A Matter of Form

I ran for just under 4 miles today.

Overall it went well, except that occasionally I would have to slow down and stretch out my right knee do to a tight swelling feeling that would start to hurt. I'd slow and walk for a minute, try to stretch it out some, and it'd go away quick - but it wouldn't take long for it to flame up again shortly after running a bit.

I think my right foot is not properly hitting the ground, causing strain on my knee.

New shoes, or Vibram Five Fingers might help - but I know it's not just a matter of footwear (or even going barefoot!)

A couple of books have been suggested to help with this, so eventually I plan on reading them.

Chi Running - Also known as the 'Bible of Barefoot Running' to many barefooters - this book supposedly has helped many increase their ability to run and feel flow while running. My wife owns it (so I guess that means I do too ha!) so I will read this soon.

Born to Run - Story of a man's quest to find out why his foot was hurting - leading him to seek out the greatest long distance runners in the world - a remote tribe in South America. Sounds interesting!

Hopefully I'll find something that will help me with my form - I'm going to need it considering I'll be running in that Relay in 10 months or so!!

Quote of the Week - 1

"Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive!"

- Elbert Hubbard

The Fortress isn't done yet...

I uploaded it anyway as is - for now - because I want to remember what it looks like before I (probably) screw it up!


WIP: Fortress by ~warlordblade on deviantART

What do you think?

I Must Be Crazy

I seriously must have gone crazy over the past few weeks.

Somehow I've agreed to join a team for the Wasatch Back - Ragnar Relay Series next June or so...

Not only have I agreed to run in that insane 187.7 mile Relay... I've tentatively accepted the most difficult legs of the race, a total of 18.4 miles for me, with difficulties of Very Hard (3.8 miles), Hard (7.3 miles), and Very Hard (7.3 - probably the hardest leg of the entire race)...

My beautiful wife was laughing at me last night, not because she thinks I can't do it - just that this is not something I would normally agree too - since she more than anybody understands just how lazy I am.

I think one of the reasons I accepted is because this will force me to go run, and run hard. Up Hills and stuff. I have almost a year so it should be easy, right?

Only if I stick to it.

So we will see how this goes!

As part of this I'm looking into some new running shoes.

Here are my current pair, Nike Free (Ooh... shiny!):



While still shiny, they are quite old and need replacin!

I'm going to look at another pair of Frees while I'm up near the Nike Outlet in a week and a half, but I'm ALSO considering a new pair my Barefoot Bro has been using for a while.

Vibram Five Fingers!

Speaking of my barefoot bro, the bottom link Wall Street Journal - June 6, 2006 is a picture of him after his first barefoot marathon taken by my wife! Cool, eh?

Anyway - Recently every time I wear my La Sportiva trail running shoes I hurt my ankle.

In fact, the last time I wore them for less than an hour, 4 weeks ago, I did something to my ankle that STILL hurts today. When I wear my frees or flip-flops my ankle is mostly fine.

So I want to try out even CLOSER to barefoot (without going barefoot because we've already mentioned - I'm LAZY. I don't WANT to have to pay attention to every step!) and VFF's are the way to go!

If I can finally find a price I'm comfortable with (and I'll probably end up paying the $70-75 for classics anyway) then I'll update you how they are working!

Woohoo go me?!

I definitely must be crazy.

The Birds

Finally uploaded my latest drawing, I'm not quite sure what I think about this one.

Some things I really like, others I don't.

It's pretty simple.

Here it is:


The Birds by ~warlordblade on deviantART

Let me know what you think!

It IS nice to put things up and people favorite or comment on it within minutes - makes me feel good. Makes me want to create more. I guess I really like feedback - and even if it is critique, as long as it isn't negative attacks and genuine ideas for improvement - I'd love to hear it!

Thanks!

Why Didn't I Think of That?

I seriously want to do this in every fast food restaurant in the area now...



(via BoingBoing, via Zoomdoggle which I've gotta follow now...)

Go Toyota!

This is just an awesome idea from Toyota.

Solar Powered recharging and wi-fi hotspots?

Sweeeet.

I really wish I was more of an urbanite.

Check out the link for more pics and info!



"Toyota uses 18-foot solar flowers to market 2010 Prius, offers free electricity, wifi"

How to Behave in the Wild New World (Teh Interwebs)

Wired.com has a great new list "How to Behave: New Rules for Highly Evolved Humans"

Some of the ones I like relate to how we act in this now very-much-online world we live in.

i.e. Facebook 'rules':
Never Broadcast Your Relationship Status - This would seem like a no-brainer, but some people just seem to LOVE to be able to instantly inform anybody and everybody that they are breaking up with their current S.O. or divorcing or whatever. The one exception I would think is notification of upcoming nuptials - as I think Weddings ARE supposed to still be a Happy Occasion! (Let's not bicker and argue about who killed who!)

Don't Lie With Your Facebook Photo - I think it is great when people post pictures of way back when - BUT it shouldn't be used as a disguise for what you look like now. At least that's what I think...

Delete Unwanted Posts from your Facebook Wall - Hello! People worry too much about offending others - if somebody puts something that could affect your career or family life or whatever because they were your idiot frat friend from when you were dumb - who cares? Get rid of it. I also think, on the other hand, you don't need to be a Post Nazi about this - if somebody tags you in a decent nice friendly picture - might as well leave it I say - people are interested in seeing you the way other people see you!

Balance Your Media Diet - HA - this is just silly to me, but awesome. (I'd increase the games a bit, but even then that's not an every day thing for me)

Remember, Online Conversations Are Not All About You - There is WAAAY too much one-up-manship in this world. Don't be one of those. You don't have to contribute if you are just trying to make yourself look good.

Use a Plausible Excuse When You Call In Sick - This is just awesome.

There's No Such Thing as Too Many Friends - Really. It's just not possible to have too many friends!

Don't Work All the Time - I think that sometimes it is good to 'do the right thing' but why live with regrets??

Anyway, I think that is enough from me - check 'em out and see if you like any of the others. Some are a little bit inappropriate for the tender brains of some of my readers, (and my-naive-self for that matter!) and for that I apologize.

And while looking at that, I found another Wired.com list of interesting items; "100 Things Your Kids May Never Know About" - I'm amazed how many of those I remember!

Totally the Awesome!

Boy oh boy do I wish I could 'shred' like this!!

The Awesome -2009 US Air Guitar Championship SF Regional from Alex Koll on Vimeo.

I could probably do without the tights though...