Did Isaac Newton run?

- I doubt he took his time to exercise...

But, Newton's laws of motion are three physical laws that form the basis for classical mechanics. They describe the relationship between the forces acting on a body and its motion due to those forces. I like number two;


The change of momentum of a body is proportional to the impulse impressed on the body, and happens along the straight line on which that impulse is impressed.


That said, some smart people was inspired by Sir Newton and developed running shoes specially for natural running. What natural running is? Well, injury free running make you run natural. Running technique is a key word.

You've probably seen many articles and discussion boards talking about barefoot running, running natural, no heel strike just natural landing on mid/forefoot etc. Long story short; Newton has developed a series of running shoes with a thicker pad underneath the forefoot to make it natural for you to land and stay on your forefoot when you're of for a run. Smart? Probably!

I'm not getting into what's best for you or what can prevent you from running injuries. But that said, I had fun running with the Newton Women's Neutral Performance Trainer.

These shoes are light, only 238g - 8.4 ounces in wmns us 7, and they felt really comfortable. I was recommended to get them a size bigger than I prefer. Just because you're forced to run more on the forefoot and that pushes your toes further out in the shoes. I didn't even think of the bigger shoes when I used them.

In the beginning I thought the pad under the shoes was a bit annoying, but I forgot soon enough. I really liked to run with the shoes uphill. It was just like I got some extra help uphills:)

So, will the Newton's make me run better or faster? I don't know, but I liked the feeling of being forced to stay tall during easy runs. Staying tall is easier when you run faster than when you're out for a recovery run. So I think this shoe is very interesting for training.

If you're up for a running shoe that's different than anything else you've had, Newton might be a fun try.

It's not the moment to evaluate

...but I promised Henrik, one of my club's promising youngsters, to update my blog after the race today. So Henrik, comment from you is expected!!

I'm on the bus heading back to Oslo tonight. I ran a 3000m steeple at Ullevi, the amazing track which hosted the Worlds in ´95 and the Europeans in ´06. The time? I don't even know. I just left, with some tears running down my face...

The conditions were hot, but great, I think. I felt fine and ready for a hard race. Lena Ørn and me had decided on making this a good race and I was up pacing the first 1000m. Splits good and I felt ok, but not too great. Early I was having some trouble breathing and I couldn't get enough air. It felt very much like some allergy problems I had back in 2005, where I got very stiff and couldn't run properly. I'm not getting into those problems now, and I'm hoping that that's not the issue this time. I will just take a few easy days and try to relax a bit more. But I'm very upset and sad. I wanted this to be a good season for me.

For about four laps I was thinking about jumping out of the race. Quitting! I didn't. I guess that's a good thing after all. It's better to face the bad times and work hard towards the next race rather than quitting. I was telling myself; I'm NOT a quitter. I'm going to make myself run fast again - one day.

How was Watford?

First; Lesley Higgins posted this on her Twitter and I love this photo! This could have been in one of my nightmares before the race in Watford!

So what happen in Watford? 
Watford was good! We got there Friday night and had a light dinner before bed. I felt funny all day and wasn't sure if I was catching a cold or what. Slept terrible and felt even worse the next day. To make long story short - I have never been this nervous before. I felt terrified all day. I had trouble relaxing, eating, sleeping, chatting... I just felt ill.

Warm-up went well and so did strides. I didn't have a chance to practice the water pit before Watford. I've had a few steeple sessions and thought I was going to manage this with my race face. And usually we don't do any warm-up strides over the water pit. So I was still feeling terrified 10 minutes before the race. Luckily I got to do one test at the water pit. It went great, and I felt relieved:)

A barrier is broken...
I got out fine and passed the barriers with excellence. I passed the water pit with even more excellence. Then, it was just to focus on running hard, or? It felt like I couldn't focus on anything else than the barriers. I wasn't able to ficus on pushing myself. I was there and I ran by myself and then another barrier. So went the race on for 7.5 laps and I finished in 10.39! Quite far from what I was aiming for.

