I'm not sure if anyone has noticed, but while training for the Runner's World Hat Trick and Marine Corps Marathon, I have not uttered a word about shin or foot pain. I have not whined about more missing toe nails. I have not had issues with my knees (I used to wear a patella strap) and I haven't been sidelined (at all) for any problems with my legs or feet.
A little tidbit about me: I HATE HATE HATE shoes. I know- so outside the female stereotype. I will base my daily shoe selection (if I must wear them) on how long I am going to be out and how long I can bear in whichever shoe I select. I often walk into my home with arms full of groceries, and I take my shoes off before walking the small distance into the kitchen to put the groceries down. Sometimes I'll take my shoes off on the boardwalk when I finish my run and walk the 4 blocks home barefoot. Shoes feel binding and constrictive to me almost all the time. Why a woman would feel fabulous in high heels that squeeze her foot and bind her toes together is something I will never understand. I comprehend that they look nice, but comfort cannot be part of that equation. I am usually a few steps behind most trends, therefore I have yet to master feeling simultaneously sexy and uncomfortable. Tips and hints on figuring this one out would be much appreciated...
All of that said, I knew I was on the right track when I transitioned to zero drop shoes. I absolutely love barefoot/minimal style shoes, but I was not down with the idea of training for a marathon in them. Although I spend most of my time unshod, running barefoot is just not practical for me. But FEELING as close to barefoot as possible while wearing shoes is something I have always fantasized about.
When we discovered Altra Intuition 1.5, I was EXCITED by one statement I read: That these shoes are SO comfortable that you won't feel the urge to kick them off of your feet as soon as you walk in after a run. REALLY?
Yes really! Here's why:
 |
| The Altra Zero Drop shoe is shaped like a foot. Rocket Science, right? Stop squishing your toes into shoes that don't allow your feet to just... be feet. |
I am registered for the Hat Trick at the Runner's World Half and Festival. All three races will be in my Altra Intuition 1.5. No question about it. I have about 100 miles give or take (I don't do the RunKeeper or Map My Run thing... I just run...) on this pair and I am planning on many many more. And guess who the main sponsor for this event is?
So you already know what I'm going to ask next...
Would you like your own pair of shoes from Altra Zero Drop Footwear? Yes? Oh I thought so. Altra will send a pair in your size, so this is NOT just a giveaway for women. So guys, you will NOT be stuck with bright pink shoes if you do not want them. Ok? Ok...
Get over to their facebook page and let them know I told you all about them. If you are a follower of this blog AND my facebook page, comment below and tell me about your best mile. It can be a mile of walking, biking, running, swimming, jump roping, skipping, rolling or any other way that you have propelled yourself through a mile. It cannot be a motorized mile. That's cheating. My best miles have been beside people I love: with my youngest son at the end of his first 5k, alongside my friends at mile 9 of the NJ Marathon, with my husband on our usual boardwalk route, with other runners conquering longer and longer distances. If you haven't gone a full mile yet, tell us about your best distance thus far. Every step is an accomplishment.
Hurry! Do it now!
 |
| I'm not hurrying, well not in this photo anyway... |
I am a follower of your blog and your Facebook page!! My best mile was the last mile of my very first half marathon on Oct. 7 I had worn my mp3 player in order to stay focused and mentally strong during the race. The playlist I had prepared for the race ended right before the last mile, so it was just me and the road. It signified a lot to me. That last mile was full of excitement and reflection. 7 months ago I stopped smoking and started running, I had no idea what great things were in store for me when I started running but it has truly been an amazing experience. It has been healing for my heart as I miscarried twins 2 years ago and was struck with depression. The last mile, though very tired, I reminded myself how far I have come and felt a strength within me that allowed me to finish strong. When I crossed that finish line, I thought of my babies in heaven and dedicated that race to them. My goal was to run the race in 2:20, I finished in 2:18!! Now I am ready to continue my journey to running a marathon.
ReplyDeleteMy best mile....I think my best mile was actually my worst mile. It was mile 17 of the Long Beach Island 18 miler. It was cold and wet and dreary and I was (or so I thought I was) physically and mentally DONE. I just wanted to stop running, to call it quits. I felt like I had no more effort to give. But I trudged on and I crossed that finish line. That mile was awful. My stomach was churning, my mind was playing tricks on me, and I couldn't get my feet more than and inch off the ground, but I DID IT! So I will always always always remind myself of that mile anytime I am ready to call it quits. I will tell myself that if I got through that mile, I can get through a million more.
