Trail Run Tuesday

My training plan called for intervals this morning.  The weather forecast called for north to northeast winds 20-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph.  There's not much worse than trying to do speed work in the wind so I opted for a trail run instead.

The run was uneventful.  No animal sightings.  No humans until the final couple of miles coming back down.  I stopped over and over to take pictures, it was just too pretty not to.

I crossed the creek three times each way.  It's been years since it has been flowing like this.

I took a couple selfies, but who needs 'em when the scenery is this good?  And a bonus from our front yard:

Anything blooming in your yard yet?

Saga of the Long Run: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Week 12/52)

I'm getting into the heart of marathon training now - this week's long run was 14 miles.  That is a distance I did not run a single time in 2016.

Sunday - Rested

Monday - Ran 2.01 miles

This is the hill behind our house.  Loving all the green!

Tuesday - Ran 5.03 miles
I had planned on doing intervals but got rained on.  I am klutzy enough on my own, I didn't want to attempt speed work in wet conditions.

Wednesday - Rested

Thursday - Rode 9.33 miles

Friday - Rested
We have a lot going on in life right now and I'm not getting to bed as early as I'd like.  I had planned on going for a short run but couldn't get myself out the door.

Saturday - Ran 14 miles (plus 1.65 miles warm up/cool down)
My first 11 miles went great.  I ran from home and headed to Santa Susana Pass.  My plan was to run up and over and turn around at the 7 mile mark.  I made it most of the way down before hitting 7 miles.  I turned around and was back on the downhill side in good time.  About a half mile after I got off the pass my stomach got cranky.  Ugh.  I'll spare you the bad and ugly details!  I finished though, and that's a win after how my running was 6 months ago. My legs are telling me this morning that it's been a long time since I've run anything that long or hilly!  But mentally I'm feeling really good and that's a battle I couldn't seem to win last year.

Yesterday's elevation +1200'

Totals:
Running: 22.69

Cycling: 9.33
Total:  32.02

How was your week?  What are you training for?

A Visit with Shoe Dog

Les had a client meeting in San Diego last week so I tagged along.  A quick look at the map showed that we were staying about 15 miles from Road Runner Sports warehouse and flagship store.  I have been a Road Runner customer for about 15 years. I usually order online but my go to shoes by Saucony have changed a lot and I wanted to check out other options.

I talked to a front line employee when I walked in and we quickly decided that I needed to meet with a fit expert.  Road Runner calls this Shoe Dog and my expert's name was Scott.  The first step was to determine my arch type.  I stepped on a sensor pad and the shape of each foot was not the shape of a foot, but two blobs. I have a very high arch.

Scott then measured each foot.  My right foot is a size 5, while my left foot is closer to a 4 1/2.  This has always made shoe buying a challenge for me.  I size up to a 5 1/2 but many shoe brands don't make anything smaller than a 6.

I next ran on treadmill for about 30 seconds, which we then reviewed.  My running style is neutral, no pronation, and I land on the front of my foot.  The video also capture both feet off the ground at the same time.

When my analysis was done, I was handed off to Alex who started bringing out shoes for me to try on.  She was very knowledgeable in what the different brands have been doing lately and it seems the trend has been narrower toe boxes.  That's not a good thing for me!  I tried on about a half dozen different brands and ended up with the Brooks Glycerin 14.  I have never run in Brooks before but I've run about 20 miles in them now and so far so good.

I walked out of the store with two pairs of shoes, a couple packs of socks, custom insoles, and a box of GU.  With a marathon in about 12 weeks, this was time and money well spent!  Because I am a VIP Family Member with Road Runner, I received a 10% discount and have a 90 day test run period.

Have you ever had a running analysis?  What type of runner are you?  What's your favorite brand of running shoes?

Steady ~ Four Weeks of Marathon Training Down (Weeks 9-11/52)

One of us ran and the other rode Tantalus on the same day!

It's been almost 3 weeks since I posted anything.  We were still in Hawaii when I last checked in.  We flew home on March 2nd and I brought a sinus infection with me.  I was in absolute misery as we landed and the pressure made my head feel like it was exploding.  #wimp.  I didn't run for several days, I got up and tried a couple of times but breathing is a crucial part of running.

Marathon training has been going great.  For these four weeks my planned long runs were 8, 10, 12, and 10 miles.  My actual runs were 10, 10, 12, and 10.  Yesterday's long run was one of my best (which means I'm due an ugly one soon.)  My first mile yesterday was my slowest and my last mile was my fastest.  I ran the second five miles only 11 seconds slower than the first five!  I've always struggled with going out too fast and bonking with a few miles to go, so that was a huge win in my book.

I've done intervals 3 of the 4 weeks and this week's session was my best so far.  I call it the Ladder of Pain - 2 x 400, 1 x 800, 1 x 1200, 1 x 800, 1 x 400.  My first three were right on target.  I had hills in the 1200 and 800 intervals so they were a bit slow but I finished with a strong 400.

These green hills inspire me!  Here's a little Irish blessing a few days post St. Patrick's Day:

May those that love us, love us;
And those that don't love us, may God turn their hearts:
If He can't turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.

How's your training going these days?  Hope you're not limping!