Hungry to read--and write--more

Hey friends,
Looking at my previous post, it's been a year since I last wrote. Although I haven't written here, I have been working on side projects. Today The Seattle Times ran an Op-ed piece I wrote about the book, "The Hunger Games." I've been pretty consumed by the series for months, but my 11-year-old daughter may have to wait much longer than that before she gets to read it.
Take a look at the Op-ed, which is linked here.

Getting the Feet Wet

With a five mile training run ahead of me, I decided to run around Greenlake (about 3 miles) with my new shoes. My numb toes after our nine mile run sent me back to Fleet Feet for a consultation. They suggested I try the same shoe, but in a wide. For lovely ladies, this isn't exactly what one wants to hear. But for a gal attempting to toughen up for a half marathon, I was more than willing to try. But I also wanted to try my FiveFinger shoes on the grass. At Greenlake I could take the paved trail with the wider shoes (the half marathon is mostly paved, so I wanted to mimic those conditions) for a few miles, then change into the FiveFingers to run in the grass or trail on the outer perimeter.

The wide shoes were great. I augmented with something called "Jelly Toes,"  a gel filled sleeve for the toes many dancers use. It was just a short distance compared to what I'd need to do on race day, but it seems like I'd found the right formula. And by formula, here's what I had added to my body: Jelly Toe on my second toe, the wider shoes, calf compression sleeves, a knee support and a support belt for my lower back. That doesn't count the SmartWool socks, wicking sunshield cap, iPod Shuffle and running tights, sports bra, tank top, two shirts and windbreaker. As my husband will tell you, I do not travel light.

As for the FiveFingers, once I put them on and tromped off into the grass, I felt like a kid. The grass was still wet and muddy in places, but I found running in it a joy. I may have started off the paved path, but the shoes kept me scampering up hills, winding around the trees and smooshing farther along than I anticipated. It felt liberating to be able to run through the muddy, wet grass unconcerned about getting dirty yet still feeling that my feet were protected. The FiveFingers are machine-washable, not something you can do with just any running shoe.

I preferred staying in the grass or on the trail with the FiveFingers rather than running on the pavement. That's probably where I need to be to strengthen my feet. It's still too soon to tell if they're making any difference, but they sure are fun and comfortable to wear in the meantime. I'm considering getting them for the girls for summer scampering.

To The 9s

I was pretty psyched about my long run, despite the nine mile distance. Most of the route followed Lake Washington, which would be breathtaking on the clear sunny day we got. I've also been reading Dean Karnazes, who I think is one of the most inspirational athletes to follow today. I zoomed right through "Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner," and am now half-way through "50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days -- and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!" I've also been keeping tabs on his Run Across America, marveling at the way he's zipped across the continental U.S. The guy doesn't sugar coat the toll running takes on his body and he's equally forthcoming about the immense joy he feels engaging in his sport. I shared so much of the book with Doug that he grabbed the first one as soon as I finished it and seems very inspired in his training for STP.

So with the ultimate ultramarathon man in my brain and my new CEP sleeves on my calves, I felt ready to take on the nine miles. And in retrospect, I fulfilled my goals. I wanted to finish without taking too long (under two hours) and I wanted to enjoy it -- that happened. But I can't help but think about a pivotal point when I chose to stop and stretch. I'd been doing well, enjoying the run and feeling pretty good. I wasn't the fastest and I wasn't the slowest. But I got a little lost.

We were supposed to take a set of stairs to the I-90 bridge bike tunnel. I was taking a set of stairs that led to someone's house when I finally saw someone from my training group continuing further down the street. I doubled back to meet them and caught my stride again. But when we had to walk up a hill to get to the stairs, my left toes were going numb and I figured I should take a breather, walk a bit and help them unwind.

It was hard to watch my training partners go on ahead, but I tried to remember that I was taking care of myself and it would be better in the end. I began to get discouraged by how far I'd fallen behind and my foot didn't feel any better. I kept waiting to see the next turnoff street, but there were so many street and none of them the one I needed! It was frustrating. I didn't stop again, but I was shuffling along pretty slowly, my toes numb and mentally unraveling.

By the time I got to the turn, I was relieved, but understood that this final leg back to our meeting point was always the hardest. Why? Because it was always the last leg! There's a slight uphill grade and I'm just dog tired at that point. There are also a number of great restaurants and cafes along that street and they're just opening up their doors where the smell of pastries and coffee are so enticing. But I finished, and within two hours, which felt good.