The time doesn't matter. The fact that I didn't push myself hard is disappointing. But, the truth is that I waisted all my energy on being nervous. I've probably displaced the traumatic dive in August 2006. And I wasn't prepared for the nerves that faced me.

Now it's done! I'm running again on Saturday at Lillehammer. And I'm excited!

Here's a great photo from the first steeple chase for women. The World Championship for Masters in 1989. Photo is found on steeplechics.com.

First steeple session since 2006

I have finally faced the fear and finished a steeple workout in many years. Practicing the water pit is still remaining. I have never practiced that, but I will have a couple of attempts on Monday.  Here's a couple of photos from my last approach at the water pit. Thomas Skaug actually won the competition; best Sport Action with these photos. More here..

So, why the fear for so long?
I think the fear was caused by the hurt back and the fact that I couldn't jump or do any drills for weeks after the fall. I could only jog for 3 weeks. Then, season was past and I was a disappointed steeplegirl with legs and a fitness poorer than you can imagine.

The way I was training at that time made my legs less springy and light. I had plenty of endurance but couldn't "get it out" in competitions. My confidence faded and I tripped in the water pit... That was the end of my dream of making it to a major championship.

I'm racing the steeple again in Watford next Saturday and I'm actually excited of preparing for the event again. Today I did a session of repeats with 800m-200m with some hurdles. Things went fine despite the windy conditions.

It's about time to face the fear!

Finally started the season!

Photo: Thore-Erik Thoresen. Left: me, Lisbeth, Cecilie and Siri.

As you guys know, track opener on Wednesday went pretty well. I was not too tired the next few days or had sore calves after the 3000m.

I had a double session on Thursday and a light threshold session Friday with 20x1min. Felt very good actually.

Photo: Thore-Erik Thoresen.

Sunday was race day again! -The Norwegian Relay Championship in Steinkjer (90 min drive from Trondheim).  Tjalve's women ran the 4x800m. The juniors and the men's team had done a great job on Saturday and won silvermedals in 4x800m junior girls and the 4x1500m men. Sunday the junior girls won a silver in the 4x600m. Well done! And then the old ladies (at least two!) won the gold in the 4x800m.

Siri did a good first leg with handing over the stick to Cecilie in second place. Cecilie ran controlled and took the lead and passed the baton to Lisbeth. Lisbeth ran her first race for the season and ran a nice leg and increased the lead. I ran controlled as well and did what I was suppose to do - secure the gold!

You can see the relays here. 

What's next? Florø and 1500m on Saturday!

The race went pretty well

All of my team mates did really well today at the Adidas Opening Games at Bislett.

Here's most of the team, but Ragnhild and Kjetil are missing.

I'm pretty happy with my race. I wish I had pushed a little bit harder after 1200m, but I got stitches and felt pretty tired at this point. I'm more optimistic for my steeple debut June 12th in Watford now.

My splits were something like this: or I actually only heard 6.16 at 2 km... So, I guess I raced in 3.08 pace most of the race:)

It's a start and next is Norwegian Championship in relays in Steinkjer. We will be running 4x800m. i think that will be fun!

Track opener at Bislett tomorrow

Holmenkollen is past. I'm pretty happy with my racing last Saturday, but much more excited about tomorrow's track opener at Bislett.

I'm running the 3000m and the heat is pretty fast! From my group, Ingvill and Ragnhild will run. Both are in great shape and will be leading the pack:) Swedish steepler Ulrika Johansson will run. She had a very strong 3000m indoors with 9.05 I think.

The pace maker will run 71-laps. I'm not predicting anything, but I will focus on a relaxed start and work hard at the second half.

I will race in my new Adidas Adizero Avanti tomorrow. I've had two sessions in them, and I like them!!

Why I got them?
I will let you know soon...:)