Dueling Banjos: Barefoot Running Vs. Shoe Running

I know it's a bit of a hot button topic among the world of runners who stand at either end of the equator on the issue: barefoot running Vs. shoe running. One is viewed as a throwback to the evolution of humans that spent much of their existence running naturally away from Predators (unless you're Carl Weathers, Danny Glover, or Adrien Brody, who run towards them), and conversely, towards prey (& berries & fruits & such), and the other view is what made Bill Bowerman & Phil Knight richer than finding the road to El Dorado baby! In summation, the argument is that shoes interfere with your biomechanics by forcing them to fit into a broadly researched, pseudo-scientific, mold, while shedding that padding our feet have grown so use to uncovers a long dormant goldmine of human perfection.

So, what happens when we really do lose the shoes...

Parks & Recreation

Since returning from Japan, I've been obsessively catching up on episodes I missed of this great show while being out of the country (it's a damn shame that Hulu doesn't work outside of the States!). I felt it was worth mentioning here, since Rob Lowe's reoccurring character, Chris Traeger, is a specific source of hilarity with his gung-ho daily 10 mile runs, copious intake of vitamin supplements, and even a brief mention of "sports sandals" (read: Vibram Fivefingers, Sprints by the look of them) as enhancing running ability by contouring perfectly to the human form. Among a cast full of great comedic actors, consistently knocking homeruns out of the park in this ensemble character driven show, Rob Lowe's approach to being an overzealous health nut, with a very modest goal of living to be 150 years old, really shows he brings a sharp edged blade to the sword fight when he needs to use his swift comedic chops. I realize my values are being mocked, but can't help enjoying the way they are mocking them. Though, if you pressed me to admit it, Nick Offerman's portrayal of Ron Swanson, the obvious antithesis of a vegan marathon runner, wins out, hands down, on the high end of the comedy spectrum.

I recommend catching this series in its entirety when you get a chance. The first season falls flat at times, as it was awkwardly trying to find its footing, but things really get a lot better by the start of season 2. It's currently in its 3rd season, and has already been renewed for a 4th.

Ron Swanson's reaction to vegan bacon:

Back in the U.S.S.A.

So, much like a blackbird singing in the dead of night, I'm back in the States for the time being, and I've already gone out for my first hometown run with a brand new pair of Asics that were anxiously waiting at home for my arrival. I found a good deal on last year's model and scored big on the cheapness scale for such quality kicks. I also found a birthday card on my bookshelf from 2 years ago with $30 stuffed inside it, Good Day Sunshine! There's a younger version of me who is pretty pissed right about now, but as for the older me, I'm Happy Just to Dance with You on that dude's untilled grave with a freshly cobbled pair of giddiness clogs.

Substitute Giddiness Clogs

I know the barefoot running craze is picking up more steam than a combination Robert Fulton invented, Ozzy Osbourne penned, steam engine crazy train, what with all the vibrams and biomechanics debate, and I did put some serious thought into diving into the deep end (or is barefooting technically the shallow end?), now that I no longer hold fast to the splintered rungs of a rope ladder training schedule, but for long distances, I like my soles cushioned. I did, however, switch up my shoe choice a bit: I'm back to Asics, after a long stint in Nikes, I feel like I've come back home, twice now this week, to comfort country.

So it's been 3 months since I last hit the streets of Oreland, our last dance was to a song whose lyrics I've half forgotten, but a beat that is ingrained in my being all too well. That is to say, in plain English, the route, which I spent many snow covered miles training on for the marathon, is something I'm far too familiar with, however, I had forgotten the topography of the land, like just how many hills I have to run up (and, sure, OK, down) to get through a run around Oreland. I guess I was spoiled by the basically flat kilometers Japan welcomed me with. It's always kind of a mental shock when you head out the door expecting to accomplish a carefree 3 miler, but your legs are mad at you for not being as easy as your muscles remember. This does bring up the question, shouldn't a flat course marathon be easier to accomplish when all your training was on hillier ground? I suppose it technically should be easier, and that's probably partially why the first half of the marathon was a breeze, and indeed the video of me passing 19 miles with a frenzied optimism seems so bizarrely appropriate, but there's a lot more than just running that goes into a marathon. For a first timer, there's nothing that really prepares you for those final 6 miles, they kind of even the playing field.

