Thursday, August 11, 2011

Barefoot Running Successes and Setbacks and a Photo Shoot

A couple of months ago I won a unique and really cool giveaway. It was for a photo session and some pictures of me running from Niki Martins Photography. Now I'm not a big fan of of my race pictures, you know what it's like... sweaty, looking like you want to die pictures... So this was going to be cool. I've wanted to spruce up the old blog here for a while too, but didn't really know what I wanted to do for the header. Now I do.


To be totally honest, I was really nervous. When I first found out that I had won, I thought to myself that I better lose 10 lbs. and find a cute outfit. I did the latter. And the day of the shoot, I was really nervous again, not knowing what to expect. But Niki put me right at ease and told me how artistic it would look. The angles and the background were going to make it look cool. No scary close ups of my face while running. And she did not disappoint.


We had a lot of fun shooting. Niki had picked a beautiful place close to her home and to be honest, the weather was perfect. We had some rainstorms that afternoon and the clouds made for a beautiful backdrop. Niki was so easy to talk to and was willing to do whatever I wanted. It's just a good thing she came prepared with some ideas of her own.

I love the clean lines that she was able to create. She really has an eye for these things.


And now my feet. My little monkey shoes (Gist) have worn out. I could tell it was happening because I could feel the sole getting thinner and thinner. But after I got some pretty bad stone bruising on a rocky mountain trail and my little toe got eaten up on a rough gravel road, I knew it was time to throw them away. And my running store doesn't sell them anymore. Hello... not a good sign. Too bad they are the only thing that really works on my foot because I'm sure that real Vibrams would not have worn out on the soles.

This is not the close up I had hoped for on my feet. Here's the back story. I had managed a couple of 7 milers barefoot a week apart. The next week I did a 7 miler where I got some pretty serious stone bruising under my big toe. I managed an 8 miler barefoot and the next day a 10 miler in my monkey feet. During that 10 miler the stone bruising that occurred earlier in the week started hurting towards the end of the run. When I got home and took off my shoes, I found this little gem of a blood blister. How's that for contrasting pictures?!

I drained it and bandaged it up for the weekend and then was fine to run on it. I did a 9 miler barefoot (a new record!) and now the skin has peeled off and is baby tender. Like I said, not the ideal barefoot picture.

This little photo shoot has inspired me. At first I wasn't sure what to think about it. Was it just an egomaniac thing to do? Now I have decided that I SHOULD have pictures of what I'm passionate about. And good ones too. Not just the sweaty race ones. It's part of documenting my life. This won't be the last photo shoot either. I really would like one done in the trails by my home, where I really spend my time. It's something all of us should consider! And if you live in Utah County, give Niki a call!

29 comments:

A Prelude To... said...

Oh wow!! I love these!! The first one is especially beautiful but I also like the black and white where you're catching some air. She did a great job!

Congrats on the long barefoot run!

Julie said...

I love these pictures! You look so serene and happy in them, doing what you love. :)
I agree with you..you should have pictures of what you love and this has made me think about doing the same thing. Great pics!!

Katie said...

Those pictures are beautiful!

Sam W. said...

how fun!! the pictures are amazing. and the outfit is super cute :)

Sam @ fitness food & faith

ihaverun said...

Yay! I was so excited when I saw your post title!! That first picture is AMAZING. Now I am tempted to call Niki =)

OUCH on the blister. I love that you took pictures of your feet though because that is so much a part of who you are as a runner.

By the way, my girls talk about Jen all the time. And I've never seen my family inhale green beans like they did when I cooked the ones you brought. Thanks again!!

Niki said...

Thank you Jen! You were amazing to work with and I am SO happy you love the pictures!

Anonymous said...

I really, really love this! You look amazing!

Rachelle Wardle said...

Very cool pictures, I am so so glad you shared! It was so fun to see you last week. You are seriously just one of the sweetest and funnest people I know. I really wish you lived closer.

I am really wanting to get some cool pictures after seeing these. hmmm we shall see.

Stefanie D. said...

Love your pictures!!! That blood blister is INTENSE!! I'm sure that sucker hurt after the skin peeled off! Way to set a new barefoot PR, that is awesome! I seriously admire your desire to be a barefoot running, because I don't think I could do it!

Coy Martinez said...

That photo shoot was a grea thing to win. Sorta a blessing in disguise! I liked the ones of you with the barefeet. Wouldnt be the same with some sneakers on! :)

Is you IT Band better!?

I've gotten my monkey shoe and barefoot mileage up to 6. Hoping for a half in the fall! Fingers crossed.

Elle said...

Love these pictures - how wonderful!

One heart and mind said...

I'm so glad you did that! Those pictures are so great. I really think you need to blow them up :)

Audrey said...

WoW, such beautiful pictures

Nelly said...

You have amazing pictures! The first one is awesome, I might have to nominate that pic for your blog header. And wow on that blood blister, that thing is huge!

Unknown said...

Wow! The photographs are phenomenal! I love them. I think it is wonderful that you have captured your passion in such a beautiful way. One day, when you're 98 and you can't run anymore, it will be so nice to be able to look back on these pictures. :)

Jen @ Run for Anna said...

What a great idea! You are right. You should document yourself doing what you love. Those pictures are gorgeous!

Unknown said...

that is one cool giveaway and amazing pictures. I love the blister too.
haha.

Penny said...

I'm so happy for you. You have gottne some good running in bf. That is awesome. I love all the pictures. You are beautiful. That blood blister looked nasty. Glad you got that heal and are on the run again.

Penny said...

I'm so happy for you. You have gottne some good running in bf. That is awesome. I love all the pictures. You are beautiful. That blood blister looked nasty. Glad you got that heal and are on the run again.

Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner said...

You look fantastic in those pictures--they're so beautiful. I think it's great to have some nice photos of you enjoying what you love!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing thing to win! The pics are awesome!

Average Woman Runner said...

Those are great shots! I wonder if there is someone around here who does this type of photography...?

Connie said...

I love these photos! You look beautiful and so peaceful. What a treasure to have!!

Take care of those feet :)

emlizalmo said...

I love the pictures...and YOU are awesome!

Wendy said...

Just out of curiosity, wanna run on my Red Rock team in a couple of weeks? ;-) I lost a runner (again).

http://shelikes2run.blogspot.com/2011/08/zion-red-rock-relay.html

Thought it was worth a shot! ;-)

Anna P said...

Awesome pictures!!!

ash & diz said...

LOVE your pictures! LOVE LOVE LOVE x a million.

p.s. when are you coming back down to utah county! i had a blast chatting with you last time!

Kamran Yaqoob said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Wendy said...

Love those pictures she did for you! So good!