Rock the Silver

Minimalist shoes for work and play

Who knew that "Born to Run" is a book as well as a song? I happen to love both. But today I am talking about the book by Christopher McDougall. However, if you need a classic Bruce Springsteen fix, go here.

The book is about the Tamahumara Indians, who run long distances barefoot without injury. Even if you don't believe in the concept of barefoot running, and there are plenty who don't, it's a grand adventure story about a foot race through the Copper Canyons of Mexico.

Some might call it pseudoscience, but the author discusses the running shoe industry and how all the cushioning, especially in the heels, has actually made us more prone to injury. The padded shoes encourage a heavy heel strike at impact. Barefoot running proponents say we should be trying for a mid-foot strike, which not only reduces injuries but also makes us faster.

The book helped spawn a barefoot running revolution, except that few actually run barefoot. Most people who want to try this out wear what are typically called minimalist shoes. One could argue all day about what makes a shoe minimalist. There are plenty to choose from! One data point is the drop, which is the difference in height between the heel and the ball of the foot. Some barefoot runners look for "zero drop."

Smitten after I read the book, I was eager to see if minimalist walking shoes could help fix my aching body parts. Sadly, I've written more than I care to about my knees and back, but here is the executive summary. You can browse through the rest of the Health, Fitness & Body Image category of the blog for more gory details.

Last year I was in physical therapy, and I asked the practioner about minimalist shoes. Granted, I'm only talking about walking not running. A young physical therapy student, he said, no, absolutely not, you need cushioning. I looked down at his feet, and he was sporting Vibrams, the funky standard of barefoot shoes. I said, well, you're wearing them!

He said, and I quote, "Well, let's put it this way. You have a few more miles on you."

I abandoned the idea of barefoot walking. Still wearing my heavily cushioned shoes, I went to a specialist in sports medicine, who figured out that my back was actually the primary source of my knee pain. I worked with him for several months and am now pretty much back to normal. Toward the end of my therapy, I said, you know, I will need new shoes pretty soon, what should I get?

He said since my knees were so sensitive I should introduce them very slowly but try a zero drop shoe. I told him the other guy said I was too old, had too many miles on me, and he said that was ridiculous. Note that anyone, regardless of injuries, should acclimate slowly to a minimalist shoe. Transitioning too quickly is a good way to find new muscles and possibly other injuries. He recommended Altra.

I bought a pair and began my transition, starting with 10 minutes. I did have some calf pain in the beginning, but that's gone. I now wear them for 1.5 hour walks and even wore them to walk 18 holes of golf because they are so darn comfortable. My knees and back are getting better and better. I do take shorter strides to facilitate the mid-foot strike, but I still move along at a pretty good clip.

Since I started with all the knee pain three years ago, I've steered clear of heels for work. I didn't really see much improvement in my pain, though, until I went to see this doctor. But now that I'm wearing the minimalist shoes for walking, I'm noticing how much I like a super flat shoe the rest of the time as well. I like the way the ball of my foot hugs the ground. Maybe I'm starting to feel that now because I've modified the way I walk. Whatever -- I feel great, and my knees are happy.

I still have some pretty shoes with heels in my closet, but I am not sure I will wear them again. This minimalist thing is working for me, and I don't want to go back to where I was on the pain scale after making so much progress. Now I want totally flat shoes for work, too. I feel lighter on my feet. Why even yesterday I was walking on the treadmill and suddenly had an urge to run! I ran one minute, walked one minute and then ran one more minute.

This is fun! Who knows where this might take me? I'm so glad I didn't listen to the guy who said I was too old for minimalist shoes. They might not be for everyone, and I encourage you to do your homework if this sounds like something you'd like to try. Here's a good starting point.

I know legs look great in heels, but swollen knees don't look good in braces and bandages.

Hunting for rocks with dynamite

Good news in the writing world! In October Pat Conroy will publish a memoir about his father, who inspired "The Great Santini." Talk about Dads and demons. I can't wait to read the real story of Pat Conroy's abusive father as told by one of the most gifted writers on the planet.

