Merrell trail glove

My feet have become confused with all of the back and forth with different styles in shoes.

"Make up your mind. Are you going to commit to the barefoot movement or what?!" Is what they've been screaming at me since I've been running my my five fingers and than wearing chaco sandals the rest of the time.

The merrrell trail gloves recently hit the market and offer the same barefoot feel as the vibram fivefingers just without the separate toe slots. The shoe has a very wide toe box to allow your toes to splice.

I plan on using the Merrell trail glove as my full-time shoe to help maintain proper foot strength while I am not in my VFF's.

So far so good!

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"Thank you, please NEVER come again!"

During the summer time in the Northeast heat isn't the 'killer' for runners, humidity is.  It seems like 30 seconds into any run one is drenched with sweat!  I makes it very difficult for one to stay hydrated!  In order to balance out the humidity and heat I do most of my running after 10PM and it usually does the trick and I never get too over heated on de-hydrated.

I went out for a midnight run last summer on what seemed to be the hottest day EVER!  I might as well have been running at high noon with the sun beating down on me.  At least I'de be getting some sun!  I'm not usually 'that guy' who runs without a shirt but this night I didn't want to deal with a sweat drenched shirt so I went without. I do have to admit I felt a bit 'douchie' running around with no shirt, small little running shorts, headlamp, and a reflective vest.  the reflective vest that I use isn't the normal mesh material that fits loosely.  Its better described as reflective straps...thick bands of elastic reflective straps that criss-cross your back and chest and buckles in the middle (kinda like He-man's 'get up').  I looked like a cross between he-man and Richards Simmons!  Needless to say, I'm glad it was at night and no one could see who I was.

It was nearing one in the morning and I ran out of water three miles back...I was drenched from head to toe and was starting to feel de-hydrated and woozy.  I still had three or four miles to go before I was home and I needed to get some water in my mouth!  Where?  I passed a few bars and decided that I wasn't going to stop!  I didn't want to deal with them.  All the fast food restaurants were closed.  I was beginning to think about pulling the plug and send for back-up.  Considering the time of night I pulled through.  "Whats that in the distance?  I think I see a.  Wait, is that a?  Yes, a 7-11!!"

(Keep in mind my outfit)

I entered in the 7-11 dripping sweat all over the floor, my headlamp was shining at the cashiers face, I had red blinking lights all over, and my music was blaring and I couldn't hear a thing.  After I realized I scared the living day lights out of the cashier I quickly removed my headlamp, unplugged my ears from the blaring music.  The cashier had a look of shock on his face.  Not to stereo type but he fit the job description very well....turban, beard, couldn't smile, ETC.  I slurred to him 'ive been running for 10 miles and I've run out of water can I fill up my bottle?  I don't have any money"  He replied "uhhh, hurry, please!"  I thanked him and shuffled to the Coke Machine that had a cold water faucet.  I filled up one bottle and quickly chugged it down, and then and second, third...I had a large puddle around me by the time I had chugged three bottles of water.  He was staring at me the entire time with a stern look on his face.  He finally yelled "Enough!  You have to go!  Now I have to mop the floor!"

I quickly filled up and went on my way. 

As I ran home I couldn't help but smile about the whole situation.  "what was that guy thinking?"  "I'm glad he didn't have a shot gun!" 

A lesson learned to bring more water!

"Thank you, please NEVER come again"

Paparazzi

I was sitting down at the rockaway mall children's play place area watching Eva (my daughter) play. It seemed that every 'soccer mom' of morris county there with me. One of the said 'soccer moms' got up from across the play place and stood facing toward me with her phone flipped open...it appeared she was texting or reading an email...until her FLASH went off! She took a picture of my vibram five fingers! The worst part about it is that she played it off like she didn't even do it. In not sure she realized that the flash went off and that I knew.

Next time just ask! I would've posed!

