Florida Sports

Posts Tagged ‘Guide’

Article by Serena Doni Stalin

Polo shirts are fine clothing commodities. It is also a great publicity item. A lot of people utilized it for diverse reasons. They like to don it during sports events or even just on a informal walk to the park. You should then take advantage of its celebrated status. It’s time you modify your own logo imprinted polo shirts!

The roots of polo shirts can be traced back to the’th and early 20th centuries when Rene Lacoste, then French tennis star, customized a more useful garment to be used for their tennis games. Basically his style formed a shorter, cooler and softer top than the long-sleeved, stifling ones they were used to wearing. Meanwhile in other parts of the world, polo players were also in pursuit of a more convenient clothing article that they could wear to their polo matches. They soon discovered about Lacoste’s creation and eventually accepted the garment’s use. Lewis Lacey, an Argentinian polo player, designed the shirt to illustrate a logo of a polo player in front. Since then it came to be termed as “polo shirt”. In the long run other sports players like golfers, came to accept the shirt as their official attire.

These days, polo shirts come in different colors and styles. Some are pure in color while others are stripy. Almost all clothing companies create them. Logo imprinted polo shirts are very famous in the corporate setting. Colleges like to show their school spirit by putting on promotional polo shirts. They are simple to wash, can be donned with almost all articles of clothing and are very comfortable to wear. Even children love to have on embroidered logo polos!

If you use polo shirts as a promotional, the advantages are: Unlimited Exposure – Polo shirts is a type of attire that is widely recognized in almost all events. If your customer declares that your company polo shirt is now his preferred shirt in the world, likelihood is he will use it often. Now that’s guaranteed daily advertisement for you!

1. Collection in Designs – As I’ve stated, there are more polo shirt designs to select from these days. There is diversity even in fabric. This will give you more options in picking out which shirt best works for you.

2. Expansive Reach – Polo shirts could be put on by men and women of all shapes, ages and sizes, thus, all your customers!

3. Toughness – These products have a long life span. Hence, you don’t have to restore the same items over and over again. They will last for long period of time.

Before you hurry into buying these fabulous items, let me give you some pointers first so you’ll be well guided in your preference.

1. Acknowledge the fabric – Some fabric may do its job for you while others, although would look nice at first, may not work to your gain. The solution here is to check for the kinds of fabrics obtainable in the market today and see which best matches a comfortable polo shirt. Should it be cotton, polyester or rayon? The preference is up to you.

2. Customers First! – Bear in mind that you’ll be handing out this as a advertising item. It’s not planned for your use only. Make sure that you choose the proper design that will fit everyone. Logo imprinted polo shirts will be even more appealing if it can be used by people of all forms.

3. Always check quality – You may think that you’ve just captured the bargain of your life with the price you settled with but you could be setting up for future headache if you’re not wary enough. Some of these products look good at first but shrink after the first wash. Be very alert of the brand of shirt you are buying. If you already have a tried and tested apparel brand then go for it. The likelihood of you getting double-crossed will be thin.

4. Mix and Match – Take extra care in customizing your promotional polo shirts. Colors may be attractive but if not matched properly it could make people dizzy. You don’t want them distracted from the message you want to convey. Devote in the conceptualization of your brand or logo. This is a very significant step to your triumph.

I’m positive by now you are very much convinced that using promotional polo shirts is a definite benefit in the publicity field. Bear in mind these pointers and you’ll be well on your way to customizing that winning polo look!

Article by Brian

Your snowboard size has a big effect on your snowboarding experience. A snowboarder needs to consider the following factors when choosing a snowboard length: height, weight, gender, terrain and skill level.

All these factors can be calculated using the snowboard sizing calculator on our website, visit the link at the end of this article!

To better understand the factors in your snowboard sizing choice, you need to learn the important elements of snowboard technology. Below is an outline of each key part of a snowboard and how it can best fit your riding style.

Camber & RockerSnowboards camber is the amount of space below the arch of a snowboard when laid on a flat surface with its weight on the nose and tail. In most new boards you want a slightly springy camber, which helps stabilize the board at higher speeds and makes it easier to carve. Reverse camber, also known as “Rocker” models are now available which arch in the opposite direction and allow for more pop on ollies. The reverse camber technology is mostly found in snowboards made for tricks and terrain park riding.

Side-cut RadiusThis is the measurement of how deeply or shallow the snowboards cut is from the nose end to the middle of a board. A board with a larger side-cut will make big arching turns.The smaller the side-cut radius the tighter you will be able to turn.

