In my last post, I mentioned that I was going to check out a new gym. For $10 per month and no commitment, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I was impressed! The gym is large, clean, filled with new equipment, and not filled with big egos. The staff is friendly and didn’t try to pressure me into upgrading my membership to one of the more costly options. There are plenty of free weights, weight machines, and lots of cardio machines!

At my old gym, there were too many grunting, sweaty, guys with egos larger than their overworked biceps.  The staff & trainers wouldn’t give you the time of day unless you had an appointment… or if they were trying to get me to recruit my friends and family.  There were times when I’d notice at least three or four broken machines.  While the group instructors at my old gym were great, the rest of the gym wasn’t worth the money they took out of my account each month.

I had a great workout last night and can’t wait to go back tomorrow!  I’m happy that I signed up… especially since I made the decision to not run for another week or so.   I want to give my heel another rest.  In the meantime, I plan to get used to walking barefoot, learn the Chi method, strengthen my weak spots, and cross train.  My goal is to start fresh with new & improved running form (Chi), prepare myself to run either barefoot or with minimal footwear (as long as it helps), and to hopefully lose as little conditioning as possible while I wait to run.

My Awesome Yoga Moves

At the end of my workout, I did my usual set of stretches.  My favorite of all the stretches is the pigeon pose.  If you aren’t familiar with this delightful Yoga pose, please refer to the hand-drawn figure below:

This is an artist rendering of me, doing the half-pigeon pose.  It is a great stretch for runners because it opens the hips and helps prevent IT Band injuries.*

I was in my own little iPod World when I was doing my stretches and didn’t notice that one of the trainers was watching me.  As I was leaving, he said good-bye (something my old gym never did) and told me he liked my pigeon-pose. I was both flattered and a little bashful.

In my usual verbal-communicationally-challenged way, I stuttered and mumbled something like, “Oh. Well. Uh.  I’m a runner.”

Yes, I’m just that smooth when a young, good-looking man compliments me on my pigeon-pose.  Good thing I’m married and planning on staying that way, or I’d be destined for Old-Maidhood!

This is how cool my new gym is:  The trainer didn’t look at me in that bewildered way I’m so used to… he got it!  He said, “Yes.  That is a great stretch for runners!  Really opens up the hips.”   Ahhhh… awkward moment deflected.

As I fled the gym, kicking myself for saying such stupid things,  I knew I made a good decision.  I think I’m really going to like working out there… at least one of the trainers seems to understand what runners need.  I like that.

*If, for some strange reason, my artistic talent doesn’t give you enough information about this great stretch, Google it!  It’s well worth it!


Another Surf City Update
Thanks to blogger friend, Glenn, at The Running Fat Guy, I learned that I cannot pick up my race packet the day of the race.  Now our plans are to stay at a hotel about 10 miles from the start (about $400 less expensive than our original start-line hotel plan).  Fortunately, the new hotel includes a shuttle service for two to the starting line.  So, we will head up on Saturday, go to the Expo, pick up my race packet, stay overnight, and go home on Sunday.

I am really looking forward to the Surf City Half Marathon!!  Wheee!

I am excited!  I made some decisions today regarding my running and training. 

Running Group
I decided to sign up with the West Coast Road Runners.  This is the same running group I was with last year.  I was hesitant at first because, as I mentioned in a previous post, I didn’t really feel like I connected with the group.  It probably didn’t help that I was too slow for the pace group I joined… and too fast for the walker group.  I sort of felt like I was my own, unique pace group and I ran alone.

There are a few reasons why I decided on this group:

1. I like that I know what to expect with this group.  I know the routes they run and how the group works.  
2. This year, it looks like they are including run/walkers as a group.  When it comes to injury prevention, I like the Galloway way… if you aren’t familiar with this training method, it’s basically a run:walk program.  For example, run for 5 minutes… walk for 2 minutes… run for 5 minutes… walk for 2 minutes… and so on.  I may join that pace group.
3. I have received the unofficial word that the San Diego Rock & Roll will include a half this year.  I called the race organizers today and was told that they were awaiting “confirmation” that the half is logistically do-able.  When I pushed the very nice girl on the phone, she said I could feel pretty comfortable about training for a half.  Suh-weeeet!  I like the idea of training for a local race with a local running group.
4. My funny running buddy, Mitchell, called today to see if I’d be interested in signing up with him.  He is like a brother to me and is largely responsible for me signing up for the Rock & Roll Marathon last year.  That was the final confirmation I needed.  We don’t run together because he is faster than I am but it’s nice having a good friend to carpool and share experiences with.

