Back in the fall I was twenty miles into a long run when my hip started screaming. I rubbed it out and did a little walk/jog number the rest of the way home. I took Sunday off, and gave it a go on Monday morning. Hip was still chatting away. I took the rest of the week off and opted for a 13-mile hybrid on Saturday (5 out. 5K race. 5 back).
So @coupertrouper and I went backpacking in NC this past weekend, hiking 12 miles from Flat Laurel Creek off NC Hwy 215 to Cold Mountain. We showed up on Friday, hiked a couple miles to our campsite, then changed into our running gear.
When my Vibram Sprints finally wore out after 504 miles I was feeling pretty good about the brand. My alternate pair of KSOs (Keep Stuff Out) pulled off an impressive 576 miles (and counting).
Knowing it was only a matter of time before my KSOs would need replacing I hit up my local REI, tried on a few different models, and settled on the KomodoSports. They fit snug, had a double strap so I could tighten over the top and around the heel, and were fairly lightweight.
In the height of my running I trained to compete. I ran intervals, hills, speed, and long distance. I did pushups and situps. I ate right. I did all of this to win.
My hard work paid off. First, I began placing in my age group at 5Ks. Then 10Ks. After a while I began placing in the overalls. Third, second, and eventually, and only once I might add, I won a 5K.
Now, years later, I am slowly gaining my competitive fervor. This time around, something has changed a bit. I run each race to win, but not against others. I race to PR.
