Win a Juicer! Plus, Forays into Barefoot Running

on November 22, 2010
in All Posts

First things first:  a really fun charity raffle for Monday!  This raffle is for the Girls on the Run Solemates program. The Solemates program involves walking, running or biking in any event of your choice and raising funds so little girls can get scholarships to attend GOTR.  I signed up to be a Solemate for the upcoming Thunder Road Marathon (now, of course, I’ve dropped down to the 5K).  

 

Today’s raffle is hosted by Breville!  Breville has generously donated a Breville Juice Fountain Plus.  I am in LOVE with this prize because fresh-juiced juice is my favorite.  :)  The prize is worth $149.

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You can enter this raffle for less than the price of a cup of coffee!  🙂

 

Here’s how the raffle works:

 

  • $2 gets you ONE raffle ticket.
  • $4 gets you TWO raffle tickets.
  • $8 gets you FIVE raffle tickets!  It’s a deal!
  • Submit your payment on the Solemates Donation website – HERE.
  • The contest will run until Wednesday, November 24 at noon. I’ll contact the winner at lunchtime.
  • I will list everyone’s name on an Excel spreadsheet (one entry per $2, two entries per $4, and FIVE entries per $8), and the Husband will draw a winner using the Random Number Generator.
  • Breville will then ship out the juicer to the winner.
  • NOTE:  You must live in the USA to enter this raffle.

 

Let’s see…

 

Last night, I took time off to just chill.  The Husband cooked dinner and we stayed up way too late.  But it was nice!

 

And this morning, I tested out the Vibrams Five Finger KSO.  They are actual Nicole’s, but she washed and loaned them to me because I’ve been talking about buying a pair.  Barefoot running is, of course, a hot topic right now.  I don’t know how much barefoot running I want to (or can) do with my knees, but I love the idea of walking around in Vibrams to build foot strength.

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I walked James around the block.  I did a little jogging in the grass, and it felt so cool! I could feel very little twig and rock under my feet, but not in a painful way.

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Now, I am at the clinic in these very uncomfortable shoes.  :(  Bah.

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Breakfast was wonderful today!

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Just a simple bowl of oatmeal.

 

  • 1/2 cup oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 mashed banana
  • Toppings: 1/2 grilled banana, pecans, and maple syrup

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It’s going to be a crazy week!

{ 77 comments }

 

  • janae @ hungryrunnergirl November 22, 2010, 10:08 am

    I LOVE MY VIBRAMS! I am glad you tested them out. I have noticed that my knees feel so much better when I use them! Yummy oatmeal. Good luck with your busy week!

  • Lily's Health Pad November 22, 2010, 10:09 am

    I have the exact same pair of Vibrams sprints. I love them. Although, I’d recommend building mileage slowly as my achilles and my calves get really sore and tight when I wear them too much!

    PS: Here’s a recent post I wrote about my thoughts on Vibrams. you may be interested since you said you were considering a pair. http://www.lilyshealthpad.com/2010/10/28/vibrams-five-fingers-a-newbies-thoughts/

    • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday November 22, 2010, 10:54 am

      The first time I used my sprints I went out for 3 miles. My calves were SO sore afterwards I could barely walk for days.

  • Lisa Fine - lisasfoods November 22, 2010, 10:09 am

    Love the idea of topping oatmeal with grilled banana – yum! I keep reading articles about barefoot running, and how it’s really important to work your way up to it. Curious to hear more about your thoughts as you try the shoes, and whether you think you’ll get your own pair.

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 10:35 am

      I will definitely continue to report my findings 🙂 I think I’ll ask for a pair for Christmas.

  • Amanda (Eating Up) November 22, 2010, 10:11 am

    My dad bought the Nike version of the barefoot running shoes and likes them a lot. He has knee problems too and thought they were a good transition to the Vibrams. He still doesn’t use them to run long distances though.

  • @stampylisa November 22, 2010, 10:13 am

    mm grilled naner sounds great!! my hubs wants Vibrams, but he’s getting an iPhone for Christmas instead. maybe in the spring for his bday. Good luck w/your fundraiser! I entered 😉

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write November 22, 2010, 10:15 am

    My friend Jackie wore a pair of Vibrams yesterday when we went to Sbux and the bookstore. She gots lots of attention in them! They are so adorable. I’m dying to try them out, but I’m fairly certain that I don’t want to run in them.

  • Kristy @ Kristyruns.com November 22, 2010, 10:16 am

    Ooooh! I can’t wait to hear how you like the vibrams after a little more use! Please keep us up to date. 🙂

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman November 22, 2010, 10:17 am

    I’ve always wondered whether barefoot running was OK on bad knees. I majorly overpronate, which my orthotics fix. I wonder if barefoot running will just make things worse. I’ve yet to see someone with bad knees do it, so I’m interested to hear what you think.

