For you, Runner Friends

In an average year, approximately 65 percent to 80 percent of runners are injured. Our running shoes keep improving year after year as the price goes up. Could our shoes actually be contributing to our injuries? It's a possibility.

Is it possible that barefoot running is easier on our bodies? Barefoot Ted seems to think so. I think of it and get all squirmy, remembering all of the random surfaces (from muddy uphill trails to uneven brick pavement built in the early 1900's) during some of my races.

I've got at least 200 miles left on my Asics, but I'm interested to try the Vibram Five Finger "barefoot" shoes out.  Just how exhilarating is it? If you own a pair, I would love to know.

I'm thinking that this barefoot thing could potentially be my ticket to injury prevention in the future. It's going to take some testing, however.  I'll start with the Injinji socks first, just to get acclimated to having something between my toes.

Has anyone else tried these?

Starting Tomorrow, Maybe.

We all say it. "I'll do better tomorrow" or "I'll start my diet tomorrow". The problem is this; tomorrow rolls around and you are tempted in the line at Starbucks.  All you wanted was your Americano or your skinny latte, but the glass case full of pastries has won you over, once again.

Has this happened to you in some form or fashion, whether it's Starbucks or your own pantry full of food? What can you do?

In my opinion:

• Don't skip breakfast! However, be sure to start the day off with something ultra healthy to jump start your metabolism and get your day going on the right path. I recommend egg whites with a tablespoon of your favorite salsa and some oatmeal made with plain oats, water, a little bit of cinnamon and a natural sweetener like Stevia.
  
• Start an online calorie counting journal. Plan out your day and you'll be way more successful in sticking with your healthy routine.  Track others that have been successful to make it a lot easier on you.
• Wear a rubber band around your wrist. Each time you are tempted to go to the freezer and pull out that tub of ice cream, snap your wrist and grab a bottle of water instead.
• Don't cheat yourself. You might have thoughts of popping a few bites of this or that into your mouth while you are cooking dinner. How about going to your closet instead and getting out those really cute jeans that you still can't fit into?  Put them in sight of your oven or stove top while cooking!
• Sip on water ALL day. If you don't like to recycle your water bottles too often, just use one water bottle per day and keep filling it up. You can throw it out and get a new one the next day. If it's a 20 oz bottle, fill it up and drink it all AT LEAST 3 times.
• Eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day.  We're not talking Texas-sized meals either.

One day at a time, folks! Falling off the wagon doesn't mean that you have to stay off.  What's your opinion?