eandesmom
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Coming up soon!
Confessions of a reluctant runner, a DL 1/2 & PHM PTR. 7/5 race recaps and final thoughts
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eandesmom
I'm with Beast
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It was not my intent to let this totally fall off but well, its what has happened! I think I will use this to update on training for PHM for now, Ann and I do plan to do a joint TR for the DL half at some point (shes still at WDW after ToT! or just getting back soon).
Let's put it this way....
I haven't been training.
I came out of the DL half with this
Pretty huh!
Not.
It actually got uglier before it got better. It did mean I had to take it easy running wise as I did NOT want that sucker ripping open. It also took longer than usual to "reabsorb". The half was on 8/31. Let's see what I did in September.
I did a short run on 9/5, the first time attempting a run in the new orthotics. They were weird but my foot didn't rip open so that was good. I did another shorter run on 9/10. This was a weird one. I was on a work trip in San Diego and ran with my boss! I've never done that before. It was ok, but weird, but I didnt want to push it on the foot and orthotics so kept it around 3 miles. Plus it was HOT out, 90 degrees.
It was pretty though! Snagged a couple of pics from the internet (as I felt silly taking them in front of my boss!
Jeff and I should be riding bikes (or bike, could be a tandem) along this very route, next weekend!
And that is it. That is ALL I ran in all of September! I knew it was going to be a rough month between a work trip and my vacation but holy cats I wasn't expecting it to be THAT bad!
I wasn't a total slug. I got a few gym work outs in and I did do some exercise on vacation. I did not however run while on vacation which is a first. I didn't for a couple of reasons. Really, only one day was good for it and it was the first morning after a red eye. We just weren't up for it. While we could have fit it in on the cruise, neither of us were uber excited about getting up and running around the ship enough times to get miles in to count, plus it was warm. We did walk the promenade deck a couple of times for one mile but thats it. It WAS vacation after all. That really would have only worked the first part of the cruise anyway.
We did snorkel one day and honestly, with the current, it was a workout!
We also had our BIG hike.
We hiked to the top of Gros Piton in St. Lucia
No joke.
They dropped us at the beach you see there and we hiked all the way from sea level, to the top, which is an elevation gain of 2619 ft. In about 2 miles. To say it was steep is an understatement. Coming down was more difficult than going up, you are literally going/climbing up and over boulder and steep stairs made by roots. We capped it off with a 200 yard (or so) swim in a Marine Preserve at this beach to cool off and swim to our lunch.
If you see where the boat is in the picture, that's about half way in from where we were told to jump in and swim. It was not a short little swim! And it was DEEP. But oh, the clearest, bluest, most spectacular water I have ever seen in my life. Fishes swimming all around me!
It truly was one of the most unforgettable days of my life but physically and mentally one of the hardest. Many folks do not make it to the top on this hike, turning around at the halfway point. According to our guides, many that are quite a bit younger than we are. From sea level they want you to do it in t 4-4.5 hours, we came in about 3:45 and were rather pleased with ourselves.
This is the half-way point, and is actually on the way down. It was pouring rain on the way up! Which added to the complexity, it was slippery!
After that it is safe to say my quads were sore. I was happy thats all it was and in the big picture of soreness, it wasn't awful and didn't really impact the trip (other than I wasn't loving wearing heels to dinner and got out of them relatively fast that night and the following lol). Jeff wasn't sore at all but he'd done a big local one 2 weeks prior and was ridiculously sore (for him) after so he'd had better training.
One thing the hike did do, was to help finish off that blood blister!
Unfortunately towards the end of the cruise I developed a bit of a sore throat. By the time we got home I had very little voice and pretty stopped up ears. The Wednesday after our return I attempted to run.
After hacking up a lung and developing pretty severe pain in my left ear I decided to call it quits at 3 miles and call the doctor. And then took it easy. Well as easy as one can take it when you are helping your parents move! I spent my entire weekend packing, moving and unpacking but I'm happy to say that I am personally responsible for the fact that my mom now has a functioning kitchen, and a livable family room and that by the time my dad gets cut loose from rehab (which should be tomorrow!) he can at least navigate around the house. 36 years of stuff is a bit scary to try and move.
5 days of antibiotics have helped quite a bit though I am still not 100%. Still, I finally got in what felt like the first "real" run since the half! 4.22 miles at a livable pace. And I only coughed up 1/8 of a lung. Vast improvement even if my ears havent quite fully cleared yet either. I may need another round of drugs, will call the doc tomorrow if it's not better though I have seen improvement every day. Plus we got to see the sun set (likely one of the last of these before we are running in the pitch black).
AND see the moon rise!
During those 5 days though I fretted a bit. A month off was not in my plans. So, to force the issue and keep myself on track I did sign us up for a 10k that is in 2 weeks. I will not have had the runs in Id like to do terribly well at it but it will make me get in what I can! Which will be a bit of a challenge. This week is my sisters wedding. Next week Jeff and I head to LA/San Diego for a 4 day work trip (his work for 2 days and then a play weekend). We will get in one run there but thats probably it. Right after we get back I turn around and head to San Fran for work. I need to get a run in there but it will be difficult. I fly back Saturday morning and the race is on Sunday.
YIKES! I will be chasing my own PR here. This was my first ever race and it still my fastest race. By a landslide. I have no hopes of beating my PR. But it should be fun and get me in the mood for winter running. I'd be ok if it isn't raining this year, like last!
Right now, November and December dont look horrible for training. I've one trip in each month so as long as that holds, I should be good.
I did mock up a training plan for PHM.
I am not unhappy with how I did at the DL half.
