Where the Streets Have No Name

I dropped the ball on Music Monday last week, so I had to make right by all of my readers (wait, are you guys still there...is this thing on?).

And so, I present to you U2 and a song about running, because that's what I did this weekend.

The boyfriend and I ran a trail 5k this weekend in Elysian Park in LA.  Here are a few of my thoughts about the whole thing:

1. The location was amazing.  We could see directly into Dodger Stadium from across the freeway.  It looked empty and sadly forlorn.

2. We almost couldn't find the race.  The start/finish was in a remote part of the park that was really difficult to find (made worse by the bad Google directions that the race had posted on their website).  People were literally driving circles around the park because there weren't any signs directing us to the right spot.

3. This is the second time this race was put on.  I expected a small turn-out and a little disorganization, and was disappointed when the race started 25 minutes late.  By that time, I had done a warm-up, had cooled down from the warm-up and started to get hungry.

4.  Switchbacks in the sun.  That's all I have to say.

5. My mind was really strong during this race.  It didn't turn on me, probably because I kept saying, "It's only 3 miles...heck, 3 miles is nothing."

6. My body felt pretty good.  Nothing hindered my performance, which is all I really ask for anymore these days.  My time was pretty decent, considering there were some hills.  Of course, I couldn't catch the girls in pink sports bras and shorty shorts.  Oh, and the guy who won the race in 14:41 should probably be tested for steroids.  What a beast!

7. I was the first female to cross the line in Vibrams.  And you know what that means? I got a free pair of Vibrams!  I was pretty stoked.

8. He wouldn't want me to tell anyone, but I beat the boy.  The best part of the race, though, was at the end when, even though I had gone across the finish line first, he came over and hugged me and told me how proud he was of me.  "I've got a badass girlfriend" were the exact words. :) 

9. It was refreshing to run a 5k after a few 10k's.  While racing can be fun, for me it's a time to really see how my body handles the "stress" and pushes through.  And of course, to give me a little confidence boost that I'm not totally out of shape.

Clean Up Your Own Backyard

Although this is a classic Elvis song, I don't think that the problem I'm going to write about is really what Elvis meant by "clean up your own backyard."

Here's what happened this morning...

I bought a new pair of Vibrams this weekend.  Man, are they cute...purple and gray...they make my feet feel very girly.  I took them out for a spin this morning and inevitably, because they are a new pair of shoes, there was a little bit of rubbing and chafing.  I got about 10 minutes out with the pup and I decided that to go any further was going to do severe damage (and I had just come off a good week of rest).  I could have turned around right there, but wanted to go a little bit longer, so I decided to take off my Vibrams.  I am a "barefoot" runner, after all.  So, here I am, running barefoot and as I'm jumping over rocks and such, I noticed something.

There was a TON of dog poop stains on the sidewalk.  And, not only stains, but also places where a dog went, but the owner couldn't get all of the poop off the sidewalk.  Residue poop...that's the worst.

WHEN DID IT BECOME OK FOR A DOG TO POOP ON THE SIDEWALK?

Did these owners train their dogs that they could squat wherever they wanted to?  Austin is a total grass pooper - he won't go unless he's on the green stuff.  Especially today, as I was staring down at the ground even more so, I noticed that this poop residue wasn't just here and there, it was EVERYWHERE.

At the same time, when did people lose the common decency to pick up after your dog?  When did it become ok to watch your dog poop & silently stroll away, leaving me to step in that mess later?  To me, people have become lazy and inconsiderate.  Elvis was right in saying that we need to clean up our own backyards.  Take the five seconds, FIVE SECONDS, to pick up after your dog.  We're all here to walk on the sidewalks and enjoy spending time outside.  But when I have to stare at the ugliness that is a pile of poop, my mood sours and I get upset with humanity.  Do the simple things.  Clean up. 

Momma Needs a New Pair of Shoes

The other day, I realized my Vibrams are torn on the area between my big toe and the next toe.  I guess I can't expect shoes to last forever, but I thought they would at least get me through a year and a half.  Soooo...you know what that means, right?! Shoe shopping, baby!

Ok, I guess I'm not really "shopping." I know what I'm looking for and there's not a whole lot of deviation; I'm going to get another pair of Vibrams.  Now, since I bought my first pair, Vibram has released several different styles of the "shoe."  The changes can normally be seen on the sole of the shoe (more tread) and on the upper (some lace up and are more sturdy than others).  What I'm really excited for, though, is the change in color.

Example One: My old Vibrams

Yeah, I know, they're kind of ugly. But they did the trick and eased me into minimalist running.  I was initially worried about them being all black, but because I was still self-conscious about running around in gorilla shoes, the color didn't scream, "Look at me."

Example Two: My (hopefully) new Vibrams

These beauts scream, "Look at me!!!"  I think now that I'm fully committed to minimalist running, I'll be ok with the stares I might get from people on the street.  And I have no doubt that people will look...these things are pretty flashy.  But it's not like other shoes aren't as bright:

I was told by my boss, who ordered these, that the color is "mango."  And still as ugly as ever.

Bright colors are hip & cool these days, whether it's in design or in fashion.  I find that I'm really comfortable in greys and blacks.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of adding a pop of color here and there.  That's why I think adding those rockin' pink & orange Vibrams will be perfect.

Side note: As I was doing some "research" on the Vibrams, I learned that they now are making them for kids.  And the first thing that came to my mind...how in the world are you going to get a five-year-old's toes in each little toe spot? Only a crazy parent would want to wrestle a kindergartener into a pair of feet gloves.