Shoes

In the Gym today I noticed another runner’s shoe with a date on it Feb 15th.  I asked the significance.  She said, she runs and changes shoes every four months.  It was easier to mark on the shoe the date and make a note in her calendar at the four month mark than to try and figure out why this or that is now hurting and last week it wasn't.  Her feet and legs like new shoes every four months.  OK.

I've been tracking the mileage on my shoes.  If you ask me what the mileage is on the shoes I'd have to figure it out.  Although my right shin is a little more achy than it used to be, so it is probably time to rotate in a new pair of shoes. I am a data junkie, I love to collect it, and then never manage to DO anything with it...

I keep two pairs of road shoes going.  The trail shoes I've sort of given up on.  I'm finding I like the feel of the trail through my road shoes.  Guess I will see what that does to my legs in the long run.

So it is probably time to rotate in a new pair of shoes, based on this shin thing.  Fortunately, I have four pair waiting in the wings.  They are all the same, and look the same.  Guess I'll be dating my shoes so at least I can tell them apart!

Tell me about your shoes:  One or more pairs going at a time?  Change them regularly?  Think this whole shoe thing is a marketing ploy? Different types of shoes?  Trail, road, racing?

Sincerely,
Beth, with shoes on the brain.

Sandy Hook 5K

My run this morning was going to be a quick one, or rather a short one  I was going to a get together to meet a friends baby and had a limited amount of time. I determined two steps out the door this would be my Sandy Hook 5K Virtual Race.  I needed motivation and something to think about.  I'm still not at 100%, I hope that the three weeks from start to finish for 'the crud' holds true.  This gave me goal mileage as I really didn't have a plan.  I reflected back on the tragedy and a friend who experienced the NIU shootings, first hand, and knew two of the students killed.  I wonder how those children are going to be able to deal with this as they grow up.  Hearing what my friend, as an adult, deals with nearly 5 years post the shooting I cannot imagine how children will manage.

The race is put on by Mena Shaw racing.  If your interested check it out lasts until the end of the month!   The proceeds go to the SW CT United Way Sandy Hook School Support Fund. I think this is wonderful.  There is a race in Newton, CT on the 19th of January check it out here.  I'll be running the Phoenix Rock n' Roll Marathon in Arizona, so this was a great option for me!!

I had to pay a lot of attention to the sidewalks.  Krikies people shovel your damn walks!!!  So there was some times I needed to run in the street. Oh well. Live and learn some people shovel some people don't, those of you who do:  Thanks!  Love ya!

Tomorrow is race two of Off Rhode Racing Fourth Season series.  It is a beach and trail run, in Narragansett RI, beautiful course on the ocean!  The race director posted that the snow is nearly gone however it is icy, additionally snow is expected and temps won't be going much above 25F; so you may want to arrive early and check things out to determine appropriate footwear and clothing.

Knowing what I experienced this a.m. and knowing that a trail doesn't offer as much latitude, hell ANY latitude, in avoiding things I had no idea what to do.  Last year we really didn't have a true winter, there was little snow and what snow we had was gone in a day.  One of my running buddies posted that she had an 11 mile trail run and it was icier than she expected and wasn't prepared.  I asked what she did  She said YaxTrax!  I scurried out to the local sporting goods store hoping they had these things.  They did!!  So this will give me a little more security for tomorrows race.   Yes, yes I know I am violating a sacred running rule "nothing new".

I'll run that and then put in another 10 later in the day.  I have to get in some mileage for this Marathon.  Definitely won't and shouldn't get in 20 miles tomorrow, too close to the race to risk injury.

My stats for the Sandy Hook race aren't great, it is so much easier to push when you are racing WITH people (see Frosty 5K stats) 

Frosty 5K Stats, the competitiveness comes out! (this was day 11 of  'the crud')

Sincerely, 

Beth, looking forward to the trail race tomorrow, and will do a warm up lap with the YaxTrax so technically won't be violating any sacred running rules.

Why not Wednesday...

Checking in from Brooklyn NYC!  Don't ask me how I ended up in Brooklyn, between booking a room for a set of meetings requiring the overnight stay in Manhattan getting canclled and not a day later another meeting getting scheduled with the same requirement, of course I couldn't get the original room and ended up out in Brooklyn versus Midtown for the night. 

This mornings conversation with one of the admins:
Liz:  "Beth, how is it you come in to the city once a week from RI and are here at 8:30?"
Me:  "Ah, it is much easier commute earlier?"
Liz:  "Your nuts. Hey, we have the department holiday thing tomorrow. Are you coming in tomorrow?"
Me:  "Yep"
Liz:   "Please tell me you are staying overnight."
Me:  "Brooklyn"
Liz *looking very concerned*:  "Where, exactly?"
Me:  "The Sheraton on Duffield Street" 
Liz:  "That isn't a great neighborhood. You couldn't find something in Midtown?"
Me:  "Ah, no... Well, it will be an adventure!"
Liz:  "You are simply not right in the head are you?"
Me:  "Your just figuring this out?"

I met up with a gal pal I haven't seen in far too long for some dinner and drinks and catching up.  But that isn't why you tune in...

Monday was batshit crazy at work so no squeezing in a run for me... blargh...  Although I do need to give my knee a break, so all in all for the best.  TRX was on the agenda and good as always.  I'm nearly able to complete rolling planks for the full 30 seconds.  Whoop!