Heck, if I can simply take one less bio break, I should beat my time.
I would like to improve my time a bit though. I tend to give myself a window at races. Like anything between xx and xx is ok. Invariably, Ill finish in the window barely. I need to not give myself such a big window! So, to that end this is what I am hoping to attempt to get my speed up a little.
October and November I will stick to, as best I can, 40 minutes runs twice during the week and a longer run on Sundays. Ill try to get in a 7 and a 9 miler in November but probably nothing longer than that. Early December will look the same and on about the 10th I will attempt a new training plan. I am not sure I can pull it off or stick to it but I do want to try.
It calls for:
To pull off what I would like to attempt, these are the paces I am supposed to train at, for this plan.
Target Paces
Long Runs @ 9:39
Tempo @8:54
Speedwork 400 @1:56, 800@ 4:02, 1600@8:24
Is it possible? Maybe. I "can" run at those paces, I just typically don't and not for that long. It is a training program designed to push the pace at each level so it would definitely be doing that! Especially now that we are moving into cooler training weather. That said, it wont likely be all that cool for the PHM so it may not help an iota but....I'm going to try. It's a 10 week plan. I can do anything for 10 weeks. Right?
PHM planning, more shoe stuff and a DL photo op!
Let's put it this way....
I haven't been training.
I came out of the DL half with this
Pretty huh!
Not.
It actually got uglier before it got better. It did mean I had to take it easy running wise as I did NOT want that sucker ripping open. It also took longer than usual to "reabsorb". The half was on 8/31. Let's see what I did in September.
I did a short run on 9/5, the first time attempting a run in the new orthotics. They were weird but my foot didn't rip open so that was good. I did another shorter run on 9/10. This was a weird one. I was on a work trip in San Diego and ran with my boss! I've never done that before. It was ok, but weird, but I didnt want to push it on the foot and orthotics so kept it around 3 miles. Plus it was HOT out, 90 degrees.
It was pretty though! Snagged a couple of pics from the internet (as I felt silly taking them in front of my boss!
Jeff and I should be riding bikes (or bike, could be a tandem) along this very route, next weekend!
And that is it. That is ALL I ran in all of September! I knew it was going to be a rough month between a work trip and my vacation but holy cats I wasn't expecting it to be THAT bad!
I wasn't a total slug. I got a few gym work outs in and I did do some exercise on vacation. I did not however run while on vacation which is a first. I didn't for a couple of reasons. Really, only one day was good for it and it was the first morning after a red eye. We just weren't up for it. While we could have fit it in on the cruise, neither of us were uber excited about getting up and running around the ship enough times to get miles in to count, plus it was warm. We did walk the promenade deck a couple of times for one mile but thats it. It WAS vacation after all. That really would have only worked the first part of the cruise anyway.
We did snorkel one day and honestly, with the current, it was a workout!
We also had our BIG hike.
We hiked to the top of Gros Piton in St. Lucia
No joke.
They dropped us at the beach you see there and we hiked all the way from sea level, to the top, which is an elevation gain of 2619 ft. In about 2 miles. To say it was steep is an understatement. Coming down was more difficult than going up, you are literally going/climbing up and over boulder and steep stairs made by roots. We capped it off with a 200 yard (or so) swim in a Marine Preserve at this beach to cool off and swim to our lunch.
If you see where the boat is in the picture, that's about half way in from where we were told to jump in and swim. It was not a short little swim! And it was DEEP. But oh, the clearest, bluest, most spectacular water I have ever seen in my life. Fishes swimming all around me!
It truly was one of the most unforgettable days of my life but physically and mentally one of the hardest. Many folks do not make it to the top on this hike, turning around at the halfway point. According to our guides, many that are quite a bit younger than we are. From sea level they want you to do it in t 4-4.5 hours, we came in about 3:45 and were rather pleased with ourselves.
This is the half-way point, and is actually on the way down. It was pouring rain on the way up! Which added to the complexity, it was slippery!
After that it is safe to say my quads were sore. I was happy thats all it was and in the big picture of soreness, it wasn't awful and didn't really impact the trip (other than I wasn't loving wearing heels to dinner and got out of them relatively fast that night and the following lol). Jeff wasn't sore at all but he'd done a big local one 2 weeks prior and was ridiculously sore (for him) after so he'd had better training.
One thing the hike did do, was to help finish off that blood blister!
Unfortunately towards the end of the cruise I developed a bit of a sore throat. By the time we got home I had very little voice and pretty stopped up ears. The Wednesday after our return I attempted to run.
After hacking up a lung and developing pretty severe pain in my left ear I decided to call it quits at 3 miles and call the doctor. And then took it easy. Well as easy as one can take it when you are helping your parents move! I spent my entire weekend packing, moving and unpacking but I'm happy to say that I am personally responsible for the fact that my mom now has a functioning kitchen, and a livable family room and that by the time my dad gets cut loose from rehab (which should be tomorrow!) he can at least navigate around the house. 36 years of stuff is a bit scary to try and move.
5 days of antibiotics have helped quite a bit though I am still not 100%. Still, I finally got in what felt like the first "real" run since the half! 4.22 miles at a livable pace. And I only coughed up 1/8 of a lung. Vast improvement even if my ears havent quite fully cleared yet either. I may need another round of drugs, will call the doc tomorrow if it's not better though I have seen improvement every day. Plus we got to see the sun set (likely one of the last of these before we are running in the pitch black).
AND see the moon rise!
