Monday, June 4, 2012

Toe shoes, running songs and 10 running necessities

I have seen a few people running in the 'toe shoes' also know as 'loser shoes', 'w****rs' or 'Vibram FiveFingers'. I even went as far as to tell my husband if he ever brought home a pair he should bring divorce papers with them too.

Any woo, what I am getting around to is that I have a pair to try out. I will be be the loser running along the bike path in the toe shoes. I am not happy about this but I am also really curious. I love the cushioning of a great pair of running shoes and these are the complete opposite.

Besides a great pair of shoes, I have a few other running necessities:
1. Motivation - this isn't always easy to come by. Fake it until you make it;
2. Pick a distance you want to achieve and also pick an achievable 'I wish' distance. Mine are usually 10km and 12-15km. I find that I usually push myself to hit the 'I wish' distance;
3. Running tracks. I can not run outside without my 'Run' playlist. I know a lot of people advise against listening to music when running but I need it. Just keep the volume low so you can hear bikes, overtaking speedy runners and bad men sneaking up on you;
4. Headphones. I know this seems obvious but I have forgotten them a few times;
5. Sunscreen. Derr
6. Sunglasses. Double derr
7. Cap. derr derr derr
8. Spi-belt. This is the best waist bag in the history of bags. Very comfortable and doesn't bounce around. It fits keys, phone, money and headphones easily;
9. Water. I only drink water when I am done, but it's good to take little sips throughout the run/jog/walk
10. A map. Why not, Captain Cook probably had one, and just a mind map. Plan where you are going to run. Don't bring your UBD refidex

and don't forget to stretch before and after. I am usually really slack at this

For those curious cats, these are some of the songs on my 'Run' playlist;

We are young - by Fun (This is a good warming up track)
Payphone - Maroon 5
Moves like Jagger - just cos I have the moves
F**kin' Perfect - Pink
Sk*ter Boi - Avril Lavigne (don't knock it, until you run to it)
Mr Mysterious - Vanessa Amorosi
There you Go - Pink (any song by Pink is excellent)
Jai Ho! (I try to do Bollywood moves while running for extra intensity)
Smile - Lily Allen
Case of the Ex - Mya (anything angry is good)
Big Girl - MIKA (campy and fast)
Me and my imagination - Sophie Ellis Baxter
Musics got the best of me - also Sophie

Tomorrow I am going to update you on the toe shoes verses normal runners and share some reactions people had to them.

27 comments:

  1. Interesting, can't wait to see what you think of them.

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  2. Very interested - thanks for sharing your playlist - had planned to email you before i got to the end ; ) I need some new tunes - also need to start pushing myself past my 5km barrier - that was my old goal and now i can always do it, but have not pushed myself to start aiming for consistent 7km or more!
    Now off to search fro that pack - hmmm

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    1. Hi Deb, I'll share a few more tracks tomorrow. I ordered the spi belt online but I also bought one for my aunt at Rebel sport. They have some really fun patterns and colours. I have used a few and this is the best by far. Rachel x

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  3. I can't stand the feeling of toe socks, so I haven't tried toe shoes. I always imagine someone is going to use their ninja toe powers and pinch me.
    When I see people wearing those shoes I wonder what happens if they land on a pointy little stone. You know, the teeny sneaky ones that make your rollerskates stop and pitch you head over heels.
    Also, just because I'm a curious duck, I think your next vlog should be a snippet of you running and doing your bollywood moves.

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    1. These don't feel as bad as toe socks. I know the exact stones you are talking about. The ones that give nasty little stone bruises.

      And you curious duck, I would only vlog my awesome bollywood moves if you vlogged your superhero career day. :)

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  4. im a new runner myself and I love this post! excited to see what you thought of the shoes!