In the same category of writing, Dads and demons, I would like to announce that I am back -- she's baaaacck -- after a patchy five months of blogging. What happened is that I encountered a person who yelled at me and called me a failure and told me to be quiet and quit bothering him with questions and then withdrew completely because I was seemingly not worth yelling at anymore.

So I got quiet like I was told. I didn't completely lose my voice, but it was a struggle to post anything about anything. It's surprising I tolerated this behavior. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. Or so I thought. Early on, my sister said I think you are having such a hard time with this because of Dad. I kind of blew it off, because I forgave my father for his bad behavior years ago. I'm 57 years old and way past all that. OK, not really.

As it turns out, I had experienced something very much like this before -- as a child growing up. My father did all those things -- yelled at me, called me a failure, told me to quit bothering him and then withdrew. You know the expression? It's never too late to have a happy childhood? I've spent a lifetime building myself back up, and I couldn't believe ... I couldn't believe this was happening to me again.

This person was only in my life a few months, but damage was done. I kept telling myself I could quickly snap out of it, but time and grief have its own agenda. I simmered and stewed and reached out to trusted friends, who gave me great support and exceptional advice. My favorite was from Lynne.

You are a rock, but right now they're coming at you with dynamite.

All of the sudden, I thought, I'm fine. I'm fine. Maybe when you're a rock, everything looks like dynamite. So let's just blow this shit up and move on.

It would be easier to just start writing again and not offer up any sort of explanation, but I thought it was important to share this story. We're in mid-life, loving who we've become, and we think the demons of our past are gone and buried. What I didn't know is that sometimes they lie just below the surface scratching for air. Even if you're a rock, some people have dynamite.

Nude at work

I've been in a writing slump for various reasons, which I hope to articulate and share with you some day soon. In the meantime, I thought, what can I do that doesn't involve writing? I was looking for something safe and benign, perhaps pictures of my cat? But safe and benign never seem to go where I go.

If you have been reading awhile, you know I struggle with photography in general and pictures of me specifically. Several readers have encouraged me to post more images of myself. I mean, this is a blog that discusses the quest to try and look cool through aging and gray hair. It would seem like I might offer up some proof now and again.

The reasons for my bashfulness range from delicate self-esteem to worrying about whether it's appropriate for a business professional to do the patented blogger's pose on the interwebs. But I like to think this strange mental place I've been in lately is part of a journey I'm supposed to be on. And my gut is telling me to get over all my anxieties and do whatever I want.

And right now, I want to show you how I wore nude fishnets to work. I refuse to wear pantyhose and usually go with tights in the winter and bare legs in the summer. But recently it occurred to me that I might need an option that offers a little more polish.

These are Oroblu fishnet tights in "Sable." I bought them at Nordstrom. They are about $20 a pop, but so far I've worn the same pair five times without any signs of damage. And they are really, really comfortable. I like that they add a bit of warmth for the frosty air conditioning in the office, and they also disguise darks spots and other imperfections on the legs. If you click on the image, it will enlarge, and you can see the mesh in greater detail.

I used my husband's camera, which is nearly identical to mine but works better. We actually conducted tests, and he agrees mine is effed up. Here's my promise. If I actually succeed in posting 10 pictures of myself, I will buy a new camera and learn to use it.

Wella SP LUXE OIL update

I updated my original post online, but for those of you who subscribe via email, I wanted to be sure you saw this. An alert reader read the label, and Wella SP LUXE OIL does contain silicones. I was convinced it did not, but I was wrong. I still think it's a great product and doesn't build up like other silicone products I have used. I will continue to use it, but I know some people are careful to avoid silicones, and I didn't want you to spend money on a product that isn't right for you.

I'm so sorry for the mistake!

Product crush: Wella SP LUXE OIL

Knowing which products to use on our hair is probably one of the questions that gets answered in the eternal hereafter, right after the meaning of life and why the fuss overJustin Bieber. The answers certainly seem to be elusive here on Earth. I didn't have as much angst when my gray hair was short, but my longer gray hair is prone to dryness and frizz.

In my search for a solution, I've gone back and forth on sulfates and silicones. I still stand by my earlier post, In praise of cones. Cones help with frizzies and breakage, but I eventually grew to dislike the plastic-like coating that accumulates on the hair. I called it Plastic Ono Hair. Sure, you can wash it out with sulfates, but then you start the vicious cycle all over again. I've been sulfate and silicone-free for several months now.

