Well over a year ago I ran barefoot for the first time…

I can’t remember the exact day, and I didn’t write about it (that I can find, but remember this blog has been scrubbed of all things Running Room, so there may have been a mention in one of those posts).

Regardless. I thought it was the Book ‘Born to Run’ that stoked my barefoot fire, but it wasn’t. The book just stoked my fire to run. You know. Running in general. You know how I know that? because of this.

Friday, March 26, 2010 I just finished… … the book ‘Born to Run’ By Christopher McDougall. If you haven’t read it… do. I wish it hadn’t ended. It made me appreciate running in a way I hadn’t ever before. Even before I finished the book, when I was only part way through, I found myself liking running more and more. Lots of my running friends tell me (and I used to say this as well) ‘I most like the feeling of satisfaction I get at the end of a run’. While reading this book, I found myself enjoying the act of running more and more. My run last Wednesday, which I hope is a sign of things to come, was my most enjoyable run ever. I concentrated on running ‘easy’ and ‘light’, as the books reluctant hero Cabello Blanco (White Horse) puts it, and it really was just that. For me, it doesn’t mean there isn’t effort, as there is still lots of effort, it’s just that my mind tells me that what I am doing is good and honest and I am free to be myself. This alone makes the effort seem easier and lighter, if not incredibly worth it. So now, at the end of a run, I am pretty sure I am satisfied at the effort and all the things it is doing for me health and mindwise, but I am at least as much sad that the run is over. I am incredibly far from ever being an elite athlete of any kind, but this thing (running) is just getting started for me. I was a passionate runner before reading this book, but it sort of gave me permission to really love it. Thanks Mr. McDougall for a great book! It doesn’t matter if you are old or young, big or small… Let’s go for RUN!!! *woot*

I think it was actually Barefoot Josh that peaked my interest. I was reading Running Down when I came across this crazy and funny barefoot dude in North Cackakalacky that shucked his shoes, and he wrote about it in a way that made sense.

So, well over a year later, Thanks Josh! I will be running my 4th barefoot half marathon this weekend at the Red Deer Marathon, and I couldn’t be happier!

BondiBand, Ryders and YurBuds…

So I’ll start at the top and work my way down. This is a series of posts on the gear and fuel I use to run…

BondiBand website
BondiBand Facebook

I sometimes feel a little ladylike in my fascination toward the good ‘ol headband. I bought my first couple of BondiBands at the Calgary Marathon Expo in 2010 and now I have a whole stable of them. I actually think I look pretty cool in them, but the best part is the fact that I NEVER have sweat in my eyes anymore and I am salty dog to be sure.

You get the picture. For $8.00 each, you really can’t go wrong. The do what they say. Stay in place and wick moisture away. I think I look like a very stylish boy runner in them. Especially the ones with the Oriental letters. They may say “you suck at running” but I don’t care, they look cool.

Ryders Website
Ryders Facebook

I think I received my first pair of Ryders about a year ago too. In fact I am sure it was a year ago. I was sent a pair of Hex Ryders to try after I asked for a pair for a contest giveaway. Ok, so a year later and they have a couple scratches on them, but to be honest I have beat the shit out of them. Bottom of the Gym bag, from the car dash to the car seat to the car floor. In my jeans pocket. They are still in good shape, but for the price I went ahead I got myself another pair…

I totally think I could rock these AWOLS…

Or maybe not… These didn’t do me any favors… good thing they have TONS of styles…

You know why that’s ok? Because they are $35.00. The optics are great, they are light and they don’t fog up any sooner than my $200.00 oakleys in –35c weather. So they are scratched. Now what? Um, set them off to the side as an emergency pair and get myself a pair of Ryder Drills. So good. $35.00 and I wear them every day. Running, to work, just hangin. They just work.

Yurbuds Website
Yurbuds Facebook

I don’t run that often with music. I am chatty charlie on the run. It’s sort of a condition of employment when you run without your shoes, that you are available for all the witty retorts needed when hearing all the ‘fun’ comments from the peanut gallery. “hey, you lost your shoes”… “Yeah, the guy who stole them is just up here, c’mon let’s get him!” .. hardeeharharhar.

The biggest reason I didn’t run at all with music is I hated earphones. I tried at least 4 different styles and just couldn’t get any to work. When I received my Yurbuds, I was amazed at how they were comfortable right away. I went on a 10k training run, with music (actually, I listen to dirty podcasts on the run now) and was pleasantly surprised that I never reached up once to adjust them. Good stuff. Sound quality is not compromised at all either.

