Barefoot running explained

Running barefoot on pavement? It sounds crazy doesn't it. I did it last week and survived.

As you may know, I've been recovering from a nasty, nagging plantar fasciitis injury in my right foot since last August. I haven't run regularly since after the Reggae Marathon last December.

Recently though I've tried a combination of barefoot and running shoes (Puma Faas 500) that has allowed me to run relatively pain-free. For the first time last Sunday I completed my first run entirely barefoot...and it was, well, good! While I won't go all the way and run barefoot all the time and in every circumstance, I am now firmly on the side of minimalist running shoes.

Thanks to George Colombo of Natural Stride Running and Dan Cumming of Running in the Zone for their support. Dan sent me this video that shows barefoot runner Mark Cucuzzella 'pounding the pavement'.



Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Just for fun running video

It's Wednesday afternoon, hump day of a short week. This video captured my mood and is why I don't run on treadmills.



Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

I've fallen...and I can get up!

"Never, ever give up!"

My Dad believed that until the day he died.  I believe it and I've done my best to share it with my sons.

This video caught my attention today.  It is truly inspiring:  when you fall...and you will...GET UP! Never ever give up.



Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

I've got a feeling...

Sally and I were sitting on the back deck this morning enjoying a Wasaga Morning!  Drinking coffee, looking at the sunrise and listening to the birds singing.  I was gearing up for a run on the beach.  She casually mentioned that she loved the Black Eyed Peas, "I've got a Feeling".

"Open the sunroof and crank up the stereo...Lively, catchy, positive, infectious!"

I couldn't agree more.  Guess what song was playing in my head when I went out for my run on the beach later that morning.



Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Time waits for no one

"Time waits for no one".

I found that saying on Steve Kings's web site this past weekend.  Here's the back story of the interesting connections that led to that discovery this past weekend.

From a comment left on a recent post on the Reggae Marathon blog I connected with Dan Cumming. He's the author of a book and blog, "Running in the Zone".  Dan's a runner and his book and blog are for 'seasoned runners'.  I liked the sound of that having crossed the 50 year old threshold myself.

I then checked out the web site of Dan's co-author Steve King who is also a runner.  The following really grabbed me.  After reading it I asked myself this question:  "If I'm not enjoying myself right now, what am I waiting for?"

To realise the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed an exam. 

To realise the value of one month;
Ask a Mother who has given birth to a premature baby. 

To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper. 

To realise the value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. 

To realise the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane. 

To realise the value of one second:
Ask the person who has survived an accident. 

To realise the value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympic Games. 

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when you share it with someone special.
Just remember - none of us will be leaving here alive, so reach for your potential.

Time waits for no one.

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Jamaica in my head

With just under 6 months to go until Reggae Marathon 2011, I'm starting to get ramped up again for the race in Negril this December.  The hot, humid weather we are currently experiencing in Southern Ontario feels great!

This cool video caught my attention this morning and the music is stuck in my head.  It's a flash mob scene from Union Square New York City called Jamaica in my Head from the Jamaica Tourist Board. 



Love it! 

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Here are a few of my...running...things

I had no idea running barefoot on the beach could feel so natural.  I haven't run barefoot since I was a kid tearing it up around my Grandparent's home in Kingston.  Yes non-believers, I ran as a kid...mostly bugging my cousins and sisters. 

Since I started running barefoot on the beach that shear joy of running has returned.  After all these years of running...and the last 4 months off...I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to re-start.  The beach did the job.  I'm only up to running once a week and for really short distances so far but I  love it.

I shot this video last weekend because it captured 3 of my favorite things:  Beach, Puma's and Reggae Marathon.



Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy