(Running) Shoe Tree
If I were to post using only words, it would go something like this, “Yeah! Hooray! I’m so psyched! OMG! Wooooo!” I am thrilled to be part of Eat. Blog. Run. (And then I also think, “Eek! Scared! Nervous!” but I’ll suppress that for now.)
So I’ll add a photo: I can balance my running shoes, creating a “shoe tree!”
Okay, you all are groaning now. I swear I have other “talents.”
As you can see, I have three pairs:
The outside pair is my “for the trails” pair. They appear gray rather than white, even after being hosed down repeatedly, natch. The shiny thing is a RoadID shoe pouch.
The center pair is my road pair. Their blinding whiteness seems to indicate I’ve never used them, but I promise they have some miles in them. There is probably some pixie dust in there since I used them for the Disney Princess Half-Marathon last month.
And then of course the Vibram Five Fingers are perched on top, the “shoes” to which Brenna referred during the previous post: Barefoot Running. (My son picked out the aqua color. I was quite indecisive about which pair to select.)
So which will I use for The Relay?
I’m bringing my princess-approved blindingly-white ones and the Vibram Five Fingers. I haven’t decided for certain whether I’ll start out in the Five Fingers, but I expect I’ll wear them for at least one leg. After all, I do everything barefoot. My neighbors think I am completely crazy for taking the trash out in the rain barefoot, or for weeding in the mud barefoot. But, I’ll bring the standard shoes just in case my calves and shins cry foul or if I chicken out trying to do the Five Fingers on “unexplored territory.”
I know shoes are supposed to be “the most important” piece of the running outfit, but I definitely admit being fickle at this point. (Plus, I’d say my bra is the most important piece; but that is a whole different topic.)
Yet being fickle has its upsides, because I can create a tower with my shoes!
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I have one real pair of running shoes and frankly they probably should get replaced, but I doubt I’ll get around to it before next weekend. Therefore a shoe tree might not work for me. I have another pair that I’ve never used for running but I’m thinking of trying them out between now and then because it really wouldn’t surprise me if, after seventeen miles, my feet might want some variety.
I totally agree about the bra being the most important piece. I’m planning on bringing three. Just in case. (I won’t be bringing the very first one I ever bought the summer after sixth grade but yes, I still own it and it still makes an occassional appearance. How embarassing!)
I am fascinated by the “five fingers” one. I can’t imagine running in those. How do you do it?
And yes – the bra is numero uno for me as well. I just stared training for the NYC Marathon so this is reminding me I need to invest in some new shoes….
And by the way – the blog Eat. Blog. Run. BRILLIANT! Happy to have found it!
Awesome to hear you’re thinking of running one of your legs in FiveFingers! I’m still trying to decide what I’m going to do. The farthest I’ve ran in mine is only 2.5 miles and it is really important to ease into minimalist/barefoot running so if I do wear them, its only going to be for my 4 mile “easy” run in the middle of the night.
Oh and I have lots of shoes in my tree:
- My trainers (Shoes I do most of my running in)
- My old trainers (I still run in these time to time. I feel like they still have a little life in them)
- My trail running shoes (I’ve heard trail running shoes aren’t really necessary unless you’re doing crazy rocky running, but I still like to wear mine. Mostly because they’re pink and cute.)
- My racing flats (A lot lighter and less cushioned than my trainers. I wear these for track workouts and for racing.)
- My Vibram FiveFinger KSOs (Been easing into wearing these instead of my trainers)
- My bare feet (Soon these will be replacing all of the above)
@EmmieJ: Bring the old bra! We can do fun things with it!
@Jennifer: I think Vibram Five-Fingers does little clinics on barefoot running – I’d love to go to get “official” recommendations. But I just slipped on the shoes and did it! My first run was just on the treadmill for a mile to see how it felt. Then I went on a gently hilly paved trail that is about 2.7 miles. So – starting slow with the mileage so I don’t overdo it. (The calves/shins work harder, so there is initially soreness in those areas.)
The sensation really is that your feet are “free” because the toes can move individually and grip individually. The bottom of the Five-Fingers allows for sensation of different textures, but not to the point where it would be painful (although I guess a really jagged object could be painful, but probably wouldn’t penetrate the bottom to actually puncture the foot.)
@Brenna: My legs are all called “easy” so I think I’ll probably try it out! I’ve done the Five Fingers on hilly 3 mile trail runs, so I think a 6 mile “easy” run won’t be too bad. My “trail” shoes aren’t officially made for trail running – they are the same model as my road shoes, but as I realized that all my trail races ended up in deep mud, creeks, and other fun things, it made sense to keep one pair “clean” and the other “dirty!” Getting pink trail shoes sounds super-cute, though!
Funny.
I have limited options with shoes given my bunions, but I love my Brooks Dyads and will be bringing two pairs of the same shoe with me, one old, one newer. Creature. of. habit!
i always choose running shoes made of synthetic leather because they last longer than natural leather .
you can always trust those high tech running shoes developed by adidas or nike, they are expensive but they are very good -.;