Recently I became sponsored by Skora! I am super pumped. This minimalist shoe company is great- they hold many of the same beliefs I have about running. Their motto (written as a hashtag after almost every tweet), Run Real, is something I internalize. (Here is their site: http://skorarunning.com)
With all of the media and opinions swirling about the Lance Armstrong doping admittance, it could not be any more true. Being a dedicated and hardworking athlete, not even at the elite level (yet), I seek to compete cleanly and honestly. For me, running has been all about pushing myself and see what I can accomplish. I of course want to be stronger, faster, better, but I wish to gain this after hard work and determination and overcoming physical and mental setbacks. I think that is why running and competing have been so rewarding for me. To succumb to cheating would just erase everything running has done for me and turn it into a lie. Lauren Fleshman, an idol of mine, wrote about it in TWO blog posts eloquently and described my feelings perfectly. (Here is the link: http://asklaurenfleshman.com/journal/2013/01/17/a-letter-to-lance-armstrong-a-fellow-pro-athletes-plee/ & http://asklaurenfleshman.com/journal/2013/01/24/four-good-reasons-to-believe-in-clean-sport/)
Also, running "real" to me means running with a pure heart and open mind. Things I strive for and challenge myself daily. I dream of running endlessly and getting down to the basics of it: me, the mountains/forests, and my shoes.
Which gets me back to the shoe part. I have always been a fan of minimalist footwear, as it allows me to run faster, dance the technical terrain with more proficiency, and really FEEL the earth under my feet. It just feels natural. Skora shoes do just that. So far, I have put about 30 miles in them and love what I am feeling. They have enough cushioning and a soft upper that feels supportive and protective for my feet. But they are so light and flexible! I really can feel the trail and it is as if I am a ballerina again, nimbly jumping from rock to rock and over roots. I cannot wait to see how they hold up with all my workouts and miles I will be running with them!
Before first run (and many, many, MANY miles!)
After about 30 miles worth of trail running and interval workouts. So far, so good!
Well, that's all for now... Oh and I also conquered the flu this week. Sickness ain't got nothing on me!!
Sincerely,
Kels
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