I'm still experimenting with shampoo and conditioner, but I've been using a leave-in product that surpasses everything else I've tried and eliminates the need for any kind of mouse, gel ... even hair spray. The product is Wella SP LUXE OIL, and I bought it upon the recommendation of Barbara, our wonderful friend in Germany. It was not easy to find in the United States. I bought it online here with no problems and free shipping.

It's basically a blend of oils. Hence the name. After shampooing and conditioning in the shower, I wrap my hair in a microfiber towel. When I take the towel off, I use two pumps and distribute it through the middle lengths and squeeze it into the ends of my hair. Then I comb through. If I air dry, it holds the wave. If I blow dry, it's smooth. It does not weigh down my somewhat fine hair, and in fact, I seem to have more body than ever. I don't use it every time I wet my hair -- you can see and feel whether you need to add any.

Wella SP LUXE OIL is my new product crush. I love not using sticky goo on my hair -- just natural oils that smell good and feel good. My hair is soft and silky. The flyaways are tamed, and I don't even use a spritz of spray anymore.

Two haircuts ago, my stylist had to cut extra off due to damage from the flat iron. I now only use the flat iron on my bangs. I blow dry two or three days a week and air dry the rest of the time. If it doesn't look work-worthy, I simply wear it up. I really love my hair and can't imagine going back to the patented fake brown with coppery highlights I used to sport.

I rarely get compliments on my hair from colleagues. Perhaps it's too threatening. I choose to reveal what they choose to hide. However, I was on business travel, and somebody threw a nice one my way. I was eating dinner by myself in the hotel bar full of other business people. Lots of men with gray hair, but I was the lone woman rocking the silver.

Apparently the waitstaff had a huddle to discuss my hair. I could see them talking and looking sideways at me. I figured I had spinach in my teeth. It would seem they appointed the young female bartender their spokeperson. She came over and said, "We just want you to know you're hair is beautiful."

Gray hair is in many ways an act of rebellion, and you can't expect to be showered with compliments. But every now and then, kind words magically appear. Enjoy them.

UPDATE: An alert reader read the label, and Wella SP LUXE OIL does contain silicones. I was convinced it did not, but I was wrong. I still think it's a great product and doesn't build up like other silicone products I have used. I'm so sorry for the mistake!

Not quite a mountain goat

We spent a gorgeous weekend camping at Caprock Canyon State Park in Texas. We did an 8-10 mile hike down through the canyon and up near the top, and I am so excited to say that after all the troubles I had last year with my knees (which turned out to be my back). You can read the executive summary of my knee/back saga here.

I get up at 4:15 a.m. most weekdays to work out. I hate it, but it's worth it to stay in shape to see sights like this. We started off in the morning when it was cold, and I peeled the navy polarfleece layer about a third of the way through. Some of the trail was quite steep and rocky, but we took our time and played it safe. We didn't use to worry about falling, but now we do.

My husband and I have done rugged hiking like this in the past, and I always used to say I was like a mountain goat skillfully traversing the rough terrain. I'll just say this. My mountain goat days are over. My movements are stiff and careful, but I am moving, and that's good enough for me.

We came upon a young couple who did move like mountain goats, and they suggested we climb to a spot near the top, so we did to prove we still had it, and the view was spectacular. But the trail grew narrow and came quite close to the edge. I do not like edges! It wasn't marked well up there, and after awhile we turned around and returned the way we hiked in. We are perhaps less mobile but certainly smarter.

If you squint, you can see my little gray braids peeking out from my Tilley hat. One of the reasons I was looking forward to long hair is that I find long hair to be the best camping hair ever. You can wet it, braid it, clip it, put a hat on it -- whatever you want, and you never, ever wake up in the morning looking like Pee Wee Herman.

We were both whipped when we got back. We just hung out, read. Eventually took a shower, which felt amazing. I stretched for about 30 minutes, and I really think that saved me. Woke up with sore quads, but that's about it. Other than feeling relaxed and happy to be healthy and alive.

