A few years ago, I was your typical office-worker: stressed out, uneven energy, overweight, and inconsistent complexion. Now I'm just your typical 28-year old urban hunter-gatherer on a quest to be healthy, and having a few adventures along the way. See my full bio.
#1: This was a fun wooden hurdle near the end of the race. Most racers were physically capable of vaulting the hurdle going at a decent clip, but many didn't. They pretty much came to a stop and climbed over. Why? Because they never actually move this way at the gym, and so lacked the confidence to pull off an easy maneuver over a relatively low barrier. This was Day One basics at one of Erwan Le Corre's MovNat clinics -- remembering that you have a body and that it moves in ways other than jogging, push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups.
#2: Notice my bare feet with Vibrams in hand. Focused on my landing.
#3: Off to the races. But notice anything funny? Look closely.
The guy in black is only just landing! He was ahead of me before the obstacle. If you look at the first picture I'm only slightly ahead of him, but by the last picture, he hasn't even landed yet. And he looks totally off balance and unsure of himself. He looks trim and fairly muscular, but he's thrown off by an obstacle he's never encountered in the gym.
I work out at a gym too. There is a railing that separates the stretching mats from the machines, and I sometimes use it to vault over. Back and forth, back and forth. You can find ways to move even in a gym. You'll get looks, but hey, that's half the fun.
(Thanks to Lisa for the screen grabs from her filming.)
Comments
My brother ran this race. I
My brother ran this race. I was there as a spectator and actually remember you running past and thinking you were nuts for running barefoot (I thought the VFF's were gloves instead of shoes). Anyway, I found out about VFF's on Monday, got my first set of VFF's (the Sprint) on Tuesday, and I must say I will never go back to regular running shoes. I did my interval training routine yesterday and didn't get any shin splints, which I normally get with regular running shoes. Anyway, I am happy to say that this race motivated me to accelerate my training and run with my brother in the November 13th race in Dallas. It is a big hurdle because I have 50 lbs of fat I need to lose and a upper body and core to strengthen. However, since I have switched to a Paleo diet (Thanks to Mark's Daily Apple!) about a month ago I am already 1 pants size lower and 15 lbs of fat less. Looking forward to running in the Dallas Tough Mudder. You going to be running in any of the other tough mudders?
Ha, that's awesome, Nate.
Ha, that's awesome, Nate. It's true, I am a little nuts.
Take it slow with the VFFs, particularly if you are a distance runner. Keep up the good work with getting fit. I lost about 25 pounds when I started and dropped two pant sizes. It came off so easy.
I'll probably look for Tough Mudder when it's in the Northeast but won't be traveling to other parts of the country.
I've never been much of a
I've never been much of a distance runner, though back when I was much more in shape I would do 4-5 miles barefoot playing Ultimate Frisbee without a problem. Most of my running these days is sprinting when interval training, though I have started doing 400m runs as part of some CrossFit WODs. I did 1.5 miles yesterday in them doing a 7 set 30 second sprint/ 90 second jog interval set without problems. Calves feel slightly sore today, but no more than they would have been running in regular shoes. Also, for all those considering the VFF's and wondering about the fit with a moderately curled pinky toe, it's actually quite comfortable and hasn't caused me problems. One more question, did you put them on before you ran through the fire walker obstacle?
I had them on prior to the
I had them on prior to the fire piece because of rocky man-made gravel roads right near the end. But the fire piece wasn't exactly running on coals or directly through fire. It was on either side and you felt the heat and could inhale some smoke, but it more marketing for the website than challenge for the participants.
I agree that the VFFs were
I agree that the VFFs were great for the parts of the course with water and for the trail run, but wow were my feet hurting after a while -- too many rocks. I think were I to do the course again, I would need to invest in the KSO trek (or trails?) -- I used the standard KSOs this time around.Also wished they had more obstacles. I think generally speaking, an inability to leap the barrier (or to climb those walls with one leap) shows a lack of control over one's bodyweight.
Totally agree on more
Totally agree on more obstacles. Yeah, and the rocks were a bitch.
Great skills there John, I
Great skills there John, I seem pretty interested in this obstacle event thing you have going on.
Looks like a fun event! I
Looks like a fun event! I have been trying to get back into the habit of jumping over things and onto and off of things. I didn't even think about climbing fences as a kid, and now I'm not so sure I could scale one. I do the MovNat thing with trail running. Went to visit some friends in NC this weekend and their property was a paradise for primal fitness. I lifted and carried and threw big stones around, and ran around the woods carry a stick (my pretend spear!) and throwing it and catching up to it before it hit the ground. Balance on trees that had fallen and were not right on the ground but up a couple of feet. It's amazing how you lose touch with these abilities. The only downside was their driveway was sharp gravel, so I didn't do it very well barefoot. Wore my VFF's in the woods and yard. I used to love to go see the fitness centerat the hotel first thing when I would travel. Now I can't stand it and start scoping out places to "trail run" (hey it can be a small patch of dirt and I will give it a go) or do outside workouts. It's created a great deal of flexibility and freedom that translates into less stress thinking thatI have to go work out. And eating real food has made a huge difference in how I look and feel, and there is no stressing about eating 5-6 meals a day and what to eat when. No more aweful electrolyte drinks on long rides, and no more gels!Great looking site!TrailGrrl
That's what I love about
That's what I love about parkour: one of the things it teaches you is how to move in so many different ways.Have you tried parkour?http://www.nyparkour.com/Cheers,Nick
It looks like whatever you're
It looks like whatever you're holding in your hand is slowing you down. Also, getting "looks" in the gym is a good thing. It means you're not doing what others have always done getting what they've always got.
Great skills there John, I
Great skills there John, I seem interested now.
You should check out the
You should check out the Spartan Race http://www.spartanrace.com I have done the tough mudder as well, love events like this
Got to agree need to make it
Got to agree need to make it tougher I bet 100% finished check out the Death race youmaydie.com only 10% finish it was insane did it this year and it was in North America and it was infinately tougher than mudder