I'm not exactly sure how long I'll be staying in the States. I will be returning to Japan at some point, hopefully soon, before I forget too much Japanese, but for now, I'm back to the basics. I broke out the old screen shots of my Google map running routes I used for training, and am hitting the slopes in the off season, as it were, so thankfully, there's far less snow. Finally, I should mention that Schwinny Cooper has broken my heart, simply by being broken herself. Let this serve as fair warning to all who dabble in finding a bike on Craigslist...make sure you know enough about bikes before buying second hand, or take someone with you that does. I know that seems like common sense, but I let my excitement cloud my judgement when I thought I found the perfect bike. Since I bought it, my bike has been a constant pain in the backside with all the problems it surprises me with. Though this blog is not about complaints, so I send a gentle shuteye sigh subtly out the side of my mouth for the frustration over my broken bike, and then...move on.

Next up: The Jersey Shore...for runners.

Rhythm Method: the pillows "Funny Bunny"

In the interest of full immersion in Japanese, to aid my language learning skills, my ipod nano has slowly been turning Japanese, I think it's turning Japanese, I really think so, since moving to Japan. the pillows have long been one of my favorite bands. I discovered them randomly on my first visit to Japan in 2004; they were doing an interview on some variety show, and then played the video for their then new single, Walking on a Spiral. I was smitten like a hello kitten, and spent a long time after returning to the States trying to track down their music to varying degrees of success. I would discover that their songs were used in a short lived but amazingly bizarre & comedic anime series called FLCL (Fooly Cooly). the pillows have been releasing albums since 1991, undoubtedly a large portion of their fame since their inception comes from being highlighted as the band responsible for much of the FLCL soundtrack. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

the pillows certainly don't hide their admiration for the pixies, from their sound, to the suspiciously similar name, to the song titled Kim Deal, they owe a lot to Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV and company. If we're being honest, what "alternative" rock (shuddering like Sideshow Bob getting smacked with a rake at the use of that distinction) sounding post-1990 band doesn't?

This song, Funny Bunny comes from their 1999 album Happy Bivouac, which had a number of ripe tracks plucked like precious pomegranate fruits for use in the FLCL series. The band has a discography of more than 18 albums, and I can make the safe assurance to all that are interested, there's no wrong place to start with this band; it's pretty much all good. Though, I will say, Good Dreams & My Foot might be the two albums of theirs I listen to the most. Enjoy...   

100th post extravaganza Bonanza!

I know it's been quiet around here for a while, I've abandoned this room for far too long, as evidenced by the dust & cobwebs accumulated on the passé decor and secondhand furniture in here (I guess, no matter how hard I try, it can only rightfully be the 80's once, right? Apologies to the Ray Parker, Jr.  poster with the ripped corner hanging above the desk overcrowded with stacks of discarded 8-bit Nintendo cartridges, near the cracked & wilted Chia Pet* on the paint chipped windowsill that looks out onto the nostalgia addled garden of my mind); I feel slightly guilty I've neglected this place, but other than a brief stint in, nearly internet-less, Kyoto, I haven't been all that far away. Part of that silence has been the contemplative slow burning incense build up to the future of this blog, and above all else, this very post, which I am proud to announce as Vegan Marathon Runner's 100th post! That's right, welcome one & all to the official 100th post on Vegan Marathon Runner. Though I can't take the credit for making all those posts myself—as from the get go, this has been a collaborative effort with long time friend, and fellow vegan marathon runner, Vincent—I can bask in the neon glow of a heart-shaped vacancy sign, welcoming all while flickering in the front lobby of a seedy riverside hotel throughout the dim moonlit hours of the foggy Tokyo nights, and conversely pale sunlight afternoons, because sharing this long and winding road, post after post, has never been short of surprises, tragedy, (failed attempts at) humor, & despite all odds, victories.

the 100th post continues after the break....