Article: Stone Cat Trail Marathon By SillyC

I love stories like this. Your upbeat and happy personality and relaxed but committed attitude about running that comes through here just makes me smile, and reminds me that this sport is full of wonderful people. Running can and should always be as fun as you seem to make it. Thanks for sharing this.

I really enjoyed reading your story. Sounds like you are having fun out there. Probably why you managed to skip the whole wall thing. Quite inspiring!

Excellent job on your race!! I am totally inspired to get the lacing to be comfortable on my invisible shoes!

Silly C,

I enjoyed reading your article on the Stone Cat Trail marathon. Because of your success and the pictures you have, I have ordered some 4mm vibram and bought the other necessary items to make a pair of the Harraches. Ihave already reviewed the Video instructions at the Invisibleshoe website and am excited to get some made. I believe I'll be the first on the block.

Although all of my running this spring and summer has been barefoot, Ialso ordered a pair of wool toe socks so that I can use the Harraches for winter running.

Ithought the comment about the "paternalistic jerk" was funny. You know, Idon't mind people commenting about my barefeet and Ienjoy conversation when they are just inquisitive. Really, Ilike hearing someone say to me or about me that I am "hard core". That's great for my ego! But, some have talked down to me and I have heard of some that call me a idiot and that really bothers me because they don't even know me! Maybe I'll have a shirt made that says something like: I've been running a lot of years so keep your stupid remarks to youself!

Ihope you enjoy many more runs minimalistically(if that's a word).

Best Regards,

Per

Good luck with your huarache building experiment! I am not so crafty - mine totally look homemade! I'll need something more than huaraches and socks for winter because we can get a lot of snow. I used Teva Protons (current version, "Sling King") during the worst of it last year.

The guy wasn't that bad, but I get this type of visitor a lot because I'm a mousy-looking middle aged lady. He stopped by with a bunch of unsolicited advice, and when I tried to ask him if he had a lot of barefoot running experience, he copped to running in minimalist shoes on occasion. There are folks around with way more barefoot experience than me, but I'm racking up the miles, and I'm not a beginner anymore. Why did he assume that he was the expert, and not me?

Silly C,

Well, I responded once but my comment never showed up. So, sorry if you get two of the same.

Ireally just wanted to say that if that unsolicited adviser would have looked at the way you had your huarache's tied, with the intricate knot on top, he surely would have identified you as an expert!

The picture of yours look great! I just hope mine stay on. I'll also check out the Teva Protons you mention.

Also, how imbarrassing that I misspelled "huarache". I guess I was using the North American version.

Per

Per - it will take a run or two to get the hang of the tie job on them. Futz with laces, run 50 yards, futz again, run... but in no time, you'll figure out how you like them and you'll be good to go. I completely relaced mine the night before the race in the hotel room, and was able to gauge the fit by hopping three steps in my (ground floor) room. I use the slip-on method for tying because that way, I can stick with a nice tie-job for ~ 80 miles or so.

SillyC:

Thanks, I'm already futzing. Got everything in the mail yesterday. i.e., Vibram and overly expensive Injinji wool toe socks. I laced one as slip on and one as toga. I actually liked the toga better with the socks on. Anyway, changed them both to slip on last night. Iwore them to the gym this morning and now they seem too tight on the top of my feet. Back to futzing.

Iwas surpised that I had to use a tool to get the 5/32in. lacing through the 1/8in. hole. It looked easier in the video at Invisibleshoe.com.

So, got an organized 12.3 mile run this Sunday which gives me two more days to make adjustments. 3 inches of snow predicted for Saturday which means we will probably get our usual light dusting at the most. All the weather service has to say is "snow" and the whole town charges off to Kroger's for a supply of milk and eggs. Ithink the meterologist and Kroger's are in cahoots for increased sales.

Snow or not, who cares if the weather outside is frightful, I got my golden wooly toe socks and new huaraches...all the way home I'll be warm.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'll let you know how it goes.

Per

Those picsof your beautiful feet in the very stylish huaraches could almost incent a guy to foot fetishism. You should be careful where you flash those around.