Last night Charlie and I ran the Nike Freedom Run with Fleet Feet. It was a 2.5 mile scavenger fun run for the launch of their new shoe, the Nike Free+. We were all placed on teams and given matching team t-shirts. The point of the run was to stick together as a team as we ran though the course at each checkpoint we got a new clue and also a bracelet for making to the checkpoint. It started at Fleet Feet (North/Wells) then went to the Lincoln Statue in Lincoln Park, The Boat House at North Avenue Beach, The John Hancock Building, the MCA and then over to the W Hotel for a party. The event was really fun but my run was demoralizing.
So who shoes up to a run to try out a new shoe by Nike?
A bunch of well seasoned runners who are not sucking wind after one mile.
So who shoes up to a run to try out a new shoe by Nike?
A bunch of competitive assholes who have no sense of team and could care less to wait for you in a team photo
So who shoes up to a run to try out a new shoe by Nike?
A runner who as not run outside since last October
So who shoes up to a run to try out a new shoe by Nike?
A runner who has not run more than 2 miles in a single run since last October
So who shoes up to a run to try out a new shoe by Nike?
A runner who has a slow pace of 13 minutes per mile with a North headwind
So who shoes up to a run to try out a new shoe by Nike?
A runner who tried to keep up with the group but could not
I’m pretty torn by the whole thing actually.
My “bruised ego” persona thinks: why the hell could we have not all run together. I can guarantee if someone would have set a 11:30 pace I would have sucked it up and kept up. I wouldn’t of had to have taken a walk break(s). But I can’t run a 9:30…I don’t have it in me. Sorry, I tried, I made it 1/4 a mile and wanted to barf, I had to walk.
My “you suck” persona thinks: why should a bunch of runners have to slow down for your sorry untrained ass? Suck it up buttercup! And I hope you learned a good lesson here.
My “its okay, you will do better the next time” persona thinks: well Delane, at least you got out there. You will do better the next time. Time and training will improve your runs, everything will fall back into place for you soon. Its only April and running seasons just began.
My “competitive” persona thinks: I want a rematch..I know I can do better today! My headache is gone, I won’t wear a jacket this time and have it swinging around my waist. Rematch, Rematch, Rematch!!
After getting over my bruised ego. The party was a lot of fun. Nike knows how to do it right. Kudos to them for having an open bar and passed appetizers. The shrimp cocktail was delicious and the views from the top of the W Hotel were outstanding.
So about the shoes…(Free NIKE Advertising here!)
I normally run in Nike shoes. I have run in them since I started running in 1997 (less the Asics experience in 2008 that gave me PF, but I digress). I wear a neutral high cushion shoe the Nike Zoom Vomero+ (I’ve been wearing the 4 base, but they are now on 5, which I have heard is actually the 3 which I loved). The Nike Freedoms are meant to supplement your training. They are an ultra light, ultra flexible very low cushion shoe. The purpose is to make your feet stronger and work your muscles (or so the guy last night told me).
When I ran in them I noticed that I got a cramp in my toe. Odd, since I normally have either arch pain or random pains on the top of my feet. My understanding is that this is normal, the shoes were working my toes (or so the guy last night told me). Beyond the toe cramp my feet felt pretty good. Other than sucking wind and my leg being tired because I’m out of shape to run 2.5 miles along the lake front with headwinds I felt really good running in them.
They guy also told me that these shoes will help ward off my PF. Sign me up!!!
The shoes retail at $85 (Nike was kind enough to give us a $10 coupon to use). After running in them and hearing all the hype of the sales people, its safe to say that I’ll be making a trip to Fleet Feet to buy myself a pair of Free+ to train in. While I don’t see me wearing them for my long runs, I do see me wearing them for short runs, track track runs and speed work. If a $75 pair of shoes can help me keep my PF away, I’m going to consider this a good deal.
Good job Nike!!
I’ve run with that 0% body fat crowd in CARA speed trainings when I COULD run a 9.30 mile pace and a mile in under 8….and they still kicked my azz and did not wait for me. It sucks. At least you did get out and run though on a beautiful night!:)
My friend Laura and I signed up for Run for the Zoo. Are you up for it?
I always try to convince myself I run against only myself. Others may be running against themselves at the same time but, just by running, I win.
But still, plenty of brain cycles are spent figuring out inventive ways (dare I say dreams?) to get back at “those” people the next time Oh yeah, there will be a next time….