Building a Legacy Project: A Good Blueprint For A Life That Matters

Chris Guillebeau is one of my favorite authors.  His book The Art of Nonconformity has been a continual influence on my major life decisions.  I love his work for a variety of reasons.

First, he champions using unconventional methods to solve problems.  Not only is it remarkably effective, it’s also fun.

Second, he champions the idea of living your life on your own terms.  Our “traveling around in an RV with three small children seeking out new running adventures” lifestyle is Read More...

Running Injuries. Damn.

I injured my right knee last week while running back and forth between our campground and the auto repair place (had to get new wheel bearings for the ‘Burb).  I was running (barefoot, no less) on some gravel, stepped on a small thorn, and landed awkwardly on the opposite foot.  It was a minor blip compared to some of my trail crashes, but it tweaked my knee just right.  The pain went from a minor stabbing pain to Read More...

Telling People They’re Not Good Enough

Blooger formula for remaining mysterious: Write a post one day, then completely contradict yourself the next day.

Works like a charm. 

Yesterday I wrote a post about not allowing people to stand in the way of your dreams.  I strongly believe in this idea.  HOWEVER, does it mean we can do anything?

Probably not… especially if we play by the rules.  I’m not going to play Major League Baseball or become a Read More...

Don’t Let People Convince You You’re Not Good Enough

[Edit- this post was based on the idea that our society routinely limits our potential by setting up roadblocks.  Sometimes those roadblocks are institutional in nature.  Sometimes the roadblocks come from other people.  I use a comment on another post by Rob Youngren as an example of the latter, but it wasn't meant to seriously diminish my 'ultramarathon book' idea.  I unfairly characterize Rob's comment for the purposes of making a point as I'm using it as a Read More...

The Ultramarathon Book: The Vision. and My 50k Crash and Burn

Today has been eventful.  I…

1. Finished the outline from all the ideas for the ultra book… thanks for all the input!

2. Ran the Coldwater 50k outside Phoenix… and DNFed after about 6 miles.  I hurt my knee a few days ago running eight miles to pick up our Suburban (needed wheel bearings).  It felt okay yesterday, so I decided to run the 50k.  The pain set in after three miles.  Shelly, still recovering from Read More...

Have a Question About Ultramarathons?

Inspiration is weird.  For the last year or so, I’ve been kicking around a few different ideas for another book. For whatever reason, the ideas in my head never really took off.  I wasn’t sufficiently motivated.

Then inspiration hit.  It started yesterday outside a Trader Joe’s parking lot in suburban Tucson.  I felt the urge to take on a big writing project.  I had a few topics I was kicking around.  After some valued input from my Facebook friends, I Read More...

The Price of Ignoring the Barefoot Running Trend = Death in the Marketplace

There’s a simple rule in any changing paradigm- the new thing isn’t as good as the old thing… in the beginning. That simple fact keeps the old guard from embracing change. It also eventually leads to the kiss of death for those that cling to the old paradigm. Why? The new paradigm gets better over time. In the age of the Internet, this happens at blazing speeds because the Interwebs allow people to connect and share ideas.

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Stop Letting Dumb-Ass Excuses Keep You From Your Dreams

All of us have brilliant ideas.  All of us have far-fetched dreams.  We’re all geniuses.  Yet few of us actually follow our great ideas and dreams.  That’s what separates those that do and those that don’t.

Why do so many great ideas die before they really begin?  For whatever reason, we don’t initiate the ideas.  Or if we do, we somehow sabotage them before they ever really take off.

There’s a ton of reasons we do Read More...

Minimalist Shoe Purchasing Habit Survey

[ Edit- Thanks to all those that replied!  I received enough responses, so I'm taking down the link.]

The entire running industry is in a state of flux between the old paradigm of motion-control, raised heel shoes that promote bad form and minimalist “barefoot” shoes that promote better form.  Every element of the industry, from manufacturers to retail stores, are beginning to feel this change.  I think we’re in an excellent position to influence this change by Read More...

The New Gift Economy

Since Shelly and I began our journey to nomadic running hobos, we’ve learned a lot about ourselves.  A large chunk of this knowledge came from a fairly systematic process of “lifestyle” experimentation.  One idea we’ve been playing with came from Seth Godin’s excellent book Linchpin.  One of this themes involves the idea that all of us should create art.  He broadly defines “art” as anything that causes a change in the recipients.  He persuasively argues that we Read More...

Ohhhh… Now I Get It! An Epiphany About the Barefoot Shoes Debate

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been hashing out the idea getting an educational message out to people that buy minimalist shoes but don’t do research to figure out how to use them properly.  The discussion took place here, on the Runner’s World Barefoot Forum, and on the Barefoot Runners Society.  Lots of good discussion ensued, which allowed me to work out some of the kinks.

One issue nagged, though.  The use of the Read More...

The Future of Barefoot and Minimalist Shoe Running: An Assessment and Summary of the Barefoot Shoes/Apple Whack Job Discussion

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been discussing the future of barefoot running and proposing methods we could use to reach an audience that would be receptive to our message, but won’t have access to us.  Here’s a brief summary:

Minimalist “barefoot” shoe sales are on the rise.  I’m defining these shoes as any shoe that allows the same running form as if you were barefoot.  Vague, I know, but the exact operational definition is irrelevant.  I Read More...

I Can’t Do That! How Fear Keeps Us From Running Barefoot, Running Ultramarathons, and Leading A Boring Life

Two of my favorite authors, Chris Guillebeau and Tim Ferriss, talk about the idea of overcoming fear.  One of the most valuable life lessons I’ve learned over the last few years is a simple, effective method of conquering fear.  have a boring life?  Get on the fast-track to awesomeness and learn to overcome fear!