However, I'm coming off that run with a new goal. Our run this weekend is a mock marathon where our trainers will have us run part of the half-marathon course with bib numbers, aid stations and an official start. I think it's a great way to mentally prepare for what's ahead on the actual race day. It will be half of the Half, 6.2 miles. And since I know I can do this, my main goal is to keep running. I'm going to stay the course with my fellow runners who challenge and encourage me without stopping to stretch out my foot. Let's do it!

Compression and Five Fingered Toes

In an effort to alleviate my numb toes syndrome while running, I hit the Capitol Hill Fleet Feet store, which is where I've been training for the Rock 'n Roll Seattle Half Marathon. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, so I knew I could get some good advice.

After talking with Phil about the benefits of compression tights, I decided to work up to them by trying a compression sleeve for my calves first. I'd read that supporting the calf muscles can help alleviate pressure on the foot. As a former dancer, I do appreciate the idea of being sucked in and supported as much as possible to keep the muscles warm. (Here's where I confess that for the first two training runs I wore a unitard under my running clothes. It helped keep me warm and supported, but since it had no wicking properties whatsoever, I was wet and cold by the time I got home).

Phil mentioned that there are a few different approaches to the compression garment: CEP, which makes the calf sleeve, incorporates stitching that allows support and blood flow up the leg. The recovery compression tights I was looking at (sorry, I forgot the brand) provides complete compression around the legs for total support. There's an important point here that I almost missed as a novice runner - the recovery tights are to be worn after running. You can wear them after a long run, race, or even to sleep. At about $140 a pair, I thought the calf sleeves would be a better foray into compression garments. There are compression tights available that can be worn while running, but again, that might be a little further down the road for me.

Sort of on my radar, but not necessarily on my shopping list, were the Vibram FiveFingers shoes. I've seen FiveFinger runners and heard about the barefoot running movement, but I didn't understand it. Fleet Feet had a discount for Facebook followers (which I am, natch), so I thought I'd try on a pair. The shoes aren't as strange as one might think - or perhaps because I'm used to going barefoot I'm comfortable spreading my out my toes - but because they're meant to be a snug fit, they feel flexible and supportive at the same time. Another employee, Emily, mentioned that she uses her pair for shorter runs on non-paved surfaces. She said they encourage striking on the ball or front of the foot. I'd been wondering how I could strengthen my foot and this sounded like a great way to augment my training. When I was dancing we spent a lot of time working on the feet at the barre and across the floor. It made so much more sense to me to use the FiveFingers this way versus as a primary running shoe. I felt like I finally understood how I could utilize the shoe.

I'm pretty excited about my purchases. The FiveFingers were fun to run in around the yard with the kids. We'll see how the sleeves do!

Testing out my FiveFingers in the grass.

Cool traction action.

Beaches

The family and I recently spent a weekend at Cama Beach, a state park on Camano Island. We rented one of their quaint cabins on the Puget Sound, a tiny two-room respite just perfect for a short getaway. It's a picturesque spot, made more peaceful by the fact that outside cars are not allowed on the cabin grounds. You park on the hill overlooking the water, then walk or take a shuttle down. With two kids and questionable weather, we certainly packed a good deal, but it was well worth the effort, given the tranquil escape.

Our cabin had two full beds (you bring your own bedding), a table and chairs, a fridge, sink and microwave. The kids loved sharing a room together and having the beach right outside the front door. Although the restrooms are housed in a public facility, they were clean and not too far from our cabin.

The rain and cold found their way into the cabin, despite having a heater. I was so cold the first night that I caved in on our 'State-Made' proposal. It's embarrassing, but I could not stop myself from buying a fleece vest at the park store with a clear "Made in Vietnam" label. After spending the night huddled very close to Doug wearing almost every layer available in my overnight bag, I just couldn't take it. I look at it as a benefit to the Washington State Park system.

Because it's a state park, you can head over for an easy day trip. There's a Center for Wooden Boats on site, which offers boat rentals and family programs. The girls got to make small wooden boats that they "docked" at the beach. We invited some friends and family to join us later in the afternoon, which made for a crowded cabin, but happy, scampering kids. One of the best parts of living in the Pacific Northwest is the balance between urban living and the natural world. We loved being at Cama Beach and will definitely be there again before the summer's out.

