How Can I Get Some New Balance Minimus Shoes EARLY???

New Balance Minimus Line

I REALLY need a pair of the Road and Trail versions of these Minimus shoes!!!  I have been trying to be patient, but it's not working!  I need them (ok, really WANT them) for my Race Across The Years 24-hour RACES!!!  I want to wear the Road version in Race #1 and the Trail Version in Race #2.

I've been wearing the New Balance 709s and 100s since they first came out, but these--with the help from Vibram--are going to be the best shoes EVER!!!  Lower heel!!!  Less midsole altogether!!!  Very close to "no shoe," yet with protection from cuts and rocks, etc.  WE ARE GONNA LOVE 'EM!!!

I can't wear my Vibram Five Fingers now that it is so cold out...but these Minimus--where I can keep all my toes together like in mittens (as opposed to separated like in gloves!) will be a great "virtually barefoot" option!!!


Doesn't anyone have a contact with NB who good get me in as a TESTER or something?!!!  I beg of you!!!  I need these puppies for Christmas!!!  :)


Shop New Balance!!!

Open Studio Holiday Sale!

Bill came early to get first pick of what he wanted!!

Yep!  This is pottery in the middle of my gym!!

Brian, Mary, Jason and Jenn

Jeri and Tracy

Eating was the BEST Part---well drinking too!

Kathy and Bill

Ready to Taper!

Well, the holidays must be near as my pottery making has dropped off (I'm busy taking my wares and selling them at the Holiday Market at Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana every Saturday) and now my training for Across the Years 24-Hr Race(s) has started to drop off as well...Starting today!

Yesterday, when i had planned to do a 5hr/3hr split--running 5 hours early in the morning and then running 3 hours from 9pm to midnight--I found the weather (snow and driving, blizzard-type winds) to be unbearable and hopped on the treadmill.

Once on the treadmill, the 5/3 split became 8 continuous, slow hours as I couldn't bear the thought of getting back on that treadmill again later that night.  So, from 10am to 8:15pm, I ran and ran and ran and took lots of little walk breaks.  Went through 6 Hammer Gels and 2 packs of Clif Shot Blocks as well as 3 packages of Clip2 Drink mix and 2 liters of plain water...and about 6 s!caps!

Had a hard time sleeping last night as my legs kept aching, but today, if time would allow, I could sleep like a baby!  Shoveled the snow drifts off the driveway and I think that will be my strength workout for the day.

My next run of any considerable length will be 2 hours on Wednesday night from 10pm to midnight, followed by an early morning run of 3 hours Thursday morning.  These split runs help to train you for some sleep deprivation and "running when you are tired" which simulates race conditions at ATY.

My mom will be coming down from Canada next week and I can hardly wait.  On Dec 27, she and I will fly to Phoenix to get ready for my race on the 29th.  I'm hoping for 125 miles.  I will then run the 24-hr race on Dec 31 with my friend Kelly---not to do well, but just to be able to be out there with her and give her some company!

Hope you all have a happy holiday season!!!  Tracy