Waist WidthThe waist is the narrowest point of the snowboard. This is the middle, located between the bindings. Waist width of a snowboard should be wider then the size of your snowboard boots. If you snowboard it too narrow for you boot size then your toes or heels may hang over the edge and cause you to loose control of the snowboard.

Effective EdgeThe snowboards effective edge is the length of the metal edge that contacts the snow. This does not include the edge of the tip or tail. The effective edge completely touches the snow when the board is in a carved turn. A smaller effective edge produces a touchy, and more easily turn-able snowboard, while a longer effective edge produces a more stable, and controllable snowboard.

Base & DeckA snowboards base is the side where you apply wax to make if slide quicker on the snow. Typically snowboard bases are constructed from a polyethylene called P-Tex. The deck of the board is where the bindings are mounted and the snowboarder stands. The deck includes mounting holes where the bindings can be attached and adjusted for different angled stances.

LengthOverall length is measured from the tip of the board to the tail and is generally expressed in Centimeters (cm). Shorter snowboards are recommended for terrain parks and long snowboards for big mountain and powder riding.

Hockey on the internet.  Yeah, you know what its all about.  It is to make hockey player’s lives easier.  When it comes to getting and shopping for their new gear, they just have to sit down, turn on the computer and log on to the internet and surf a few webpages.  Its easy, just point and click.  There are a ton of websites out there that sell hockey stuff.  There are also lots of good websites that write about it.  You can combine the information you find from multiple websites to help further your decision on which equipment to choose.  Sounds easy enough right?  All you have to do is be a hockey player that is a little tech savy.  Be warned though, if you are a person who has been on out of the game for several years, ordering hockey gear on the internet can be a bit of a pain.

First off, when you get older you grow.  All people who play sports age.  Yes, even you tough hockey players are going to get older.  Somethings will still fit you and others may not.  For example, your helmet may still fit, but the cage on it may be too tight.  Your leg pads might still cover the proper areas for protection, but your feet may have just gotten a bit longer.  Your hockey skates might not fit as good as before.

This is normal, but can lead to headaches if buying your hockey products online.  For one, you have to get things shipped to you.  The quicker the shipping, the more expensive it is.  So if you have to ship an item back that does not fit, it may end up costing you extra.  Just think you could’ve bought a better brand of hockey stick or helmet if you had gotten the correct sizing.  It is important to measure the parts of your body that you will be getting the new equipment for.  you can always go into a hockey store and try things on.  Just don’t tell them what you are doing(ordering online).  If they aren’t going to get your business, they are going to be mad.  You can always balance this out by buying hockey sticks or pucks from the store though.

You are the judge of what you should wear and how you play.  Its up to you decide weather to go online or not.  Just remember that buying hockey equipment on the internet can be both time saver and also a time waster.

If you’re a baseball fan and keep looking out for  the latest news about your favorite baseball team or latest happenings direct from the stadium, Dana Bashor Baseball Fan Club is the right place for you. Here you can get some great baseball news and trivia that also include special moments and memorable shots of the matches.

Dana Bashor Baseball Fan Club is run by Dana Bashor who is herself a great baseball fan and understands the baseball basics and the sport quite well. The website is especially dedicated to the fans of this particular sport and for those always looking out for some hot and latest happenings in the baseball world. Here you can get the full description  of the special moments and great shots by baseball players that  too direct from the stadium. It also allows you to share your favorite baseball moment. You can leave your comments on the website and let people know what you feel about the game and a particular shot that you find very interesting and memorable as well.

If you’re a baseball fan but do not know the game well, you won’t be able to understand the minute details. To enjoy the game to the fullest, you need to know about the baseball basics like basic rules, strategies of the game, equipment, balls, strikes, innings and terms.  Undoubtedly, baseball 101 is a complex game and difficult to understand. But once you know about the basics, field, balls and rules of the game, you will find it really interesting and exciting.

To help you understand the game, here we’re providing some basic information about baseball 101 so that you can enjoy it to the fullest and share your opinions about the game:

* The game is played by two teams with nine players on each side, where one of them is called “offense” and the other one “defense”.

* The one which is offense uses a wooden and aluminum bat and tries to strike the ball thrown by the defense.

* The defense uses a white ball with red stitch which is usually three inches in diameter.

* There is an umpire who is present on the field to officiate the game and enforce the rules.