There are times since that I have ‘hooked’ my headphone cord and the yurbud held fast! No annoying ripouts on the run! They really work that good. I have heard that over time they somehow lose their effective holding power. I am sure like any well used piece of running equipment, they will need to be replaced from time to time. For about $30.00 you get the custom fit, waterproof covers and a set of earbuds. Can’t go wrong with that can you? I was a little disappointed in the Laptop size box they showed up in, but otherwise have no complaints. My wife always said I have small ears, and you know what they say about small ears….

Small Yurbuds… what were you thinking? I am a size 6 Yurbud btw…

Next time:

GU, Nipguards and BodyGlide… Bet you can’t wait…

K-Swiss from Planet Gear…

Of course I am going to be attracted to a Website called Planet Gear, that caters to the outdoor enthusiast, that sells products at a significant discount.

Of Course! ;0)

(I think that is the first time I have ever used a smiley face in one of my blog posts. Slap me if I ever do it again)

Anyway….

Tawnee from PlanetGear.com contacted me and wondered if I could write a quick shout-out to the internet. She asked me If I could share a quick post about the K-Swiss Deal. I said SURE, and thanks for asking!

First, here is a little about PlanetGear.com

We offer sales on top outdoor-gear, apparel, and travel destinations at up to 70% off retail. Every week we have new discounts and new opportunities to save.

More importantly, we hope to inspire people to get up and get out. Working here for only a month, my boss lets me take breaks to walk the office dog. We want people to find comfort and peace with themselves. Also, we are making huge efforts to help this world and the environment we live in. (let me know if you want me to elaborate on that!)

Sounds pretty cool! Makes my job seem pretty bland….

The Deal for the K-Swiss product starts this Tuesday. For your most up-to date info I would follow them on Facebook, but here are the deets in case you don’t ‘like’ to like. Also, Here is K-Swiss Facebook too. Oh, while you are FBing, here is mine too!

 Starting Tuesday, May 17th  Planet Gear is going to sell shoes and apparel from K-Swiss at huge discounts. 

Speaking of Jillian Michaels. (how’d you like that segway?) I would let Jillian Michaels work me out… I’m just sayin. Did you know it’s her last season on Biggest Loser? Maybe Steven Tyler would like to step in for her…

To be honest, I am probably more interested in this kind of thing….

FWIW, I wasn’t paid or given anything to get me to promote PlanetGear.com, I just dig the way they are going about their business and taking care of the earth at the same time…

Here is their mission. Pretty cool.

We believe in the outdoors.
Fresh air. Fresh tracks. Warm sand. Starry skies. Drifting snow. Lazy rivers. The places we go to renew our spirits and find inspiration.
We believe in gear.
Warm fleece jackets, stretchy yoga wear, energy bars/beans/drinks, bells for our beach cruisers… the things that bring the spark to our lives outdoors.
We believe in exploring.
Inspiring destinations, travel blogs, dreamy landscapes. Experiences that create sweet, unforgettable memories.
We believe in giving back.
Clean air, clear water, healthy living. To preserve our world, we donate to grassroots environmental groups through 1% for the Planet.
We believe in sharing.
We work with the best brands in the outdoor and active lifestyle communities to get exclusive deals on gear, apparel and travel.

I think altogether we believe that there shouldn't be anything keeping our members from enjoying life and the outdoors. We want to allow people to save their money on gear and apparel and be able to travel, afford adventures, etc.

I’m totally down with that…

I never knew what I didn’t know…

… but now I know that I don’t know what I don’t know and I’m better off. The stuff I use to run has become more about my comfort and the fun of running, much more than a MUST have to be ABLE to run.

Does that make any sense? …ok then. I’ll put it to you this way.

I am not dependant on my gear to be able to run. Anymore.

It all started when I started running. I went into the Running Room in South Calgary and spent $800.00 on a pile of technical gear. Then over the next couple months, I spent an additional $1000.00 on gear and gadgets. I then proceeded to look down my nose at those who didn’t have the latest/ greatest in stuff.

You don’t have a Quadraphonic Blaupunkt?! How on earth do you even get off the couch?
You don’t eat Aguara Pronectar gels slots?! Man, you must crash and burn as soon as you start…
You wear cotton ginch? man, you must love to chafe…

I dunno. It’s pretty easy to get caught up in the hype over running swag. I did(do). I know now though, that I can throw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and go for a run. I do it more and more and I actually get a kick out of a completely unsupported run (especially barefoot). I feel light, free and unencumbered.