I used to take mobility for granted, but I never will again. Not to say that I won't lose it one day, but at least I'll have enjoyed every moment I had it.

Stuck on the spin cycle

As you may recall, I transitioned to a new job with my company, and I've pretty much been on the spin cycle ever since. An interesting and exciting ride on the spin cycle, but still, it was a huge change, and I'm on my third boss in three months.

Great opportunities for all, but these changes have left me wondering if work is ever really about the work. In the end, doesn't it always come down to people? You like to think none of this matters, just get the job done, but the churn of humans in the workplace takes a toll. It's hard to lose a leader and start up with another -- it's all good but stressful just the same.

I used to take pride in being a strong and independent person who didn't require a lot of love and kisses on the job. But in my last role, I worked with a fabulous team that doled out the fuzzies on a regular basis, and I learned to like it.

When I left, one of the guys on my team said I was an inspirational leader, and he would miss me. In my typical self-deprecating style, I said, "Oh, you just like me because I'm funny. It has nothing to do with inspiration." He said, "Are you kidding me? I would work for you on the Moon."

I remember him saying it, I would work for you on the Moon, and it brings tears to my eyes.

People and warm fuzzies grow on you. It's not like I need group hugs or a blue ribbon every day just for showing up sober, but I was shocked to discover how much I missed my colleagues.

The good news is you can build a strong network of supportive colleagues anywhere you go if you value relationships and take the time to cultivate them. I'm meeting a whole new circle of work friends, but it does take time, so I'm learning to be patient. The bad news is that warm fuzzies can turn into a monster that must be fed.

My advice? Enjoy hard work, warm relationships and the occasional offering of positive reinforcement, but don't become dependent on validation and approval from others. It takes away from your energy, which you are going to need to be your absolute best!

Lean In: A book review

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg has been getting a lot of heat for her new book, "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead." Critics say she is a billionaire with enormous privileges and a message that doesn't resonate with the vast majority of women. Lofty careers? Seventy percent of the world's poor are women, and this chick worries about getting ahead?

Well, Sheryl didn't write a book about how to erase poverty. And she didn't write a book about single moms and how to make ends meet. She wrote a book for ambitious young women who want a family and a career that will take them to the highest levels of leadership. She wrote a book to engage in a public discussion on why women still trail behind men at work.

I'm way outside her target demographic, but I bought it anyway figuring there would be a few nuggets for those of us beyond childbearing age. The book is a pleasing mix of personal reflection and scholarly research. For me, it wasn't so much a personal guide to success but a status report and wake-up call on what happened after feminism faded.

We didn't finish the job. Women still make less than men, and we still aren't getting where we want to go. Still taking care of the children, still cleaning the house, still trying to figure out if it's worth it. For a lot of women, it's not. A startling number of women drop out or back off, settling for less responsibility instead of leaning into their careers. Sheryl says go for it, lean in ... hence the name of the book.

Among the many things I liked about the book is its social platform. She kind of picks up where feminism left off. Sheryl wants to help women succeed, but she also wants to change the conversation about equality for women. We haven't had that conversation in awhile, and I applaud her for taking a stance. Women have a long way to go to achieve their full potential in our society, and I think Sheryl's thought leadership will help us get there.

Most of the book didn't apply to me and never did. I did not want children, so I didn't have to make any hard decisions there. I aspired to be successful, and I've worked long and hard at my career, but I never imagined myself leading an entire company. In my family, getting a college degree was a big deal.

There were a few personal takeaways, though. I like the idea of leaning in when your soft jelly center says give up. Even mid-life professionals can relate to that! Sheryl also says, "Don't leave before you leave." In other words, don't make choices or declarations now that will limit you later. I translate that to, "Don't retire before you retire." Stay in the game -- it's not supposed to get easier.

One thing about the book bothered me at first, but I'm over it now. I was reading it on my Kindle, and it showed I was about 66 percent done, but I could tell she was wrapping up. All that extra space was for acknowledgments. OK, so it takes a village to write Sheryl Sandberg's book. From "writing partner" to  a researcher who is an expert on gender and social inequality to her friendship with Gloria Steinem, it becomes clear how privileged Sheryl really is.