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing November 22, 2010, 10:19 am

    I have heard Five Fingers are the way to go. A friend wore them to a concert we were at and I bet his feet weren’t hurting by the end (we do a lot of dancing at shows, haha).

    I can’t WAIT for GOTR to start the next session! This is killer waiting so long, haha.

  • grocery goddess jen November 22, 2010, 10:20 am

    So cool that you get to test the Vibrams out! I think they look really neat, let us know if you buy a pair. That juicer raffle is a great deal, I may have to buy a few tickets, and I know it’s for a great cause.

  • sarah k. @ the pajama chef November 22, 2010, 10:23 am

    i really want vibrams. i just am nervous about them, haha!

  • Ali November 22, 2010, 10:26 am

    I think the Vibrams are supposed to be great for knee issues because they prevent heel striking.

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 10:35 am

      Sweet!!

  • Gracie (complicated day) November 22, 2010, 10:29 am

    Barefoot will definitely get your calves!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat November 22, 2010, 10:33 am

    I’d love to try Vibrams! I think they look kinda spacey and alien-like, but I like the idea behind them and I’ve read a bit about the benefits of barefoot training. Maybe on the Christmas wish list?! 😉
    Have a great day Caitlin!

  • Savvy November 22, 2010, 10:35 am

    So I am in love with that bowl.
    I’m interested to see how you like the whole barefoot thing – it definitely makes you look super hardcore / like a (very cute, mind you) froggie! haha.

  • Natalia - a side of simple November 22, 2010, 10:37 am

    Thanks for sharing about the Vibrams. I struggle with shin splits and other runner issues so I’ve been weary to invest in a pair, though I run all the time. I never thought about using them for walking though but it sounds like a great way to strengthen your feet and leg muslces. Please keep us updated!

  • Alina @ Duty Free Foodie November 22, 2010, 10:48 am

    I’ve been wanting to try the Vibrams pretty badly, but I have this fear that I will not like them and only wear them once. However, I’ve felt this fascination for years now, so I need to just jump in and buy them.

    And as far as knees go, from all I’ve read they help rather than hurt in that area.

  • Lindsey November 22, 2010, 10:52 am

    I LOVE my Vibrams! I have two pairs – one I run in and one I wear most days to work to strengthen my feet. I only run up to two miles in them on concrete. I run more miles in them on trails. I hope you like them!
    Lindsey

  • Sarah Rigs November 22, 2010, 10:53 am

    I LOVE my Vibrams!! I have four pairs, actually. 😀 Also, those are NOT the KSO’s, those are the Sprints. Not a huge difference, but the KSO’s cover more of the top of the foot and Keep Stuff Out (hence, KSO).

  • Jodi November 22, 2010, 10:56 am

    EVERYONE is talking about barefoot running!! This weekend my cousin and i had a long discussion about it AND my boss brought it up last week! Apparently, people are stating that there are LESS running injuries when you run barefoot. I am no intrigued and might have to try the Vibrams myself.

  • Catarina November 22, 2010, 10:57 am

    I’ve been thinking of buying some of those… But I’m unsure of how comfortable they’d be in a track full of twigs and rocks.
    Oh your breakfast looks really yummy! How do you grill your bananas?

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 11:04 am

      Just put them on a pan, turn the heat on high, and only flip once. Oh and grease the heck out of the pan!

  • Ella November 22, 2010, 11:00 am

    TOTALLY entering this raffle. I love juice.
    I really want to try barefoot running but I have such bad feet, if you do keep up with using them keep us posted!

  • hippierunner November 22, 2010, 11:00 am

    I want to try those! I’ve ran barefoot a few times and it was interesting.

  • KitchenRX November 22, 2010, 11:03 am

    I’ve got a good friend that swears by the 5-finger shoes! I need stability shoes, which is the only reason I haven’t tried them… I have, however tried out a juicer- celery lemonade is my favorite!

  • Kiran November 22, 2010, 11:06 am

    I love the idea of running with Vibrams, but have been contemplating since having foot-ache the day I chose to walk for 8 hours around NYC with just flip-flops! Does Vibrams cushions the feet for comfort?

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 11:08 am

      Nope – that’s the whole point. They believe that our feet should NOT be cushioned. The vibrams are really just a light covering for your feet.

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg November 22, 2010, 11:07 am

    We’ve been talking a LOT about Vibrams in our house lately! Our computer guy just got a pair, and he LOVVVVES them.

