Training Week 25
Training for… the Wisconsin Half Marathon on May 1.
Day 169 | April 5, 2010: rest
Day 170 | April 6, 2010: 6 m run + strength
I did some strength during lunch (yawn).
I met Steven at the local running store after work, and he enthusiastically (sarcasm) told me that the salesperson was recommending the Brooks Beast to him – the super orthopedic shoe (Steven’s words). Apparently, the salesperson was extremely surprised that Steven has not had any issues with the Adidas shoes he has worn for over a year. The salesperson thought they were entirely the wrong fit. Steven was bummed to get such a heavy shoe, but hey, if they work…
Out of curiosity, I asked the salesman if I was wearing the right shoe. He watched me run for maybe 2 seconds then said “Nope!” Hmm. How can you make an accurate analysis that quickly? He said the Adrenalines have too much support for me and cause me overpronate, and recommended the Ravenna, which has a little less support. Well, since I have two fairly new pairs of Adrenalines, and limited cash, guess what I am doing? Yep, no new shoes for me!
Have you had your gait analyzed? How do you decide which running shoes to wear?
Steven and I both had our gait analyzed at the same place and had shoes recommended to us there… so it strange they are saying we have the wrong shoes, a year later.
After wasting a bunch of time trying to find a new hydration belt (any recommendations?), we finally left to do our run at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve. We ran a mile warm-up and cool-down near 10:30, and four tempo miles at 10:00. I was blowing snot rockets the whole time. I think Steven was thoroughly disgusted. You do what you gotta do!
I felt a bit off in the beginning of the run. I think I am turning in to one of those people who takes awhile to find their running groove. I wonder if that means I am meant for longer distances. Probably not. Ha! Do you think people are built to run certain distances? Which do you think you are meant to run?
I thought the sky looked really pretty!
Steven stretching… look at those beautiful runner’s legs! I am not sure about how he is holding his hands… must be some special balancing technique.
Distance: 6.0 | Time: 1:00:46 | 1: 10:17 | 2: 9:58 | 3: 10:07 | 4: 10:00 | 5: 9:49 | 6: 10:30
V Bar Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb
Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
Lateral Raise: 15 @ 25 lb, 2 x 15 @ 37.5 lb
Biangular Chest Press: 15 @ 30 lb, 2 x 15 @ 50 lb
Shoulder Press: 3 x 15 @ 20 lb
Pectoral Fly: 15 @ 45 lb, 15 @ 60 lb
Arm Curl: 2 x 15 @ 25 lb
Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb
Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb
Shin Developer: 3 x 20 @ 10 lb
Day 171 | April 7, 2010: cross
I had a super busy day but managed to sneak in a quick bike workout during lunch. I felt like I pushed myself a bit more than I usually do.
Bike Time: 40:00 | Distance: 7.63 (Set on “Forest Ride”)
Day 172 | April 8, 2010: strength
I did a quick strength workout during lunch.
Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb
Leg Extension: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 x 2 @ 45 lb
Seated Leg Press: 15 x 2 @ 70 lb, 15 @ 90 lb
Shin Developer: 3 x 20 @ 10 lbs
Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb
Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb
Day 173 | April 9, 2010: cross
I used the bike during lunch and did 3 sets of 20 shin developers at 10 pounds. The whole time I was riding the bike, I was wishing I was on a real bike, outside.
Bike Time: 45:00 | Distance: 8.01 (Set on “Forest Ride”)
Day 174 | April 10, 2010: 10 m run
Steven and I ran 10 miles in the Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve. It was a beautiful run! We ran right before sunset, and saw so many deer. I really love seeing wildlife.
The run felt really good too. I think we’re ready for the race! I just wish I would have carried more water with me. We were both really thirsty!
Distance: 10.0 | Time: 1:43:30 | 1: 10:12 | 2: 10:21 | 3: 10:23 | 4: 10:33 | 5: 10:35 | 6: 10:21 | 7: 10:24 | 8: 10:14 | 9: 10:15 | 10: 10:05
Day 175 | April 11, 2010: volunteer
I volunteered as a course marshal at The Race That’s Good For Life – a race Erin‘s running club puts on! I was in charge of an intersection close to the race start. I made sure that people didn’t cross the intersection while there were runners/walkers going by. There were four events – a Women’s 5K, a 5K walk, a Youth mile, and a Men’s 5k – starting between 9:00 and 9:50.
Erin ran the 5K and I got to see her speed by! I wish I could have seen her at the finish! She came back and met me at my intersection after the race.
Do you see Erin?
There she is!
Right after the majority of the kids ran by our spot, one little kid wiped out, so I took him to the first aid area. Boy, did he talk my ear off! He told me the race should have been a bike race, since he is “as fast as Lance Armstrong.” He also talked to me about how awesome Lance is for riding his bike and having cancer, that he thinks runners should start out slow then speed up, and discussed religion a bit. He was 7. What a goober. Kids can be so funny.
Week Summary: 16.00 miles
I tried to take it easy this week. I’ve been having slight aches in my right shin and left heal. Last year, it was my left shin and right heel (hmm, could this be related?) and I ignored it then couldn’t run for months. I may cut back to only two days of running a week if it will keep me injury-free. We’ll see!