Surf City Half Marathon
I decided I’m going to do it.  I may end up mostly walking it but that’s OK.  We won’t be making a long, romantic weekend of it, as planned, but Guitar Hero offered to drive up to Huntington Beach with me the morning of the race.  I’ll do the race as best as I can, get my medal & shirt, chalk it up to experience, and go home.

Strength & Cross Training
A few months ago, I canceled my gym membership.  I did this as a way to help ease our financial obligations.  The problem is, I’m just not as motivated to work out at home.  Plus, there are too many distractions at home.  Just after I canceled my membership, I got a job.  I would have kept my membership had I known that was going to happen.

Yesterday, I received a flier in the mail for a new gym in our area that allows the option to pay monthly… no commitment and only $10 per month.  There’s no pool, no childcare, and no extras included in this deal.  It sounds like what I need!  I decided to check this gym out and join, if I like it.  I plan to check it out tomorrow so I’ll let you know how it goes.

Alright, Running Blogger Friends… time for me to catch up on what is going on in your lives!  Have a fantastic Wednesday!

And I have mixed feelings about bike riding:  Cycling is fun, fast, and satisfying.  I love the sound of the wind blowing past my helmet-clad head.  I like thinking that I may be able to out-ride even the meanest rabid dog, should one choose to try to take a chunk out of my leg.  I enjoy being able to go relatively far distances on my bike.  Mostly, I love the speed I can get while going down a steep hill.

So, why do I get on my bike somewhat begrudgingly?  Because it’s not running.  The thing is, I love to run.  I only like to bike.

I like the solitude I get from running.  I love the control running gives me.  I can control my speed (as long as it’s set on slow).  When I run, I can see cars coming toward me because I can run facing on-coming traffic.  I like knowing that I won’t get a flat shoe when I run.  I feel secure in knowing that if I fall while running, I probably don’t have to worry about getting a brain injury.

Don’t get me wrong, I totally “get” why people why people love to cycle!  If I weren’t a runner, I’d be a cyclist.  Maybe.  Or a couch potato.

The other day, I received an email from a company that makes cycling jerseys.  They wanted me to check out their website and mention it on my blog  if I liked what I saw.  At first I laughed that they had obviously mistaken me for a cycling enthusiast.  Then I reminded myself that cycling often ends up being an important part of a runner’s training.  Especially when that runner is trying to recover from a running related injury, such as myself.  At the very least, cycling can be a great cross-training activity… and we’ve all read of the importance of  cross-training.

I checked out their website.  And I liked what I saw!  The website is Share the Damn Road.  If you are a runner who cycles because of injury… or a tri-athlete… or a good little cross-trainer… check out this site!  These jerseys make a statement. And they are sort of funny, without taking away from the seriousness of the message.

This one makes me laugh because it’s so simple… but it says it all:

I’m not so sure about this one:

I really like this one but I’m not sure if I want to be seen riding up to my church-based preschool in it:

There are other jerseys available on the site… all of them have the dry humor seen on these examples.  Um, at least I assume the makers of these jerseys mean them to be funny.    Serious, but funny*.

*I apologize to Share the Damn Road if they aren’t meant to be funny.   It’s possible that I have a warped sense of humor.

In any case, there are times when I am scared of the drivers that share (or don’t share) the road with me. There are times when cars whiz by me so close or so fast that I fear for my life for a few seconds.  Maybe these jerseys will make drivers more aware.  I know I would notice these jerseys if I saw one while driving.  I am not a jerk so I would give the cyclist room.  I would slow down.  I wouldn’t honk (not that I do now).  I would NOT run the cyclist over (again… not that I do now).

What do you think?

• Eat more fruits and veggies… in fact, as of three days ago, I’m a vegetarian.  I’m going to go month-by-month on the whole vegetarian thing.  I’m trying it out to see if being a vegetarian makes me feel any different.
• Eat more raw foods
• Drink at least 60 ounces of water everyday
• Cut back on sugar

• Ride and Run a total of 2010 combined miles
• Strengthen my core, ankles & feet, and upper body
• Join a running group
• Run or cross-train five days a week
• Get custom orthotics if current injury-eliminating endeavors don’t work

Personal Goals

• Get clean laundry put away before the pile turns into Mt. Everest

I try to be realistic when I set goals.  I think all of those goals are do-able.  Well, OK… maybe not that last one.