  • Sara November 22, 2010, 11:12 am

    I have the Vibram Bikilas and I love them! I haven’t done much running in them yet but just walking in them is fun =)

  • anonymous November 22, 2010, 11:18 am

    those look cool! I wouldn’t want to run barefoot though- my feet would get dirty! 😉 just wondering : how much are they?

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 11:21 am

      Website has them at $85!

      • anonymous November 22, 2010, 12:51 pm

        ehh putting em on the christmas list! 🙂

  • Jillian@ Reshape Your Life November 22, 2010, 11:31 am

    I’ve seen a lot lately about this barefoot running stuff… I don’t know how I feel about it, but I would be interested in trying on a pair. I’ll have to search around!

  • Jamie @ Food in Real Life November 22, 2010, 11:37 am

    I saw a guy cross the finish line in the Philly marathon yesterday completely barefoot (and shirtless). He kind of looked like he was running from something/someone instead of running the marathon. But hey, he was finishing in about 3:40!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) November 22, 2010, 11:41 am

    I worked out barefoot today! I like to do it occasionally so I can work out the little muscles sometimes! While the heels are comfortable, they are super HOT! Have a great day Caitlin!

  • Camille November 22, 2010, 11:43 am

    I am a little skeptical about Vibrams because I am worried about stepping on a rock or something sharp. Do you think it would hurt it you stepped on something pointy?

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 11:49 am

      Hmm I’m not sure. I don’t think so – the bottom seems pretty strong.

    • Jill Will Run November 22, 2010, 11:51 am

      If you step on a rock in the Vibrams, you almost move your foot so quickly as to avoid the hurt, that it doesn’t cause problems. There is always the risk of stepping on something pointy, but part of the beauty of these ‘shoes’ is that they teach you to be more in tune with your footfall.

  • Jazz November 22, 2010, 11:50 am

    I wanted Vibrums, but got some water shoes at Walmart instead for 5 bucks and have been running in them.. just incase you want to stick to budget!

  • Ryan @ Greens for Good November 22, 2010, 11:52 am

    Hey girl, I did a LOT of research on mine before I started running in them. I wore them for a few hours at a time until my calves stopped aching (walking around a work, for example), then would only run a few seconds at a time, building up to 1/3 mile, 2/3 mile, 1 mile, etc. I’m up to 3 miles now and plan to run my half marathon in them. You might find that over time, the muscles in your feet, legs, back and abs develop enough with the Vibrams that your knees aren’t as compromised when you run. They’ve actually eliminated a lot of knee pain in runners because of this. The shoes will change where you strike from heels to mid-foot, and keep you more upright over your feet.

    All in all, I LOVE mine. They make walking and running so much more fun, interesting, and connected to the ground. They are lighter on your feet, so you might even find it easier to run faster than in regular running shoes.

    PS – I have the Vibram Sprints like you are trying out, but found that the Bikila model was WAY better for running (it’s made for road running, with some treading on the bottom), and even more comfortable. I wear my Sprints for casual walking, and my Bikilas for running. I highly suggest going to a retailer and trying on the different models to see what feels best on your feet.

  • Halley (Blunder Construction) November 22, 2010, 11:54 am

    YAY! I totally have had ‘juicer’ on my Christmas list for the past 8 months (yes I start writing my Christmas list in February) I entered the raffle 🙂

  • Nikki November 22, 2010, 11:56 am

    Does anyone know if these are good for building foot strength in general, but not necessarily running? My arches have fallen a bit from doing ballet and I’d love to use them to build strength.

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 1:35 pm

      I think the answer is yes 🙂

  • Amber K November 22, 2010, 12:03 pm

    That grilled banana looks fantastic on top of oatmeal!

    I think the Vibrams look so weird, but I would love to try them out sometime. It sounds so strange!

  • Karen November 22, 2010, 12:06 pm

    First of all, that juicer is fabulous. I have one and I love it!

    Secondly, I have been wanting to try Vibrams for a while now. I might also ask for them for Chirstmas;) I wrote a blog about being barefoot a little while ago. I only brushed the tip of the iceberg with the articles I read about barefoot running; but what I gathered is that people who tranistioned to regular barefoot running experienced LESS knee and ankle pain.

    This was a site where I found tons of info if you care to have a peek:
    http://www.livingbarefoot.info

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair November 22, 2010, 12:08 pm

    I really want a pair of Vibrams! They are on my Christmas wish list 🙂

    • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair November 22, 2010, 12:08 pm

      P.S. Do they fit the same as shoes? I wouldn’t know what size to wear if I ordered them online…

      • D November 22, 2010, 12:19 pm

        I would definitely recommend trying them on in a store! But if you’re going to get them online, I would probably get one size up. First of all, they are pretty hard to get on, so if they are really snug then you might struggle. Second, your feet swell a little when they’re hot and tired from running, so if your vibrams are super tight then it might feel constricting. Third, if you live somewhere cold you might want to consider getting the vibram socks, and you definitely wouldn’t be able to wear those under a tight pair! I got a full size up and they’re still really snug…it was wayyyy too difficult to even get my foot into the true size!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss November 22, 2010, 12:23 pm

    I heard those shoes take a lot of getting use to if you’re transitioning from sneakers? Like you actually use different muscles and what not..so for a while you get sore utnil you’ve fully adjusted. Is that true?