Em finds the right cove for her boat.

Em & Phee take in the sunset.

Phee adds to Doug's Andy Goldsworthy-inspired shell installation.

Distr., Manufactured and Available

Carting around what's probably not made in the U.S.

Our quest to purchase goods made only in the United States was challenged when we went grocery shopping. We do most of our produce shopping at our local farmer's market, so we were able to float by for a bit.

I'm not an overzealous label reader in general, but I guarantee you, I checked and double checked every item in our cart. It was easier than I imagined, since most of the items I needed were paper goods, and yeah, it seemed intuitive living in the Pacific Northwest that facial tissue, napkins and paper towels would be resources I wouldn't have trouble sourcing locally. But I was pleasantly surprised that rice milk, soy-gurt, throat-coat tea and grass seed (?!) were all distributed from companies here. The unpleasant part came when I saw the number of times the words "manufactured," "distributed by" and "manufactured for distribution by" appeared. I felt giddy to know that Genisoy is based in Tulsa, Okla. (my hubby's former stomping grounds), but left the store feeling unsteady and unsure that the products, though at the very least probably not sourced from U.S.-grown soybeans, was probably not made in Tulsa, either. It's frustrating.

When I got home I compared my cart's labels with one in my pantry: Nutella The first time I tried Nutella was while traveling overseas, and I was thrilled when I found it in a specialty grocery store a few years after. I was very certain it was not made in the U.S. My jar of Nutella says clearly, "Made in Canada" on the label. Not once during my shopping trip did I see a label as clear as that stating, "Made in the U.S.A." I feel that, despite some effort, I've failed.

There are many resources for products made here, especially online.  Here are a few I found:

- Still Made in USA
- Americans Working
- Made in USA Forever

But it's going to take me a long time to sort through these sites to figure it out. Food seems relatively easy, though it might be more about changing what we eat. If I go back to the rice milk or soy products I enjoy more than dairy, that's automatically more difficult to obtain locally. Our farmer's market has no end to milk and cheese - unpasteurized milk at that. But soy products? I'll see where my research takes me and keep you all posted. If only there were and etsy-style grocery store. 

Another issue that came up this week is my dying cell phone. I have an original iPhone 2, which has been fine for me, given that I use few of the online/app bells and whistles. I figure if the phone part of it still works, then I'm using a phone as a phone. I also text. But this week I could only hear calls if I had the speaker option on. I've been working around it, and maybe even found a solution, but that's another mystery to deal with. It will take much more than research to find a cell phone made entirely in the United States.

6 Mile

I was supposed to run five miles for training yesterday and ended up running a little over six instead. (No, this isn't because I inadvertently did NOT run seven miles on Saturday)

I planned to do the outer perimeter of Greenlake, then jump to the paved path around the lake, but I just didn't. I've discovered after my second mile my left foot becomes numb. About 3/4 of a mile later, the right foot follows. A few friends at training group and I have commiserated about this, looking for solutions. I've laced my shoes tighter, looser, and even wore those socks with individual toes to help. The socks did help somewhat, but not entirely.

So after the first loop around the lake I decided to run the outer perimeter half-way to Super Jock 'n Jill, a running store at the northwest end of the lake. A super nice employee there, Eric, helped me. I thought wearing compression socks might help support my feet, but when I asked him what he thought, he suggested we fiddle with my shoe fit a bit more before shelling out the $60 for the CEP socks they carry. He re-laced my shoes. Not just pulling and re-adjusting, but he took the laces out entirely, skipped the first row of holes and re-laced them. Very very nice, considering I didn't even buy the shoes there. He had me take a jog up the hill and come back to check on how they felt. They felt much more roomy and comfortable, and encouraged, I thought finishing out the perimeter would be fun.

I did finish the perimeter feeling good. But my foot did get numb again. This time I had more room to wiggle my toes and scrunch them around, so that was a plus, but I really can't figure out how to avoid numbness entirely.

Maybe I can't. Maybe I just need to accept the my body is telling me to stop, stretch, take a breather and let me feet regain feeling. After I do this, my feet feel fine and are ready start again. I'm going to have to figure out how I can run this half-marathon in this condition. Running on numb feet is no fun, so perhaps I will be hitting the pavement in two-mile increments with stretching and walking in between.