VOICE OF THE YOUNG ELK

Minimalist shoes, I would like some please!

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:16:52 PST

I recently post a pair of Body Glove Riptide water shoes or "Aqua socks" to try out when running through snow or mud. They are nice and wide so I will try them out and see if they are good for running, but I think they will be good just walk around in. They are a bit heavy so I know they won't be my primary running shoe. I am hoping to win a pair of Merrel Road Gloves from the Running and Rambling blog.

Running 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:02:08 PST

My goal for this year, RUN, RUN, RUN!
Maybe a Half Marathon or 2 or a 10k

Still running in huaraches. I've been looking for some running shoes to run in snow and mud. They're just so damn expensive! And I don't know if they'll be worth the money.

Running Through the Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:02:22 PST

We finally got our first big snow storm this past Monday, and it became my first experience running on a snow packed road. I wore my Invisible shoe sandals on this run. The temp must have been in the low 30s because that snow was still powdery and wasn't melting.

I went for a 3 miler. I started out fine. The cold air didn't bother me much, but whenever I'd go through some snow that hadn't been packed down by a car, my feet would get really cold and numb instantly. The slight burning from the numbness went away after running a little ways further. One thought kept going through my though, I kept think "Will I get frostbite?". I repeatedly looked down at my toes to see if they were getting black or if they were still attached. The 4 small toes on each foot were the main ones that felt the numbness, but the big toe was fine. Any snow that I went through would melt under my foot. So, most of the time I was running on wet rubber. I did not blister so my feet must have a nice thick tough layer of skin. I made it back home just fine.

I have recently started running during my lunch hour at work, because I get home when it's too dark. The elevation is around 6250 ft. (5500 ft. at home) for most of my route, and their is a lot more pavement, which is a new experience.The road has been wet due to the recent snow and I would run through this moist road and not get too many blisters when barefoot. It's nice when part of the road is dry, because that allows my feet to dry out before hitting the next patched of snow, ice, or wetness.

I also purchased some running shirts from Walmart that have been really helpful in keeping my core temperature up on my runs in the cold. They aren't too expensive and plan on getting more.

So far I can tolerate running in 30 degree weather and take pride on that.

The Barefoot Runner VIDEO

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:55:24 PST

Funny and Informative
Help spread the word of Barefoot running by sharing the video

Run Before the Night Creatures Come Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:44:08 PST

I recently tried on a pair of Saucony Hattori shoes. They felt okay on my foot, but they were a little too tight and the mesh felt like they could tear easily. So I did not by them. The Op shoes from Walmart have been great. The first pair were a little short so I got a pair of 10s, one size up. They fit a lot better and I now have more room in my toe area. I haven't run in them yet though. I still rely on my Invisible shoes for my runs and after work. I wear my Ops to work. Softstar shoes will probably be my next shoe to buy. I've looking for some new Moccasins to wear for our ceremonies and dances, and seem to be well made, just a little bit pricey.

It has become more and more difficult to find time to run, or I should say I too damn lazy to get at 6 in the morning. Darkness comes a little too early, now that Winter is here. The other day, I did manage to get in a run before it got too dark, but I still managed to pass by a few cars with their lights on. I had to wear my bright orange hunting ball cap so no one would run me over. I was able to see the bigger stones on the road, but I managed to step directly onto one, and it hurt! It hurt for a few seconds and I forgot about it. I just wanted to get back home before the night creatures came out to eat.

This happened a few weeks ago: There was this fun run in Jemez. I was going on the 3 miler, and I was barefoot. I was about halfway when I passed 2 young boys and then a little girl on a bike passed us. She says, "You're running without your shoes?" I didn't say anything, but one of the boys next to me says, "" Yeah, You should run without your bike." I just chuckled and kept going. That just made my day.

Here's a nice graphic showing the history of shoes and hoe "barefoot" shoes have become a 1.7 billion dollar industry, mostly because that so expensive. Luckily I have my cheaper alternatives, that I've mentioned before.

