Went to Bear Creek this morning for the SMART TLT workout - did 12 miles (running log to come later).  It was a beautiful day, great running weather, and the park was full of people attending events like soccer meets, cross country races, a boy scout somethingorother, and lots of golfers. 

But among all the people and activities, there was also some loser who broke into 12 cars, including mine.  He took my wallet with all my credit cards,. Luckily, my Treo and Ipod were spared. 

The theft happened sometime between 8:00 and 9:45am at Pavillion 6 at Bear Creek Park.   Before the run, I had put my bags into a Luke's Locker bag, wrapped it up, and then stuffed it under the front seat.  I thought putting it out of sight would be enough, but it wasn't.  After our run, we decided to eat at Panera Bread.  When I got to my car, I noticed something on the ground, right under the driver's side door - a pane of shattered glass.  I stared at it, with a sinking feeling.  I looked inside my car, and noticed things sitting on the passenger seat that weren't there this morning.  One was my bag, which was sitting open.  I walked around to the passenger side, and saw that my passenger window had been broken, my bags pulled out from under the seat, and my wallet was gone.  Crap!   Clearly, the thief took the time to pull out the bag from under the front seat, unwrap it, dump everything out, open my purse and take my wallet. 

Steeve and fellow Striders flagged down a Constable (note: Bear Creek is a County park, HPD responds to City parks).  After taking my info, the Constable said the thief had also broken into 12 other cars that morning.  In fact, they've been trying to catch him for months.  The Constable said he was even doing undercover work, sitting in unmarked cars, waiting to catch this guy.    He also said this guy would only take people's credit cards, which is why he left my Treo sitting there.  Actually, I'm relieved he took "just" my wallet and not my Treo or iPod.  

The best part, though, is that the Constable said the thief was using stolen credit cards at places like Kroger, Target and BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY.  Pretty funny. 

I spent the rest of the day at the bank setting up a new account and trying to get my window fixed.  Unfortunately, I will be windowless until Monday morning……which means I won't be driving to Terry Hershey tomorrow for the Strider 10K/20K run.   

The worst part of this all is that this is the SECOND TIME this has happened to me in 2 MONTHS.  Why me??  What is it with these incidents with my car?  Last September, I was hit by a City of Houston employee (the cops thought it was hilarious that a City employee hit a County employee. harhar).   Then a month later in October, I was hit by a guy without ID or insurance.  

Lesson:  Don't leave ANYTHING in your car, even if it's under the seat.  Put everything into the trunk. 

Lastly, I have to say how awesome the Striders are, especially Steeve, Barb, Michelle and Jessica.  They postponed breakfast to wait around with me, Barb drove to the Constable's office, Steeve insisted I take $20 (as emergency money), Michelle, Jessica and Barb cleaned up the glass and everyone helped flag down the Constable.     I really, really, really appreciated that.   Striders are fabulous!

Wanted to share some cool marathon/running-related multimedia goodies I've stumbled upon…..

NYC Marathon Pacing & Info Spreadsheet

In the Runner's World Discussion Forum, this guy created an AWESOME customizable pacing spreadsheet for the NYC Marathon.  This is probably one of the coolest things I've seen - you plug in your goal time AND your strategy (even effort, even pace, fairly even effort, etc), and the spreadsheet automatically calculates your target pace, splits and estimated time of day at major checkpoints.  It even considers variables along the race course for the splits, such as elevation changes and bridges - i.e., your effort will be higher going up the Queensboro bridge than when going down, etc.   

Once you specify your target goals, the spreadsheet will also create a pacing wristband (for printout, if desired), a very detailed elevation map, estimated starting times by bib# and corral sections, and lots of maps including the only spectator map I've found so far.   This thing is awesome - the only thing it can't do is my laundry.  

Visit the NYC Marathon discussion thread to download the spreadsheet.  The same guy created similar spreadsheets for other races including the Boston Marathon.  

TheFinalSprint.com's Running Podcasts

I've recently gotten hooked on podcasts.  One of the best series of running-related podcasts I've found is from TheFinalSprint.com.   Their podcasts feature interviews with the famous and elite of the running world.  Just a few of the interviews that I've downloaded so far: 

- Jeff Galloway
- Dean Karnazes - ultra-marathon runner
- Rudy Garcia Tolson - paraolympic Gold Medalist
- Ryan Hall - several interviews about breaking the Half record in Houston, and preparing for the Olympic trials
- Alan Webb
- Gail Devers
- Alan Culpepper
- Deena Kastor
- Jack Daniels
- Brian Sell
- Meb Keflezighi

I haven't been able to listen to all of them yet, but it's a great selection of interviews.  The entire library is on iTunes, or you can listen to them directly from their website.  Here's a partial directory of their podcasts. 

Runner's World Podcasts on the NYC Marathon

Another series of podcasts is the NYC Marathon coverage by Runner's World.  Not as diverse as TheFinalSprint, but there's some interesting commentary about the NYC course.   

