Sweet Smelling Sneaks

We have a bit of a dirty secret to share with you today. But I'm not ashamed to admit it because I think it's something a lot of runners deal with. After months upon months of running through the rain, sleet, snow, and heat in the same Vibrams (Stephen) and Nike Frees (Ashley), our shoes STINK.

But it isn't time to buy new just yet.

It's so bad that we actually keep our sneaks outdoors when we're not wearing 'em. I'm a bit worried, though, that doing so only compounds the problem.

It doesn't help that neither of us wears socks. Not when we're running . . . not EVER.


The problem: STINKY SHOES

The solution(s):

a.) Hope the stench goes away on its own. (Tried. Doesn't happen.)
b.) Burn them and buy new. (Too expensive. Potential fire code violation.)
c.) Spray with perfume. (Will only mask and make worse.)
d.) Wash them.


Of course washing them is the only practical choice. But HOW? It's something we struggled with for a while before coming up with a good system. First, I never knew you COULD wash sneakers in the machine. Then I didn't know what suds would be best to get rid of odors (while also being safe for the performance rubbers and other materials). Last, the drying part. To dry in the machine or not? What works best?

Here's what we do -- about once a month -- to keep our sneaks (or toe gloves, in Stephen's case) smelling sweet.

• If your shoes are particularly muddy or cruddy, pre-rinse with your outdoor hose. The more loose dirt you can get off the better.
• We wash our shoes one pair at a time. I don't know if it matters, and I imagine two pairs might be OK, but a smaller load -- we believe -- works best.
• Set your washing machine to small load. Regular cycle. With COLD water only. If you have the option, we set ours to wash for a longer cycle. 14 minutes versus the usual 10-12.
• Before tossing your shoes in the machine, take out the inserts. You'll wash them, too (go ahead and throw them in) -- just not while they're in the shoes.
• Note: You may wish to remove your shoe laces. We haven't had a problem, but there is a potential they could get snagged in the machine. If you're concerned, play it safe.
• Toss in 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of vinegar. Let the washing begin. Maybe make some peanut butter-chocolate chip cookie dough.
• We have used detergent on occasion -- but I've read mixed reviews on that. The only kind I feel "safe" using is this kind we bought at our local sporting goods store.
• TO DRY: Don't -- I repeat -- DON'T -- place your shoes in your dryer. Let air dry. The best way is in the sun on a hot day. Otherwise, a fan can help. Maybe even some newspaper crumbled up to absorb the moisture.

This process will get them looking almost new. Notice, though, that my dirty hippie feet still leave their mark on my inserts.


How do you keep your active feet smelling sweet? Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

And if you're looking for tips on how to keep the rest of your workout gear fresh, check out our Take the Stink Out of Your Workout Gear post.

Remember that giveaway we promised you last week? We'll be posting it later today, so don't forget to check back!

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Weekend Happenings

This weekend has been incredible. And I say "has been" because we both have the day off for Columbus Day. I'm going to keep this post short because I have a ton to do. More on that later, though.

Friday evening, Stephen joined me for a speedy 5-miler through our neighborhood. Then, we moved around some furniture in our living and dining rooms to give our whole place a new look. Seriously, we never used the dining room. And the living room felt cramped. With the updated arrangement, we have a living room, dining nook, and TV/family room. I can't begin to describe how much bigger everything feels.

BEFORE




These photos are just a sneak-peek. We're not done yet -- still finding the right accessories, etc. -- but one thing I'm thrilled about is that we don't need to re-paint everything. Originally, we planned to paint the walls a neutral tan-ish tone. I hate painting with a passion . . . with everything moved, the color doesn't feel as cold anymore. Accessories can do a lot. Seriously!

AFTER




Our TV room is still very much under construction. But, I love that we were able to make better use of our Salvation Army find from a couple years ago. It's my favorite piece of furniture in the whole house!


Yesterday my friend Dani and I trekked to Fabius, NY, and we ran a half marathon. Dani ran the Wineglass Marathon last weekend, so her finish was especially awesome. What a rockstar! I didn't PR, nor was I expecting to, but I finished in 1:47:31 and earned a place in the top 15 -- 12th women's overall, to be exact. I plan to write an entire race report once I get some more photos.

