Ice Cavern Studios

So, as is typical this time of year, I have to do a write up on my Ragnar Northwest Relay experience. Now normally, I would just spend my time’s talking about the legs and the race itself, but things are a little different for this entry. That’s because, this year, I wanted to write this as the follow up to my first post about my Vibram Five Fingers.

As I stated back in January, around mid-November, I decided to take the plunge and try out a pair of VFFs. As someone with a history of bad ankle and shin injuries (plus a bad back and knee), I was willing to at least give it a go with something that could help me with my running. It didn’t hurt that after some research, the logic behind the design of the shoes just made sense to me. So what began as a basic trial turned into a way of life, so to speak.

As the winter months turned to spring, I turned my attention from skiing and climbing to prepping for the Ragnar road relay. My first year, my goal had been to just complete the race and not die. (I succeeded in not dying, but I gave myself some really bad shin splints) Last year, it was all about running farther without doing major damage to myself. This year, I wanted to increase my speed and rock times that were lower than 10 minutes per mile, which I felt was a very doable goal.

The other thing I decided was that I was going to train up and run Ragnar in my Vibrams. This was a conscious decision I had made after I stopped working out in my brooks beasts in December. I reasoned that if it was causing me pain to work out in the shoes, I shouldn’t try running long distance in them anymore, either.

So, thus, I began my running training in my Vibram Sprints. It was a slow build up as it always was, but running in Vibrams just felt better. I felt closer to the road and my form came to me much more naturally than when I was running in my old running shoes. I also noticed, that as I was training, my times were all better and I wasn’t icing my legs down as much as I had to as I did when I was training in my regular shoes. Overall, I was feeling very confident about my chances for the relay. Especially after I transitioned to a pair of Bakilas that I picked up in late May from city sports.

So fast forward to race day. I met up with the other people I would be running with and within a few minutes, a bunch of people noticed that I was wearing my sprints. Now I was expecting to be the only person running Vibrams, but as it turned out, multiple people on my team had pairs, although I was the only person who didn’t bring a backup pair of regular shoes with me. It was definitely fun to smile back with a hardy yes to the question, “are you planning on running ALL of your legs in those?”

So how did I do? Well, here are my results. And the best part is that, while I was sore for a couple of days following the race; I didn’t have any lingering injuries or pain.

As for my old Brooks Beasts? Well, I can happily say that I haven’t worked out or run in them since December. Additionally, the one time I have worn them in the past six months (playing football at a picnic), I woke up the next morning to a sore knee. It’s pretty safe to say that I have a barely used pair of traditional motion-control level running shoes I should get rid of. (I need the space on my shoe rack for more Five Fingers ^_^)

Life and Times, Path to Fitness, Sports

After looking at the front page of my website for a while, I realized that I haven’t updated in almost a month. As is the case, this is more a sign that I’ve just had an absolute crap-ton of stuff going on in my life. Since I’ve got some time, I figure I might as well update as to some of the happenings.

Firstly, a couple of weeks ago I decided to splurge and take a trip to Hawaii. Since I had the miles and someone was willing to host me there, I figured I’d go before work got crazy. Let me tell you, it was one of the best ideas ever. I spent most of the time laying on the beach and lounging around. It was amazing. I didn’t make it to see any of the famous sites, but I figure I’ll go back and do that again later.

Beyond the trip to Hawaii, my life has pretty much come down to a few basic activites: training for Ragnar, working, and climbing.

As is normal for the month of July, I’m completely deep into my training for the Ragnar relay. As has been the case in previous years, I’m in a good regimen of running, lifting, and abstaining from drinking in any way. This year, I’m actually pushing myself a bit more in my runs, and I’ve decided not to ease off the lifting. As it turns out, I’m seeing great benefits over my training in my previous years and I’m really excited to see how things go with this years race. I’ve also been training in Vibrams, which I feel have helped me a great deal. As the relay is less than two weeks away, expect to hear more from me about the whole thing soon.