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    1. Hi Jess, congratulations on starting to run. It's hard to start but you feel amazing when you can do it. When I started I struggled to run 1km, but I was determined. Come back tomorrow to read part 2. Thanks for commenting. Rachel x

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  5. I'm with Blundermum - vlog please! I always think toe shoes seem to be crocs for the seriously athletic. I sort of think crocs are what garden gnomes wear on holiday, so....not saying you're a gnome! Can't wait to hear if you like them!!
    xx

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    1. LOL, I completely agree. Crocs for athletes. They get the same sticky warm feeling too. :)

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  6. NIce! Look forward to hearing your thoughts!x

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    1. Hi Karla, I have shared my thoughts today in a part two. But I can tell you that my calves are really sore today. Ouch!! :)

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  7. Mr. Mandie has been wearing the toe-shoes running for around 6 months.
    i used to pay him out (a lot) regarding these, but they seem to be becoming more and more popular. He likes them, but the did take him some getting used to, and graded the length of his runs over time in them. I'm sure he'll be interested in how you found them! :)

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    1. So he prefers them over normal runners now? It would be so hard to make the switch, I do love a nice bouncy pair of Asics. :)

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    2. He still switches between between traditional runners and the barefoot ones, but does use the barefoot runners a lot more than he used to. :)

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  8. Linking in from bbeingcool - I have seen those and just cannot imagine running in them ! Will definitely be back to see how you went.
    Thanks for the running list - I have quite a few of those on my running list so will be looking for your next list tomorrow - am always looking for new music to put on my running list.
    Have a fantastic Friday !
    Me

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    1. I am always on the lookout for running tracks. I spend all the time singing (and sometimes dancing) that I barely notice I have been running. I can see why people may like the toe shoes, but they are not for me :) Thanks for commenting. Rx

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  9. Oh - those toe shoes are everywhere! I have really really dodgy ankles, I need the shoes for support, but I bet you have something to say about that {ie - that they allow the muscles to do whatever etc etc...} Will be interested in hearing what you think!

    I can't listen to music when I run, life is too noisy, I need some time in my life without noise...

    Thanks for linking in with #teamfriday - love it! You are the first cab off the rank!

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    1. I do like more support in my shoes too. After my run in these, my calves were sore for 3 days. They must have really forced me to change my running style. I think I'll be sticking with the originals. Rx

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  10. Very interested to see what you think of the toe shoes. Hello via Team Friday, good to meet you. I am a new and not good slow jogger.. and have been lazy today and stayed in all day. It was great!! But must move my old body tomorrow.

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    1. Nothing wrong with being a new slow jogger. Any moving is great, so good on you. I still prefer my bouncing extra supportive Nikes for running. It would have been a nice day to stay in. I am jealous :) Thank for reading and commenting. Rachel x

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  11. I have not seen these shoes, but now am very curious to hear what you think of them! Great list! I would also add arm band! I stopped running with mine for a while, and now that I'm using it again I wonder why. It makes it so much easier than carrying my phone! And a running program like runkeeper or one of the other ones out there.

    Here's a few songs on my running playlist:
    LMFAO Party Rock Anthem and Sexy and I Know it (I know, original)
    David Guetta and Nicki MInaj - Turn Me On
    Jason Derulo It Girl, Don't Wanna Go Home, The Sky's The Limit

    Dropping in from being cool's Team Friday...

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  12. I had an armband too - and it was great. I think I stopped and started with the belt because the armband didn't fit my keys too. But if you only need the phone the arm band is excellent.

    I love your songs. Can you believe I don't have any of them. I will by the next time I run.

    Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Rachel x

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    1. I was spoiled with some Lorna Jane pants that have a pocket for my key, so all I take is my car key, phone and arm band (and headphones). I need some new running songs too. I get bored having the same ones in rotation all the time!

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    2. I am always looking for new running tracks. I must have a short attention span :)

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  13. Loving all of your running tracks!! Those shoes do look weird - I'm popping over to check out your verdict now! Belated happy #teamfriday x

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  14. Great list - as a semi-new runner I love having a sneaky look at how other people run :) I need to update my running playlist too and I love some of your suggestions (especially Avril ;)

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