San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll 2010
It looks* as if the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon is now going to offer a half-marathon option.  If that is true, all I can say is: “WOO-HOO!”   I am not interested in doing another full marathon… at least not at this time… so I thought I was done with the SDRnR forever.  If the half is an option, I am 99% sure I will sign up.

*I’m confused because I received a flier from the race organizers that made it look as if they are offering a half.  There is also an ad in this months Runner’s World and it says the same thing.  On the other hand, the Rock ‘n’ Roll website mentions nothing about a half and doesn’t list it on the registration page. What is up?!

Surf City Half Marathon
I am not ready for this one.  I should be much further along in my training but because of various set-backs, I’m not.  I really want to do this half but I’m trying to decide if pulling off another “barely finished” will be worth the expense of staying at a hotel for the weekend.  Guitar Hero and I were going to make a getaway weekend out of it and stay at one of the nicer hotels near the start.

I would still be all for having a getaway weekend, barely finishing, and just having fun… except our 15 year anniversary is a couple weeks later and I’d rather use the money to go somewhere more appealing (to us) than Huntington Beach.  I would feel differently if I knew I could do the race, give it my all, and still enjoy my time with my husband.

Basically, if I do this one, I’ll pretty much be walking it just so I can get my cool surfboard medal and the long-sleeved tech shirt.  Those things aren’t worth the $500+ we would have to spend for accommodations and food.

My other option is to drive up to the race early that morning, do the race, and drive home.  If anyone is planning to do the Surf City and is planning on driving up the morning of the race and wants to carpool, let me know.

The Holiday Bowl Parade 5K
This was a very fun race!  I went into it with the goal of having fun and it was “mission accomplished”.  I got to run it with my friend Beckie who is out from Colorado for the holidays.  She is a San Diego native who moved to the Denver area a couple years ago.

The course was beautiful.  The weather was running-perfect.  The atmosphere was so much fun!  There were thousands of spectators there to watch the Holiday Bowl Parade and the 5K course ran along the same route, prior to the parade.  They cheered the runners as we went by.  I almost felt like a celebrity.

And my favorite part of the race?

That’s right, folks- real bathrooms with flushing toilets, soap and running water… thanks to the Hilton at the start of the race.

My Time?
The race didn’t have the time chip thingees so I am not putting much stock into the actual race time.  At the start, it bottle-necked so badly that we probably walked for almost two minutes before being able to run.  The time at the finish said 39:10, which isn’t too different from my prior 5K times.  So, did I PR?   I might have, if I could subtract some of the time it took to walk to and beyond the start line.  I decided not to wear Rudy (my Garmin) so I’ll never know for sure.  And that’s OK because I had fun and my heel and legs felt pretty good!

Barney Butter
I was the lucky winner of She Wears a Red Sox Cap’s Barney Butter Giveaway. I got it in the mail yesterday and I have to say, this is without a doubt the best almond butter I’ve ever had!!  I tried it on organic apple slices and it was delicious!  My favorite part of this almond butter is that it isn’t as sweet and gooey-rich as other almond butters I’ve tried.  It tastes like almonds!

I received a jar of the smooth and the crunchy kind. My favorite is the crunchy but my husband liked the smooth better. I will have to order this in place of the brands I’ve been buying because it is so yummy!  If you’d like to try this deliciousness for yourself, check out the Barney Butter website. They have free samples.

I was warned that running in Vibrams and/or barefoot will make you sore for a while.   I’m here to vouch for that little bit of information.  So far it seems like the good kind of sore… the kind you like to feel on your butt the day after doing squats.

I tried out a run yesterday.  It was just a mile but that was enough for now!  I felt slow and apprehensive but really good for the first half mile.  The next quarter mile was pretty much downhill and I was going fast (fast for me, that is) and I still felt pretty good.  I hit the proverbial “brick wall” at about three-quarters of mile and had to walk the rest of the way home.

Here’s where I ran and how it felt:

• Sidewalk= Eh, boring… I don’t like running on sidewalks
• Asphalt= Better… I like to feel the bumps on the soles of my feet
• These rocks you find in peoples’ water-wise gardens= Bumpy, a little uncomfortable, and fun!  I’m weird & like to feel rocks under my feet (a couple of my friends used to call me “Goat Girl”- I don’t like goats & it wasn’t very flattering, in my mind… so please don’t call me that).
• Dirt= Ahhhh…sweet bliss
• Smashed Tequila Bottle= Managed to avoid that one!  Guess I shouldn’t drink that stuff while I run!

