The Royal Frogs August 1, 2009
I don’t care if I never run another race the rest of my life.
That was the thought that struck me running tonight. Crickets chirped in the fields surrounding me, the meadows glowing in the sunset. I was FLYING down the dirt road of Appleton Farms, floating along almost effortlessly (I’d learn later from gmaps that I’d done the 4.1 miles at an 8:00 pace - without even trying) except for my calves which were screaming uncle by that point, 3.5 miles into a 4 mile run.
THIS is why I run. Not body fat percentage, not 5k times, not even the demons it tames. I run for that rare moment where it ALL comes together as euphoric bliss: endorphins, ecology, exertion. And frog shoes.
Yes…I love my little froggy shoes. Granted, it’s been a long time since my legs (specifically my calves) were the limiter for my mileage. I mean, even at Ironman, my legs weren’t tired. With these little barefooters, my calves tell me exactly when to end. I made it 4.1 miles tonight, up from 3 a week ago, down about 10 from where I’m used to being limited.
As my calves expired, I discovered once again (as suspected) the source of my speed: I switched onto the soft grass so that I could run mid-footed and get off the balls of my feet, thereby alleviating the stress on my calves (my achilles have yet to say boo, knock on wood). Within 30 seconds, my pace had slowed as my quads and hammy’s took over, and my HR and breathing went up. I moved back to the hard pack and re-engaged my calves, and dropped the hammer. I did the last mile in 7:10…and my HR was 162 (that’s barely zone 3). My gastrochs were fried, but I felt fresh as a daisy.
More importantly, for the first time EVER my running FEELS right. I know this IS the right path, but it’s going to be a very slow and potentially extrinsically poor rewarding one…and I don’t care. I know it’s the path that will give me the chance to run past the due dates I’ve been given, and bring the moments of bliss like tonight. The froggy shoes might be ugly, but I don’t even need to kiss them to recognize that they are royalty to me…
a
I’m so intrigued by these “froggy shoes” people are running in. Thanks for sharing! Great post! Love the days when the run is right on!
Great post, makes me want to go out and run right now
Great post April! This is my reason for running too, just to run! I love that our sport is simple enough to not need a lot of extra stuff to worry about - just get out and run!