Few people in this world are aware that you can run without shoes on your feet. Even fewer are aware of the existence of a while underground cult community dedicated entirely to running barefoot. An even smaller population realize that there are entire websites, discussion forums, and even universities dedicated entirely to barefoot running!
Yes, you read that right, universities. Well, more like university, singular, since theres only one in existence to my knowledge. That would be the Barefoot Running University or the BRU for short.
Who would dream up such a thing? Who would dedicate the majority of their spare time thats not spent training to run 100 mile ultra marathons in front of a computer building an all encompassing website dedicated to further educating the population of the greatness of barefoot running?
Jason Robillard, that's who!
Jason has done more to bring barefoot and minimalist running into the lime light than any other individual, baring Christopher Mcdougall. Jason has worked hand in hand with minimalist companies, such as Merrell, to create better designed minimalist shoes that will meet the expectations of the minimalist and barefoot running camps.
So what does all of this important people stuff have to do with little ole unimportant Chaser Williams? Nothing really.
Since Jason has made such a name for himself in the minimalist running world, shoe companies respect his opinion and therefore want him to demo and review their products. So Jason always has an influx of minimalist shoes sitting around, and often times will give some away in order to clear up room. This is where I come in. Jason had mentioned over on the [BRS www.barefootrunners.org] that he had just reviewed some of the brand new New Balance Minimus Trail MT110s, and was looking to give them away. We wear the same size shoe, and I'll need something with a little more protection for some of the ultras I have planned to do later in the year. So I called dibbs on these quicker than a fat kid calls dibbs on the last slice of pizza. I also told Jason to throw in as much free crap as he wanted, and even suggested a few things such as; other shoes, shirts, and maybe even an autographed topless poster of himself...
What I got sitting on my front porch yesterday evening wasnt anything like what I was expecting. I should have known that something interesting was in store from the label on the box...
AWESOME!!! Does this mean I get put on BRU payroll?
So, as to be expected, the shoes were in the box. So this is what I was expecting to get from Jason...
But this is what I got...
Pretty sweet huh? Heres what all was included in the box;
1 - pair of New Balance Minimus Trail MT110s
1 - long sleeve tech shirt (large)
1 - Merrell sweater type running shirt (large)
1 - sleeveless tech shirt (large)
1 - short sleeve Barefoot Running University shirt (medium)
1 - Merrell head wear thingy (orange thing pictured below)
4 - Sports wax brand chap stick (they don't appear to be used)
6 - Barefoot Running University stickers
1 - cherry lime flavored GU
4 - pomegranate blueberry flavored GUs
24 - Effervescent denture cleanser tablets
4 - alcohol wipes
1 - pack of Nutrilite endurance cubes
2 - packs of Zombie Runner ginger energy chews
1 - pack of Hammer brand recoverite strawberry flavored recovery drink powder
1 - Bandaid brand bandaid
1 - Red bull energy shot
1 - 1 ounce baggy of chia seeds
1 - yellow sharpie
3 - copies of "The Barefoot Running Book" by none other than Jason Robillard himself!
Not too bad! And to top it off, one of the books even had a personalized, hand written message just to me!
Incase your blind and can't read what he wrote cause it isn't in braille, it says...
"Chase, keep lowering the bar in the forums, I need all the help I can get! -J.R."
I find this message to be very inspirational, and I know that when I'm at mile 35 of this upcoming 50 mile race, I'll be able to think back on this personalized message from one of my running idols and know that I've got the ability to.... Ummm.... Hell, I guess I'm just offensive!
Oh, heres a pic of me wearing the Merrell head wear thingy the best way I could figure out..
Thanks for unloading some valuable ultra running gear on me! If your every in Southeast Texas and need your dentures cleaned, but are out of denture cleanser, just hit me up and I'll have your back!
In closing, I would like to use this situation as a perfect example that even a blind squirrel can find a nut every now and then.
Yes, you read that right, universities. Well, more like university, singular, since theres only one in existence to my knowledge. That would be the Barefoot Running University or the BRU for short.