Post Run
I felt sore.  My heel hurt (but then it’s never stopped hurting since the marathon).  About 20 minutes after running, I noticed a strange sensation in my feet.  They felt…. alive.  That’s the only way I can describe it.  They were warm, flexible, and I could feel the blood flowing through them.  I could tell they were happy… even if it was only for a little while, before the muscles decided to cause a rebellion (isn’t that just typical of those hard-to-please body parts?!).

The Day After
I’m sore.  Did I mention that?

Tomorrow
I’m doing a 5K.  This was the one that was going to allow me to redeem my lack of PR on for my last 5K.  Now I’ll be running it for fun… screw the PR because I doubt that’s going to happen with these aching muscles.

I will be wearing my shoes.  I can tell I’m not ready to race barefoot or in my Vibrams.  All in due time, I guess.  I just wish I weren’t so impatient.

I have to go to bed now so I can get up early for the race.  I’ll be sure to take pictures!  I plan to catch up on my bloggy friends tomorrow afternoon.

I left off on my last post explaining what I had been learning about running barefoot as opposed to running with shoes.  I tried to leave you guessing regarding what I was going to do with the information… but I’m sure you’ve figured it out.  And if we’re Facebook friends, you probably already know.


Making Contact
The more I read about barefoot running, the more I just wanted to get out there and try it.  I have always enjoyed being barefoot and I love to feel the ground under my feet (unless I’m in my boys’ bathroom… then I pretty much have to put on some of those biohazard footies prior to entry).

So the other day, I was a good cross-trainer and went on a bike ride.  After that, I decided to go on very short, one-mile run.  I headed out with the intention of taking my shoes off for the last couple blocks of the run… just to try it.  The shoe part of the run was OK… there was some heel pain but that is “normal” for me.  When I took my shoes off (looking around first to see if anyone was watching the crazy lady remove a perfectly good pair of shoes to go native) and kept going.  It was weird at first.  Then it was fun!  Here’s the amazing part:  My heel wasn’t hurting!

I definitely felt my muscles in my feet waking up and starting to gripe a bit.  But it was that good kind of pain you get after you’ve lifted weights.  I had read that barefoot running needs to be eased into slowly… and that is why.  Muscles our feet haven’t used much since childhood need to be built up again.

My first barefoot experience, though short, was really enjoyable!  I know what you’re thinking… “Wait a minute, this is the same person who enjoyed getting a needle shoved into the bottom of her foot.”  Let’s just say that I would choose running on pavement, dirt, and seed pods over a cortisone shot any day of the week!

What about Broken Glass, Sharp Rocks, and Grounded Bumble Bees?
I’m not entirely fearless, so I started researching the various so-called barefoot running shoes.  The shoe name that kept coming up was the Vibram Five Fingers.  The name alone was enough to make me wonder if they were serious.  Their appearance is even more awkward.  The name kept coming up, however, in the online barefoot community as a decent foot protection option.

The Search
There are a few barefoot running shoes out there but I decided to give the Vibram Five Fingers a try.  Fortunately, I had received some unexpected cash for Christmas so shopping I went.  First, I tried shopping online but quickly learned that many places were cleaned out of the more popular sizes & colors because of  Christmas and weren’t expecting to get more in stock until mid-January at the earliest.

I knew the model I wanted to get (KSO).  And I knew the color I didn’t want to get (black).  The black look way too much like gorilla feet for my taste.  All the online retailers that had my size, only had it in black.  So, I tried my luck at the local retailers listed on the Vibram website, not expecting good news.  I called every store in a 30 mile radius (there were eight) and finally struck gold at the Birkenstock store in Encinitas, which is about 15 miles away from my house.

Not only did they have my size, they had it in a color other than black.  Score!  I asked the salesgirl on the phone to hold them for me, convinced my clean-cut, conservative husband that going to a Birkenstock store to buy shoes does not make you a hippie, and off we went.

Here they are, in all their crazy-looking glory:

I also wore them geo-caching… one of my husband’s favorite hobbies:

They are suitable for street running, trail running, hiking, rock climbing, walking, kayaking, boating, and geo-caching.  I like how they feel, how I can feel the ground through them, and that my feet don’t get dirty in them.