So what? She has an important message, and I'm glad she used her resources to tell this story. There are a lot of young, talented, ambitious women out there today who want a career in business and aspire to the highest levels of leadership. With the right support, these young women can make a difference. This is the book I would give them so they know it's possible.

 

March Weirdness

For basketball fans, this month is about March Madness. For me, March is about weirdness. Life and death and defying the odds. I've been lucky, but I should probably stay home tomorrow. I'm not getting on any airplanes, that's for sure.

First of all, March 11 is my sister's birthday. March 11 also happens to be my 14-year cancer anniversary. I've always felt bad that my sister's birthday will be forever marked by my own bad fortune. But I've actually had good fortune when it comes to surviving cancer, and we Pekars are good at rolling with the punches, so I'm sure she doesn't mind. Happy 60th, Cheryl!

Some of you have heard this before, but I repeat it periodically because it's important for long-term survivors to be visible. Everyone needs to know that sometimes good things happen to people who get cancer.

On March 11, 1999, I was diagnosed with cancer that turned out to be stage 3, grade 3 Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This type of cancer is virtually identical to ovarian cancer except it originates in the lining of the abdomen. I had surgery to remove the tumors, six rounds of chemotherapy and another surgery to check for any remaining microscopic cancer. I was given a clean bill of health and have been fine ever since.

Now I get to say I am in my 15th year of survival! How cool is that? I don't say I beat cancer, and I don't say I'm cured, even though I am a long-term survivor. It makes me sad to read about cancer survivors who use words like terminal and incurable, because in my mind, who really knows? In many ways, I am typically a glass-half-empty kind of person, but my inner sunny optimist emerges when it comes to cancer. I know firsthand that anything is possible.

Last year on March 11, I fell off my bicycle and broke my wrist. A minor thing, purely a coincidence, but it stopped me in my tracks. Nothing really bad had happened to me since cancer. How dare this happen to me? I had lapsed into my Type AAA behavior, and the accident made me realize it was time to chill if I wanted to live another 15 years.

Some say there is no such thing as a coincidence, especially if you look for the clues.

Then we come around to March 26. It is my mother's birthday, and she died on this exact day seven years ago. Her mother also died on her birthday. And if that isn't odd enough for you, my husband's mother and my mother died within hours of each other ... his in Maine, mine in California. We each went home to be with our families. What we really wanted was to grieve together, but there would be plenty of time for that later.

Sometimes we get wrapped up in life and all the things that drive us. Even after surviving this killer, I have to constantly remind myself to lighten up. Yes, we have dreams and demons and obligations, but please remember to pause from time to time, breathe deeply and inhale the goodness of being alive and the enormous privilege of aging.

Work/life perspective

I'm not a workaholic, but I sometimes behave like one. Arriving early and making up for it by leaving late. Weekend work and missed vacation opportunities. My blog posts have been infrequent and sometimes not engaging. I've become one dimensional. My brain is full of things that aren't interesting to other people. Or it's a matter of nothing left to give.

Sounds like something we should explore in greater detail -- this concept of managing work and life. Some folks don't like us to use the word balance anymore. Like that would be expecting too much. Maybe I'll come up with my own term -- work/life perspective.

To be honest, I don't expect balance, do you? I want a full and interesting life that extends beyond the walls of the workplace. It does not necessarily come naturally when you are working hard regardless of your motivation. Gaining perspective requires deliberation.

I consulted with a career counselor -- not to get a new job -- but to help me define my needs and expectations going forward. I'm all about asking for help when you need it. We agreed that I like a little time off now and again. So why don't I take it? Poor planning. It's like sex after 30 years of marriage. You think it will happen by itself, but most of the time it doesn't.

My husband and I decided we would plan one big vacation every year, one mini-vacation of three to four days every quarter and one camping trip a month. We just got back from our first mini-vacation of the year, a road trip to Albuquerque. We had a fantasic time, and just four days off made a huge difference in my perspective. I'm charged up again. My husband, who is retired, also came back re-engergized and actually started cleaning the garage!

Mid-life sex and vacations have more in common than I thought. A little planning goes a long way, and gee, once you get going, you start to think about when you can do it again.