Created by: X Ray Technician Schools

REPOST: Open Letter to the PocaHotties and Indian Warriors this Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:15:33 PDT

Repost from Native Appropriations

Open Letter to the PocaHotties and Indian Warriors this Halloween

Dear Person that decided to dress up as an Indian for Halloween,
I was going to write you an eloquent and well-reasoned post today about all the reasons why it's not ok to dress up as a Native person for Halloween--talk about the history of"playing Indian" in our country, point to the dangers of stereotyping and placing of Native peoples as mythical, historical creatures, give you some articles to read, hope that I could change your mind by dazzling you with my wit and reason--but I can't. I can't, because I know you won't listen, and I'm getting so tired of trying to get through to you.

I just read the comments on this post at Bitch Magazine, a conversation replicated all over the internet when people of color are trying to make a plea to not dress up as racist characters on Halloween. I felt my chest tighten and tears well up in my eyes, because even with Kjerstin's well researched and well cited post, people like you are so caught up in their own privilege, they can't see how much this affects and hurts their classmates, neighbors and friends.
I already know how our conversation would go. I'll ask you to please not dress up as a bastardized version of my culture for Halloween, and you'll reply that it's "just for fun" and I should "get over it." You'll tell me that you "weren't doing it to be offensive" and that "everyone knows real Native Americans don't dress like this." You'll say that you have a "right" to dress up as "whatever you damn well please." You'll remind me about how you're "Irish" and the "Irish we're oppressed too." Or you'll say you're "German", and you "don't get offended by people in Lederhosen."
But you don't understand what it feels like to be me. I am a Native person. You are (most likely) a white person. You walk through life everyday never having the fear of someone mis-representing your people and your culture. You don't have to worry about the vast majority of your people living in poverty, struggling with alcoholism, domestic violence, hunger, and unemployment caused by 500+ years of colonialism and federal policies aimed at erasing your existence. You don't walk through life everyday feeling invisible, because the only images the public sees of you are fictionalized stereotypes that don't represent who you are at all. You don't know what it's like to care about something so deeply and know at your core that it's so wrong, and have others in positions of power dismiss you like you're some sort of over-sensitive freak.
You are in a position of power. You might not know it, but you are. Simply because of the color of your skin, you have been afforded opportunities and privilege, because our country was built on a foundation of white supremacy. That's probably a concept that's too much for you to handle right now, when all you wanted to do was dress up as aPocaHottie for Halloween, but it's true.
I am not in a position of power. Native people are not in positions of power. By dressing up as a fake Indian, you are asserting your power over us, and continuing to oppress us. That should worry you.
But don't tell me that you're oppressed too, or don't you dare come back and tell me your "great grandmother was a Cherokee Princess" and that somehow makes it ok. Do you live in a system that is actively taking your children away without just cause? Do you have to look at the TV on weekends and see sports teams with mascots named after racial slurs of your people? I doubt it.
Last night I sat with a group of Native undergraduates to discuss their thoughts and ideas about the costume issue, and hearing the comments they face on a daily basis broke my heart. They take the time each year to send out an email called "We are not a costume" to the undergraduate student body--an email that has become known as the "whiny newsletter" to their entitled classmates. They take the time to educate and put themselves out there, only to be shot down by those that refuse to think critically about their choices.Your choices are adversely affecting their college experiences, and that's hard for me to take without a fight.
The most frustrating part to me is, there are so many other things you can dress up as for Halloween. You can be a freaking sexy scrabble board for goodness sake. But why does your fun have to come at the expense of my well-being? Is your night of drunken revelry really worth subjugating an entire group of people? I just can't understand, how after hearing, first-hand, that your choice is hurtful to another human being, you're able to continue to celebrate with your braids and plastic tomahawk.
So I know you probably didn't even read this letter, I know you've probably already bought and paid for your Indian costume, and that this weekend you'll be sucking down jungle juice from a red solo cup as your feathers wilt and warpaint runs. I know you're going to scoff at my over-sensitivity. But I'm telling you, from the bottom of my heart, that you're hurting me. And I would hope that would be enough.
Wado,
Adrienne K.
PS- I wonder if you saw these posters? Because I think they illustrate my point really well.