Let's just say, I'm so happy I had the opportunity to run this race. It solidified my love for the half marathon distance.


So, that's a bit of what's to come this week -- including a full budget breakdown of our first floor transformation. For now, though, we're off to do what we do best: RELAX. As well, I need to do like fifteen mounds of laundry, cook and bake, clean, buy groceries, and do all other kinds of glamorous homemaking stuff. We're also going for a short Vibrams jog . . . I can't wait!

What did YOU do this weekend? Here in NY the weather has been incredible. The leaves are colorful . . . and the sun is shining. Hope you're having a great day! Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Falling In Love with Running . . . Again

Stephen writes today's post -- helping me out while I mend from my injury. Look for more posts from Stephen in the coming weeks and months.

A hypocrite is one who knowingly acts in contradiction of his stated beliefs or feelings, whereas an enthusiast tends to get passionately absorbed in an interest. What am I getting at? A confession: Months ago, I prescribed a rather benign plan for easing into barefoot / Vibram running (in response to the painful aftermath and improvidence of my first experience.) And as you may recall, early September should have marked my first 3 mile Vibram run.

So, what am I confessing? Insanity: performing the same task over and over expecting a different outcome. Luckily, I'm not insane, just enthusiastic! Once the initial pain subsided, I was able to tack on a few 1-2 mile barefoot runs a week. A week later, I began substituting one 4-5 mile maintenance run for one 4-5 mile Vibram run. And now I'm able to run five days a week, banking between 30-35 miles in my Vibrams or bare feet.


Why did I abandon my plan?

I'm an enthusiast. I always have been. I’ve become overzealous for practically every musician, author, or hobby with which I’ve been interested. I've purchased and listened to every Iron Maiden album, read every Ray Bradbury short story, and spend entire summers devoted to oil painting. There is a point, however, where I change interests. Rapidly. My Maiden CDs and albums are now shelved to make room for Joy Division. Likewise, Tim O'Brien short stories boot Bradbury anthologies, and, of course, running boots painting.

A lingering fear of mine is that I might grow tired of running like I did at the end of high school, and at the end of college, and so on. I fear that if I don't have a constant goal, an upcoming race, or a purpose for running, my desire may fade away.


So why did I shed my shoes?

It feels good, for lack of better words. I crave the feeling of the ground against my bare feet -- the instant feedback that communicates smooth, firm, and cold -- the sensation of the earth pushing back. Over the twenty minutes I spent drafting this post, as the late afternoon sun faded behind dark rainclouds, I traded my khakis for running shorts and splashed five barefoot miles through the pouring rain. Eugene Kelly, Curt Kobain influence and Vaseline's frontman says it best:

"It feels so good, it must be bad for me."


But is it bad for me?

If you do too much too soon, yes. If you listen to your body, no. I have to admit, I just finished tending to matching blood blisters on my longest toes. But my steadily improved form and increased cadence (180 steps per minute) compensates for any cuts and bruises I’ve had along the way. After all, skin heals.

Where to go from here? Wherever my newly established goal -- to fall in love with running, again -- takes me.

Are you trying to relight the fire in your relationship with running? Tell us your stories. Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Graham Crackers and Video Posts

As you'll see in a moment, I wrote up an entire post this morning and watched it -- in an instant -- vanish. I need to keep better track of my battery power. On like everything. My phone is basically dead right now (and as I told Tina on Twitter this morning, my ringer is always off . . . so I guess it doesn't matter anyway!). My camera has another 20 shots left in her -- maybe. My iPod Touch is on low battery, too (and I have a gazillion Words With Friends games to catch up on -- sorry, friends!).

Here's what I would have posted in words, but had to -- instead -- record as an awkward video:




(Please, please click and watch . . . with the freeze-frame, I look so ridiculous!)
OK. Please settle something for me. Is it Vibram with an "i" as it "fish" . . . or Vibram with an "i" as it "eye-ball" . . . Stephen thinks it's fish. I want it to be eyeball, but I think Stephen's right. I don't know. I just think it sounds better with the word "vibe" in there. If I pronounced it wrong, I apologize to the Five Fingers folks.