The next big thing in my life has been work. With the upcoming of release of Windows Phone 7, my team has been ramping up for the last push. As it often goes with software, this final push is where it all falls into place. Unfortunately, this also means a lot of work, some long hours, and a bit of a toll on me physically is all in store. I am, however, really loving what I’m doing. I’ve always been a bit of a phone freak, so getting the opportunity to work in this technology space is a real treat. It’s very much akin to my time at Zune. Although we aren’t quite marching like we did there.

The last big thing I’ve gotten even more into has been climbing. Since November, I’ve gotten into a pretty good rhythm of climbing with my friend Shawn. We’ve been climbing generally at least once a week, and life permitting, even more. Given that Shawn is quite a bit better than I am, I’ve actually improved a great deal, which has been rather awesome. I’ve also started climbing outdoors and leading, which is something I never thought I’d be up to doing.

So yeah, that’s kind of the life I’m living right now. I’m really happy with everything. As I told my friend Josh today as we were walking to dinner, “Life is good.”

Gadgets, Life and Times, Rock Climbing, Technology

We’re not far off from the 2010 World Cup and this short from Nike has me pumped. About the only problem with it? Ronaldinho didn’t make the 23-man Brazilian squad.

Still, this is pretty fun.

Sports, World Cup

So, about a month ago, I posted about this new workout book my buddy told me about. As one who is quite interested in fitness and overall being healthy, I was delighted to get some more information on the subject. After reading through the book multiple times I began making changes to my workout routine, and four weeks later, I can say I’m honestly impressed.

The big thing the book preaches is the need to do practical lifts that would have real word/real sports benefit. Basically, it cuts out on isolation stuff that doesn’t really help you and has you do few exercises, but ones that are more efficient to your overall goals. For me, this meant dropping bicep curls and tricep extensions (to things I found kind of lame anyway) and picking up squats and lunges. (I also changed part of my core workout, but it was only to switch up how I do crunches.) Now while I’m not a huge fan of lunges, as I find them quite boring, I can honestly say the changes are extremely helpful. The big thing I’ve noticed is just how much stronger my joints feel. Normally at this time, I’m approaching the end of my flag football season and my knees and ankles are wearing down. This year, I haven’t had any of those problems.

Plus, I’ve seen improvements in my climbing, serious improvements. Due to various injuries, I hadn’t been able to climb for six months, but the past two weeks, I’ve been back in the gym and I’m climbing at a level I never could before. I’m noticing that my core and leg strength is really helping me make moves and stay up on the rock longer than I could before. Before, I could climb 5.9′s and I may have gotten one 5.10- but that was it. With the added core and leg strength, plus the better control I’ve gained of all the muscles, I’ve been able to do a bunch of 5.10-’s and even a 5.10+. It was actually cool to hit a 5.10- on my first day back climbing after six months.

But yeah, if you’re interested in lifting, you definitely have to read The New Rules of Lifting: Six Basic Moves for Maximum Muscle

Path to Fitness, Sports

So for the first time in 9 months, I got back up on the rock. And it was awesome. I got back up and rocked a bunch of really fun routes. I also came 1 hold away from finishing two pretty challenging 5.9′s as well.

I’m actually rather surprised, I may have pulled one 5.9 before, but I was able to do it a bunch. I think it may have to do with the level of fitness now, verses when I last climbed. I’m definitely stronger, and my endurance is also higher. I’ve also managed to gain back about the same level of flexibility I had at the time. And my weight has remained about what it was.

I’m also really happy because, while it’s not boulding (which I really love), top roping doesn’t have that high an impact, so I can do it while I’m rehabbing my shin. I also don’t have to worry about falling and reinjuring my left ankle. So yeah, it was a lot of fun tonight. Plus, I met some cool people since I was at a gym I hadn’t gone to before. ^_^

Rock Climbing