ORIGINAL POST

Running on Familiar Ground and Lava Rocks of EVIL

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:46:19 PDT

If you are going on a trip and plan on going for a run, plan wisely. If you are unfamiliar with the terrain you may end up on a painful run, much like what I experienced this past weekend.

My Daughter, My Wife and I, went to Sky City Casino to spend the night for my Daughter's last cross-country meet was the nest morning near Acoma Pueblo. I search for an aerial view of the area around the Casino on my phone to find the best running route. I figured I would go about 20-25 minutes, barefoot. I was thinking about going on any sidewalks that there might be on the side of the roads, but then I noticed a dirt road that went east from the Casino. So in my bare feet I headed on this dirt road. This is where the pain began. This dirt road was not really a dirt road, it was more of a black lava cinder road of evil. I tried avoiding these 1 inch-sized lava rocks but every other step I landed on one of these mothers, and my feet could not handle it very long. I made it about 400 yards from the Casino, and I had to put on my Invisible Shoes. But because my Invisible Shoes were the 4mm version, I could still feel the painful rocks every now and then. What made this next part of my run worse was that the part I now was running on was covered with viney sticker plants, or puncturevine. These stickers have thorns that can fully penetrate the 4mm soles of my sandals. I've encountered these plants around my home in Jemez.

The "stickers"

Sweet relief was coming when I neared a huge Semi-truck parking lot, or so I thought. This too was covered in the lava rock gravel and endured it until I went for the pavement highway that went North South from the Casino. I had hope for a side walk that I could run on, but there was none. So I ended up on the side where there looked to be a trail but turned out to be a couple clearings and viney sticker plants, broken glass, and tall grass. I tried running through all this for only about 100 yards, until I decided to run on the side white line of the not-too-busy road. I ran for about 10 minutes, with the occasional passing car until I got to another dirt road with the same gravel as the other road, but it was more compact and not as painful. Then I turned around on this road and headed back to the Casino.

More evil

This run one of the most painful yet satisfying runs I've ran, and it was all worth it and the day ended with a damn good seafood buffet!

The next morning, my daughter (age 7) ran her race on very sandy slightly hilly half-mile course. She runs in regular running shoes, but I plan on getting her some minimal shoes so her feet do not become too mis-shapen from the foot coffins everyone wears. But like I've said before, a lot the minimalist shoes are expensive, and the kids just grow too fast to keep up with their feet growth. I'm just not that rich. I'm still looking for a cheaper alternative.

Fancy Minimal shoes, TOO expensive

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:46:46 PDT

I finally saw a pair of New Balance Minimus and Saucony Hattori "minimal" shoes the other day at Foot Locker. They looked like a real nice running shoe. The Saucony were a lot lighter. 80 dollars is a bit too expensive for me and 100 dollars for the trail version of the Minimus, holy crap. All I could say was, WHY? Even a pair of Runamocs are around 100 dollars, but at least those are handmade in the USA. Even the Runamocs are on the expensive side, especially for minimal shoes. Then I looked at the Vibram Five Fingers, and I realized, those things look ridiculous, and those are just as expensive. There is less shoe so there should be less cost. The Sandals I wear now were cheap and I've been running in them since June 2011 and they've worked out great. My feet haven't stunk since wearing my old running shoes.

Lately, I've been looking for a pear of work boots or shoes without a heel or that are very flat so that my feet are getting stronger even at work. I was also looking for a pair to wear during the winter just in case I won't be able to last in the cold running in just sandals or in my bare feet, which I will still do, or try.

