Crocs Post 06 - Crocs Are For Runners!

 

Crocs Are For Runners!

Guess what? I love to run! I started running in 1979 and haven’t stopped since. I’ve run over 150 marathons,  150 ultramarathons, and way too many short distance races to remember.  I used to keep a running log but stopped that when the new millennium dawned. Now I just run. I’ve been wearing Crocs around town since they first appeared on the scene but I thought I’d share the story why they’ve also become my favorite, in fact my only, running shoe.

Not much calf muscle in my left leg...

Since 2000 I’ve had a non-functioning Achilles in my left leg. As a result, my left calf muscle has completely atrophied. I have no power, strength, or agility in my lower leg.  And without a working Achilles, my heel slams down and causes unbearable pain whenever I run. But that was before Crocs…

I started rather timidly, wearing my Crocs on my daily 3-5 mile evening runs with my dogs. They were so much more comfortable than any running shoe, but, really, how could any self-respecting runner actually be seen running in a pair of Crocs? What would my neighbors think? Not to mention my running friends…

So, rather surreptitiously, I built up to longer and longer runs in my Crocs.  Forget what others thought!  I quickly realized I wasn’t experiencing any pain in my heel and I was even getting a little spring in my step! But I have to admit I still wasn’t sure how I’d feel stepping up to the start of a race in a pair of brightly colored Crocs…

I quickly rid myself of that silly notion in November 2007 during the Santa Clarita Marathon. I was wearing my running shoes that day and by the 10 mile mark my heel was screaming at me.  I had just started to walk to ease the pain when luckily I found myself at the half-marathon turn off, very close to where my car was parked.  So I ran to the car and changed into my Crocs. Once I got back on the marathon course in my bright green Crocs I ran the second half of the race pain-free and with a spring in my step!

My Crocs served me well at the Old Goat 50 Mile Trail Run

Since that day in Santa Clarita I have run many more marathons, half marathons, short races, and long ultra-marathons in my Crocs. I run on the roads and on the trails and have completed many exciting adventure runs, all pain-free, thanks to my trusty Crocs.  Although I never knew there was a name for it, I have been an unofficial Crocs Ambassador ever since then. Everywhere I go and every race I run I get looks and questions about my footwear of choice. I tell everyone that thanks to Crocs running is still a joy for me and every step is a new adventure.

Do you have a chronic painful condition that keeps you from doing the things you love to do?  Maybe your Crocs can become your athletic shoes too!  Are you already a Crocs Runner?  I’d love to hear your story of how Crocs keep you running strong!

My Box of Crocs

Crocs Post 05 - Librarians Love Crocs!

 

Librarians Love Crocs!

You might not have guessed it given my seemingly adventurous nature (LOL), but I’m a college librarian.  Or should I say information professional?  Or maybe cybrarian?  Whatever  you call me, I love my job! Even this week…

It’s the last week of Summer Session at Cerritos College.  You know what that means, right?  Fall Semester is right around the corner!  And boy do things get hectic in the library at this time of year.  Summer students are frantic, writing their final papers and studying for final exams.  The library staff is busy helping them succeed in their endeavors.  But we’re also busy preparing for the deluge of new and returning students.  We’re running around like crazy!  Quietly of course…

Colorful library shoes!

That’s why we all decided to put on our most comfortable, quiet shoes and step full-force into the next chapter in our academic saga – Fall Semester 2010.

Crocs and the Library – perfect together!

Some of the reference staff took a break and modeled their colorful dress Crocs (dahlia Olivias, espresso Medeira, canary Malindi, and sky Crocband Flats)  to the amusement of the students studying nearby. I wonder if any of those students will run out to the Crocs store now and pick up a pair?  Or should the library hold a “Read for Crocs” contest and combine two great things?

When I checked in at the Circulation Desk, the staff was busy getting the books back on the shelves but they took a minute to pose for the camera in their dependable but stylish Classics, Mary Janes,  and Crocbands.

The Circulation staff have happy feet!

Visit YOUR library soon!!  After all, reading is the ultimate adventure!

Crocs are in the Encyclopedia of Feet and Footwear!

Crocs Post 04 - A California Weekend to Croc About

 

A California Weekend to Croc About

Sometimes it’s nice to just stay home on the weekend.  That’s especially true when it’s summertime in California.  When Bruce and I first moved to the Golden State from the Garden State (that would be New Jersey) we imagined there’d be no shortage of fun things to do and see.  After sixteen years in California we’re still exploring.  We know we’re lucky to live in a vacation destination. This past weekend we took advantage of that fact and stayed close to home.  But that doesn’t mean we were homebodies.  It was Bruce’s Birthday Weekend and he had a list of things he wanted to do…

The hoopla at the US Open

Our first stop was Huntington Beach, officially known as Surf City USA.  We headed down there to run along the beach and to check out the US Open of Surfing that was taking place.  The best surfers in the world get to show their stuff at this week long competition and we wanted to see it!