* The area of the field can vary from place to place but the distance between the bases is usually 90 feet. The part closer to bases is called infield and farther is outfield. There are four bases in a baseball field.

* The game is divided into two parts- top of the inning and bottom of the inning. Top of the inning means the time when the ball is hit by the visiting team and the home team defends it. In bottom of the inning, the home team hits the ball and the visiting team acts as defender.

* Generally there are nine innings in total in most professional matches but can be reduced to 6 or 7 in some lower level matches.

* The aim is to score more runs than the rival.

* The players who field around the infield are called infielders and those who field far from the bases are outfielders.

* A batter hits the ball and runs towards the other base that is a safe position. The other hitter repeats the same process. The defense tries to stop the runners from scoring runs. 

* Once all the players of offense team  are out or a particular number of balls are bowled, the defense team starts batting and the same process is repeated.

* The one who scores more runs is the winner.

Once you regularly watch the baseball matches, you  will be able to understand  more and more about the sport and start enjoying it. Dana Bashor Fan Club helps you get all the details about the matches and allows you to understand the game in depth. This is a great place for all  baseball fans to connect with  other fans of the game and share each others’ views.

Swimming pool can make your garden looks more luxurious and elegant. It provides a place where you can go and relax after working hard all day. You can go swimming at your own backyard swimming pool at any time. Public swimming pools are not open for 24 hours. It has an open time and close time so you cannot use the pool at anytime you want. Besides, the public pool is exposed to germs and bacteria spread by different users. Public pool is unhygienic and dangerous. It is recommended that you don’t go to a public pool for your own safety.

The installation cost of a swimming pool can be as expensive as ,000 – ,000. Many homeowners are not willing to pay so much money because they don’t use the swimming pool regularly. Majority of homeowners claim that swimming pool installations are costly and not affordable. You can still have a swimming pool built in your backyard for less than ,000. You can get the swimming pool kit and avoid spending thousands of dollars on a traditional swimming pool installation. The building materials provided in the kit are durable and won’t become damaged when using for a long time. There are basically two different variety of swimming pools for homeowners to choose from. Inground swimming pool is the most commonly installed swimming pool in the United States. If you have a budget lesser than 00, it is still possible to have a swimming pool.

With a budget less than 00, you can build an above ground swimming pool. An above ground swimming pool is situated above the ground level and not buried under the ground. The advantage of installing this type of swimming pool is that you can easily assemble and dismantle it whenever you want. There are lesser materials in the kit so it takes a shorter time to install. Inground swimming pool is protected from outside elements such as vehicles because it is buried under the ground. Above ground swimming pool is exposed to risks such as collision of vehicles against the framework supports. However, you can always cover the structure with a patio or concrete deck. Installing a patio or concrete deck can provide pavement for people to walk.

Every pool kit includes a detailed outline of the steps for installing the swimming pool. You should read the manual prior to beginning the installation. It is best that you get help from handymen so that you can assemble the swimming pool faster. Most homeowners have no problems in assembling above ground swimming pools. Inground swimming pool is harder to assemble and takes longer time to install it. It will take 1 – 2 weeks for the pool kit to arrive at your home from the time you place the order. After you receive the pool kit, make sure you check the cartons and inspect the equipments. You must inspect the equipments to make sure they are free from defects. After inspecting the cartons, you can sign the delivery slip.

Keeping your swimming heated can cost a pretty penny – especially these days when we are all looking to cut our energy costs and leave less of a carbon footprint. The following guide will explain how affordable solar pool covers can go a long way in doing just that. It will also outline the available design features they come in, so that you can make the most of a cover’s solar heating potential.

Introduction to Solar Swimming Pool Covers
Also referred to as solar blankets, these types of pool covers are an economical and effective way to use the sun’s energy to heat your swimming pool.

Generally resembling bubble wrap, solar pool covers are either clear, silver or blue in colour. They’re comprised of thousands of tiny air pockets that transfer heat from the sun into the swimming pool and also trap the existing heat in the water. This means that more heat is added to your swimming pool while less heat is prevented from evaporating. All in all, you will not be losing nearly as much heat and thus you will not have to run your swimming pool heating system as much as before.

You can in fact increase the temperature of your swimming pool by 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit by using swimming pool solar covers. Also, reduced evaporation means less chemical loss which, in turn, results in you needing to spend much less money on replacement chemicals.

The Different Types of Swimming Pool Solar Covers
While all pool solar covers do the job in providing savings on your heating system and reducing evaporation as described above, not all solar blankets are the same in design or effectiveness.