During those 5 days though I fretted a bit. A month off was not in my plans. So, to force the issue and keep myself on track I did sign us up for a 10k that is in 2 weeks. I will not have had the runs in Id like to do terribly well at it but it will make me get in what I can! Which will be a bit of a challenge. This week is my sisters wedding. Next week Jeff and I head to LA/San Diego for a 4 day work trip (his work for 2 days and then a play weekend). We will get in one run there but thats probably it. Right after we get back I turn around and head to San Fran for work. I need to get a run in there but it will be difficult. I fly back Saturday morning and the race is on Sunday.
YIKES! I will be chasing my own PR here. This was my first ever race and it still my fastest race. By a landslide. I have no hopes of beating my PR. But it should be fun and get me in the mood for winter running. I'd be ok if it isn't raining this year, like last!
Right now, November and December dont look horrible for training. I've one trip in each month so as long as that holds, I should be good.
I did mock up a training plan for PHM.
I am not unhappy with how I did at the DL half.
Heck, if I can simply take one less bio break, I should beat my time.
I would like to improve my time a bit though. I tend to give myself a window at races. Like anything between xx and xx is ok. Invariably, Ill finish in the window barely. I need to not give myself such a big window! So, to that end this is what I am hoping to attempt to get my speed up a little.
October and November I will stick to, as best I can, 40 minutes runs twice during the week and a longer run on Sundays. Ill try to get in a 7 and a 9 miler in November but probably nothing longer than that. Early December will look the same and on about the 10th I will attempt a new training plan. I am not sure I can pull it off or stick to it but I do want to try.
It calls for:
- 1 tempo run during the week at a target pace.
- 1 speedwork run during the week at a target pace.
- 1 long run, but at a target pace. Long runs range from 6-12 miles with 12 being the longest.
To pull off what I would like to attempt, these are the paces I am supposed to train at, for this plan.
Target Paces
Long Runs @ 9:39
Tempo @8:54
Speedwork 400 @1:56, 800@ 4:02, 1600@8:24
Is it possible? Maybe. I "can" run at those paces, I just typically don't and not for that long. It is a training program designed to push the pace at each level so it would definitely be doing that! Especially now that we are moving into cooler training weather. That said, it wont likely be all that cool for the PHM so it may not help an iota but....I'm going to try. It's a 10 week plan. I can do anything for 10 weeks. Right?
PHM planning, more shoe stuff and a DL photo op!
Poolrat
I am alive, sometimes I wonder too.
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Ick on the blood blister.
On the running- you are doing better than me.
I need to just get out there and walk - jog or run. Weather is cool and nice Nothing stopping me but extra sleep. And yard work. and well work work which is making me get the extra sleep. Yes I have been a slug - I admit it. Now I need to do something about it.
Yes - You can do it!!!! Step by step - you are great at finding the time to get it done.
On the running- you are doing better than me.
I need to just get out there and walk - jog or run. Weather is cool and nice Nothing stopping me but extra sleep. And yard work. and well work work which is making me get the extra sleep. Yes I have been a slug - I admit it. Now I need to do something about it. Yes - You can do it!!!! Step by step - you are great at finding the time to get it done.
afwdwfan
DIS Dad #460
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Sorry September was a slow training month, but with everything that happened, it definitely makes sense.
Your hike in St. Lucia looks amazing. I'm sure it was worth the difficulty and discomfort to make it happen. But to be out there amongst nature and seeing those views... incredible!
I'm glad to hear that you got your parents moved. I know that had to be difficult, but I'm glad that a decision has been made and that part is behind you now.
Your hike in St. Lucia looks amazing. I'm sure it was worth the difficulty and discomfort to make it happen. But to be out there amongst nature and seeing those views... incredible!
I'm glad to hear that you got your parents moved. I know that had to be difficult, but I'm glad that a decision has been made and that part is behind you now.
eandesmom
I'm with Beast
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You can do it!!!
We will see!
Well yes and no. It has more to do with how my foot is built and how I run or "strike". Longer runs in humidity doesn't help! I am trying to move to the custom orthotics so in theory it won't get that bad again.
It didn't really show up in full force until mile 10 but at that point did hurt and I was worried about it tearing. It definitely impacted my pace the last 3 miles. But after, as long as I didn't have anything on it, or whack it, it really didn't hurt at all. Flip flops were my friend!
That swim sounds divine
It was perfection, literally!
Ick on the blood blister.
On the running- you are doing better than me.
Yard work is work and not at all slug like!
I was just so happy it didn't burst!
Yikes, we will see!
It could have been worse, luckily it was not.
He had so much fun with you guys!
I knew it would be slow just hadn't expected quite THAT slow lol.
It was something I will never forget, so glad we did it!
Well we've made a dent at least, there is still a lot to do.
Getting there, I think I may need another round of antibiotics but I am definitely improved.
The water was incredible. I've been to a lot of gorgeous places in the world and snorkeled in some pretty waters but this really took the cake.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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Ouch on the blood blister!
Looks like the climb was worth it.
I prefer going up than coming down. Always easier going up.
Looks like the climb was worth it.
I prefer going up than coming down. Always easier going up.
eandesmom
I'm with Beast
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Ouch on the blood blister!
Looks like the climb was worth it.
I prefer going up than coming down. Always easier going up.
LOL! Sometimes down is easier but in this case it was certainly harder! Are you back in Oz or still in Cali?
annmarieda
DIS Veteran
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That blister of yours from the DLH looked very ucky! I imagine it turned black before it started to go away. Probably still hasn't fully absorbed? I use to get those so often I almost always had that same part of my foot black 100% of the time. (until it would pull away leaving nice fresh skin...and then a fresh blood blister would take its place)
I don't blame you for not running while on vacation. It is hard enough to get in the stuff you need/want to do let alone a run. Besides - it wasn't like you lounged around the entire time. You did some serious hikes!