If you missed our "geeking out" post, check it out here -- and reveal to us your inner dork.

And here are the grahams I'm referring to. They are amazing. So good, in fact, that I ate them in place of a healthy breakfast. I won't post the recipe yet (and it's not my own recipe anyway -- I found it on Ashley's site. And she found it on Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World). I tweaked it a bit, used some different ratios of flour (as per our flour discussion the other day), and added some more spices. Since they are so thick, I figure I should give it another go before sharing.



I can't seem to cut them evenly . . . reminds me a bit of Tetris:


Also, I can't stop listening to:


What songs are you currently obsessed with? I've got a TON more, including this rare version of "The Killing Moon" by Echo & the Bunnymen that Stephen burned onto a CD for me. Stephen basically spends whole evenings trolling around for music.

We're going to two concerts soon-ish: Broken Social Scene later this month and Phoenix in October. While we're on the topic -- what music are you not too keen on? Stephen thinks I'm crazy because Springsteen doesn't float my boat. Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Blueberry Sunrise Smoothie

Good morning. It's been a week or so since I started my day with a smoothie. I've been sneaking in some extra morning jogs in my Vibrams (2 or 3 miles at most) to get my body used to my new work (and, therefore MORNING running) schedule. Being back in the Vibrams feels great. I've missed the freedom they give me. I certainly don't miss the pain, though. (Those of you who are new might not know that I ran 17 miles in them -- in the course of a 40+ mile barefoot running week -- a little cocky, am I right?) For now, I'm sticking to runs shorter than 5 miles. I'll keep this up a couple times a week . . . and then see where I am in a couple months.

If you'd like to catch up on our (ever-increasing) Vibrams experiences, here are some posts:

Those Funny 5-Fingered Shoes
Stephen's Experience
Making the Switch: Stephen's Perspective
Vibrams and POM-Peach Smoothies
Long Runs, Blueberries, and Injuries

Enough about the finger shoes for now. This smoothie combines two foods from the NYT's "11 Best Foods You Aren't Eating" list: Blueberries and cinnamon.


A couple weeks ago, I excitedly shared with you yet another blueberry smoothie recipe made with Greek yogurt. An anonymous commenter made sure we knew that adding dairy to blueberries negates their anti-inflammatory powers. I'm no dietitian (sorry!), so if you want to get this same benefit . . . this smoothie might be your better bet.

Oh, yeah. There's a serving of peas in there, too. I usually only use peas to ice my injuries . . . but I'm sure the work they do on the INSIDE is just as good.

BLUEBERRY SUNRISE SMOOTHIE

What you'll need . . .

• 1-1/2 cups frozen blueberries
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 banana
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Method . . .

1. Blend all ingredients together until smooth.
2. Add in more milk to achieve your desired consistency.
3. Enjoy.

Blueberries and cinnamon might also have the power to help calm your skin. Did you know that? I sure didn't until I read this article. My skin's been raging worse than a 13-year-old's lately . . . so, looks like the purple-stained teeth are here to stay for a while.


And one last thing this morning: I'm SO HAPPY you all enjoyed our junk food post yesterday afternoon. We were thrilled to receive Carla's question in our inbox because we knew we felt the same way (wondering if other health bloggers/readers out there ever dip into vending machines, etc.). If you haven't checked it out yet, go read why, at least for me, it isn't all coconut water, celery sticks, and sugarless cookies. Why I don't sweat the sweet stuff.

We love answering reader questions. We like to use them for posts because we figure if just one person takes time to ask -- at least several more are probably wondering. So, feel free to email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com if you are just itching to know something about cooking, baking, running, healthy living, etc. While you're at it, leave us a comment about what YOU had for breakfast today!

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Spiders and POM-Peach Smoothies

With all the blogging, racing, and travelling we've been doing -- taking time to learn how to use my new camera (Nikon D90) properly hasn't been a priority. Those photos from Maine? All D40 shots for the most part. I'm definitely frustrated because all the buttons are in different places. And I'm just having trouble, really. There aren't any specifics or good excuses.