First, it’s important to understand fear.  It’s an evolutionary response designed to alert us of danger.  Back in our hunter/gatherer days Read More...

Upcoming Barefoot Running Clinic Schedule: Florida, Arizona, and California!

Here are our upcoming Bareform clinics through January.  If you can attend, we’d love to see you!  If you know anyone in these areas, please forward them the information.

January 14th, Jacksonville, Florida: Black Creek Outfitters (http://www.blackcreekoutfitters.com) @ 10:30am
January 15th, Sanford, FL: Sylvan Lake Park, hosted by Travel Country (http://www.travelcountry.com/), 10:30am- see poster below
January 24th, Tucson, AZ: Summit Hut (http://www.summithut.com/) ,  5045 E. Speedway, @ 8pm
January 28th, Southern California, time and location TBD

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15 Myths About Barefoot Running: What My Experiences Have Taught Me

This post is a tangent derived from my post last week about some shoe industry misconceptions and my post a few days ago about the changing nature of our audience.  I’ve been thinking about the various things I’ve learned on my barefoot journey.

When I started, I made a lot of assumptions.  Most of the assumptions were based on the teaching of others or my own apparently logical conclusions.  Most of the assumptions were reinforced Read More...

Across the Years 72 Hour Footrace Race Report: Junk Food, Alcohol, Sex, and a Wooden Ball

Across the Years is a timed loop ultramarathon held annually in the Phoenix, Arizona area.  The race spans the end of one year to the beginning of the next… hence the name.  There are three options- a 24 hour, 48 hour, and 72 hour.  When Shelly and I were planning our schedule, this event fit nicely.  It would place us in Phoenix for the new year and would give me an opportunity to put up quite a few Read More...

So Now What? Bringing Barefoot Running to the Masses

My goal has been pretty simple: I want to change the running world.  That’s the dent I want to make in the universe.  A few of my recent posts have touched on the topic indirectly, specifically changing my perception of the term “barefoot shoes” and my discussion about the nature of our changing audience.  When  started this journey, the idea of barefoot running was universally rejected by the shoe industry, running specialty, Read More...

Cautionary Tale for Barefoot Runners: Don’t Become an Apple Whack Job

Years ago in my undergrad days, I had a professor that was madly in love with everything Apple.  She wore a Steve and Steve shirt to class the first day.  She refused to teach in a lab that was not outfitted with Macs.  She owned every Apple product produced since 1983.  She had the Apple logo tattooed on her calf.  She sent emails to Stave Jobs once a month.  She once kicked a kid out of class (this Read More...

Merrell Bare Access Review

When I first heard of Merrell’s plan to produce a zero dropped cushioned shoe, I was dismayed.  I have been a long-term opponent to any cushioning in shoes.  The main reason is simple- cushioning increases the force of your foot landing.  For a barefoot runner, this is a big deal.  Cushioning turns our normally-gentle foot landing into a clomping trot.  Unless we consciously lighten our stride.  The problem is that cushioned shoes require you to Read More...

Stem Origins Review

Stem is one of a group of minimalist shoe upstarts that have hit the scene over the last year or so.  Their founder Andrew Rademacher has an interesting story that would resonate with many.  Over the last year or so I’ve loosely followed Andrew’s development of the Origins shoe.  Most initial attempts at minimalist shoes are… well, pretty bad.  I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

First Impressions

The Origins is an aesthetically-pleasing shoe.  The color scheme is a Read More...

I’m Using the Term “Barefoot Shoes” From Now On

I’ve been trying to fight this trend for years now, but the masses have spoken.  In a battle that would rival BetaMax v. VHS, the term “barefoot shoes” has won out over “minimalist shoes.”  I concede.

Yeah, I know “barefoot shoes” is an oxymoron.  Yes, I know not all “barefoot shoes” give an experience that is remotely like being barefoot.  Yes, I know many of my purist friends will scoff my tossing of the towel.

The Read More...

New Balance Minimus Amp (MT1010): Some Recon

Thanks to Bryon Powell and the gang at irunfar.com for the photo- check out their post for even more details on the MT1010.

Here are some teaser details for New Balance’s Minimus Amp, which goes by the MT1010 code:

Due to be released in July with a price tag of about $100,
4mm drop,
More cushioning than the MT10 (first generation Minimus Trail),
Uses same last as the Minimus Trail Zero,
Sockless liner,
Vibram sole

This shoe looks like an intermediate trail shoe that would fit Read More...

Maffetone Versus Crossfit Endurance: Which Is Better

If you participate in any of the barefoot and minimalist forums (Runner’s World, Barefoot Runners Society, Ted’s Google Group) you’ve probably come across a thread about the Maffetone method.  This sudden upsurge of interest in Maffetone interests me, especially because it comes on the heels of a burst of interest in high-intensity interval training (Crossfit Endurance is a popular version.)

First, a quick primer on the Maffetone method and CFE.  Phil Maffetone is a dude that, Read More...

Misconceptions About Barefoot Runners, Shoe Stores, and the Shoe Industry

Over the last few years, I’ve had a unique opportunity to be involved with the heart of the grassroots barefoot running movement, the opportunity to work with designers and marketers within the shoe industry, and the opportunity to engage in conversations with retail store owners and employees.  These different worlds typically have misconceptions that sour perceptions of each other.  I want to dispel many of these misconceptions here:

Misconception #1: Barefoot runners want to destroy the shoe Read More...