Did you know ahead of time you would need to jump in the water and swim? Oh my. I am not a swimmer...barely can do a breast stroke and so I think I would die if that turned out to be necessary for me to do. And fish swimming around me?
I think this is why the ocean isn't my thing. I would be terrified of that too. 
I am a big old baby.
I am so sorry you got sick! That is not a lot of fun to try and do anything with let alone run. Then (at least for me) it seems like even after I am better my runs suffer.
I think your 10 week phm plan will work out just great! I think you will surely improve your time from the dlh. Doing the speedwork may be just the thing to really help..although I am sure that the one less bio break may do the trick too
I don't blame you for not running while on vacation. It is hard enough to get in the stuff you need/want to do let alone a run. Besides - it wasn't like you lounged around the entire time. You did some serious hikes!
Did you know ahead of time you would need to jump in the water and swim? Oh my. I am not a swimmer...barely can do a breast stroke and so I think I would die if that turned out to be necessary for me to do. And fish swimming around me?
I think this is why the ocean isn't my thing. I would be terrified of that too. I am a big old baby.I am so sorry you got sick! That is not a lot of fun to try and do anything with let alone run. Then (at least for me) it seems like even after I am better my runs suffer.
I think your 10 week phm plan will work out just great! I think you will surely improve your time from the dlh. Doing the speedwork may be just the thing to really help..although I am sure that the one less bio break may do the trick too
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
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I'm back in Oz. So sorry to have missed a possible Dis-Meet with you. If I'd been paying more attention to your dates, I would have definitely lined something up!
eandesmom
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It took almost 3 weeks to absorb. I don't mind the black, I mean it's not pretty but whatever. if they are "under" the callus then I don't feel them. Or I feel them but they aren't an issue at all, if that makes sense. When they are on top like this, it is at a bad spot for running and then can easily tear wide open. Having been through that, it's something I don't want again lol. I am amazed with how often you have them, that it hasn't impacted actually running but instead causes bigger issues with sleeping. Must have to do with exactly where they happen on the foot?
The nice thing is that between getting a pedi on the cruise, then doing that crazy hike, all the swimming, and then having them touch up the pedi (as I cracked 2 toenails on the hike lol) it really all came off over the course of the trip and by the end my feet looked almost normal! Which of course has made it more obvious the difference the shoes and inserts make and has led me down the stress inducing path of different shoes... LOL!
I did ONE serious hike.
One decent swim in distance and one decent snorkel with some current. That's the entire sum of our "active" part of a 12 day vacation. Not much.Did you know ahead of time you would need to jump in the water and swim? Oh my. I am not a swimmer...barely can do a breast stroke and so I think I would die if that turned out to be necessary for me to do. And fish swimming around me?
We didn't have to. We wanted to jump in. We weren't expecting it to be that far! I am sure though had we said it was too far, we could have gotten off at the dock. It was a very very calm, still, cove, just incredible. We didn't exactly swim quickly back, more like a lazy backstroke to stop and enjoy the water and fish. I am not the best swimmer but this was doable for me. And if snorkeling, the fins would help a lot but yes, it wasn't exactly close to shore.
I am so sorry you got sick! That is not a lot of fun to try and do anything with let alone run. Then (at least for me) it seems like even after I am better my runs suffer.
It's odd, it hasn't entirely cleared up but hasn't gotten worse either. Not enough to make me want to do another round of antibiotics but a bit annoying.
I think your 10 week phm plan will work out just great! I think you will surely improve your time from the dlh. Doing the speedwork may be just the thing to really help..although I am sure that the one less bio break may do the trick too
I would be SO happy if I can pull off one less bio break or even NO bio breaks. Heck, if I can avoid a blood blister that ought to gain me as much as 3 minutes! I figure my pace suffered a solid minute those last 3 miles thanks to the dumb blister. I also may try to avoid switching lenses at PHM, that took at least a minute too (and was a little stressful, I worried about dropping one with my sweaty hands!). Given it will be a bit later sunrise than DL, it may be very doable.
I am NOT looking forward to speedwork, gotta get the shoe thing figured out soon, I figure I have about one month to mess around with shoes. Bleh.
It would have been difficult to line up, we were on opposite schedules I think, possibly passing each other on I-5 lol. I can't wait to hear about your trip!
I have a work trip next week and then in theory, life should settle a little bit with only one trip in Dec. I will get an update up here this week for sure and HOPEFULLY the marching band trip report started! Let's touch base when you get back from your Halloween cruise and figure out what works best for meeting over Thanksgiving.
Leshaface
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Holy moly that blister! That's massive
Your hike sounds hard, but fun. Can't believe most people turn around at the half way point. And it totally doesn't surprise me that you guys made it all the way
And a nice swim in that gorgeous water? Perfect.
Good luck with this 10 week plan!
Your hike sounds hard, but fun. Can't believe most people turn around at the half way point. And it totally doesn't surprise me that you guys made it all the way
And a nice swim in that gorgeous water? Perfect.Good luck with this 10 week plan!
CarolynK
DIS Veteran
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Are those Keens you're wearing? They must be comfortable to be able to hike that distance? I'm always looking for a comfortable WDW shoe.
That sounds like some excursion!! And the swim...I'm not a good swimmer, your swim sounds scary to me!! Mostly the deep water, I can totally deal with the fish though.
We're spending NYE in Key West for the first time, and I dread all the water sports I'm gonna have to partake in!
That sounds like some excursion!! And the swim...I'm not a good swimmer, your swim sounds scary to me!! Mostly the deep water, I can totally deal with the fish though.