ReplyDeleteI follow you everywhere. Some would call that stalking, you know. My best mile ever? Wow. I'd say it was the first mile I ever ran, because it was a huge milestone after continuing to add distance to each run, weekly. I finished, with my husband at my side, and when we got in the car (we were at the track), I asked him if he was proud of me. He said, without hesitation, "I was proud of you for starting." LOVE him!!
ReplyDeleteMy best mile was probably the 13 or 14th mile of this year's Vermont Spartan Beast. It was muddy and dark and raining and slippery tree roots and rocks were trying to take me and my team out of the race. We banded together with other people, shared headlamps, spotted dangerous spots for each other, and kept one another laughing when all we wanted to do was cry or sleep or find the nearest bar. It was hell and it was heaven.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower! I think the last Central Park mile at the end of the NYC marathon last year was my best mile. I had just seen my family, got a slow clap chant of my name from 50 strangers, Otis was playing on my ipod, and then I saw my childhood neighbors cheering me on right before the finish. Oh, and it ended with completing my first marathon!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't find any retailers near me to try this shoe. It looks like my cup of tea though with "the benefits of barefoot running with comfort, cushioning and support". I always get callouses on the tips of my toes after longer runs. I like my Pure Cadences but...well I am always looking for the next best thing!
ReplyDeleteMy best mile was about a month ago. I started running about three months ago but about a month and a half in to my training program I was injured while walking (of all things). As my injury was healing, I got a terrible cold. So a week off from injury was followed by another from illness. Having scoffed at runners for many years, I was surprised to find myself antsy to lace up my shoes and get back out there. It was in the first mile of my first run back that I suddenly realized, "I'm a runner!" That was my best mile so far.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to try these out, saving up for them, actually :) My best mile was the last mile of my first 50K last weekend. It wasn't my fastest and it wasn't even easy but it was such a huge feeling mentally to complete the challenge I laid out before myself. So proud!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on fb and I subscribe to your blog. I would love to give minimalist a try. I also, go barefoot as often as possible. My best mile is always the last mile I've ran. I feel so blessed to be able to run and move my body that I'm so grateful for every opportunity that I get.
ReplyDeleteThe last mile I ran is almost always my best so far. It means I've done another run-whether I felt like it or not. It means I'm that much healthier than I was. It means I fought that voice in my head telling me I don't HAVE to run-and I WON!
ReplyDeleteI've been running for about 8 years, but I've recently suffered from bursitis in my hip. I was sidelined for several weeks. My best mile recently was the first mile I did after taking off for 3 weeks and going to physical therapy. I felt like I had just been released from prison -- imprisoned in my own body. We may not fully appreciate what we are able to do until we can't do it anymore. That day, I felt like a cloud had lifted.
ReplyDeleteMy best finishing mile was at the Sandy Hook Half Marathon. I was almost at the
ReplyDeletefinishing line just happy to finish.Then I hear and see Miss Tina screaming at me to haul ass and pick it up.
That boost of energy from her gave me the extra push to cross the finishing line under two hours. I beat my personal time from last year.So thanks for that :-)
and at Marine Corp I will return that favor.
I follow your blog and like your Facebook. My best mile was the first time I ran a mile without walking. I haven't stopped since, running my first half marathon in a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog and like you fb :)and I've been dreaming about these sneakers.
ReplyDeleteMy best mile is a mile where running becomes effortless. The stress of the day melts away and all I'm left with is the feeling of contentment and peace.
I have asked my friends to pick a mile of my half marathon this weekend that I could dedicate to them - so hopefully every mile this Sunday will be my best mile.
I loved reading your post about Altra Zero-drop Shoes. I am in the search for a better running shoe. Being an overpronator with a very narrow foot it can be tough.
ReplyDeleteMy best mile was this summer at the 24 Hours around the lake marathon. It was my second try at qualifying for Boston this year. On the last mile I knew I had smashed my previous PR and that I was going to qualify for Boston. The adrenaline was rushing as I finished the last mile!
It's really interesting that you've had much less/zero pain since transitioning to minimalist shoes such as the Altra Zero-Drop Shoes. I'd love to try them out! All of the docs keep telling me I should be in cushioning. Eeek!