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 1:35 pm

      Yup, so I hear!

  • Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table November 22, 2010, 12:31 pm

    I am so curious about the Vibrams. Do your feet get really cold when running outside this time of year?

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 1:34 pm

      They have socks you can wear with them 🙂

  • Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks November 22, 2010, 12:44 pm

    Is it wrong that I can’t get over how goofy Vibrams look?

    Probably….but they do look goofy. It’s not just me, right? 😛

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey November 22, 2010, 12:51 pm

    I have never used vibrams, and I’m not sure if I would like it or not!!

  • Emily November 22, 2010, 12:58 pm

    Those are the sprints, not the kso. 😉 but I love my virbrams. Just take it easy getting used to them!!

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 1:34 pm

      Oh really?! They look the same!!! What kind do you have?

  • 'laina November 22, 2010, 1:27 pm

    Do Vibrams come in wide widths, too?

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 1:32 pm

      I’m not sure, you’ll have to check out the website.

  • Lacey @ Lake Life November 22, 2010, 1:40 pm

    Do your feet get cold in those?

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 2:35 pm

      They have special socks to wear with them.

  • Maddie November 22, 2010, 2:41 pm

    I love, love, love my vibrams! Ever since I bought them a few months ago I haven’t worn my tennis shoes again. I run in them, workout, wear them around town, ect. I’m glad your trying them out 🙂

  • Katie @ Keepingupwithkatie November 22, 2010, 2:58 pm

    I would love a juicer! I think it would be a great way to sneak in some unsuspecting veggies!

  • Joanne November 22, 2010, 3:27 pm

    I was looking at the Vibrams for training. I love to walk around in barefeet, even outside. But I won’t run without cushion and nixed the idea. I started thinking about the amount of times your foot hits the ground during the course of a mile (something like 800??), PLUS multiply your body weight times 3 (the force on your legs), that’s too much for my feet to take without a little cush.

  • ida November 22, 2010, 4:05 pm

    There was a great piece on HBO’s real sports about vibrams. basically there is no data to show that vibrams actually reduce injury. The only show scientifically proven to be beneficial is the nike free.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 22, 2010, 7:11 pm

    Love the idea to top oatmeal with grilled banana!

    Vibrams seem so interesting. I would love to give them a try sometime and see what it’s like. I bet it gives running a whole different feeling.

  • rebecca lustig November 22, 2010, 8:57 pm

    my roommate SWEARS by vibrams. i ve never tried them but they look soo goofy/comfortable.

    comfort > looks.

  • V November 22, 2010, 9:00 pm

    The Vibrams look weird to me, do you think they somehow look like some animal’s feet? They also look really comfy. I like to try them out sometime.

  • Alex The Juice Extractor Guy November 23, 2010, 6:53 am

    Caitlin, I really appreciate your efforts.

  • Nicole November 23, 2010, 9:24 am

    Donation submitted! GO GOTR!!!!

    I really don’t know about the Vibrams…Ill stick to running shoes!

  • Wiley November 23, 2010, 12:30 pm

    About your bad knees and running in Vibrams. I went from not being able to run – at all – for the last 10 years do to knee and lower back problems. For the last 5 or 6 years, I couldn’t even stand for more than 30 minutes without my lower back getting painful. I got a pair of Vibrams a little over six months ago and tried to run – initially just a few hundred yards a day. Six months later, I’m running over 40 miles a week, up to 15 miles on my furthest runs – and my knee and back problems seem to have disappeared ENTIRELY. I know my story is probably unique, but I’m blown away by the change in my life. So, all I’m saying is, keep wearing them – all the time – you may entirely change your life too.

  • Rachel November 23, 2010, 5:23 pm

    I have those very same Five Fingers and I LOVE them. Granted, I’m not running in them, but they are awesome just to wear around. I wear mine as boat shoes for sailing and I feel like spiderman on deck. They’re super grippy!

  • maya @ finding balance in tokyo November 24, 2010, 12:11 am

    I’ve been wanting to buy Vibrams for at least a year now, but they are really hard to find in Tokyo and I am absolutely insistent on being able to try them on before I buy. I’m currently torn between the Sprints or KSO. I’m hoping I’ll be able to try both on during my Thanksgiving trip home!

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