I tried a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors, but they are just too narrow. I still haven't found water shoes yet, but I am still looking. I found a really nice pair of shoes at Walmart, they were Op brand "Men's Canvas Low Oxford Lace-Up Sneakers" 12 bucks on the website, 15 at the store. I took the insoles out and now there is no heel drop at all. The sole very thin, about 8mm or maybe even 6mm, I can feel small rocks when I step on them. They are also wider the Chuck Taylors. So far they are nice to walk, but I have not tried running in them yet.

The INSOLE, it's cheap and would've eventually flattened out, but I still took it out.

If I sell a lot of flutes, perhaps, I may buy a nice pair of minimal shoes, but until then I am fine using my bare feet and my Invisibleshoe huarache sandals. Maybe I'll try making my own too.

Progress with the Barefootedness (and Bear cub removal)

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:47:18 PDT

My feet after a 2 mile run barefooted.

So, I've been running in sandals and barefoot since the middle of July, and I think I am making progress. I've stopped getting blisters on the bottoms of my feet, although I still get them on my big toes. That may be due to my form or the sandy parts of the road I run. I try to avoid the sandy parts, but there is no avoiding it on this road. Perhaps I could drive to a new location, but it's easier to just go out my front door and go for a run.

There has been a few black bear sightings on my running route, but I have yet to encounter any sort of wild beast except for one dog that seems to want to chase me every time I pass it. A few days ago, a groups of us Jemez guys captured a bear cub that was in my dad's backyard. Supposedly, nobody wanted to come and capture it like how they do when a bear comes in to a city and all the news cameras are everywhere and game and fish are there instantly to get the animal. Not here in Jemez. It must too far or too much for anybody to come all this way to get this little cub. So we had to do what was necessary. My daughter and nephew were out there playing just a few hours before so we had to. The mother could still be around and mother bears can be very dangerous.

Well, we captured the bear, after a short chase, and took out east to where it may find it's mom and sibling. Oh yea, and I was wearing my huaraches(invisible shoe) the whole time. I was lucky I didn't step on any cactus! My wife took some video of attempts to capture the bear. Let me know if you'd like to see it.

My bruised foot, OUCH!

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:47:50 PDT

I don't how many of you have gotten a bruise on your foot, but it hurts a lot! I went running a 2 days ago wearing my huaraches, then I decided to take them off for a while. It felt good up until I got to a rough part of my route where there was an abundance of stones. I should have put my huaraches back on, but I kept going. And I paid for it. When I got home I had a bruise on my right foot.

I took 2 days off, and and went for another run this morning, in my huaraches the whole time (24 minutes). I have certainly gotten used to running in them, after only a few weeks. I think that is due to the fact that I wear them everywhere. I walk in them better also.

So far so good.

Barefoot running in Aug

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:48:17 PDT

So I've started running again after about a week. My foot does not hurt anymore. I decided that I rushed into the running-in-sandals thing. I was running almost everyday for about 15 minutes in the sandals and strained the muscles in my foot.

This week I started running in my regular running shoes, like I used to, but I take my shoes off after 4 minutes of running. I ran barefoot for about 5 minutes and put my shoes back on and finish my run. During my run this morning, I could feel my left knee swelling up for some reason, so I took off my shoes and ran barefoot the rest of the way home, and the weird swelling up feeling went away. Running barefoot is so invigorating and painful, it gives me a sense of accomplishment after my runs.

I want to eventually work my way up to running completely barefoot or with just huaraches.

No More Blisters! (I Hope)

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:48:29 PDT

The first few days of running in huaraches left me with a few blisters on my feet and toes. I've read several websites about running to see what I was doing wrong. I found that my form was not right. I spent my first few runs concentrating on all the rocks on the ground, and not my form.

It took me a while to figure out how to run with these things on my feet. After a few more days, I could run a little better. I concentrated on placing my feet directly below me and not in front of me. I've noticed that if I land on my heel, I can feel the vibrations and HEAR the impact. So, when I run, I try to avoid that impact, or heel strike.