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Caution: Moose crossing

During marathon training one day out of the week is dedicated to cross training.  Before I started running I spent as much time as I could on my mountain bike, so naturally biking would be my choice for my cross training work outs (when I did it).

I had been training for about two months and was really enjoying myself.  Everyday I had my routine and was very anal about planning out my runs and pushing myself to run EVERY mile that the training program said I was supposed to run.  I ran when I was supposed to run and rested when they wanted me to rest.  However, I was having a difficult time with my one day of cross-training.  I was having a hard time finding the energy at the end of the week to dedicate to something other than running.

It came to the point that I had enough of myself not giving 100% I felt like I was selling myself short.  After much self reflecting I decided to give the same dedication to my cross-training.

In order to have a successful training week I planned everything out so I could get a nice long bike ride for Sunday 'Cross-Training Day'.  I drove to work on Saturday and parked the car for the night so  I could run home (roughly 12 miles).  My plan was to go for a 20+ mile bike ride and pick my vehicle up when my ride was over.  Sunday arrived and I got my things together for my ride-sunglasses (check), bike jersey (check), riding shorts (check), bike shoes (check), bike pump/patch kit (check)  Helmet 'uh oh'...wheres my helmet?  DAMN!  I left it in my vehicle at work...'Ive never fell on my bike' or 'ok, I'll ride slowly to work to pick up my helmet and continue a long from there' was my thought process...everything will be fine, right?

Off to work I went....

I was very cautious while I was riding.  I double checked before I turned, stopped at every stop sign, and stopped at every red light...I even took an alternate route to avoid major roads.  I was getting closer to work and my speed started to pick up as I became a more familiar with the terrain and a little more confident with riding without my helmet. 

I was going full speed and needed to get to the other side of the road.  I looked over my left shoulder and saw a brand new blue MMercedes Benz E-class.  I remembered seeing the car sitting at a red light on the opposite side of the road before I turned onto the road I was currently riding on.  The Benz's light had just turned green and it began to accelerate...I thought I had enough room to safely cross the road...I thought wrong.  I quickly turned left only to be struck by said Mercedes Benz.

I flew about 6 feet in the air.  I cant describe how or what I felt as i was in the air.  I knew that I wasn't wearing a helmet and I feared the worst...'The two most important things to me are at home right now...I'm not ready to leave them" Is the first thing I thought.  I tried as best as I could not to fall on my head and fortunately succeeded!  I landed right on my hip...OUCH!  An older couple exited the vehicle and both had looks of devastation on their faces  "Oh my Gosh, are you okay?!".  Full of adrenaline I quickly shot  up and yelled 'I didn't hit my head, I'm okay, I didn't hit my head!'...I looked at their car and it looked like they had just struck a moose...shattered windshield, broken side view mirror, and dented passenger door!  After 3 or 4 minutes the adrenaline began to ware off and I began to feel excruciating pain and nausia...maybe I'm not okay...'I think i need to lay down before I throw up' is what I told the older couple.  I wobbled off the the side of the road and laid in the grass and an ambulance was summoned for.  I was able to foster enough energy into grabbing my cell phone and call Rachel at home.  "Hey, hows your ride going?"  is what she said when she picked up the phone "I got hit by a car and I'm waiting for the ambulance" "What, are you joking?" was  her response "No, I gotta go" and I hung up...obviously I wasn't thinking right!  It took about 2-3 minutes for me to realize that I should call Rachel again and explain to her that I was "OK" and that an ambulance was on its way.

I was picked up by the 'Morristown minutemen' and they took me to the hospital.  I was so afraid that I had fractured my hip and that my training was over.  Its all I could think about!  Was I going to be able to run?

I arrived at the ER and they took me right in for X-Rays.  The Doctor came in after the X-rays were taken and had me 'drop trow' so that he could asses any possible external damage "Well, you can definitely tell what cheek you landed on." is what he said  "oh great, a wise guy...doesn't he know what I'm going through?" It was a very quick look over and he left until the results were ready.  He returned with some great news!  "Well, it looks like you just have a bruised ass".  It was the best news I heard all day!