We're spending NYE in Key West for the first time, and I dread all the water sports I'm gonna have to partake in!
eandesmom
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Holy moly that blister! That's massive
Your hike sounds hard, but fun. Can't believe most people turn around at the half way point. And it totally doesn't surprise me that you guys made it all the way
Good luck with this 10 week plan!
I'll need the luck on the 10 week plan. It's the speed work that scares me the most although really all of it will be pushing me for sure. Hopefully in a good way. The hike was hard but I am definitely glad we did it.
They are! I LOVE Keens. I have a pair of their flip flops that are one of my go to park shoes, or any kind of long walk. Great arch support and with the covered toe, it really does give a different kind of security. The ones I wore on the hike, I use for hiking all the time. Honestly, for this hike at that incline, they were not the best. With the rain, my feet slid in them (inside the shoe) and that made things a bit harder and felt less stable in the ankles. The incline really deserved more of a true hiking boot but the Keens did get the job done.
Well the swim definitely wasn't a requirement but it certainly was deep!
I might have been a bit freaked out had there been current or waves but it was so calm it made it easy to take it slow and just enjoy.
We're spending NYE in Key West for the first time, and I dread all the water sports I'm gonna have to partake in!
I love Key West, although I've never done any water sports there, closest I've come to any sports is riding a beach cruiser through town.
eandesmom
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This is NOT the DL half TR but it is a Disneyland Trip report! Finally starting the TR from our spring trip to DL where my son marched down main street with his band. Not running related really, although I did run once on that trip. Would love to see you all there!
He's with the Band! A DL Performing Arts TR
He's with the Band! A DL Performing Arts TR
eandesmom
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I last updated 3 weeks ago. WHERE is the time going? If anyone knows and can find it, let me know. Holy cannoli!
It's been a busy month, what else is new, right? But I do have some updates, both in training and in actual PHM plans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At some point, Ann and I will do a joint TR. I do have quite a lot of DL half pictures that I took, we did photopass and then there are the marathon photos ones. Which I have yet to buy but plan on. I have to decide if I want the video or not. it is WEIRD watching yourself run on video!
After the race there was a fun green screen photo opp, sponsored by AT&T who would also give you free custom flip flops (custom meaning pink or green and straps either saying 13.1 or...something else lol). You could mix and match the straps and bases. Ann's photo is much better, she clearly got the memo about it being a breaking the tape kind of picture but, here is mine!
Yep, that's sweat, or water that I dumped over my head, or both...
First, a quick recap on training. In August I ran a whopping 68.6 miles. The most I've ever run in a month.
In September...I ran 6.1
YIKES
October, to date is at 32.6 and should end closer to 36-37 after a run tonight. Not great but certainly moving in the right direction. I've been to our "new" gym so little that I forgot how to sign in when we went last night. Pathetic.
In my defense, I did have house-guests, was busy moving my parents and my sister got married during the last 3 weeks. As well as two trips, one for my work and one for Jeff's. This made for some fun out of town runs!
San Diego. Jeff was given an award at work that just happened to be presented to him in Laguna Nigel, CA. They flew him down for the event and he flew me! We then extended it over the weekend and headed to Coronado and San Diego for a little get away.
We ran along Coronado Beach twice and then also got to ride a tandem bike from Coronado to San Diego which is just a blast. Given that I hadn't been on a bike in 3 years I was a wee bit sore the next day after our little 30 mile ride but it was worth it. Both of us were feeling VERY slug like after our September and it was nice to get out and MOVE!
San Francisco. This was a work trip for me and I really didnt think Id get a run in, and if so, maybe only one. I was able to sneak a little one in on the first day, in between events.
Let me just say that people look at you like you are a bit nuts running solo through the financial district on your way to the Embarcadero!
2 days later I went on a group run, same route, but this time with potential clients. Who knew that running could be a business networking event? That was really really fun. And people definitely didnt look at me like I was "as" crazy, given that there were 8 of us.
Last weekend, we did a 10K.
Which was a train wreck. And not just because our power was out and we were trying to find our running/race clothes in the dark to head to the race!
This is a race I did last year and is my 10K PR. They changed the course this year and I was really looking forward to it. Given the lack of running on my end and a calf injury on Jeff's, neither of us had great hopes of PRs but expected a decent run.
Except they didn't mark the turn around spot for the 10K. This was a race that was a 10K/half marathon dual race. The half folks start first and keep going, the 10Kers turn around at a designated spot.
That wasn't marked.
According to my watch, which was dead on with their mile markers through mile 3, I ran 1.15 miles too far. Jeff ran too far as well, as did another friend (though neither ran as much too far as I did. DOH!). Oh well. It was a decent training run but certainly on paper my worst 10K ever, Jeffs as well. Granted he had a calf injury but even with that, it was wayyyyyy off in the final results. Even if I adjust for the real distance, its just ok. I admit, when I turned around after watching several folks turn earlier at unmarked spots, saw the 10 mile sign for the half (which meant I still had 3.2 miles) but knew Id run 4 already...I dialed it back. Why get shin splints, or make them worse, if it wont count for anything. Oh well. The good news is the race director totally owned up to the fiasco, we are getting a partial refund on our registrations and a discount on a future race if we want it. They offered to adjust the times but given that the entire results are off for almost all it's kind of like, why bother? LOTS of upset people, it's a flat and fast course that people use for a PR. The half marathon people had a great time though.
We did get a picture before the fiasco
All of my October runs did reinforce something.
