674.36

674.36. That's the total mileage of my Asics 2120 (no link -- they don't make that shoe anymore -- they have the 2130 now). I noticed over the past 100 miles or so that these shoes were breaking down. These 2120's are great shoes though. I have used Asics for years now. I felt a little bad abandoning them for the Saucony ProGrid Guide (mentioned here). However, I felt that it was necessary as I strive to move closer to a neutral shoe and away from the stability / motion control shoes. The next step is to find a shoe that is one step closer than the Brooks Adrenaline. These Brooks shoes (433 miles and counting) are also great shoes, but I would like to have less stability.

Keep in mind that I'm moving closer to a neutral shoe one (very small) step at a time. I started with removing my SuperFeet insoles. I also purchased Nike Free shoes (and only run in those once every 1 or 2 weeks). Now I'm moving one step away from the Asics 2120 (with the Saucony shoes). Maybe in a couple years I'll have totally neutral shoes. It's important to do it slowly to avoid injury. I've heard (from shoe sales people) that especially with the ChiRunning movement, people moving several steps at once and then getting injured. Essentially, you don't go from a leg cast to a 10k in one week. You need to build the strength up in your leg, and then slowly build up to a 10k distance. Okay, bad analogy, but the concept is the same -- running shoes have a *ton* of support that do the work that your lower leg and feet muscles should be doing. Because of that, these muscles are weak. As you reduce the support, you need to slowly build up your leg strength. If you try to transition too quickly, the end result is you sitting on the couch because you can't run due to injury. I don't want that.

Oh, I ran today as well. 4.4 miles with no time. Yesterday's 10 mile trail run really wore me out! Plus, My Lovely Wife and I are doing the SunTrust National Marathon (1/2 distance). They just announced that the Metro will be open early (5am) which is good and bad. Good in that we don't have to drive. Bad because they are open at 5am, and we'll need to catch the first train out (ouch).

Good luck to us tomorrow!

What a nice day!

I ran 10 miles at the Bull Run Trail. It was so peaceful. Just me, some deer, tons of smaller, unseen (but heard) animals. The first 5 was from the Centerpoint Road access point to near-abouts Hemlock Park. The sign said that Hemlock Park was 5 miles away. I got to the 5 mile point (on my GPS), but I guess I didn't make it all the way to Hemlock Park. I was too tired to keep going even 1/4 of a mile to see if I would find it. I rested for 5 minutes and then turned around and headed back. My return time was a little slower, as I was more conservative and power walked (actually shuffled) on the more steep hills. However, on the flats and slight downhills I actually kept up to my normal 'road' pace. Overall, I am VERY happy I ran the 10 miles on the trail. However, I am *exhausted*! After running this distance on the road, I still wouldn't be feeling so tired after 6 hours. I guess trail running is good for you after all.

Blisters... Can you believe it? I got my first blister in *years* today. I don't know if it was the new sock brand or the Montrail shoes (trail running shoes). Hey, I like the Montrail shoes. I think they are great. However, my breaking-in period consisted of a 2 mile run, a 5 mile run, and some general walking around. Given that these shoes are heavy-duty, I guess they take a little longer to break in. I guess I'm used to the 'new generation' running shoes that require almost *no* breaking in.

Gosh, I remember back in high school when breaking in shoes consisted of about 2 weeks of blisters and pain in all areas of the foot. I *hated* breaking in shoes. So did the others on the track team. Now, after a 5 mile run, I consider my running shoes to be broken in.

One last note... you know that you live in a suburb when, on a beautiful and scenic trail run, you know you are close to the finish because you can hear the traffic. The traffic noise around here is considered background noise. You don't *hear* it anymore.. that is, until you actually *don't* hear it. It was quite noisy when I heard it again after running 8 miles of not hearing it. Wow.

Ughh (part 2)

Ughh again. This time, I *did* run yesterday, but yesterday's 12:30pm time, plus the fast pace caught up with me on what turned out to be a 6 mile recovery/HR Run.

I had originally planned on doing a HR Run with no timing, since I *did* run a fast 8 yesterday. But 1/2 mile into the run also made it a recovery run. I felt just about every muscle in my legs, including my right hamstring (that's not good). Since I aim to run 10 miles on a trail tomorrow, I didn't want an 8, 10, 10 set, but more of a 8, 6, 10 set (yeah, that's the ticket). Plus, I *am* running the National Marathon (1/2 distance) with My Lovely Wife on Saturday. Wouldn't have been too good to hobble through it if I ran three hard days in a row this week. However, *next* week I need to ramp it up a notch. It'll be just 4 weeks away from the Frederick Marathon (ouch!).