Thickness
Swimming pool covers come in different grades of thicknesses. While choosing a thicker one will cost you more, ultimately it will also offer more energy savings because it will provide greater heat transference and insulation as well as extra durability to make it last longer. To give you an idea on this, the most common solar swimming pool covers are 8 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm.

Colour
Colour is also an important factor in the effectiveness of solar pool covers for swimming pools because while all covers prevent more or less the same amount of water and chemical evaporation, they do not all offer equal heat transfer in terms of capturing the sun’s solar energy. Blue swimming pool solar covers tends to be the most popular choice, however it is clear covers that block the least amount of sun and thus offer the most amount of solar heating. The figures prove this – blue covers normally block about 20 and 40 per cent of the sun’s solar energy while clear solar blankets only block somewhere between 5 to 15 per cent of the sun’s energy. For the most enhanced heating ability, you would have to go for solar pool covers with a silver coating as they reflect added heat back into the swimming pool.

Choosing the Right Cover for Your Swimming Pool
The type of swimming pool you own also plays a vital role in which type of solar cover will best be suited to your needs. Firstly, the type of solar pool cover you would use depends largely on the shape and size of your swimming pool. If you have a standard rectangular or round swimming pool, it should be no problem to find the right cover fit to match its exact dimensions. If however you have a kidney-shaped, oval or custom-shaped pool, chances are you will have to have a cover designed to fit its individual measurements. The good news is that this can be done easily – most solar pool covers can simply be cut with scissors to fit your pool, so you will merely need to buy a cover that is big enough to cover the entire pool and then shape it yourself to snugly fit the pool’s shape.

Secondly, do you have an above ground pool or an in-ground pool? While this factor is less important with regards to the actual cover, it plays a vital role in the type of reel you would use to unroll it. Solar pool reels for in-ground swimming pools normally have wheels so they can be moved around on the pool deck without any fuss. When it comes to above ground pools however, the reels are typically designed to be mounted to your pool’s top rail.

Conclusion
Swimming pool covers bring the benefits of reduced heating and chemical costs, lowered water evaporation rates plus an extended swimming season. Since they are also highly affordable, they’re highly recommended as an effective energy saver for all swimming pool owners.

Snowboarding is a winter sport which bares many comparisons to skateboarding, or surfing, although is performed on snow. The main idea of Snowboarding is to maintain your balance as you travel down a ski slope with both feet securely attached to the Snowboard via are set of bindings. There are many different types of snowboarding including Freestyle, Freeride, and alpine.

What are the different types of snowboarding?

Freeriding (also known as “all-mountain Snowboarding”), is simply the exploration of a mountain on your board. It’s very suitable for beginners, as all they have to do is ride down the piste, taking in the scenery. Freesyle is when you attempt ticks, including jumps, spins and grabs. You can use the natural terrain, or man made obstacles. Alpine is all about speed, and fast clean precision carving. Alpine boarders user boots with a hard plastic shell, and longer, stiffer boards than other styles.

What equipment do I need to snowboard?

If you go to a Ski/Snowboard rental or retail shop, they should be able to advise you about what equipment you will need, and obviously rent or sell it to you. Basic equipment will include:

Snowboard
Boot Bindings
Boots
Warm Clothing
Protective Wear
Helmet

Should I take Snowboarding lessons?

If you are inexperienced, then it is highly recommended you take lessons. It’s allot harder than it looks, and hitting the slopes with no tuition can cause you and others injuries.

Where can I learn to Snowboard?

Many countries have artificial ski slopes you can go learn at before you venture on your holidays, although if one is not available you will most likely be able to pay for some tuition at your holiday destination. To prevent disappointment it’s suggested you book lessons before you travel.

I can Ski, can I snowboard with no lessons?

Skiing and snowboarding use fairly different techniques, so for your own safety lessons are recommended. As a skier, you will most likely pick up snowboarding much quicker than someone with no slope experience.

Am I regular or goofy?

Regular and Goofy refer to two different stances possible in snowboarding, with Regular being left foot forward, and goofy being right foot forward. If you already Skateboard or Surf, you probably already know your stance, but if not, there are a few ways to try and determine you appropriate one:

Kick a ball, which ever foot you use will most likely need to be your back foot on the board.
Go to a staircase and walk up it, which foot did you use first, this should most likely be your back foot when standing on the snowboard.

Is snowboarding dangerous?