I took about a week off of work and running until I felt 100%.

I continued my cross training just not on a bike.  Hiking and trail  running is more up my alley.

I learned a valuable lesson that day.  Always wear a helmet!  And always tell someone where you will be riding or running and always wear your RoadID!! http://www.roadid.com/

On the go!

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Right Of Passage

I submerged myself into long distance running so quickly that I didnt know when I could officially call myself a runner.  My thought process was that I was among the elite of all athletes and I didnt want to just assume I was one of 'them'.  Was I supposed to wait for one of them to knight me?  When would I be ready to categorize myself as a runner, if ever?

I knew one thing...that I wanted the title...To be called something other than Scott, Dad, Husband, ETC.  I knew that once I had the title that life would be pure bliss and I would have a feeling  of belonging.

My time came unexpectidlely...

It all started with a craving for pizza while I was at work...I couldnt resist the urge to oder out (if you've had NJ pizza you would understand).  I ordered a large buffalo chicken style pizza from 'Mr. Brunos pizza'...when it finally had arrived my mouth was watering and the smell of buffalo chicken was in the air....TO THE BREAK ROOM!!  I sat down and opened up the box with every intention eating one or two slices and saving the rest for the next few meals.  One slice led to two and two to three and so forth...I COULDNT STOP!  It tasted so good!  I justified in my head using the excuse 'im training for a marathon I need the energy' or 'i'll just burn it off'.  After all, I was running home so I could get my 12 mile mandatory run in for the day and I was also averaging about 50 miles a week...whats one pizza?

The day went on and the entire pizza I consumed was soon forgotten about and the day came to an end.

I put on all my running gear...lights, reflective vest, head lamps, iPod, running waste pack (not fanny pack!).  I locked up the doors to the store and headed for home.  Because I was running more than 10 miles I started off fairly slow to get warmed up.  Three miles into the run I fealt my stomach turning...'uh oh' I thought to myself...I adjusted my my stride to allow proper 'cheeck squeezage' and I continued my run.  I ran like this for another two miles...My stomach was not happy and it wanted to get rid of monstrosity of a pizza that I had consumed several hours earlier.  I was now five miles into my run and had no choice but to 'let it all out'.
A long set of train tracks crossed over the road I was currently 'wobbling' on.  I turned quickly onto the tracks unstrapping all of my gear...I flung my running pack 10 feet in one direction, vest in the other and then 'AHHHH'...I will spare you anymore details.  I sat in the dark along side a rail road track with my running shorts around my ankles and my headphone cord dangling without an iPod attached (iPod in said 'flunged' running pack).  I began to look side to side with my headlamp looking for anything I could use 'make myself decent' so that I could continue my run.  Nothing, damn!  Not even a single shrubbery or a leaf!  I couldnt have picked a worse spot to squat!  I had no other choice but to continue my way home.  I reluctantly pulled my shorts up and started running.  Eventually I found the right stride and forgot about what had just happened.

I made it home and quickly hit the shower.  In the shower I had an epiphany or a vision of some sort.  It came to me as clear as day.  Was the 'train track incident' my right of passage as a runner?  Could it be?  Yes, Yes it was!  I could now officially refer to myself as a runner.  I am now part of the elite...suddenly we dont sound so elite.  What I have really come to realize is that runners are just a bunch of crazys peeing on peoples lawns and pooping on train tracks and anyone can become one.  Elites or everyone...either way im still happy to call myself a runner.

I will also add that whenever I go out for a 10+ mile run I bring baby wipes!

Ignorance is Bliss?

After returning to work after my 8 mile run and shared my recent running experience they were all shocked and overall concerned.  "Scott, you are running too much too soon"  "Scott, your feet aren't ready for 5 fingers" "Scott, your going to hurt yourself."

Each of them expressed valid concerns but I didn't care.  I was on a high and no one was going to bring me down from cloud 9!