I still don't have the shoe/insert thing figured out. All of October, well really since the DL half, I've been running on the prescription orthotics in the shoe I bought for the DL half, the Asics Gel Electro 33. Though I'd hoped I was overreacting, the reality is that while they help a ton with the problem area that causes the blood blisters, they were giving me shin splints. Without them, I had the blister/callus issue (wore the older shoes and inserts in San Fran to test). While I tried to research and get opinions, no one really had much input so I decided to go with my gut. Which was that the combo of inserts and shoes I had, were over-correcting and I needed a different shoe. I'd been using what is called a stability shoe, both the Electro 33 and the GT 2000 before it. The inserts do some of the same correction that the shoes do, plus more for my specific issues.
After the race I headed out to be fitted for new shoes. The store I use, with a membership, has a 90 day return policy. I was still in that window on my last pair of shoes, the ones I wore for the DL half. It seems weird to me to take back clearly worn shoes but if I couldn't wear them with the inserts they really weren't doing me any good and that is why they have that policy. With running shoes you might not see issues right away. The policy does make me a very loyal customer! My plan was to basically get the same shoe, but the non-stability version, the Gel Excel 33 2. The sales rep brought out a few others to try on. I tested out two on the treadmill and found myself quite intrigued by one pair. It was pricey though.
Turns out, thanks to the power outage, their computer system was down and they couldn't take my "old" ones back as they had been an online order. Id have to come back once the system was up. For the trouble, he offered me 25% off of whatever I bought. My membership gives me a 10% discount already, he would give me the 25% on top of the 10%. Can't beat that! With that, as I'd bought the previous ones on a really good sale, it was going to be a straight trade if I stuck with the same brand as the ones I was returning. If I went with the other ones, only about $30 to upgrade.
I went home and did some homework. The other brand had not been on my radar at all. After some research I decided I really wanted to try these shoes. They are very different, they have what is called "lugs" on the bottom of the shoe to support your metatarsals. However, there was another model in that brand that I kind of wanted to try. It was similar but seemed a less drastic change. The next morning I called my store. Their computers and phones were still down and it transferred me to another store. They checked and didn't have the other model in my size, but did have the one I'd tried on the night before. After work, I headed over to pick them up.
Check them out!
YAY for yellow shoes, they make me smile.
The next night I tested them out. These shoes are a HUGE departure from what I have been running in and most will say you have to gradually ease into them or it could cause injury or extra aches and pains. They are designed to help you run with the middle or front of your foot striking the ground, instead of the heel. However I am already hitting the ground that way naturally so the thought was that it might not be as difficult a transition. But between the lugs and a very different ratio of drop from the heel to the toe, they are a pretty big change. Some call them a minimalist shoe, others a "performance neutral". To me, between the lugs and my inserts they certainly felt like they had plenty of support and cushion. I ran a short just under 3 mile run and noticed a few things.
However, I did know my custom inserts were a bit too big for the shoe and suspected that was the issue. I took those in on Wednesday to have trimmed at my podiatrists office. We will be checking it out tonight and see how it goes. I may also try a different lacing technique. I had zero aches and pains after running in them so I am hopeful that should the toe issue get resolved, the transition will be smooth. Besides, aren't they pretty?
My alternatives should they not work are to try the other model, the Fate which comes in a fabulous green, or the Asics Excel which is kind of a blah lavender. I figure the Asics are my last choice simply as I am pretty confident they will work but I really want to give the Newton's a chance.
I figure I have about a month to get this figured out before I start my PHM training plan. Which honestly makes me a bit nervous, its an aggressive plan. I was thinking about it. The plan calls for my tempo runs to be at 8:54 and long at 9:39. The tempo runs, once the plan starts range from 3-8 miles. The long from 6-12. If I look at this weeks runs I have the following.
7.35 miles @ 9:12 pace
2.77 miles @9:08 pace (in the new shoes)
The 7.35 would be ok if it was a long run but as it was a race, it really should have been closer to the tempo run pace. Definitely the same thing on the short run. I will say my first 3 miles in the race were dead on at a 9:00 pace I just need to work on keeping it there consistently.
We have also made some plans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ann and I booked our flights. After lots of texting and emails we ended up with the following.
Red eye on Wednesday the 18th. 2 ½ hour layover in LAX. Alaska for the first leg and American for the 2nd. Land at 5:20 am. YAWN! The nice thing about this is that even though we booked it on American, Ill be able to get us 2 free bags since check in is with Alaska. Because it was a code share we didnt get to choose our seats for the first leg so are not seated together. Seat assignments happened later, when they sent the confirmation emails. Odd. We arent far though, 3 rows I think?
6:55 pm evening nonstop flight on Wednesday the 25th on Alaska. We pretty much scored on our tickets. The outbound was $156 and we both used miles for the return. We each had to transfer a little bit of miles to make it work but I think we both came in right around or under $200 for the round trip when all was said and done, AND the filghts are pretty much exactly what we were hoping to get!
It did mean we HAD to add an extra day to our trip. We are now currently booked
2 nights AKV Kidani, Savannah view
4 nights BWV, Boardwalk view.
All in studios. We do have those first 2 nights waitlisted for BWV but we dont necessarily expect it to go through. We now need to figure out some additional dining for the week, now that flights are booked. And book DME for that matter!
We have also been discussing COSTUMES! I think we have landed on a theme for Ann, Mary Ellen and I. Now the fun part of figuring out some details. Mary Ellen is just getting back from her anniversary trip and Ann is about to head to Cali to run Avengers so we likely wont make much progress on the costume front till Mid November or later but its fun to know we at least have kind of a plan.