Like most sports, there is an inherent danger with Snowboarding. Although it’s impossible to remove all risks, taking some simple precautions can make the experience safer.

Take some lessons – If your new to snowboarding, don’t think you can just pick it up, lessons will make you learn quicker and in a safer manor
Wear Protection – Better be safe than sorry, wear as much protective clothing as possible. Helmets, wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads, and impact shorts are all good examples.
Stay on slopes you feel comfortable on – Don’t jump on the black runs, when first learning stick to the nursery slopes, and move on to more difficult runs as you gain confidence.
Snowboard in groups – Don’t go out alone when first starting out, try to learn with a partner, or go out with a more seasoned boarder
Don’t push yourself to hard – If you get tired, take a rest, otherwise you risk causing an injury.

What age can you learn to snowboard?

Equipment is made for children as young as five, although most ski resorts will not teach children younger than seven years old. There is no definitive age, so it is up to the parent to evaluate if their child is ready to snowboard or not.

Baseball is the number one sport that has captured the hearts of Americans, both young and old. That is the reason why baseball memorabilia is also popular and in-demand in the country. Nearly all the things that baseball athletes use in and out of the field have fetched a considerable amount of money, especially those that have been used by baseball legends like Baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth.

For many baseball fanatics, money is not an issue. They are willing to pay a huge amount of money for rare mementos and collectibles like bats, signed pictures and baseballs. Most of their collections are also well guarded and increase in value through time.

Top collectors seek after baseball memorabilia left by Babe Ruth because the man is a legend. Anywhere he was placed, he consistently showed his baseball prowess, both as a pitcher and batter. He made and broke his own homerun and other records several times during the span of his long baseball career. This bambino is considered one of the best, if not the best, baseball player of all time.

Babe Ruth’s Rare Baseball Memorabilia

The most expensive baseball bat sold in an auction in the history of the country was the one that Babe Ruth used to score a homerun in the first-ever game played in the Yankee Stadium in New York. The old wooden bat, which was remarkably preserved, was bought by an anonymous collector on December 2, 2006 for almost .3 million, approximately half the money spent in building the said Yankee Stadium. According to the representative of the buyer, their party was willing to spend more than .3m for the said bat.

Another baseball memento that fetched quite high selling price is an autographed bat that Babe Ruth used in one of his games. This particular bat was acquired in an auction for around 6,000. Antique autographed bats are very expensive because they are very rare. Since bats used before were wooden bats, they were easy to break and smash. Thus, only a number of used wooden bats of popular players are preserved nowadays.

Signed baseball memorabilia are abundant in the market. You can find autographed baseball caps, bats, balls, jersey and many others on the Internet and other auction sites. However, it is more difficult to encounter genuine signed checks, contracts, documents and letters. Signed pictures are also rare. These items will surely increase in value in the future, especially if you are talking about baseball memorabilia of the legendary Babe Ruth.

Affordable Babe Ruth baseball memorabilia

If you are just interested in baseball collectibles but are not really concerned too much on amassing money in the process, then you can opt to collect inexpensive baseball mementos, such as photos, pins, trading cards and framed copy of the Curse of Bambino contract. You will not find it very difficult to find these reasonably priced baseball souvenirs in sports hobby shops and the Internet. There are hundreds of web-based auction houses that you can chose from.

Be wary of fake baseball memorabilia

Since the demand for baseball memorabilia, especially from Babe Ruth, is very high but the supply is very low, many unscrupulous individuals are preying on the inexperienced collectors. In order to prevent being conned, you ought to buy from legitimate dealers, especially if a huge amount of money is at stake. For autographs and signed documents, you should also contract the services of experts to authenticate your baseball memorabilia.

Nothing takes the fun out of snowboarding more than paying over 0 for a brand-new snowboard. That’s why buying a used snowboard is a great idea. The great news is you can get a good quality board for up to 70% off simply by going used. There are a number of things to keep in mind, however, when searching for a great used board.

First, consider where you’re going to buy your used snowboard. One of the most popular ways to buy a snowboard used is to use snowboard magazines because they often feature classified sections. Going online is another good option because it allows you to see pictures, make offers and view hundreds of available used snowboards. There are a number of good websites to use that allow you to bid in auctions for snowboards that may have only been used a few times. Ebay, for example, is a good place to find reliable sellers with snowboards and accessories.

