I'm going barefoot.....maybe?

So after reading Born To Run a few months ago and attempting to be an "in the know" runner I've been interested in all the minimalist and barefoot running buzz. Can it truly cure runners knee? Because after weeks of physical therapy during my marathon training, I still couldn't walk right for a few days following the Bayshore. So is running barefoot (or in minimalist shoes) truly going to cure all my running aliments? In January I even attended a Good Form Running class, which helped me determine I heel-strike; however, the difficult part was correcting the form. Since it was winter at the time I would run on the treadmill, which was prefect time to run barefoot. Although I didn't feel that my running form was changing significantly during my barefoot treadmill runs. However, I'm still fully committed to improving my running form...a perfectly healthy 25-year old should be able to run & run & run & run without any knee pain whatsoever.

Of course, I'd seen, read and heard about the Vibram FiveFingers; however, there was no way I was going to commit to the shoes (which are not cheap) without knowing whether barefoot/minimalist shoes were for me. Over the past several months I've decided the Merrell Pace Glove would be the perfect mesh for me, designed with minimal support and sole, but still lace up similar to a "traditional" running shoe. So they combine what I'm interested in with FiveFingers with my "traditional" running shoe (Mizuno Wave Alchemys)? We will see, I'm planning to finally purchase a pair in the short-term future and put them to the test. Obviously going through the appropriate wear-in/break-in phase. Can they cure my runner's knee and put me on track for half marathons in the fall or the Green Bay marathon next year.....or sometime in the future. Bring it.

Cool Things In GR

Since I've lived in GR (Grand Rapids for those non-Michiganders) for 9-months now, I'm almost an official Grand Rapidian (yes, that is a real term). I've noticed Grand Rapids tries really hard to be really cool, and since I'm really nerdy, it is cool enough for me. There a few things I strongly believe GR has going for it: several colleges in town, several large medical facilities, close proximity to Lake Michigan, good restaurants, several trails for hiking, running, walking, cycling, etc., summer festivals, and because of that there is a relatively large population of outdoor enthusiasts, compared to other Michigan cities. Note: we are not comparing ourselves to Denver, California or other typically uber-outdoorsy locations; only other Michigan cities.

What are my favorite things about GR? Several items listed above.....trails, relatively dog-friendly (at least my neighborhood), good shopping (mix of typical chain stores and local boutiques), and a solid base for runners (driven by places like Gazelle's and Metro Health).

So what made me attribute a whole blog to my love of GR....well that solid base of runners decided to organize a fundraiser for Joplin, MO - which I think is awesome. Instead of collecting registration fees, everything will be donated to Joplin's local United Way. So on June 26, hopefully a huge group of people will be ready to run, walk and raise money for Joplin, which doesn't get any better.

This race alone could be a reason people in Grand Rapids are cool. Of course, this won't be the only city organizing a Benefit for Boomtown, but I'm very happy to live in town with one.

26.2

My oh my, its been such a long time blog. Now that I have no followers I can write whatever I want knowing that it is highly unlikely to be read by anyone.

Then I can officially announce on my blog I am running my first marathon in 6 days.....6 DAYS! While almost anyone I'm close with knew about this day a long time ago.....I didn't share it with the greater world.

I've been registered for the marathon since December 6, 2010. I've been training since November 2010 and officially since January. Why did I decide to register? Another bucket list item that will hopefully be completed next Saturday morning/early afternoon. This year I turned 25....which means, I am getting old.....now I have to round up to 30......I'm in the box marked 25-29.....I'm not getting any younger so it would only get more difficult to run a marathon with age.

I ran all winter (often outdoors) in my thermal gear and spike tracks for my shoes and now summer is quickly approaching and I'm crossing my fingers for cooler weather next weekend.

Do I have a goal time? Hell no.....unlike some of my runner friends, I'm simply a person who pretends to be a runner....a wanna be runner. Therefore, my goal is simply to finish under 6 hours....why 6 hours, well the finish line closes at 6 hours, and I want that damn finishers medal.

The course (Traverse City Bayshore) is supposed to be flat & fast - therefore I fully expect to be the last person to finish. Maybe I should have picked a race that wasn't a speed marathon? Oh well, this one fit my time requirements - close to my 25th birthday. The Kalamazoo Marathon wasn't announced yet, so that one didn't work. Of course, I only recently learned about the Green Bay Marathon, which yes, means if I survive this race in 6 days, I'll be considering the Green Bay Marathon at some point in my life.

Another question I've been asked recently: Are you prepared? Dumb question, let's see no I just figured I could run 26.2 miles after sitting on my ass all winter. DUH! No, I've been running all fall, winter and spring. Easily completing my first 1/2 marathon, a 25K, and a few other races along the way. My longest run-to-date....20 miles.....only a 10K more would complete the marathon.

And how am I feeling? One word, nervous. Why? I expect myself to finish, my family expects me to finish (hell, they are waking up at 5 AM next Saturday to come spend 6 hours watching me run), people know I'm running this race and think I can finish, the lady who sold me my new running shoes in January at Gazelles gave me that look like no way, honey - and of course, I must prove her wrong, all the weeks I went to PT to build up my knee strength better pay off for something. Therefore, failure is not an option. Its 26.2 or bust.

My reward when I finish? Well, when I originally registered it was getting my registration fees back from Ryan....however, with all the money I've spent on gear, other race fees, etc. It's kind of a moot point now. My real reward is the 26.2 car magnet that will be prominently placed on the back of my Prius....or the fact that proving if you push yourself, you can do things you never imagined possible......

6 days.