Since those first few blisters, I have not had any more form. The only slight discomfort I have now is a pain in my left foot. I know I may have overdone the SLOW transition in this type of running, so I have taken a few days off to recuperate.

The other day I was going somewhere in my dads Ford Ranger truck (stick shift) and boy did my left foot hurt when I stepped on the clutch! And that damn clutch is hard! And of course I was wearing my huaraches, but I went past the pain and drove to my destination.

My destination was the annual Santa Ana Pueblo Feast Day, where my sister was participating. I walked around in my huaraches in the 90 degree weather for more than a few hours. At one point I was out watching the dances and my feet were in direct sunlight and HOLY CRAP! they burned like hell!. My daughter was there with me (also wearing sandals) and we both felt this heat was too much and retreated inside. I think it will take a little more gettin' used to before I can wear sandals in the heat for longer periods of time.

Running in Huaraches

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:48:38 PDT

At my corn field in my huaraches

So, I've been running Huaraches now for about 2 weeks. I got them from invisibleshoe.com They are basically a thin sheet of rubber and a string. They're modeled after the sandals of the Raramuri(Tarahumari) people of Northern Mexico. I was first intrigued about these sandals after I found them in a search for yucca sandals. The Raramuri run very long distances only wearing huaraches or barefoot. Then I thought, "What did MY ancestors wear before modern shoes?".

The answer could be that they were probably barefoot most of the time, and saved their moccasins or yucca sandals for special occasions. They most likely ran in them if they were running through rough terrain. In any case, I wanted to try running in something minimal so I could start building up my leg and foot muscles.

Our modern day footwear restrict us from using our foot muscles. Wearing sandals or going barefoot allows our foot muscles do most of the work for us and in turn will become stronger. While running in thin sandals or barefoot heel strikes are a bad thing, even when running in pillowed-up modern running cushion shoes. They need time to get used to, because injuries can result if you start running barefoot or in thin sandals for too long or too much. One needs to gradually transition into running barefoot or in sandals. The type of running is Forefoot running, because when you run barefoot, your foot lands underneath or a little behind you on the front half of your foot and not on your heel. MORE INFO HERE. This type of running is also supposed to help with previous running injuries and I wanted to find out if that's true. I know any person that tries forefoot running will have their own experiences, but so far I have not felt my shin splints. They were becoming a problem when I was running in regular running shoes.

I like running in my huaraches, because it gives me a reason to run. I want to run to get my legs and feet stronger and I also have fun running. Trying to avoid all the stones makes me more aware of where I am stepping and where I am going.

Native Appropriations: Dear YMCA, I haz the sads.

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:16:42 PDT

Native Appropriations: Dear YMCA, I haz the sads.

Awful "Native Inspired" Art: Doublewide decor and other places you don't want to be... (SFW)

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:35:56 PDT

Awful "Native Inspired" Art: Doublewide decor and other places you don't want to be... (SFW)

Native Appropriations: Hoya Hoya, Cultural Appropriation! Or Why Suburban White Folks Shouldn't Play Indian

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 08:57:40 PDT

Native Appropriations: Hoya Hoya, Cultural Appropriation! Or Why Suburban White Folks Shouldn't Play Indian

American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): TRIBES OF NATIVE AMERICA - series

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 07:50:47 PDT

American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): TRIBES OF NATIVE AMERICA - series

Newspaper Rock: Standing Bear's increasing exposure

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Wed, 25 May 2011 07:52:01 PDT

Newspaper Rock: Standing Bear's increasing exposure

Newspaper Rock: Gover summarizes Native stereotypes

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Wed, 25 May 2011 07:49:13 PDT

Newspaper Rock: Gover summarizes Native stereotypes

Valles Caldera National Preserve: Most recent News

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Sun, 15 May 2011 08:22:49 PDT

