"Barefoot" running

I'm sure you've all heard of the latest fad.  The "barefoot" running shoe (if you can even call them "shoes") is taking the running community by storm.  From what I've seen, these shoes leave people injured and in physical therapy so I think I'll keep on wearing my heavy-duty, sole protecting running shoes.  When I completed my last marathon, the Marine Corps. Marathon in Washington, D.C. we were forced into corrals at the finish since there were nearly 40,000 runners.  While waiting for my medal in the corral, I heard two men talking behind me.  One said to the other, "What did you think of running in those?"  The other guy replied, "Not good.  I think I broke my foot."  At that, he could no longer bear any weight on the broken foot and we called for medical assistance.  They came and helped him out of the crowded corral and laid him (appropriately) on the Iwo Jima War Memorial.  The only other person I know who's tried these out is my Pediatrician's husband (who is also a Pediatrician).  At first, he said his calves hurt but that just meant the shoes were working new muscles.  After training for a full marathon and barely being able to run 15 miles in them, he ditched them and put on his regular running shoes.  He's glad he did because he now thinks these things are a gimmick.  I'm inclined to agree.  Your thoughts?  Do you know of anyone who has improved their running by wearing these "barefoot shoes"?

Outside vs Inside

I live in a hot climate so many times I have to suck it up and run on the treadmill.  It may be from oversleeping (which means it is too hot late in the morning to go outside) or childcare issues (my gym has a day care), there are occasions which call for a treadmill.  I use the treadmill exclusively for speed work and some people would consider that cheating.  The way I see it, I can go at any time of day and monitor my speed intervals and distance more accurately than outside.  While running on one the other day, I observed many other women around me at the gym doing the same, a thought occurred to me... What makes a runner?  Are you only considered a runner if you run outside?  If you sign up for races?  I see plenty of "runners" on the treadmills like myself and think if you run for fitness or just for the love of it, you are a runner.  I never considered myself a runner until I signed up for races though.  Once I started racing, especially distance races like the half and full marathons, I thought of myself as a genuine runner.    What do you think?

Exercise Bulimia

I was reading an article yesterday about something called "Exercise Bulimia".  It is generally defined as those who eat whatever junk they want (the "binge") without abandon only to work it off intensely right after (the "purge").  The thought process being  it's okay to eat crap as long as you burn it off.  I can honestly say I have subscribed to this ideology at one time or another.  What runner hasn't?  Does that mean we suffer from some eating disorder or an unrealistic idea of what exercise and running mean to us?  I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.  Have any of you ever eaten that extra doughnut (or BOX) only to think "Who cares, I'm a runner.  I run more than the average person out there so I can afford it."?  Let me know!

Starting Line - RUNNERS READY?

This is it!  I finally decided to take the time and create a blog for running moms.  Because I talk to so many other moms who run that I figured it would be fun to have a spot we could all just vent and let it all hang out.  Feel free to say whatever you want - I've probably heard it already, but many of my readers may find it helpful.  Speaking of which, I NEED READERS so please pass this on to any moms you know who enjoy running.  All I ask is you stay on the topic of running and how you busy moms manage to fit in your runs while trying to be the wonderful wives and moms I know you already are!  It is through each other we will find our strength and energy.  One cannot do it alone so let the posts come flowing in!