TERRA PLANA VIVO BAREFOOT…the perfect casual minimalist shoe.

What to wear on your feet when you are NOT RUNNING!

Yes. You read it right. NOT running!

The recent trend to hit the running world is minimalist or barefoot running.  Many people these days have read “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall. If not, I highly recommend reading it. Barefoot running is natural, biomechanically efficient, and has the potential to reduce injury and improve performance when carefully incorporated into a person’s training program.

I am a huge fan of barefoot walking and believe it really helps keep my feet flexible and strong. I also train and race in lightweight running shoes.

It is fantastic to see so many people embrace the barefoot running concept. However it is disheartening to see many people who run barefoot continue to further stress their feet by wearing incorrect street shoes. Especially considering a normal running person will only spend up to 1-2 hours per day in running shoes and 8-10 hours in casual shoes. So what is the best way to strengthen your feet when you are not running?

Terra Plana make a range of minimalist shoes called Vivo Barefoot designed for barefoot walking and or running. For the past month I have been testing out the Terra Plana Vivo Barefoot Dylan. It is a super cute, eco-friendly summer casual canvas shoe which doubles as the perfect “barefoot” shoe. It has a very thin sole that is puncture-resistant and unlike most casual shoes it has a nice WIDE TOE-BOX which is essential for proper foot function. Terra Plana also make several other styles in their Vivo Barefoot range including the Aqua and Lucy which are extremely popular casual shoes in the USA. All styles come in men’s and women’s colours and sizes and can be used for walking. Their latest shoe is the Vivo Barefoot EVO which is a specific running shoe.

Running people really need to pay more attention to what they wear outside of their sport. This can be just as important for injury prevention and performance as the shoes you wear when you are running. Terra Plana Vivo Barefoot are an excellent adjunct to your running regime when worn as a casual shoe during work/walking/leisure activities. It can only benefit your feet (and body) and might just help mend or prevent you from further injury this year!

You can check out the Vivo Barefoot range at:

http://www.terraplana.com.au

Happy Bare Footing!

From Karen

Australia Day Fun Run 2011

First Win for the Year –Woo Hoo!

Well I would be lying if I said that I have had an easy start to the year. Whilst having a break from running is lovely. Trying to get fit again is just darn hard work. A few extra kilograms make for a nice healthy body but feel horrible when you try to go fast. The brain is willing. The body has a clear memory of how to run fast. But when you go to plant the foot down it just will NOT co-operate. It is easy to get frustrated and disheartened early on in the season when you are not running as well as you know you are capable of. However somewhere deep down inside you know that if you stay consistent and keep ticking off the training the form will be there when it counts later on in the season…or so you keep telling yourself!

Today was a great day to wake up super early on the Australia Day Holiday morning down the coffee and head back down the coast for the annual Australia Day Fun Run on the Mornington Peninsula from Safety Beach to Rosebud. I was very excited to be back in my hometown of Melbourne for the Australia Day Celebrations! A last minute shop after work at Coles and I had my new Australia Day Race Kit consisting of the “Land Down Under” running shorts (board shorts) and some boxing kangaroo and Australian flag tattoos!

There was a great turn out at the start line. The race is getting bigger and bigger every year. The gun went off and away we went racing down the coast on the sandy bush tracks alongside the beautiful bay. I ran out fairly hard from the start and tried to find a nice big guy to tuck in behind whilst we ran into the breeze. I had my eyes on several backs but they were too quick! Within 1km I was on my own and quickly settled into a comfortably hard rhythm with 2 other guys right on my tail. I always have a chuckle when big blokes use me as a wind break! We curved around the sandy bush tracks and made it to the second road section before ducking back into the caravan park trails. As we passed Dromana there was a great cheer from all the children –Go Girls!!! I did not dare look behind me but I thought bugger –the second girl must have caught onto the guys on my tail. I kept my head down and kept running hard. Just before we hit the boardwalk I put in a big surge and ran as fast as I could for the finish line.

Finally after 4 years of coming 2^nd or 3^rd in this event I finally finished 1^st place. It was the tiny little confidence booster and extra motivation I needed to continue with those hard sessions!

The finish line of the event at Rosebud is the best part of the race. There is a giant jumping castle and slide for the kids. There is a big beach market and your race bib gets you a free BBQ breakfast at the end (Damian’s favourite bit!). It was lovely to sit outside in the beautiful sunshine and listen to the young girls sing “I Still Call Australia Home”, the Australian Anthem and read Dorothea MacKellar’s “I Love a Sunburnt Country”. Thanks Australia for being such an awesome place to call home.