One foot in front of the other.
Brain Surgery Frees Runner, but Raises Barriers
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Thanks so much for visiting my site! My name is Brandon Wood and I am an opera singer living and trying to make it in New York City. This site and podcast follow my adventures on the way to competing in and training for all kinds of endurance events, especially triathlon and running. Click the "About Me" tab for more info!
Hello Brandon!
My favorite run of the week is usually Tuesday or Wednesday morning as that is when your weekly podcast is downloaded. You are a good running companion. Thanks to podcasts such as yours, the tedium of running (as you mentioned) vanishes.
You must be on Cloud Nine. First, you meet the guys from Newton shoes, and I read your Tweet announcing your forthcoming interview with Chris McDougall. You must be living right. Can't wait for Podcast #50.
Speaking of Newton shoes….running with Newtons is like playing on a fantastic bassoon reed. In both situations, one feels that anything is possible. (I'll bet no one has ever compared Newtons to a bassoon reed!)
I especially appreciate your hour length shows as that just about covers my morning run. I am considering (and working towards) running a half marathon in the fall–the Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5K race in Rochester, Michigan. I would never have considered this had it not been from listening to you and your many followers on the podcast.
–Joe
Hey Brandon! Another quality episode – thanks for all you do!
I have a question I know you can help with re: cycling.
Ive been taking 45min Spin Classes 3x a week to crosstrain for my marathon since May. Since then I've developed pain/weakness/cramps in the outside of both ankles. I spoke to one of the instructors about this and he thought it might be because Im still wearing my running shoes on the bike (he checked out my bike settings and said they looked good and shouldnt be causing the pain). I have big (size 10.5W) feet so he thinks I may not be getting my feet far enough into the pedal straps. Also, he recommended that I get some clip in shoes – do you think that would help? I am a complete spin newb so I dont even know where to start in buying spin shoes – can you help?
Thanks for being the go to guy Brandon!!
Heather in Hampton Roads
PS – To Joe above – as a former Bassoonist I TOTALLY get the reed reference – nobody likes a lip splinter!
Hey there Heather!
Glad you enjoyed the episode! About shoes, it could be the size of your shoes, but I doubt it since those pedals are made to handle men and women and men do tend to have larger feet. What it could be is the fact that spin pedal straps can often hold your foot very firmly and limit the amount of "float" that you have. Float is rotational movement around the point at which you foot is attached to a pedal. The reason there is float is because often times we may need to "udge" our feet to a slightly different position in order to get the most power.
About shoes; spin pedals tend to universally use SPD cleats that are used primarily on mountain bikes (picture: http://tenerife-training.net/Tenerife-News-Cyclin... MUCH smaller in real life). They should fit onto any mountain bike shoe. You can find a good, well-priced pair of shoes at PricePoint: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13245-285_SETEM3... The sizes are in cm so sex doesn't really matter. Usually cleats come with pedals and not shoes, so here is a link for that: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14775-090_WEL985...
If you decide to ride with these shoes on a regular bike rather than in spin class, Pricepoint also has very well priced pedals. Let me know if that helps!!
BW
Hey there Heather!
Glad you enjoyed the episode! About shoes, it could be the size of your shoes, but I doubt it since those pedals are made to handle men and women and men do tend to have larger feet. What it could be is the fact that spin pedal straps can often hold your foot very firmly and limit the amount of "float" that you have. Float is rotational movement around the point at which you foot is attached to a pedal. The reason there is float is because often times we may need to "udge" our feet to a slightly different position in order to get the most power.
About shoes; spin pedals tend to universally use SPD cleats that are used primarily on mountain bikes (picture: http://tinyurl.com/ldn8y7 MUCH smaller in real life). They should fit onto any mountain bike shoe. You can find a good, well-priced pair of shoes at PricePoint: http://tinyurl.com/l2me4a The sizes are in cm so sex doesn't really matter. Usually cleats come with pedals and not shoes, so here is a link for that: http://tinyurl.com/ldn8y7
If you decide to ride with these shoes on a regular bike rather than in spin class, Pricepoint also has very well priced pedals. Let me know if that helps!!
Awesome Brandon! Just the advice I was looking for – appreciate it!!
I'll keep you posted on my progress — keep churnin out the podcast Brandon – you ROCK!
Thanks a million!
Heather
Hey Brandon! I know this is a bit late, but I totally enjoyed your last podcast and can't wait for your interview of one Christopher McDougall (I even linked to your blog/podcast so my readers will be on the lookout for it!)
While you were reading the Times article on Diane Van Deren on your show, I couldn't help but think how the essence of her running draws such a parallel to the spirit of the Tarahumara. To both parties, running is not a means to an end, but a means to life, to a liberation that can't be easily replicated outside of their specific environment or circumstance. To be able to "go hours and hours and have no idea how long it's been" is on one hand frightening, but on the other, a bit exhilarating too. Thanks for bringing this article to the forefront and for all that you do for the running community.