We went to Pacers running store today. Wow. What a great store! They just opened up a new location in downtown Fairfax. They are a family-run business with at least three locations (all run by family members). They helped me find the right shoe (I'm trying to move away from a stability shoe into a more neutral shoe, very very slowly). I ended up with a Sauceny ProGrid Guide. So far it's a nice shoe (all 30 minutes of walking around in it). I'll let you know in a few weeks. The Fairfax store is still filling up, but they had the Yankz sure lace system. That's one of the reasons I went there. That, plus it's about 4 miles from my house, by far the closest running store (of about 5 total --wow, that's great too!).

Hopefully, tomorrow I'll be telling you how wonderful my trail run was... Wish me luck.

Better run today

I had a better run today (than yesterday). I ran 8.03 at an 8:34 pace. Halfway through, I still felt good. That's a good thing. I ran at 12:30 pm today, very sunny, about 42 degrees, but quite windy. The wind was at my back for the first half, and I got very hot. I took off my outer layer at halfway, but I was thinking that maybe the wind would be in my face and I would get cold. Turns out I was right. But after mile 5, I was warm again. After the wind dried my base layer, I got warm again.

Tomorrow, I *hope* to get a 10 miler in, but I might lose the watch and run the standard 10 mile run as a HR run. Since it'll be two 'hard' days in a row, I know that my second run will be slower. So why not make it a HR run, and base my speed on my exertion rather than a watch? We'll see how it goes...

The National Marathon is in 4 days....

Ughhh

Ughh... taking three days off and then running again is *tough*! I keep saying that I will never take more than 2 days off, but then I do, and then I suffer through my first run (or two) after starting to run again.

Today I settled on running 6. Although my pace was below 9 (8:52), it felt much slower. I was tired, tight, achy, and I never got a rhythm going. The good part of the run was that it was daylight (I ran after Number 1 Son went to school). I saw the dead deer that I saw last week (this time, I remembered to alert VDOT about it) -- that part wasn't so good.

Not much to say. I begin a new job next Monday, so this week is the last, best week to get a trail run in (hopefully, I'll be able to do so!).

The National Marathon is Saturday. I'm glad My Lovely Wife and I got a long run in last week, and this week is a taper (for my wife). I need to actually ramp up for the next 4 weeks for the Frederick Marathon in early May. Ouch.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to My Lovely Wife! We ran 13.11 miles at Ocean Isle beach this morning as sorta a celebration (okay, running 13 miles as a birthday celebration may not be the 'standard' celebration, but this *is* a running blog you know). We are preparing for the SunTrust National Marathon in a week and two days. We wanted to run the full distance (but at a slower pace). Our goal was to run a mile, then walk for a minute. We did that for the first 11 miles, but then increased the amount of walking (no need to to get injured before the race!).

Boy, was it Windy! There were times that the wind was full on our faces, and it felt like we were standing still. Then, when we turned around, we wouldn't need to push off very much but we were still a sub 10:00 pace almost totally due to the wind.

Overall, we were happy with the run. I'm glad I got extended time on my feet (2:35 hours) and My Lovely Wife was glad to get the full distance in before the race.

Ahhh... the beach

Knowing that it is raining very heavily back home, it makes it a little easier to run at the beach. It doesn't hurt that it's 66 degrees a little overcast.

Ran an easy 4 today (4.32 to be exact). My pace is little mis-leading though (8:32). I was exhausted at the end of the run. Plus, the course is pretty much entirely flat (according to the USATF map site, there is a total climb of 61 feet and total elevation change of 116 feet) -- yes, very flat. I believe my exhaustion has to do with the fact that my family and I were in the car from 8 am or so until about 3:30 pm (with some stops for food, etc.). Plus, when we are on trips, my nutrition pretty much goes out the window -- McDonald's and cookies aren't a basic 4 food group sort of meal. Regardless, I wanted to run to a) get some mileage in; b) get ready for My Lovely Wife's and I 13 miler tomorrow; and c) because we are at the beach!

I'm a little worried about the weather actually -- I've been used to colder temps (although getting warmer). Not sure about how my body will react to 60+ degrees for a long, slow run. We will have nutrition with us (PB sandwiches) and of course, lots of water. We'll see though.