Who would dream up such a thing? Who would dedicate the majority of their spare time thats not spent training to run 100 mile ultra marathons in front of a computer building an all encompassing website dedicated to further educating the population of the greatness of barefoot running?
Jason Robillard, that's who!
Jason has done more to bring barefoot and minimalist running into the lime light than any other individual, baring Christopher Mcdougall. Jason has worked hand in hand with minimalist companies, such as Merrell, to create better designed minimalist shoes that will meet the expectations of the minimalist and barefoot running camps.
So what does all of this important people stuff have to do with little ole unimportant Chaser Williams? Nothing really.
Since Jason has made such a name for himself in the minimalist running world, shoe companies respect his opinion and therefore want him to demo and review their products. So Jason always has an influx of minimalist shoes sitting around, and often times will give some away in order to clear up room. This is where I come in. Jason had mentioned over on the [BRS www.barefootrunners.org] that he had just reviewed some of the brand new New Balance Minimus Trail MT110s, and was looking to give them away. We wear the same size shoe, and I'll need something with a little more protection for some of the ultras I have planned to do later in the year. So I called dibbs on these quicker than a fat kid calls dibbs on the last slice of pizza. I also told Jason to throw in as much free crap as he wanted, and even suggested a few things such as; other shoes, shirts, and maybe even an autographed topless poster of himself...
What I got sitting on my front porch yesterday evening wasnt anything like what I was expecting. I should have known that something interesting was in store from the label on the box...
AWESOME!!! Does this mean I get put on BRU payroll?
So, as to be expected, the shoes were in the box. So this is what I was expecting to get from Jason...
But this is what I got...
Pretty sweet huh? Heres what all was included in the box;
1 - pair of New Balance Minimus Trail MT110s
1 - long sleeve tech shirt (large)
1 - Merrell sweater type running shirt (large)
1 - sleeveless tech shirt (large)
1 - short sleeve Barefoot Running University shirt (medium)
1 - Merrell head wear thingy (orange thing pictured below)
4 - Sports wax brand chap stick (they don't appear to be used)
6 - Barefoot Running University stickers
1 - cherry lime flavored GU
4 - pomegranate blueberry flavored GUs
24 - Effervescent denture cleanser tablets
4 - alcohol wipes
1 - pack of Nutrilite endurance cubes
2 - packs of Zombie Runner ginger energy chews
1 - pack of Hammer brand recoverite strawberry flavored recovery drink powder
1 - Bandaid brand bandaid
1 - Red bull energy shot
1 - 1 ounce baggy of chia seeds
1 - yellow sharpie
3 - copies of "The Barefoot Running Book" by none other than Jason Robillard himself!
Not too bad! And to top it off, one of the books even had a personalized, hand written message just to me!
Incase your blind and can't read what he wrote cause it isn't in braille, it says...
"Chase, keep lowering the bar in the forums, I need all the help I can get! -J.R."
I find this message to be very inspirational, and I know that when I'm at mile 35 of this upcoming 50 mile race, I'll be able to think back on this personalized message from one of my running idols and know that I've got the ability to.... Ummm.... Hell, I guess I'm just offensive!
Oh, heres a pic of me wearing the Merrell head wear thingy the best way I could figure out..
Thanks for unloading some valuable ultra running gear on me! If your every in Southeast Texas and need your dentures cleaned, but are out of denture cleanser, just hit me up and I'll have your back!
In closing, I would like to use this situation as a perfect example that even a blind squirrel can find a nut every now and then.
posted from Bloggeroid
That was really nice to get all that stuff.
ReplyDeleteI've had one of the head wraps for a while. It's one of my favorite things and really works great under a bike helmet. Of course, I use it to keep my hair out of my eyes - ha ha
Damn,
ReplyDeletenow I wish I lived in Texas too! The best freebie I ever got was some leather for my huaraches.
Glad to see your still alive and well
ElyDave