Location: Mem –> Sabine
Distance: 8.24mi

Good night, weather wise - not too hot or humid.  It was a small group, just 6 of us.  It was Maureen's birthday, so she chose the workout - 8 miles to Sabine.  Chip told us to build in some tempo at different parts of the run.

The run started out OK.  Talked to Maureen about some data analyses I've been trying to figure out at work, so that was really helpful.  She's getting a Garmin from her sons for her birthday, so I'm very happy for her. 

I had put the insole from the New Balance into the Brooks shoes, but I could feel the blister (or hot spot, whatever) re-emerging on my left arch.  crap.  I spent the next few miles slowing down and trying not to think about it, which of course meant I thought too much about not thinking about it.  At mile 7, a blister started forming on my right foot in the same place as the one on my left.  whee!

Chip suggested I wear my old New Balances for the Marathon, since the Brooks are obviously giving me problems.  I may do that, because I'd much rather deal with post-race soreness than blisters during.   Someone suggested wearing an older version of the Adrenalines.  I might actually have an old pair of the GTS 6 that could get me through…..hmmmmm.  Matt also suggested wearing Vicks Vaporub instead of BodyGlide, since the Vicks might cool down any hotspots. 

In the meantime, I hope this blister heals before tonight's Strider Run.  :) 

First of all, thanks for all the encouraging comments regarding my Saturday "long"-ish run.  I'm readjusting my goals for NYC, but I'm not letting it bum me out so much anymore. 

So, I spent Sunday afternoon trying to figure out my new blister problem.  I visited three different running stores (primarily because of my experience at the first one…see below).  I did expect to get a variety of opinions, but I also hoped that there would be some common threads of advice that could get me closer to solving the blister mystery. 

Before I share my running-store experiences, some quick background info: 
- I have very low arches, and thus very flat feet.
- I am a moderate overpronator
- From 2005 to 2007, I wore Brooks Adrenaline GTS 5/6.
- Starting this year, I've been in New Balance 767s.   

Running Store #1: 

Background info: I've always been aware of a 30-day return policy on shoes (a policy shared by all running stores, it seems).  In fact, I've returned shoes to this store under this policy after experimenting (with the full knowledge/encouragement of staff) with some Asics Evolutions that (surprise) gave me blisters after a few miles.  

Since it was the same situation with the New Balance, I called the store and mentioned the 30-day policy.  They said there never was a 30-day policy.  hmm, ok.  I went in and talked to the manager, who said they don't accept shoes that have been run in.  I told them about the Asics I had exchanged….and what did the 30-day trial policy cover if not to allow trying out the shoes?  Well, the policy is only for new/beginning runners and their first pair of shoes.  The manager agreed to the exchange, but only after grumpily pointing out their "big financial loss on these shoes" and having me agree to keep the Brooks because "this will be the last time we'll let you do this kind of exchange." 

Well, I've always gotten my shoes from this store, so they were my first stop.  I went to the shoe section and explained my situation to ShoeGuy.  Our exchange: 

Shoeguy: First of all, don't blame our shoes. It's not the shoes, it's your mechanics.

Me: I wasn't blaming your shoes…..I'm just giving you background information. 

Shoeguy:  When runners get blisters and pain in their achilles, it's not because of the shoes.  People like to blame the shoes, but it's really how they train or how they run.  I've been a runner for 30yrs, and I've had surgery on my achilles, so I know. 

Me: I do overpronate alot - maybe that's the problem? (I show him my feet)

Shoeguy: Ok, there's the problem - you have extremely flat feet.  See?  It's not the shoes.  I would say your problem is 100% your biomechanics.   

Me: So why are the Brooks suddenly giving me problems if I trained in them for 2 years?   Could I be pronating even more these days? 

Shoeguy: You have to realize that running is an impact sport, and you're going to get injuries.  This is just part of running.  I've been running for 30 years, and I get injuries all the time.

Me: So what should I do about New York?  It's only 3 weeks away.

ShoeGuy:  Have you been running in only one pair of shoes this entire time?

Me: Yes.

ShoeGuy: (shaking head) You should have been training in at least 2 different pairs of shoes.  During a single week, I rotate through 5 different pairs of shoes.  Let's see how these Saucony's fit on you….

Me: I really don't want to buy new shoes today.  I just want to figure out why I'm getting a blister and how I can get through the Marathon.  (I show him my blister)

Shoeguy:  That's not a blister.

Me: This is a blister.

Shoeguy:  That's not a blister.

Me: There's fluid inside it.  It hurts.  If I keep poking it, it'll pop.

ShoeGuy: That's not a blister.  That's a hot spot.  There's a big difference. 

Me: Ok, at mile 18 I'm not going to care what it's called. Do you have any advice? 

Shoeguy: Don't wear those double layer socks - you slip around, and that's what causes a blister.  Try not to use BodyGlide - I like locking myself into my shoes.  Otherwise, you just have to suck it up.   I've run many marathons with blisters, and I just sucked it up.  You should also see a doctor and get fitted for orthotics ASAP. 

