Back on the Wagon- c25k w2d2
September 15th, 2010 § 4 Comments
So yay, my knees no longer hurt and I finally got a hold of a pair of Vibram Five Fingers! (Which was no small feat it seems. Some places won’t even get their first shipment till MARCH!) I was ready to get back to my c25k training. I felt weird wearing them because they look strange, I’ll be honest, but they were so comfortable I was able to overlook it. Today’s run was probably the most enjoyable yet, I have to say. I don’t know if it was because I have a new attitude about running, or if it was the shoes, or a combination of both, but whatever it was, I will take it. I didn’t feel like I struggled through the runs this time like I have before. It wasn’t a walk in the park, obviously, but I felt lighter. I’m sure that WAS because I didn’t have bulky running shoes on.
The downside? Because my gait has changed with the minimalist shoes, my calves are really feeling it! I mean, I suppose that isn’t really a downside, but it was the only ‘negative’ I could think of. Oh, and on my left big toe, I felt like I was maybe rubbing a blister on the seam. I think it was just how my toe went in. It sort of lifted the seam up and rubbed against it, but the other toe was fine. I just have to be more mindful when putting them on.
I had a friend on Facebook tell me to research “top of the foot pain” before I started running in the Vibrams, and I’m glad she did. Everything I’ve searched has said that you really have to start slow with the barefoot running because your feet really aren’t used to it, which, for a lot of people, contributes to the top of the foot pain. Thankfully I’m still at the beginning of my training so I think it’s a good place to start with the shoes. Also, some people have speculated that the top of the foot pain could be because of the strap that is on the KSOs (which is what I have) and that they alleviated the pain if they just barely attached the velcro. I was sure to do it the same way today and didn’t notice any pain. Let’s hope it stays that way!
I really cannot wait until the weather cools down (if ever) so that I can begin training outside. It’s still in the 90s so I don’t know how soon that will be, but I will be looking forward to it!
So that’s my report on the Vibrams and barefoot running. I will definitely keep you posted as I continue on to see if there are any changes. But so far, I really like them!
-Autumn
Heifer International
August 30th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
I think it was 2 years ago that I came across Heifer International. People were posting about their favorite charities on the diary site that I use, and someone mentioned it. Once I visited the site I really fell in love with the project. I hope you’ll read on to find out a little about my favorite charity.
Heifer has been around for more than 65 years educating and working to end world hunger and poverty. Their approach is something I’m sure you’ve heard before; Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime. A person is given an animal and training, with the understanding that when that animal produces offspring, the first born is to be given to another member of the community. They then also share their training with that member so that he or she can then pass on their gift, in continuing fashion. That is the whole program in very simple terms, but there is so much more to it when you really take a look around the website.
I love that one of the cornerstones to Heifer’s mission is improving the environment. That is always something that is important to me, though I’m not a huge activist.
Typically I gift at Christmas, and it’s usually something like a flock of geese, or chickens. However, I want to do more. It’s always been my desire to gift a whole heifer, but after looking through the gift book, I decided I wanted to up the ante and gift the whole Joy to the World donation.
The Joy To The World collection includes two sheep, four goats, a heifer and two llamas. These animals mean new hope in the lives of the hardworking poor families who receive them. Cow and goats’ milk is full of nutrients and your animals will provide a family with daily provisions of vitamin-rich milk.
I’m not sure quite yet what I’m going to do to raise the funds. I am thinking of hosting an event in cooperation with a local restaurant or something. We’ll see what I can work out. However, the first thing I’m going to do is add the link to my donation page, in case any of you feel touched to give.
If you are touched by the Heifer’s mission and feel compelled to help, there are two ways you can do it. You can donate on the team page -OR- you can join my team and collect donations yourself to contribute to the cause. I appreciate any support you can give!
Thanks!
-Autumn