ReplyDeleteMy best mile came in August 2011. I had just moved NJ and my Mother was visiting to help me unpack - I also had been cleared by the docs a week earlier to begin jogging (Hip surgery was in May). While it may not have been pretty, or that much fun, it felt so great to run again after months of being sedentary and to have my Mom there as company!
blog follower and I love Altra - my favorite mile is a mile (or more) running with my kids. It is the best feeling to share something I love doing with them and to see them get joy out of and to be living a healthy lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI think my best mile was the first mile my husband and I ran together...we were so proud that we could run a mile without stopping! Within a year and a half we were running our first marathon together.
ReplyDeleteMy best mile was the last one in my first 5k. I could see the finish line and knew I was about to finish my first ever race! It took everything I had not to burst out crying during it. I know 3.1 isn't a far distance, but that was the culmination (at that point) of my training. When I first started, I couldn't make it a full mile! That last 5k mile led me to running a 10k and my first half marathon! I'll be running my first marathon next year!
ReplyDeleteMy best mile ever was with my son. He is the love of my life and has had two spinal fusion surgeries. After the second one, he was discharged from the hospital with a walker. We weren't sure if he'd ever walk normally again. At the same time, I was diagnosed with a pelvic stress fracture. We were quite the pair! Now, I am back to running and he is back to being a typical 16 year old boy.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI too have been stalking..err reading your blog for awhile! The best mile. There are so many since I started trying to enjoy it! I would say (as memory is fresh) The weather was perfect on a Mational Guard Weekend, and we were doing a PT Test, It was 1.5 miles to get there, and I needed a warm up. Wish I could post a pic, but the street was lined with Colors of Autumn on my route there with bushes and trees in yellows oranges and Reds along the way. It was 58 degrees, cool breeze, no rain (as is typical weather this time of year) and someone was baking with vanilla and cinnamon- IT just was so beautiful, so satisfying, and just felt awesome getting to the track, I just could not help but sigh with hapiness.
ReplyDeleteMaryalicia
Maryalicia.verdecchia@gmail.com
I have been following your blog via FB and say thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy most memorable mile would be while training this summer for a half marathon. My daughter is a senior in high school and will be going off to college next fall, thrr hours a way, she works part time and is very active in a lot of activities so when she could she would either ride her bike with me for the whole training run or come and run the last part with me. I never cared too much about my pace just spending time with her. She would always encourage me, push me and cheer me on with every step and when I ran the half last week her and my son were at mile 12.5 and I cried because I was struggling but she ran back to me and told me she knew I could finish and finish strong to meet my goal! My family is my biggest strength and I thank God every day for them and for her, my best friend!
My very best mile was today. Total I did over 5 today. Four with my favorite little person on my back. Those were certainly memorable and actually not as uncomfortable as one would think, but the BEST mile was the last mile. After leaving you and Frank today to head back to the car, Tessa wanted nothing to do with being in her backpack carrier. She, who will only be 2 years old next month, walked over a mile, all on her own, back to our car. I didn't make her, I didn't prod her, I didn't rush her, I just watched as she enjoyed putting one foot in front of the other and went. The only carrying I did was to cross a busy road and she fought me the whole time. This mile wasn't hard and it wasn't anything unusual. However, I think that last mile was the most magical and inspiring mile I've ever walked.
ReplyDeleteYou know I stalk you on everything already. My best mile is my lunch mile. Well, I run more than one mile at lunch, but we recently had our lunch breaks cut to a half hour. I work a stressful job, and I really counted on my 40 minute run at lunch to ease my stress. When that was cut in half, I had a little bit of a pity party for a while because I couldn't get my whole routine lunch run done in that time. Boohoo, right? But, no matter what, the first part of my run is straight uphill. The whole way. A sneaky, slow, painful, never-ending, mile-long hill. That hill has become my nemesis and my best mile. And, pity party or not, I can run that hill at lunch and come back down feeling like a million bucks. That hill has also helped me get through a multitude of hills during other runs. If I can run that hill, I can run any hill. If I can run that mile, I can run any mile!
ReplyDeleteMy best mile happened about a week and a half ago! I convinced my husband to run with me for a short run, so we were only going for a mile. He had the idea for us to run it flat out, which I'm never good at when I'm not on a treadmill, I'm terrible at trying to gauge a mile on the road for some reason. He had me out there following after him, feeling like I was going to die, but when we got back we realized that we ran 1.29 miles at 7:50 pace, which I had NEVER done before. The fasted I'd done before that had been like 8:30 on the road, and I did it alone. I was so excited to have done that and had him with me to experience it together :)
ReplyDeletePS-I loved the RW 10K, wish I had done the entire thing. We were in town for a wedding to I last minute decided to at least run the 10K!