Tuesday I got to run, and nearly 6 miles.  Yeah, why didn't I just keep going the extra 0.03?  I thought I did...  oh well.  But hey, my minute per mile pace is improving!!



Green shirt to remember a friend!

It was a yucky cloudy rainy day.  The rain started getting a little more serious as I was finishing up.  Hmm  I should have gone another, mile I like running in the rain.  Stretching in the gym after I met up with someone asking if it was raining outside.  "Ah, yeah, and getting a little bit more serious about it."  She said, "You LIKE running in the rain?"  As if there is something wrong with it?  I replied that I liked it and she replied that she didn't like to get her shoes wet.  Huh, never really considered that...  oh well.  I can't stand the dreadmill. To each his own.  Although I do sort of feel sorry for the hampsters on the dreadmill when I venture outside for my run.  Maybe they think I'm nuts?  Feh, whatever...  I'm happy, and that is what matters, right?

What are your thoughts on the dreadmill?  Running in the rain?  Wet shoes?

So now we are at Wednesday.  I remember my few years at Star Prairie Elementary School in Star Prairie Wisconsin and spelling.  Not sure which grade, Mrs. Kanutson or Mrs. Fish and the name of the 4th grade teacher escapes me.  Huh...  well February and Wednesday were two words I could NEVER get correct.  Ok milk was also one, but that was because of phonics and I say it "melk" and well it isn't spelled like it sounds.  Anyhoodles, whichever teacher sat me down and sounded out  wednesday and februaryand how to spell them, thank you!  Each time I spell one or the other I think Feb RU ary and Wed Nes Day.  Educators are an important part of our lives and society and they just don't get the recognition they deserve.

I'll get to run again on Friday, hopefully on the trail, but work is batshit crazy, so perhaps not...

Sincerely,
Beth, in Brooklyn

Getting My Legs Back!

Monday's run my legs felt like lead, it was awful, and I kept kicking my right ankle with my left shoe, that was a lovely bloody mess on my now 'recovery run' Brooks.

Sunday I went to a running store in Providence to have them take a look at the shoes I trained in, the Asics had about 400 miles on them and the Brooks about 250.  I ran the marathon in the Brooks and they gave me fits with the shoelaces becoming tight at the top and loose at the bottom?  Weird.  Anyhow.  I plopped down my bag o'shoes and he took a look at them.  Declared both shoes to be appropriate for my supination. However, based on the wear pattern on the Brooks they are too firm and based on the wear patterns on the Asics, perfect for me.  So hey, cool, I like the Asics much better.  I bought a new pair and will pick up a second pair with the next version is released in a few weeks.  I like to have two pair of shoes to alternate between.

I wore the new Asics and a new running shirt today.  Old running skirt, which is now too big and I guess I need to buy more, darn.  Possibly I was in the groove due to the new duds or possibly my legs were just ready to run again.  It also could have been the boy runners giving me the thumbs up for being out there in the cold and wind.  Oh it was WINDY alright.  I ran up hill into the wind on the start of my run and downhill into the wind on the end of my run.  I was really feeling good and my time shows it. Not my best 5K time but hey, I didn't fall apart!

I'm ready for a long run over the weekend and have a race on Sunday.  Think I'm getting back in the swing of things after my first Marathon adventure.

Sincerely,
Beth, getting her legs back

New Shoes

Tuesday (my NYC day) I wore my new kitten heels.  Love them.  A couple of friends posted the picture of these shoes on their FB page and I just HAD to have them.

Ruby Slippers

Lovely aren't they?  Well I got an itty bitty blister on the inside of my right ankle.  I have a race coming up on Saturday and a girlfriend visiting Thur - Tue and we plan on doing a lot of walking and touristy stuff.  A blister is out of the question.  I'd normally slap a mole skin on it and just suffer through, but this is IMPORTANT to be fully functional.  Yes, I'm trying my flair for the dramatic, not working well, is it?  I've been told to let the drama folks handle the drama.  I should just do sarcasm....

All went well for the NY stint, the weather cleared up.  I guess it rained cats and dogs on the train ride.  I slept!

Today, Wednesday, back in CT offices.  I haven't seen my crew in what feels like a week.  I was glad to have the work hubb and A #1 Smart Guy there to keep me company along with the finance twins.  Gdogg was no where to be found, bummer.  It was a humid day, bound to be a wicked wet run.  I juggled my schedule around so I could sneak a run in from 9:30 - 11:00 and that worked out perfect.  I got in just as the lightening started and was soaking wet from the what had to be 100% humidity, luckily the temps were in the 70's and there was a strong wind coming off the water.    Weird now that school is back in session, the lot at UConn Avery Point was full of cars and very few people out an about.  Although the weather may have had something to do with that, thanks Isaac!  I got in a good 3 miles in, wait for it, another pair of new shoes!

Brooks Trance 10

They were great, nice and stable feeling.  I forgot my foot strap for the PF, the arch support was normal, I could use a bit more and this is where the foot strap comes in handy.  I need to consider getting inserts...  Nothing hurt at the end of 3 miles, so I'll call it good.

Route / Stats:

Route

Splits

Elevation

Sincerely,
Beth, who is 2 for 2 on the latest round of new shoes!