Some of you may know I have been training for a few months with running 5k and 10k. Each week I try and push myself and get better. Recently I joined cross fit to improve my fitness level. Last week, I saw this special on Evening Magazine (Seattle show) about cross fit and it showed this guy running at full speed on a treadmill at 12% incline. Afterwards, he was on his back breathing hard and looking like he just had the best sex ever (pardon the visual). I thought, damn, I wish I could do that. They said several times during the show that athletes do cross fit for the extreme high it brings. I thought - sounds good to me.

Fast forward to today, I decided to really push myself like never before. Instead of spending the first 10 minutes of my 10 k to get into the zone, I got myself into the zone at the end of my warm up by adding sprints and incline running during the warm up. I started the race at 6.6 mph and 2.0% incline. At then end of 5 k, I had been running 18.5 minutes. At the end of 10 k I finished in 39 minutes. I was on my back recovering for a min, seeing stars with sound echoing into the distance. I felt great, like that guy I saw on the show.

I wanted to stop several times during the run, but I kept repeating "I am a cross fit runner now. I can do this." To help me have the energy to do it, I popped 2 energy squares before the run and another at 5 k. I drank a lot of Water all morning to hydrate myself. Took a pre workout drink right before run so the pump would kick in around 20-30 minutes. I met my latest goal of running 5 k sub 20 minutes! I continue to train with runs 3-4 x a week, increasing the effort spent every session.

I share this to motivate others. Good luck in your fitness endeavors and may you keep setting and meeting your goals. I think anything is possible and I want to apply the principles of cross fit to all areas of life.

I have a pair of Nike zoom running shoes that have really held up. Been running on them an average of 24 miles a week from Dec 15 2012' date=' and according to a running store clerk, the shoes still have 100 miles left on them whoo who!! It looks like I will get about 5.5 months or about 450 miles out of them. Good on the wallet.[/quote']

Question for you my friend, if you're Chi-running then you are landing more on your forefoot. The cushioning that supposedly breaks down in a running shoe is in the heel. So since you're not really using that cushioning, it stands to reason that it won't break down, and even if it did you're not using it. Thoughts?

Oh and might I add that I have been having a small TMI moment in these quests to better my running. Sometimes during the run I feel the need to take a dump (sorry for the guttural description). I wish this did not happen and hope some others have a solution. I do try and take care of daily BM hours before running. However, nature calls again during the run. Maybe it is the pre workout drink? Don't know.

This is not unusual at all. My brother-in-law is an avid runner, and he knows the location of every bathroom along his routes...

This is not unusual at all. My brother-in-law is an avid runner' date=' and he knows the location of every bathroom along his routes... [/quote']

Yep, running definitely is a cure for constipation. Who knew?

Question for you my friend' date=' if you're Chi-running then you are landing more on your forefoot. The cushioning that supposedly breaks down in a running shoe is in the heel. So since you're not really using that cushioning, it stands to reason that it won't break down, and even if it did you're not using it. Thoughts?[/quote']

Yup, my shoe looks almost new on the heel, especially since I run on the treadmill. I think recently I have been just landing solid in middle/front part of the shoe. Feels pretty natural to me. No issues with my shoe or feet yet and I run 18-20 miles a week on average.

Yup, my shoe looks almost new on the heel, especially since I run on the treadmill. I think recently I have been just landing solid in middle/front part of the shoe. Feels pretty natural to me. No issues with my shoe or feet yet and I run 18-20 miles a week on average.

When I went to the Chi-running clinic, the main instructor was wearing Skechers Gobionics. They are a new Skechers running shoe. He passed them around the class to look at, they truly are a different sort of shoe. No arch support, no heel lift, but they do have some cushioning. The sole is partioned like a waffle, so it is extremely flexible and all parts of the foot can move independently of each other....unlike a shoe with stiffer, 1 piece soles. I bought a pair to see if I'd like them for really long runs. So far the jury is still out on them for me, but they do what they claim to do, which is feel like minimalist shoes but with some cushioning. You might like them.

When I went to the Chi-running clinic' date=' the main instructor was wearing Skechers Gobionics. They are a new Skechers running shoe. He passed them around the class to look at, they truly are a different sort of shoe. No arch support, no heel lift, but they do have some cushioning. The sole is partioned like a waffle, so it is extremely flexible and all parts of the foot can move independently of each other....unlike a shoe with stiffer, 1 piece soles. I bought a pair to see if I'd like them for really long runs. So far the jury is still out on them for me, but they do what they claim to do, which is feel like minimalist shoes but with some cushioning. You might like them.[/quote']

Looked at the men's version on Amazon. There are many good reviews. Perhaps it will be my next running shoe. Let us know if you suddenly overwhelmingly find a reason to like them. As I am already a mid foot / front foot runner, these do sound like a good match. I think my current running shoe might make it through the summer.

Looked at the men's version on Amazon. There are many good reviews. Perhaps it will be my next running shoe. Let us know if you suddenly overwhelmingly find a reason to like them. As I am already a mid foot / front foot runner' date=' these do sound like a good match. I think my current running shoe might make it through the summer.[/quote']

Here's a shot of them. You can see how flexible they are. Can't do that with most running shoes.

Here's a shot of them. You can see how flexible they are. Can't do that with most running shoes.

How are they feeling on your runs?

Very light. After several miles I start to feel the cushion but not in a positive way. It's like I'm not used to the cushion being there so it gets to be like walking on a mattress. Maybe just my imagination. Still a game time decision but I was planning on wearing these on my half. Maybe not. I'll wear them again today and see how it goes.

But for someone who wants a little cushion though, these would be a great choice.