Next, make sure you check the condition of any used snowboard you’re considering. This is very important to avoid buying a board that may be damaged or in poor shape. Remember, used snowboards are generally sold as-is. The first step is to check the board physically for any apparent damage. While the top lamination on the board may be repaired be sure there is no structural damage that ruins the integrity of the board. The bindings should also be removed if possible to check for damage. Look for dents or cracks on the bindings. Stickers and any stomp pads should also be removed to check for damage. It’s also very important to check the binding holes and the screws because these may become stripped, making it very difficult or even impossible to attach bindings to the board once you’ve purchased it.

Buying a used snowboard can be a great experience if you do it right. You can save a lot of money and get a board you love. Just remember to check the condition and get as much information about the board as possible before you agree to pay.

Where are your Vibram Five Fingers? Mine are in the closet. Those things gave me a stress fracture by mile 12. Or was it mile 13? Definitely mile 13! Okay, it wasn’t the shoes, sorry Vibram, I apologize. It was me. I told myself “Charlie, 1 mile only, don’t overdo it”. But it felt so good to run free, unlaced and fleet-footed on my favorite trails for the first time in my life. I overdid it and busted the second metatarsal. “Metatarsal”-ever tried to say that 10 times fast? I had plenty of time to practice that one. If you are planning any forays into the world of barefoot -or nearly barefoot- running, take this advice-go very very slowly. Otherwise you may end up hobbled, lying on the couch and watching Galactica on DVD.

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to transition slowly into VFF’s, or any shoe that is lighter on stability than your typical shoe. What makes it challenging to do this, is the fact that running closer to the way nature intended feels so darn good, you can’t help but run farther and faster. The sport of running, just might instantly transform into the joy of running…until you bust your foot like I did.

I religiously ran on Brooks Cascadia’s for years. Swore by them. They took me through my first trail running races, through my first 12-hour adventure races, and I knew I had found my shoe. Wish I had bought 10 pairs. Like I said, I swore by them. Then tragedy struck. Brooks changed their design just enough, with the Cascadia 4, that the shoes hit my feet in all the wrong places. Old injuries that were dormant roared to life, as ligaments and tendons groaned under the tectonic shifting that the old “Brooksies” sole used to handle for me.

I tried every other shoe in the store. They were very patient with me. I returned more than one pair, with dirt on them. Finally I threw in the towel. Every shoe hurt my feet. Late one night, as I really was feeling desperate for some guidance, I dropped on by (http://barefootkenbob.com/) barefoot Ken Bob’s site. I didn’t really believe any of what I read. It sounded cool, but I was a purist trail runner. There wasn’t much on there about trail running barefoot on the trails that I run on, which are covered with rocks, roots – and leaves that hide both. Want to see what I mean? Here is a video of me running barefoot on some of my favorite trails.

I realized that barefoot was really my only option at that point. This time I started slowly. Running barefoot the first time out I forced myself to within .5 miles. I realized I’d get fat and unsatisfied at that rate…so I looked to rollerblading for my heart-pumping workout. To go from fully shod trail running shoes to the VFF’s felt like tearing off a straight jacket and leaving the rubber room. To go from VFF’s to barefoot felt like flying, like the way I was always meant to run. However the structure of my foot simply wasn’t ready for the miles I dreamed up. I just listened to my advisors very closely on how far I should go each time out. My advisors are my left foot, and the right foot. It took me every bit of 7 months really to work my way back up to my pre-barefoot distance and times. Bear in mind that I am talking about trail running. So, the transition may be faster for those simply running on pavement.

The impression I want to leave you with is actually not the details of foot structure, not specifics of dynamic forces and ergonomics. What I want to leave with you is a feeling, an experience. There is such a difference that happens for us humans when we are bare-footed on the ground. There is a feeling of connection that does not happen when we are wearing shoes. I liken it to being in the cold, and wearing a jacket so you do not feel it. Now, who wants to be cold right? But check this out…who wears a coat in the summer? Who wants to wear that when all that yummy warmth is around? That is what it is like to be barefoot. Once we try it out, we realize that there is this whole range of experience and sensation that is missing from our runs. It turns a workout into moments of connection. And isn’t that why we buy shoes and why we take them out with us? So that we can get away? So that we can escape the parts of our lives that do not feel good?

I will finish by saying that I do not wear any close-toed shoes of any kind any longer. Winter is approaching and I am not sure how I will do this year. Last year I ran on snow. It hurt, but I still had fun. The thawing part can be brutal though. My advice? Don’t turn on the floor heater in the car…let them warm up slowly.