.
 I have the Wrist ID Elite. Its a nice soft rubber. The last time it slid up and down on my wrist and it was distracting  however today I would glance down and see it and think "oh, sweet color!".  
 I have these awful visions of some texting driver taking me out and it does give me a measure of comfort to know that I would be identified quickly with my ID on. Sam, my oldest son, has a dog tag style Fixx ID Road ID as well and he wears it all the time.

  I wore my super cute Old Navy running skort and it is so comfortable. I always feel sexy in a running skirt. Its kind of risqué that my business is right there but I am safely covered up even though I am in a skirt.  The sun and breeze on my legs felt fantastic.  Its my new favorite piece of clothing to wear all the time! I am definitely going back for the pink one. Wish they had blue since thats my color but ah well.

   I carried my Nathan handheld water bottle with some nuun in it for the first time.  I have the quickdraw elite and it is pretty sweet.  I had my phone and a GU stashed in it. The only thing I don't like about my Old  Navy skort is that it doesn't have any pockets but the handheld bottle made up for it. I thought it would be annoying yet after I got warmed up and zoned out I forgot I was even holding it. I don't even have to hold it. The hand strap keeps it on.  Its soft and does not chafe. I did notice that my hand got pretty sweaty. Other than that it rocked.
  I do wish that I could find an energy solution that was more natural but I must say that GU is pretty wonderful stuff and it is gluten free!  I ate a Chocolate Outrage and it was heaven!  I thought how cool it was that I was eating a chocolate treat at the  2/3 mark of my run.  It gave me the pep I needed to finish strong.

  It seems strange to go from thinking I need certain things in order to run. I ditched it all and even the shoes which was the best thing I could have chosen to do. I reconnected with what running is and why I do it.
Without the shoes and my newfound "less is more" outlook I was able to train better, longer and even PR twice last season after ditching the shoes.
  Now I am trying things in moderation and evaluating whether or not I "need" it.
So far the things I have tried have made my running better over all.  My legs feel pretty good right now in my recovery socks and it has been a blast to try new things and write about it here!  Give some of it away too!

Here's to kick ass runs,  discovering new things and even better, the said better things, enhance the quality of life.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't doubt that with everyone jumping on the "green" and "natural" bandwagons that we'll soon see some all-natural fueling options.

Julie said...

Hi Angie,
It sounds like you had a great ten miler!! Yea!! I love wearing my running skirt too:) I didn't know that Old Navy had workout clothes...I will have to go check it out. Have a wonderful day Angie!

Teamarcia said...

Nice run! The issue with skirts and pockets (I've found) is sometimes when you put stuff in them the skirt pulls down.

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Sounds like an awesome run. I just ordered that roadID and the hubby uses that handheld. He loves it! Have a good day!

Ewa said...

I like hills more than flat runs but I am not very good at running downhill. I am actually afraid to speed up. I have the same problem on the bike so maybe this has something to do with my sense of balance.
I still cannot run but maybe I'll put my running skirt on and go for a walk. Whoever invented those deserves a big pat on their back.

RunToTheFinish said...

only 8 of us wrote poems, how sad..I mean mine was awful but so what!

I have started running in Nike Free's as a transition to barefoot and I've been suprised at how good it feels

Momma Twitch said...

Isn't the Road ID great?! I have the same one (different color) and I LOVE it!

I never knew Old Navy had any running gear, I'll have to check into that. Thanks for the tip! :)

Michael Shane Helton said...

Are you sure that you want to post that pic of your road ID (phone numbers and such?).

Gratz on the fun running day.

AM! said...

glad you got a long run! that's the best form of therapy i find.

and i love running skirts too, didn't know old navy had em though....will check it out

have a great day!

Anonymous said...

I totally missed out on entering the giveaway in time... but wanted to let you know I am following your blog now!

I would very much like to invest in a Road ID as well :)

misszippy said...

Sounds like a great run. I like your road ID color too. Never thought about having to worry about GU and such being gluten (or anything free), so glad you found something that works for you.

KC (my 140 point 6 mile journey) said...

wow! I'm loving that blue roadid! very sharp! great job on your 10 miler. have you ever stepped on glass or something that hurt your foot? that's one of my fears. just curious.

Unknown said...

I have had a couple little slivers of glass that were annoying and I just got them out with tweezers. Surprisingly enough, the roads are cleaner than you would think and most all things there are to step on are avoidable. With a light step and springy joints its easy to avoid objects.
I have stepped on worse in my own house with 4 boys. Those dino toys hurt in the middle of the night!!
I don't run in grass. You can't see hidden dangers. I stepped on a snake in the grass once. Just a garder but freaked me out and I like snakes!!
A good hard surface is best to learn on as it encourages good form. There is nothing like finding shady spots when its hot out or better yet puddles after or during a rain!!

Tricia said...

great gear!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Great long run! When it all falls together it reminds us why we love this sport!

WE need pictures of you rocking that running skirt! woohoo

I haven't started wearing my Road ID yet. It is a snazzy yellow. I love it!

ShellBell said...

I love runs like that. I'll have to go check out Old Navy in person to see if they have my size. You can't beat that price!

Keri said...

Pretty Dorky, but you're built like a brick shit house! My votes for you. Keri (a.k.a. Sam)

The Boring Runner said...

I LOVE my nathan handheld. Anything over 6 miles and I'm carrying that thing.

I'm soooo close to getting a road ID. I really need to break down and get one.

I hope you win the vote!

Jeanette said...

The GU - Vanilla Bean is very good too.

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