I haven’t tried running in them yet… the instructions are very clear that you need to gradually build up feet strength before going too far in them.  I hope to give them a short run around the neighborhood after I get some laundry done… in other words, sometime much later this afternoon.


Being Balanced
So, am I giving up on running shoes?  Am I going to become one of those runners who believe there is only one way to run?  Will I start eating only fruits and berries and refuse to wear deodorant?  The answer to all of the above is NO.

Like everything else in life, there needs to be balance when it comes to running.  To jump from one extreme to another in anything is not my style.  I like shoes.  And I LOVE socks.  Wouldn’t it be ideal to be able to run properly no matter what is on- or under- you feet?

Will running barefoot/gorilla-footed solve my injury issues?  I don’t know.  I hope so.  If I continue getting injured doing what I have grown to love, I’m going to have to try something else.  If that involves spending $400 for podiatrist-prescribed custom orthotics, I’ll be willing to try that too.

For now, I’m trying this whole barefoot/almost-barefoot thing.  Because it makes sense.  For now, I’m going to try out alternative running techniques (like Chi Running).  Because I am still a rookie.

You can bet I’ll let you know how it goes!!

If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, you know that since I started this venture into the world of running less than a year ago, I have spent much of my time trying to recover from one injury or another.  Looking back, I can almost trace each of my injuries according to the type of shoe I was wearing at the time.

Here’s my shoe/injury time line:

January 2009- Asics GT-2140: My first pair of shoes as I started training for my marathon.  I bought these based on “expert” evaluation of my running.  I was told I overpronate so I need stability shoes.  Less than three months later, I exchanged them due to sharp pain in both ankles and the start of pain in my right knee.

March 2009- Asics Kayano15: My second pair of running shoes.  I exchanged the first pair for these based on the suggestion that I must need more cushion along with that stability.  The ankle pain disappeared… but the knee pain intensified.  My knee became so bad I couldn’t run or train for the marathon for about four weeks.  Heck!  I could hardly walk!  I had X-rays and physical therapy.  Once the knee pain became tolerable, I was given the OK to start running again.  So I did.  During my first long run since my knee setback, I started experiencing pain in my left heel. That same day I said “adios” to my Kayanos.

May 2009- Mizunos Wave: I can’t remember the exact model but I know they were expensive.  Fortunately, I was able to exchange the Kayanos for these even though it was a few days past my 90-return period.  The Mizunos were recommended for their stability, cushioning, and lighter feel than the Kayanos.  They felt better than the Kayanos but they did nothing to help my heel.  In fact, the heel only got worse as I kept training for the marathon (if you can call inconsistent runs, pool running, and bike riding “training”).   At the end of May, I did the marathon but it was not pretty.  Honestly, it was ugly.

I could go on to include the pair of Saucony TR 3 that I  purchased in May of 2009 through onlineshoes.com because I had won a bloggy raffle for a $100 gift certificate.  These were the least expensive of the shoes I tried and didn’t boast stability control.  But they were my favorite of the bunch.

I could also include my most recent purchases and exchanges as part of my shoe history.  In fact, the pair of Saucony I purchased, tried to run in, and subsequently returned was very unkind to my heel (which has not been pain-free since May).

So Where is this Going?

All of the above leads me to the present.  I am SO tired of being injured.  I’m sick of hearing people tell me that I should take up bike-riding and give up on running.  I’m frustrated that the cortisone shots I’ve had have done nothing to solve the problem.  I’ve heard everything from, “You just don’t have a runner’s body” to “Running is too hard on the body”.

I cannot accept that reasoning.  I experienced enough elderly, physically handicapped, and overweight people kicking my butt during the marathon that I refuse to buy that I am not cut out to run.  I have no physical reason to keep my body out of the sport.

I like running.  I need to run to keep my brain clear.  I spent years declaring my hatred of running… only to find that I actually love it. I’m not going to give it up that easily.

So… is it me?  Am I doing something wrong?   No one taught me how to run.  I didn’t think anyone would have to.  Now I am learning that I was wrong.  Maybe there is not just one way to run… but there are better ways to run.

This realization inspired me to check out Chi Running.  Researching Chi Running lead me to the barefoot running movement.  At the same time, I got Christopher McDougall’s book Born to Run for Christmas (I ordered it on my husband’s behalf… as his gift to me).  I didn’t realize it when I ordered it, but much of the book looks at the impact running shoes have had the running community.  In short, running shoe companies may have had good intentions when they first introduced high-tech shoes to the market but have actually contributed to the rising number of running-related injuries.