Does anyone have any good advice on preventing and taking care of blisters? Steven tends to get them. We are hoping the new shoes do the trick for him, but could use some input as well! We did think this article had some good ideas… but what are your tips? Check out the painful one below.
Themocracy
Ay, that blister! I get some bad ones but nothing that red. I’m kind of the blister queen (as in, even comfortable walking shoes usually give me blisters at first) so I’m not one to have advice to give, sadly :(.
I’m thinking I’m a half marathon kind of runner, although I’m not through with my training for the full so who knows. It usually takes me about 4 miles to feel good on a run though – and then I’m good for at least 5 or 6 more :). I do think people’s bodies can be built for certain distances in that they get injured more easily than others the further they run. I don’t know though – I thought I was not built for speed and didn’t really like 5k races but when I put some time (and not even much time – 1 1/2 months) into speedwork and focusing on that distance, I PRed by 3 minutes so… maybe it’s just getting yourself in the right mindset and training smart?
I am like you now – about 3-5 miles to warm up!
I want to believe that we can train for anything we put our minds to, but I keep reading all of these studies that say our bodies have thresholds/limits when it comes to running.
i did have my gait analyzed for my half marathon. the shoes are great, and i’ve worn them well past the time that i’m sure that a “real” runner would wear them. what they said made sense…i pronate, and i also do while skating, so it wasn’t a shock.
what i AM interested in is this sock/glove thing for your feet. have you seen it? a friend that i met through running has gotten them and swears by them. they eliminated this terrible IT band and other leg and knee problems that she’s had for years. she just runs in that…no shoes. these sock things are resistant to cuts and such. i don’t know, but I’d be willing to try them. She says that it puts her feet in a more natural placement.
Are you talking about the Five Fingers? I have definitely seen those and am very curious about them!
For the blister… Of course, no cotton socks whatsoever! Also, I would double check if the shoes are in fact the best for him if he’s getting this kind of blister. Last, try body glide before the run.
For the hydration belt, I like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Nathan-Speed-10-Ounce-Nutrition-Flasks/dp/B000OMCISQ/ref=pd_sim_sg_5
I wonder what kind of socks he is wearing! I suggested Vaseline but we don’t have any. I DO have body glide though!
Thank you for the recommendation!
What cher mentioned — those are the vibram five fingers. Karl (my fiance) swears by them as well, I have a harder time adapting to it (my calves get too sore), but want to make the transition at some point.
They’re not socks, they’re shoes…
I’m surprised they recommended the Beasts to Stephen — those are usually a big-guy shoe. I am not always so confident running store employees know what they are talking about. If Stephen wasn’t having problems with the shoes he had, why change? I have bought $120 pairs of running shoes on the recommendation of store employees and hated them. I have bought lots of completely serviceable $75 running shoes off the discount racks. I think that in this area, it’s a lot of trial and error. Right now I’m wearing Rykas, and I have a pair of Asics 1200-somethings that I wear sometimes too.
I have done race distances from 5K to half marathon. I had one really wonderful half marathon experience and two that were OK. My last half-marathon was horrendous. I think I probably am most comfortable in the 5-10K races… but triathlons are better for me because they encourage a lot of cross-training. I’ve mostly done sprints, though I’ve done a couple of longer (international distance) ones. Training for longer distances requires a lot of time and energy that I don’t have right now. No Ironmans or Half-Irons for me, though.
Steven was wondering the same thing about the shoes. The issue with the ones he has now is the blisters. But at this point, he says he may just run through it.
I wonder if triathletes get injured less compared to runners because of the cross training. That would be interesting to find out!
I’ve been really lucky and never gotten a major blister like that. I really don’t know why but maybe it has something to do with the type of socks I wear? I’ve also heard that using Body Glide on your feet before you put your socks on can help.
wow what a great week of workouts! i will wear two pairs of socks to prevent blisters if i am worried….speaking of socks, did you ever get the ones i sent?
i buy my running shoes by feel and what the shoe guy says-but i only go to a small town running store where i know the guys are runners themselves. i trust their opinions more.
That’s funny about what the kid said! I hope your right shin and left heal get better! This is the first time I’ve read your Training post and it was very interesting! 🙂 I will read them from now on! Love you sees!
PS I beat the other Christina to commenting!! First time ever?!?!
LOL. You crack me up. I hope reading my training posts makes you want to start running. We can do a 5K when you come out in August 😉
And I think the other Christina(s) don’t usually comment on my training posts, so you are all good!
Sometimes I feel like I’m more of a long distance runner too. I often get into a groove after 5 km or so..
Blisters are annoying but I did it like Kalli too and wore two pairs of socks – probably not the best solution but it worked. I don’t get any blisters anymore though (which is probably because of my shoes)
Ugh…that’s horrible!!
I was fitted at a running store too, but I’m feeling kind of skeptical if they’re actually my right fit/type or not. I feel like I could use some more motion control, but these aren’t offering any. It can be really tricky to find that “perfect pair.”