--May 14, 2011
Caldera Board of Trustees publicly rebuked by its own executive director for endorsing Park Service control of Valles Caldera National Preserve
"Seemingly biting the hand that feeds him, the executive director of the Valles Caldera National Preserve, Gary Bratcher, was quoted in the Santa Fe New Mexican on Friday publicly criticizing the Valles Caldera Board of Trustees’ newly announced support for legislation currently in the U.S. Senate that would transfer control of the Preserve to the National Park Service. The members of the Board of Trustees serve as Bratcher’s supervisors...more"

--May 11. 2011
CALDERA TRUSTEES CALL FOR PARK SERVICE TO ASSUME MANAGEMENT OF PRESERVE, BOARD CHAIRMAN TESTIFIES ON CAPITOL HILL

"In a remarkable turnaround after years of displaying stalwart opposition to the idea that the Valles Caldera National Preserve should become part of the National Park Service, the Valles Caldera Board of Trustees announced that it now supports the Park Service assuming management of the Preserve as well as the dissolution of the Trust itself, in testimony today on Capitol Hill by Board Chairman Raymond Loretto...more"

VallesCaldera.com testimony next wed 5-11-11

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Thu, 05 May 2011 10:14:50 PDT

SOURCE: http://vallescaldera.com/archives/3279

Legislation that would transfer management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve to the National Park Service will be considered on Capitol Hill next Wednesday, May 11, at 2:30 PM EDT, in Senate hearing room SD-366. The bill, dubbed the “Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act,” which was reintroduced by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) in March after first being introduced last May, will be one of 21 bills about which the Senate’s National Parks Subcommittee of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hear testimony during the hearing. The names of those who are slated to testify at this hearing have not yet been made public.
Though Bingaman chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the National Parks Subcommittee is chaired by Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO), who is a first cousin of the senator who co-sponsored the Caldera bill along with Bingaman, Tom Udall (D-NM).
The hearing will be webcast live on the committee’s website, and an archive video will be available shortly after the hearing is complete. Witness testimony will be available on the website at the start of the hearing.

Newspaper Rock: Critics slam codename "Geronimo"

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Wed, 04 May 2011 09:34:17 PDT

Newspaper Rock: Critics slam codename "Geronimo"

American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): FAIL: Codename for Osama bin Laden? "Geronimo"

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Wed, 04 May 2011 09:29:37 PDT

American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): FAIL: Codename for Osama bin Laden? "Geronimo": "[Note: I am adding links to Native responses at the bottom of this page. If you know of others, please let me know by email or in a comment...."

Zuni Map Art- New Exhibit in Flagstaff

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:42:37 PST

Zuni map art-Illustrating cultural memory
Navajo-Hopi Observer

http://www.navajohopiobserver.com/main.asp?ectionID=74&SubSectionID=114&ArticleID=13387

History of Santa Fe (Oga Po Geh) lecture 2/24/11

noreply@blogger.com (Marlon Magdalena) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:06:14 PST

THE SANTA FE 400TH ANNIVERSARY, INC
PRESENTS A
1610 PUEBLO COLLOQUIUM

A Santa Fe 400th Native American Event

Long before, Oga Po Geh was the Tewa name for Santa Fe. Through time the Tewa pueblo has taken on several known Tewa names recorded by spanish archival records. The 1610 Pueblo Colloquium brings forth the cultural history of this significant historical place in the southwest. Such history presented by scholars is a contribution in our time as we commemorate 400 years of a place called Santa Fe. Oga Po geh will long be known for its contribution to world history of a tranquil place of beginning. Join us with scholarly and academic presentations of Oga Po geh by
archeologists, historians and anthropologists.

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011 9 am to 5 pm

Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Admission Free open to Public

Santa Fe 400th Anniversary Inc. • 60 East San Francisco Street· Suite 3II· Santa Fe, New Mexico • 87501
pb. (505)986-161O Fx. (505)986-1615 email: santafe400th.com