Here we are at the top!

One of the great things about California is that you can get from the beach to the mountains in less than an hour.  So the next day I headed to Mt. Baldy with some friends while the Birthday Boy stayed home to relax.  Most people are amazed to find out that Mt. Baldy is over 10,000 feet tall and is right in the middle of the LA Basin! This local mountain provides my friends and me great elevation training for our upcoming trip to the Peruvian Andes (more on that later…)

I had to rush home from Baldy, because that night we had tickets to the USA Swimming National Championships in Irvine.  Some of the best swimmers in the country would be competing and we wanted to see them too! What a thrill to see the Olympians like Michael Phelps glide through the water.  They sure go a lot faster than me!

The Beachcomber

The next day we headed to the beach again, this time to Crystal Cove State Beach along the Newport Coast.  Historic cottages line the sand at this beautiful ocean cove. At the Beachcomber Restaurant you can gaze out to sea while you enjoy a delicious lunch and then head straight to the beach and relax…

Relaxing in my Crocs!

Bruce’s Birthday Weekend was capped off by a trip to the local cinema and dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. Did he like that cheesecake or what?

This WAS a cheescake!

Crocs Post 01 - Beautiful Boulder CO – The Birthplace of Crocs!

 

Beautiful Boulder CO – The Birthplace of Crocs!

Boulder is breathtaking – and not just because the air is thin here at 5,400 feet.  Everywhere you look you’re surrounded by mountains, trails, and streams.  I was excited to be here, not only for the scenery but to participate in two days of activities with nine other finalists in the Crocs Ambassador Contest.  It was an honor to make it this far and I had many friends and family members to thank.  Their votes helped get me here and now it was up to me to prove I truly deserved the nickname Croc Lady!

Liz, Kat, Chris, me and Caroline

I started meeting the other finalists at the airport Wednesday afternoon and by the 7PM cocktail reception I realized how glad I was not to be in the Crocs executives’ shoes, as comfy as they may be.  How could they choose from among so many interesting Crocs lovers?  I decided then and there we were all winners. I relaxed and started to feel the love!  You can see it for yourself in this photo with finalists Liz, Kat, and Chris and cool Crocs exec Caroline. That’s me in my blue Mary Janes enjoying the camaraderie at the Wednesday night affair!

It was a whirlwind few days which included a welcome package of Boulder-made goodies (including, among other things, the most delectable chocolate and two pairs of brand new Crocs), a sneak peak at next season’s shoes (you will absolutely love what’s in store), many fine dining experiences, a secret assignment (not revealed until after lunch on Thursday) that had us all as anxious as contestants on The Apprentice, and, the most nerve-wracking for me, a video shoot and photo session. Yikes!  I just hoped the editors would be kind! Friday morning, after breakfast at the famous Boulder Tea House, we were to have one-on-one interviews. We were all a bit nervous about those despite the fact that everyone on the Crocs executive team was so down to earth and easy to talk with.  And what a team they were.  They did everything right for this mini-conference and I can’t thank them enough. I got through my interview and left beautiful Boulder thinking that no matter what happens I have made some wonderful new friends, Crocs lovers all.

On a side note, no matter where I am or what I’m there for I just have to step into my Crocs and head out into the open air.  If there are trails nearby, that’s all the better.  And boy does Boulder have trails!

Outside the St. Julien

So, shortly after 6:30 am on Thursday morning I left the comforts of my bed in the luxurious St. Julien Hotel & Spa (that’s me in front) and after a quick trip to the local coffee house I was on the Boulder Creek Path in a matter of minutes. It was literally right across from the main downtown area.  Yes, like the Crocs executives, Boulder does it right. There are miles of trails that are easily accessible to everyone.  I followed the path west, against my better judgment because that’s the uphill direction, but I couldn’t help it – the mountains were calling.  After running out three miles I knew it was time to turn around or I’d never make the morning Crocs session.  I made a quick U-turn and took advantage of the downhill as I flew back towards the St. Julien.

Boulder Creek Path

This is just one small part of the Boulder Creek Path, with the creek rushing alongside.  Even though it was early, I saw several other hikers and joggers.  And sure enough I heard my favorite comment “Hey!  How do those Crocs work for you?” You know what I told them, right?  “I LOVE them!!!” I was wearing my trusty brown Caymans (now called the Classic, BTW) but I’m thinking the adventurous folks in Boulder might prefer the Crostrail or Trailbreak. Rugged and outdoorsy!

Later in my stay I visited Chautauqua Park and Open Space. Here I found miles of trails at the base of the majestic Flatirons.  You can see why they’re so named in these pictures. I can’t wait to return to Boulder one day soon to explore more of these glorious trails!

Chautauqua Park and the Flatirons

Crocs Post 03 - IRONCrocs!

 IRONCrocs!