Running Store #2:

Smaller, but nicer ShoeGuys.  Attentive and genuinely concerned.  They watched me run in different shoes to watch my form and figure out a solution.  One suggested I try a new pair of shoes.  I said I was nervous about trying new shoes this close to the Marathon.  He pointed out, but we already know the Brooks are going to give me blisters.  Hmmm, good point.  

In the end, their advice was to wear the Brooks but use new insoles.   Also, my feet might be used to the Adrenaline 6s, since the current 7s have a different insole.  

They also gave me a bunch of anti-blister gel/tape for free, with lots of good luck wishes.   Very cool, very nice.

Running Store #3:

Like #2, smaller but nice.  One of their ShoeGuys had fitted me for shoes in the past.   His advice was to put the insoles from the New Balance shoes into the Brooks, and see if that works.   He said before I purchased anything new, I should try to work with what I have, especially now.   I liked that advice the best.  

So, I'll probably be shopping more at stores #2 and #3 from now on.   And hopefully, I'll finish Tuesday's SMART workout blister-free.  

Might as well start with some good news.

• No pain the achilles tendon
• Great weather
• I figured out how to set the auto pause and pace alerts on my Garmin. 
• My new MP3 player works pretty well

Now the bad news:

• Only made it to 14.5 of my planned 21 miles
• Walked about a mile
• Have a big blister on the arch of my left foot
• Time to rethink my goal pace/finish time

This run sucked.  Sucked.   Did I mention it sucked?

The first 9 miles were fine.  I kept checking my Garmin to keep the pace right around 11-11:15, so that I could start the run slow and get familiar with how that pace felt.  Didn't have too much of a problem in terms of effort.  I did notice that even though I kept what felt like an even pace, my Garmin would fluctuate from a 10:00 to 12:30 pace over just a few seconds. hmm. Maybe bad satellite reception because of the tall trees?  

Starting around mile 4, I started feeling the beginnings of a blister on the arch of my left foot.  wtf.  I was wearing Wrightsocks, a pair of tried and true Brooks Adrenalines….plus, I had slathered BodyGlide all over my feet, including the spot where the blister was forming.  A little into mile 6, I stopped to loosen the shoe a little - but I guess the problem was from the arch because there was no improvement.  I decided to ignore it.

I also noticed that the Autopause function on the Garmin didn't work consistently. When I stopped to retie my shoes, take quick drink from the water fountain, the Autopause would kick in only a few times.  hmm.  

Before the end of the 9th mile, I decided to do all 7 loops at the Park.  Yeah, I know, crazy.   I had originally planned to break off after 3 loops then head Downtown for the GRB route (13 mi).  But, those 3 loops seemed to go by pretty easily and I really liked the cool shade the trees were providing.   I knew on Allen Parkway, I wouldn't have the same shade.  Listening to music helped pass the time, and I liked being surrounded by other joggers in the Park.  Since I decided to stay in the Park, I took a break to grab two more bottles for my fuel belt from my car (I left them in there to pick up on the way out to GRB).  I returned to the Loop feeling pretty positive about the run so far.  Ha!

Mile 10 was the beginning of the end.  It seemed to happen so quickly.  My pace was dropping, and I was starting to feel drained.  The gu I had taken wasn't kicking in, so I took some jelly beans.  Nothing. 

Mile 11, I started having weird problems with thirst.  The weather really wasn't bad at all (cool, even!), and my fuel belt had 2 bottles of Accelerade - but all they did was make me more thirsty.    I stopped at a water fountain, dumped out one of the bottles and filled it with water.  The water helped for a little bit, but I still couldn't shake the thirsty feeling.   Finish Strong had a tent next to the tennis courts, with four igloos full of water and Gatorade. Sylvia (Felix's wife) on duty, and I asked if the drinks were for everyone.  She said yes, so I took some cold water and Gatorade.  A relief, but short lived.  I was starting to feel really discouraged, and was developing a cramp from all the liquid. 

Mile 12 to 14, it all fell apart. The motivation/confidence I had just a few miles back were gone.  I was shufffling along, trying to focus.   I turned off my Garmin Pace Alert since it kept going off.  I felt sick and drained.  I eventually resorted to walking.  But worse than anything physical, the feelings of discouragement and failure was the worst.  Lots of negative self-talk: I didn't put enough into the SMART training, maybe I shouldn't do NYC after all, I can't do this, my time will be WORSE than Houston, I'm just not meant to run.   It was like flashbacks to that bad 30K two years ago.  I tried jogging on and off, but basically I was done.  I walked another mile, thinking I would at least WALK the 21 to get the miles in……but I gave up (yup, gave up) and walked back to my car, feeling like shit. 

I'm feeling better now than I did in the morning, but still pretty discouraged.  Three weeks left till NYC, and I feel really unprepared.  The 21-miler I did when training for the Houston Marathon seemed to go better.  If today's run was supposed to be a measure of how I'll do in NYC, then crap.

French quarter
Originally uploaded by escapevelocity

It's a beautiful day today. Btw, those two cars nearly hit each other.

NOLA
Originally uploaded by escapevelocity

Flying over swamps just outside New Orleans.