There are SO MANY types of shoes, it IS tricky to find the right one! We searched and searched last year for Steven too and found nothing.
I’ve never had my gait analyzed before. I have always just worn whatever shoes don’t hurt my feet/legs. I had a pair of Nike’s in high school that caused calf/shin issues so I still avoid those. I usually just stick to the same two brands and general styles.
I don’t usually get blisters but I’ve heard that if you put Body Glide on your feet before running it can help. I’ve never tried it though.
Ouch on the blister! Those are painful (like you needed me to tell you that LOL)
Great job on the training! You are such an inspiration 🙂
That’s funny that you mention that about people being built for different distances. When I used to do triathlons I always said that it takes me a while to get in my groove but once I do I could keep going forever. Since I have been running again I find that the first mile is always the hardest but once I get through that I could run all day. Well…except the last part of the run when I am ready to be done and then no matter how many miles I have gone the last quarter of a mile is like torture because I am sort of counting down.
My neighbors father in law runs those crazy 50+ mile races. I don’t think I would ever go that far, but I do think a longer race would be better than a shorter one because it takes me a mile to get into it. OR I suppose I could just run a mile before the race starts if I did a shorter one.
That blister looks painful! I haven’t had a big one like that in a while but I remember I had a sore spot on the back of my heel because of shoes that weren’t quite right for me and my sock/shoe was always bloody when I was done running. My kids were totally grossed out by the shoes and always wondered why I would keep running if I was bleeding.
They do say you should run a bit before each race to warm up! When I was volunteering this weekend, a lot of people were running up and down the street before the race started.
Ha! You are a true runner if you run through blood! 🙂
Well. I used to get blisters about there (and right along my arch) and I was in the wrong size of shoe. Turns out my normal and my running shoe differ by a whole size, not just a half size! I wear a 7.5 in regular and 8.5 running. Weird, huh? Amazing job on your two runs this week. I wish I could rock a tempo run like that! Your pace is awesome. Just thought you should know.
Thanks 🙂
When we got fitted last year, we both got one size larger (I got a 12, I wear an 11) and my husband thinks his being too big are the problem! So weird.
girl i hate blisters…i can go blister free in a pair of shoes for 2-3 mos and then bam, i go a week where i get like 10 new blisters and i dont change a thing. have no idea what to suggest!
good luck training for your half…that’s awesome!
I HATE my hydration belt and never use it, so I am no help there. My favorite distance is 10 miles. Usually I “water drop” in a safe place so that at some point in my run I have water.
I did have my gait analyzed and it was WAY worth it! I am a super overpronater and I know I am better off with the right shoes.
hahaha i love the red arrow to erin! 🙂 too cute. and EWWW blister!!! sometimes socks and vaseline can help prevent but looks like you need some bandaids and rest to let that heal a bit.
I went to a running store and walked around for them a bit. I was told that I overpronated a bit and needed stability shoes.
I do think people are built for certain distances! Some are better at sprinting and short bursts. I know I’m meant for distance running because I love it! I love running for a long time, it’s very satisfying for me. Sprinting and running fast is extremely challenging!
Running for a long time is very satisfying for me too 🙂 It makes me feel calm.
Ow- blisters!! I got the worst blisters in a pair of Brooks that were recommended to me at a running store where they just watched me run for 2 minutes… I got fitted for Asics at a running store where they put you on a treadmill and film you running – and I have been so happy with my Asics – I just ran in my new pair yesterday, 14 km, no problems whatsoever. So I think perhaps, just eyeballing someone running for a couple minutes is maybe not so scientific? Anyway, when I got those blisters, I would tape up my foot ahead of time with this tape that bikers use on their, ahem, “privates” – but helped prevent blisters! Good luck!
We were thinking the same thing. At the last place, they taped us and showed us how we run. At this place, they just watched us! I think Steven will be taking the shoes back 😉
Holy crap…that blister is epic!!
YIKES thats an awful looking blister! I find it makes a difference whats socks Im wearing. If they have any type of pattern, or different thicknesses I get blisters.
Ive said this before, but I LOVE that you two workout together.
Haha kids are so funny!
I get really bad blisters too, and I never know what to do about them. I heard there are socks you can wear for blister prevention but I’ve never tried them. I’m going to read that article you linked for some more ideas.
OUCH!
vaseline all over your feet .. lots of it before you run. If I forget … I get blisters.
Yikes! That is a mega-blister. I get them in that spot of my foot too, especially now that it’s warmer. I try to keep them at bay with some body glide, but in general, I just resign myself to ugly blisters-turned-callouses on my feet.
Hi Kim, Thanks for visiting my blog. Yay for Waterloo! I went to UNI and recently returned to Iowa after a 12 year hiatus. 🙂 Best of luck to you in your training in running and life. Very interesting musings you have. p.s Panthers were so exciting in the Final Four this year. I love how Iowa rallies around their sport teams. 🙂
Good luck to you too Abbey! 🙂 I was so shocked when I heard that the Panthers did so well. I loved how excited everyone was about it!