So, last night I went outside and played around a bit.




I think these shots are pretty cool. I'm learning more, that's for sure. After my little photo walk, Stephen and I went down to a park near our house to run a bit in our Vibrams. Just a lazy mile or two on the grass.

Felt great!



Now -- why did I start this post out with a smoothie photo? Because I've used Greek yogurt yet again to make breakfast. This smoothie (as with all smoothies) is fast and fresh. Delicious and nutritious. And I'll definitely be making it again sometime soon.


POMEGRANATE-PEACH SMOOTHIE

What you'll need . . .

• 1 container OIKOS Greek yogurt (plain)
• 1/2 cup POM pomegranate juice
• 1 cup frozen peaches
• 1 medium banana
• Chia seeds (optional)

Method . . .

1. Blend all ingredients together.
2. Sprinkle with chia seeds.
3. That's all!

I imagine if you have fresh peaches that they would work well, too. Just use frozen bananas, then (so it'll be nice and chilly). Happy Friday, everyone! What are you all up to this weekend?

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Vibrams: Stephen's Experience

When I first slipped my toes into those strange five fingered gloves, I felt the freedom to flex and stretch my feet in directions and motions my running shoes wouldn’t allow. Naturally, I was eager to put my feet to the road to feel what all the hype was about. I read that it’s best to ease into barefoot running and to build mileage slowly. In fact, I even blogged about my adventures in easing into minimalist running.

I've been consistently running fifty miles a week, so I arrogantly tried to be the exception to the rule; I walked in them about five miles total before making the transition to running.


One of my biggest questions about the five fingers concerned speed. Would I be able to run as fast in five fingers as I could in my everyday trainers? The answer, I found in my first 3 mile run, was yes. You can go fast! Not only was I able to run in a fast clip, but I felt like I was expending less energy to maintain the pace. Efficiency, at last! Unfortunately, this experience doesn’t have a happy ending -- in fact, its conclusion is far from it.

Developing throughout the day, I felt a deep tightness grow in my lower leg muscles. No matter how many times I leaned against the wall to stretch, the tightness worsened and worsened. And the next morning, the tightness was unreal! It honestly felt like it was my first week of running, ever! I recalled my fifteen-year-old self huffing and puffing after my first three-miler. My legs, raw, throbbing. This hyperbole really isn’t too far-fetched, as the five fingers engaged muscles that I have seldom used.


Like the Saucony Kinvaras, the Five Fingers allow my foot to experience a much wider range of motion. But unlike the Kinvara’s lowered heel, the five fingers have absolutely NO heel build up! So each time my foot struck the pavement, my lower leg muscles extended much more than they were used to. The funny thing is -- I already knew this. I read the reviews, I understood the concept, and it made sense to me. But for some reason, call it excitement; I tried to skip the orientation.

The moral of the story: no matter how much experience you have, no matter how many miles you log, it’s best to take your time when introducing barefoot running into your regimen. (Ashley's experience making the switch has been much less disruptive to her normal routine. More on that another time . . . but she agrees with the easing into it part.)


After five days, my lower legs have finally loosening up and the sharp tenderness in my calves is fading. I’ve decided to step back, start over, and build up my mileage with five fingers slowly.

• I’m beginning with three short five-finger runs a week. (Note: these runs are not in addition to my weekly mileage. Instead, I’m replacing equal shoe miles with five-finger miles.) Starting with a 1/4 mile for my first run, I will add 1/4 mile to each workout: Week 1: T: 1/4 mile, W: 1/2 mile, TR: 3/4 mile = 1-1/2 mile total
• I’ll make the middle distance workout, 1/2 mile from week 1, the shortest workout of week 2 and continue to add a 1/4 mile: Week 2: T: 1/2 mile, W: 3/4 mile, TR: 1 mile = 2.25 miles total
• I’ll continue this process for as long as it feels right. And by using this formula, I’ll be running my first three miler by week 10.

Again, the distance and frequency of this plan are dependent on the person. We all have different bodies, different thresholds, and different needs. The best advice -- as always -- is to listen to your body. And be sure to stay tuned for more updates on our adventures with the Five Fingers!

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