I continued running in my VFF's but made a deal with my boss that I would start a marathon training program that involved a gradual increase of miles over an 18 week period of time.  At least this way I assuring them that I was thankful for their valid concerns and was willing to pull back a little and go slower...also, it was a way for me to get them off my back a little and stop busting my chops for my shoes!  My boss also said that if i stuck with the program that she would pay for all my registration fee's for the Philadelphia Marathon!  At the time I don't even think that I knew that a marathon was 26.2 miles!  I took the challenge and printed a calendar that told me how many miles I needed to run each day.  At the end of the 18 weeks I would have ran more than 750 miles total!

I didn't know anything about barefoot running at the time.  I had no idea what I was putting my foot through.  If pain was felt it was ignored, if my foot said stop I said go.  I being stubborn...nothing was going to stop me from running my VFF's!    Suddenly it wasn't so blissful when I ran...my mind wasn't able to wonder freely when I was out.  Instead it was focused on the pains that weren't present just a few weeks earlier.  I pushed on.  Stubborn as a bulldog.  What was i trying to prove?  Did I think I was the first overweight guy to run long distances in VFF's...maybe? 

By the end of the week 15 (less than a month from race day) I was feeling an excruciating pain over the top of my right foot.  Stress fracture?  I went to the Doctors office for an x-ray.  Please, Lord, don't be broken was the prayer I had in my heart.  The Doctor came into the office with the lab results and informed me that my foot was not broken but I had to 'hang up my shoes' for atleast 2-3 weeks.  2-3 weeks!  Is this guy crazy?  Doesnt he know that I have an agenda here?  Doesnt he know that im an aspiring marathoner?  Doesnt he know im a barefoot runner?  Doesnt he know that barefoot runners are hardcore? 

I swallowed my pride and began nurturing my injury...resulting in a well rested healthy foot.

I also came to terms that I wasnt going to be running the Marathon with my VFF's and had to invest into an actual pair of running shoe.  This decision was very difficult for me...I ran just about 700 miles with my vibrams and at the last minute they decide to turn their back on me and hurt my foot!

I didn't have much time to find the 'right' pair of shoes and my 20 mile training run was in less than a week!  I went to the local running store and tried every pair on and ran around the store atleast twice each pair.  I finally found a pair of Nikes in their 'minimalist' category (Lunar lunarfly+).  I was able to have the cusion neccesary to protect my foot but the freedom of natural motion.

The 20 mile run was a success but my legs and feet werent quite used to the way 'real' shoes felt and I had a very hard time keeping my usual 9-9.5 minute pace because of the different muscles I used between the two types of shoes.  I knew that I had no other option and at this point i wasnt as prideful about the shoes I was wearing.  I was just going to have to make due and go slower.

Race day came and I left my VFF's at home amongst the rest of my gear.  I felt good with the amount of dedication and effort I had put into everything.

I felt even better after crossing the finish line after running 26.2 miles!  Especially in shoes that I still wasnt too familiar with.

What did I learn from all of this?  That I should have prepared my body properly for such a wonderful product.  I took a month off and let my body rest.

My desire to be a barefoot runner never went away.  But I wanted to do it the right way.  I bought a pair of 'nike free run+ (Nikes version of a barefoot shoes) to help me with my goal.  This shoe protection and support in the arch and provided the most freedom I had ever felt with a lace up shoe.

After one month of running 2-3 miles at a time my foot got strong was strong enough and I was able to throw the Nikes in the closet and re-commit to the barefoot movement!

I wish I could go back and time and transtion slower into the VFF's...It still kills me that I was able to do all of my training for the marathon in my VFF's but wasnt able to run the race in them. 

Ignorance is never bliss...Please learn from my mistake.  I hope this story inspires everyone to give it a shot but to do it the right way! invest the time and money in the right gear...it will pay off!

May your toes move freely and the rest of your body follow along!