Another weekend, another road trip…  This time to Santa Rosa for my fist ever Ironman distance triathlon! I’ve always wanted to do an Ironman but when I actually nabbed a spot in November’s IM Arizona I got kind of nervous.  Maybe I shouldn’t do such a big-time race as my first.  All those people and all that hype might be too much for a first-timer.  I decided I needed a practice tri!!

I found the perfect one in Northern California. On the race website it says “Vineman was designed to be “the people’s ironman distance event” with an emphasis on making the average athlete’s experience of completing the classic distance the most enjoyable and personalized as possible.”  So that’s precisely why I was getting my body marked at the start of the Vineman Triathlon.

Getting My Race Number Applied

I had convinced several friends to join me on this adventure and in a few minutes we’d head into the Russian River to swim 2.4 miles.  After that we’d bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles through the rolling wine country of Sonoma County. Well at least the scenery would be pretty!

My friends and I trained hard for this event, getting together to swim, bike, or run several times each week for the past few months.  Having training buddies was the most important part of this experience.  We never lacked for support or encouragement. If you’re on a team or do any sport with a group of friends you know what I mean, right?  Sharing a common goal, especially one so daunting, is the absolute best way to train.

Who Are These Strange Creatures?

So here we were!!  In our wetsuits!  Ready to GO!!!!  We hugged and wished each other luck as we dove into the river.  We were on our own now.  But we looked forward to seeing each other down the road.

I call myself a runner so I was surprised how much I enjoyed the swim. I was initially worried about getting run over (or drowned!) by the crowds in the water but that wasn’t an issue.  The swimmers went off in small groups and the river was so wide that there wasn’t much contact at all.  A perfectly pleasant swim!  Next up, the ride…

Now, I really like to bike but I must admit the bike portion got a little boring after a while. When I go on long rides I’m usually with friends. In triathlon you have to be careful NOT to ride too close to another biker – or you could get disqualified!  So I pedaled on…

My Bike/Run Transition Bag (My Crocs!)

As got off my bike I couldn’t quite believe I still had a marathon to run! What did I get myself into??? But I trotted off and was surprised to find I still had some energy.  I wasn’t going very fast, but I WAS going forward!  My lovely pink Crocs gave me a little bounce in my step and got me plenty of comments from participants and spectators as I finished the final leg of the Vineman Triathlon.

My Number, Wristband, and Finisher Medal

What a feeling to cross the finish line!  I was crying from joy and grinning ear to ear at the same time! I was an Iron Woman – in Crocs!!

Are there any triathletes out there? What’s you favorite race? Do you have any training tips you’d like to share?

Crocs Post 02 - A Mount Whitney Crocs Adventure!

 A Mount Whitney Crocs Adventure!

Just five hours north of the LA Basin lies Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in California’s magnificent Sierra Nevada.  Not only that, but at 14,497 feet it’s the tallest peak in the contiguous United States (aka “The Lower 48”). On July 13 my friends Janet, Lori, and I set out to reach that peak. Or, as they say in hiking vernacular, to “bag it.”  Our goal was Whitney and back in one day.  We knew it would be tough, but we knew it would be beautiful.  A perfect combination!

The week before our trek we had been checking the Whitney website with anticipation.  Other hikers had reported fast flowing stream crossings, large fields of snow, and icy, wet trails. We hoped that we wouldn’t encounter those difficult trail conditions on the day of our trek.  The weather, however, was supposed to be perfect on July 13 – sunny, warm, and most importantly, no lightning or rain. We sure hoped that prediction would hold true.

Getting started

After spending the night in Lone Pine, a high desert town that’s the staging point for many Sierra adventurers, we reached the Mt. Whitney trailhead at 6:00am to begin our adventure. We were standing at 8,360 feet and already feeling the effects of the thin air.  We had eleven steep miles and 6,132 feet of elevation gain in front of us.  Yikes!  It was going to be a long day…  I silently wondered if my trusty Crocs were up to the challenge.  In fact, we all wondered if WE were up to the challenge!!

Slowly but surely we made our way up the trail, stopping at strategic points along the way to rest, refuel, and take in the beauty surrounding us.  After starting in wooded wilderness, we reached Lone Pine Lake (2.8 miles & 9,420 feet), then Trail Camp (6.3 miles and 12,039 feet).  By now the landscape was barren, but what it lacked in trees it made up for in magnificent granite rock formations with small but colorful flowers breaking through. The majestic Whitney Crest loomed beyond.

We were getting closer! Ninety-nine switchbacks later we arrived at Trail Crest (8.5 miles and 13,777 feet). What a view!  And only 2.5 miles to go!  These last few miles were not so steep, but they were oh so high. And boulder-strewn.  And snowy.  But we trudged on, a bit more slowly but a bit more surely.  We knew we could make it because the weather and the trail were kind to us this day.  And before too long, we crested the trail and we were on the summit of Mt. Whitney! Are these the first ever Crocs at the top?

Have your Crocs taken you to new heights? Tell me about your favorite hiking trail or place for adventure.  I want to know where my Crocs should take me next!

Vineman Finish - July 2010