Those who advocate barefoot running explain that the foot has been designed (or “evolved”, if you prefer) to take on the rigors of running and don’t need help with their intended purpose. They argue that all these specialized running shoes are actually making our feet weak and out of touch with their relationship to the ground (the italicized part is my interpretation).

So, where does this leave me?  I’ll have to finish that later.  This is already a ridiculously long post and it’s getting late.

My iPod has a Sense of Humor
Seriously.  Sometimes I think it has a mind of its own.  For example, it had been raining early this morning.  When I started out on my run, however, the sun was shining between the scattered clouds.  The first song that popped up on my iPod was “Walking on the Sun” by Smash Mouth.

A few songs later, the sun was still holding its own when Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain” came on.  I thought to myself, “Well, I might be a fool but at least it’s not in the rain.  Yet.”  Two songs later, Miley Cyrus’ song, “The Climb” came on… just as I was making my way up a hill. 

Guess what happened not long after “Who’ll Stop the Rain?” by CCR came on.  Yep!  It started raining!   I was beginning to wonder if I should consult my iPod for the winning lotto numbers.

The next song up was “Crash into Me” by Dave Matthews.  At this point, I decided it might be in my best interest to run on the sidewalk rather than on the street.  I was wearing my Road ID bracelet but I sure didn’t want to have to make use of it!

The next- and final- song was KT Tunstill’s “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree”.  I was walking up my driveway when this one came on.  I turned it off.  I have always wondered about those lyrics… and didn’t want to find out what they mean first-hand.

Wardrobe Malfunction
I recently purchased a RunningSkirts Capri Running Skirt for cool morning runs, like today’s run. I love it!  The only thing is, when I tried it on at their warehouse, I was in a hurry and had my four year old with me.  As a result, I didn’t get to spend much time really evaluating the fit.  I think I should have gotten the size smaller than the one I picked.  When I run in it, it feels like it is going to slip off my hips and drop to my ankles.  I spent the first half of my run pulling them up and finally folding the top over at the waist… which seemed to help.  I hate having to fiddle with my clothes when I run!!  I’m hoping they will fit better if I wear underwear with them.

Sorry.  Is that too much information? 

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chi-a!
As promised, here is the topic I’d like to discuss for this post.  Chi Running.  Have you tried it?  Have you even heard of it?   Do you know anyone who follows this running method?

If you have answered “yes” to any of the above questions, I’d like to know what you think.

I ordered a book off of Amazon.com but I won’t get it until after Christmas.  I’m interested in this running method because it supposedly reduces injuries and increases speed.  Running form, foot strike, and thinking seem to be important aspects in Chi Running training.

I have never really learned how I’m supposed to carry myself and plant my feet as I run.  I just figured running is running, and whatever works is the best.  Based on my injuries and excessive slowness, what I’m doing is not working for me.  Will Chi Running be the answer?  I don’t know yet.  But I’m willing to try!

The good news is, I feel less stuffy, my headache is gone, and my heel feels even more ready for a run.  So, let’s hear it for tomorrow!

These are not only super cute, part of the cost of these shoes goes to the Komen Race for a Cure Foundation.  They also have great reviews, especially in the areas that are of most concern to me- cushion, flexibility, and stability.

I’m expecting Mr. UPS to drop these off tomorrow (OnlineShoes is offering 2nd Day Air at the amazing rate of $5.99 right now!).  I can’t wait to see how these work out.  Hopefully they will.

I’m like a kid in a candy store when it’s time to get new running shoes!


Running Groups
I’m considering signing up with a running group in January.  I was in one when I was training for the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon but didn’t sign up again after that.


I liked my running group… sort of.  I didn’t really bond with anyone in the group and it didn’t feel very friendly.  I did like the accountability and the planned runs, however, and I think I need this again.


I’m looking into a few options, including the group a few of you already are a part of (San Diego Track Club).  I’ll need to decide soon since many groups start sign-ups in January.


Are you in a group?  Have you been in a group?  What do/did you like best about your running group?


Coming up
I had planned on picking your brains regarding Chi Running but this post is already too long.  So, I’ll save it for the next post.  If you don’t know what Chi Running is, here is a link to the Chi Running website: ChiRunning.