All that said, I LOVE running gear. It’s different now though. It’s not ever a NEED, but now it’s purely for comfort and convenience. Sure longer runs seem to require support, but I know plenty of runners who go as far as I have ever ran on a small hand held bottle of water and nothing else. I know most of what gear and nutrition I use and like on my runs is all about my own wants, I have come to enjoy my gear, but not need it.

So. I can run simple and encumbered, I know that because I have done it. But…

… I really dig running gear.

I know now that I REALLY dig running gear. I have purchased a TON of running stuff in the past, but I have been very fortunate that my running, and especially my writing about running has enabled me to try some cool stuff that I probably wouldn’t have tried if I didn’t write about my running.

Stuff I really like and use now, and will write about more in depth in the near future include:

• Bondiband
• Yurbuds
• RoadID
• GU
• Garmin
• Nathan
• Merrell
• Vibram 5 Fingers
• Injinji
• Pearl Izumi
• Ryders Eyewear
• BodyGlide
• Peanut Butter and Jam
• Nipguards
• CEP Compression
• Impact Magazine

All this adds up to happy ME!

Choose your attitude. Re-post from 15 months and 200 followers ago

“The last of the human freedoms - tochoose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.”

Viktor Frankl (1905–1997) Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist

If you go to the gym, or take up running, or start an art class, you made the decision to be there. No one forced you and no one really cares if you quit. Make an honest effort and do it for yourself and you’ll never be disappointed.

It’s Tuesday February 9, 2010 and it’s a great day for a run. Get out there!

How does your thought process change now that you are a blogger?

Kate and I are having a short conversation at FB about our mindset as bloggers.

I tend to shoot pictures first, clean up later. Even when there is blood. I wrote about this photo here.

Does your view of the world change, knowing that you are going to write about it on the internet? What’s the CRAZIest thing you have ever photographed, for the purpose of blogging? Did it put life or limb at risk?

HI Hostels Kananaskis-100 Mile Relay 2011, June 25th

I am stoked. Really stoked.

Clint FB messaged me today and said that we got in! There are 180 teams max in this race and about 250 entries. You can get in automatically by raising a pile of money, and the rest of the spots are given out via lottery.

We are in! Oh btw,  I have never met any of my team.

Just like many of you that I have only corresponded with over the magical information box I talk with my fingers on, I met Clint on (of all places) the Running Room forum. Clint and I exchanged a couple comments regarding the Calgary Half marathon and then we friended on FB and sort of exchanged comments there for a while. We are dating now and are looking for a place to get a baby tend to exchange witty comments from time to time and have kind of been following each others running ‘careers’.

A while ago he asked if I wanted to join his team. He said they weren’t looking for speed, just a warm body, so I naturally said ‘As long as you aren’t looking for speed’.

The race is described on their website like this,

A 100 mile relay through the peaks and valleys of K-Country!
The 100 mile course begins among the rolling hills of Longview in south western Alberta.

At 6:00 a.m. the first heat of leg one runners will make their way along highway 541 towards the majestic Rocky Mountains. The course traverses the Highwood Pass on the highest paved highway in Canada and takes you into the Kananaskis Valley. Leg nine and ten runners will travel cross-country to finish at Nakiska, the site of the alpine events of the XV Olympic Winter Games

Here is the whole overview of the K-100 course. Teams get 14 hours to complete the 100  miles with forced starts for slower teams on a couple legs to makes sure everyone comes in in daylight. The race is run over the highest paved road in Canada and has a full 1000meters ( 3280 ft) of elevation gain with a starting elevation of 1240m (4068 ft) above sea level. So yeah. The air starts thin and gets thinner.

Clint tells me we need 4 more teammates. Do you want to play? Yeah? ok, here’s what we’ll do. We will pick you for our team based on random and arbitrary reasons that may change over and over. We are in the Open division, so Boyz and Girlz are welcome to try-out.

To better your chances you:

1. Are really witty,
2. Are really fast,
3. Come with sponsorship money (we would love to cover the $775.00 entry fee and van rental)

What do you think? Sound like fun?

Either comment here or email me at nzeller (at) shaw (dot) ca

Also, go follow SUAR, tell her I sent you. Just do it.