From a training perspective right now I plan to stick with my general "regular" schedule and hopefully get this shoe thing figured out. We are looking at a race in November that looks fun, I think Jeff, Eric and I will all do it. The big question is what distance Eric will race. He wants to do the 10k. I think that is a bit much but...maybe it isn't. He's run 4 before, probably not quite 5 but he is not far off. He has improved a TON this fall. I do stress about him doing something as long as a 10K if I am not running with him, or a friend isnt. I dont want him to get lost! Of course he certainly didnt get lost at a single cross country meet and has "race" experience so I am probably being overly paranoid. Still, I did order him a road ID (trackable sports bracelet) to have for races, running club and nighttime running if he really starts to run with us at night like he says he wants to. I got one for myself as well. Mine will go on my shoe. Not sure if I will have it on all the time or just if I am out solo or at night. Id like to get one for Jeff and hope to lean on him about it once he sees ours.[/FONT]
It's been a busy month, what else is new, right? But I do have some updates, both in training and in actual PHM plans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At some point, Ann and I will do a joint TR. I do have quite a lot of DL half pictures that I took, we did photopass and then there are the marathon photos ones. Which I have yet to buy but plan on. I have to decide if I want the video or not. it is WEIRD watching yourself run on video!
After the race there was a fun green screen photo opp, sponsored by AT&T who would also give you free custom flip flops (custom meaning pink or green and straps either saying 13.1 or...something else lol). You could mix and match the straps and bases. Ann's photo is much better, she clearly got the memo about it being a breaking the tape kind of picture but, here is mine!
Yep, that's sweat, or water that I dumped over my head, or both...
First, a quick recap on training. In August I ran a whopping 68.6 miles. The most I've ever run in a month.
In September...I ran 6.1
YIKES
October, to date is at 32.6 and should end closer to 36-37 after a run tonight. Not great but certainly moving in the right direction. I've been to our "new" gym so little that I forgot how to sign in when we went last night. Pathetic.
In my defense, I did have house-guests, was busy moving my parents and my sister got married during the last 3 weeks. As well as two trips, one for my work and one for Jeff's. This made for some fun out of town runs!
San Diego. Jeff was given an award at work that just happened to be presented to him in Laguna Nigel, CA. They flew him down for the event and he flew me! We then extended it over the weekend and headed to Coronado and San Diego for a little get away.
We ran along Coronado Beach twice and then also got to ride a tandem bike from Coronado to San Diego which is just a blast. Given that I hadn't been on a bike in 3 years I was a wee bit sore the next day after our little 30 mile ride but it was worth it. Both of us were feeling VERY slug like after our September and it was nice to get out and MOVE!
San Francisco. This was a work trip for me and I really didnt think Id get a run in, and if so, maybe only one. I was able to sneak a little one in on the first day, in between events.
Let me just say that people look at you like you are a bit nuts running solo through the financial district on your way to the Embarcadero!
2 days later I went on a group run, same route, but this time with potential clients. Who knew that running could be a business networking event? That was really really fun. And people definitely didnt look at me like I was "as" crazy, given that there were 8 of us.
Last weekend, we did a 10K.
Which was a train wreck. And not just because our power was out and we were trying to find our running/race clothes in the dark to head to the race!
This is a race I did last year and is my 10K PR. They changed the course this year and I was really looking forward to it. Given the lack of running on my end and a calf injury on Jeff's, neither of us had great hopes of PRs but expected a decent run.
Except they didn't mark the turn around spot for the 10K. This was a race that was a 10K/half marathon dual race. The half folks start first and keep going, the 10Kers turn around at a designated spot.
That wasn't marked.
According to my watch, which was dead on with their mile markers through mile 3, I ran 1.15 miles too far. Jeff ran too far as well, as did another friend (though neither ran as much too far as I did. DOH!). Oh well. It was a decent training run but certainly on paper my worst 10K ever, Jeffs as well. Granted he had a calf injury but even with that, it was wayyyyyy off in the final results. Even if I adjust for the real distance, its just ok. I admit, when I turned around after watching several folks turn earlier at unmarked spots, saw the 10 mile sign for the half (which meant I still had 3.2 miles) but knew Id run 4 already...I dialed it back. Why get shin splints, or make them worse, if it wont count for anything. Oh well. The good news is the race director totally owned up to the fiasco, we are getting a partial refund on our registrations and a discount on a future race if we want it. They offered to adjust the times but given that the entire results are off for almost all it's kind of like, why bother? LOTS of upset people, it's a flat and fast course that people use for a PR. The half marathon people had a great time though.
We did get a picture before the fiasco
All of my October runs did reinforce something.
I still don't have the shoe/insert thing figured out. All of October, well really since the DL half, I've been running on the prescription orthotics in the shoe I bought for the DL half, the Asics Gel Electro 33. Though I'd hoped I was overreacting, the reality is that while they help a ton with the problem area that causes the blood blisters, they were giving me shin splints. Without them, I had the blister/callus issue (wore the older shoes and inserts in San Fran to test). While I tried to research and get opinions, no one really had much input so I decided to go with my gut. Which was that the combo of inserts and shoes I had, were over-correcting and I needed a different shoe. I'd been using what is called a stability shoe, both the Electro 33 and the GT 2000 before it. The inserts do some of the same correction that the shoes do, plus more for my specific issues.
After the race I headed out to be fitted for new shoes. The store I use, with a membership, has a 90 day return policy. I was still in that window on my last pair of shoes, the ones I wore for the DL half. It seems weird to me to take back clearly worn shoes but if I couldn't wear them with the inserts they really weren't doing me any good and that is why they have that policy. With running shoes you might not see issues right away. The policy does make me a very loyal customer! My plan was to basically get the same shoe, but the non-stability version, the Gel Excel 33 2. The sales rep brought out a few others to try on. I tested out two on the treadmill and found myself quite intrigued by one pair. It was pricey though.
Turns out, thanks to the power outage, their computer system was down and they couldn't take my "old" ones back as they had been an online order. Id have to come back once the system was up. For the trouble, he offered me 25% off of whatever I bought. My membership gives me a 10% discount already, he would give me the 25% on top of the 10%. Can't beat that! With that, as I'd bought the previous ones on a really good sale, it was going to be a straight trade if I stuck with the same brand as the ones I was returning. If I went with the other ones, only about $30 to upgrade.
I went home and did some homework. The other brand had not been on my radar at all. After some research I decided I really wanted to try these shoes. They are very different, they have what is called "lugs" on the bottom of the shoe to support your metatarsals. However, there was another model in that brand that I kind of wanted to try. It was similar but seemed a less drastic change. The next morning I called my store. Their computers and phones were still down and it transferred me to another store. They checked and didn't have the other model in my size, but did have the one I'd tried on the night before. After work, I headed over to pick them up.
Check them out!
YAY for yellow shoes, they make me smile.
The next night I tested them out. These shoes are a HUGE departure from what I have been running in and most will say you have to gradually ease into them or it could cause injury or extra aches and pains. They are designed to help you run with the middle or front of your foot striking the ground, instead of the heel. However I am already hitting the ground that way naturally so the thought was that it might not be as difficult a transition. But between the lugs and a very different ratio of drop from the heel to the toe, they are a pretty big change. Some call them a minimalist shoe, others a "performance neutral". To me, between the lugs and my inserts they certainly felt like they had plenty of support and cushion. I ran a short just under 3 mile run and noticed a few things.
- They are REALLY light!
- In the rain, the tops of my feet will get wet faster because they are so light!
- My legs felt great
- My problem area felt great
- My toes were a bit numb.
- The heels were a bit loose
However, I did know my custom inserts were a bit too big for the shoe and suspected that was the issue. I took those in on Wednesday to have trimmed at my podiatrists office. We will be checking it out tonight and see how it goes. I may also try a different lacing technique. I had zero aches and pains after running in them so I am hopeful that should the toe issue get resolved, the transition will be smooth. Besides, aren't they pretty?
My alternatives should they not work are to try the other model, the Fate which comes in a fabulous green, or the Asics Excel which is kind of a blah lavender. I figure the Asics are my last choice simply as I am pretty confident they will work but I really want to give the Newton's a chance.
I figure I have about a month to get this figured out before I start my PHM training plan. Which honestly makes me a bit nervous, its an aggressive plan. I was thinking about it. The plan calls for my tempo runs to be at 8:54 and long at 9:39. The tempo runs, once the plan starts range from 3-8 miles. The long from 6-12. If I look at this weeks runs I have the following.
7.35 miles @ 9:12 pace
2.77 miles @9:08 pace (in the new shoes)
The 7.35 would be ok if it was a long run but as it was a race, it really should have been closer to the tempo run pace. Definitely the same thing on the short run. I will say my first 3 miles in the race were dead on at a 9:00 pace I just need to work on keeping it there consistently.
We have also made some plans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ann and I booked our flights. After lots of texting and emails we ended up with the following.
Red eye on Wednesday the 18th. 2 ½ hour layover in LAX. Alaska for the first leg and American for the 2nd. Land at 5:20 am. YAWN! The nice thing about this is that even though we booked it on American, Ill be able to get us 2 free bags since check in is with Alaska. Because it was a code share we didnt get to choose our seats for the first leg so are not seated together. Seat assignments happened later, when they sent the confirmation emails. Odd. We arent far though, 3 rows I think?
6:55 pm evening nonstop flight on Wednesday the 25th on Alaska. We pretty much scored on our tickets. The outbound was $156 and we both used miles for the return. We each had to transfer a little bit of miles to make it work but I think we both came in right around or under $200 for the round trip when all was said and done, AND the filghts are pretty much exactly what we were hoping to get!
It did mean we HAD to add an extra day to our trip. We are now currently booked
2 nights AKV Kidani, Savannah view
4 nights BWV, Boardwalk view.
All in studios. We do have those first 2 nights waitlisted for BWV but we dont necessarily expect it to go through. We now need to figure out some additional dining for the week, now that flights are booked. And book DME for that matter!
We have also been discussing COSTUMES! I think we have landed on a theme for Ann, Mary Ellen and I. Now the fun part of figuring out some details. Mary Ellen is just getting back from her anniversary trip and Ann is about to head to Cali to run Avengers so we likely wont make much progress on the costume front till Mid November or later but its fun to know we at least have kind of a plan.
From a training perspective right now I plan to stick with my general "regular" schedule and hopefully get this shoe thing figured out. We are looking at a race in November that looks fun, I think Jeff, Eric and I will all do it. The big question is what distance Eric will race. He wants to do the 10k. I think that is a bit much but...maybe it isn't. He's run 4 before, probably not quite 5 but he is not far off. He has improved a TON this fall. I do stress about him doing something as long as a 10K if I am not running with him, or a friend isnt. I dont want him to get lost! Of course he certainly didnt get lost at a single cross country meet and has "race" experience so I am probably being overly paranoid. Still, I did order him a road ID (trackable sports bracelet) to have for races, running club and nighttime running if he really starts to run with us at night like he says he wants to. I got one for myself as well. Mine will go on my shoe. Not sure if I will have it on all the time or just if I am out solo or at night. Id like to get one for Jeff and hope to lean on him about it once he sees ours.[/FONT]
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