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.

All caught up

Ok, I think I've finally caught up with my running logs.  I've rearranged the posts on this page so that the running logs are in the actual order I ran them.  I think. 

New Old Shoes

This whole season, I've been training in a pair of New Balance 767s.  I've really enjoyed them - they fit well, my legs seemed OK, and they were MUCH more cushiony than the Brooks.  Well, over the past 2 weeks, I started developing some stiffness and eventual pain in my achilles tendon (first left side, and now right).  I though the symptoms meant my shoes were reaching the end of their useful life, so on Saturday I went to Luke's Locker to get a new pair of the 767s…..with just enough time to break them in for NYC.  I ran in them on Sunday and Tuesday with no problems.  But on Wednesday, I started developing a blister on the joint of my big toe.  And, my achilles problems were back in full force.  I have no idea why I was suddenly having so many problems - the last time I had a blister was when I was trying out a pair of Asics two years ago.  

So, long story short, I'm back in the Brooks Adrenalines.   I'm really not thrilled.  These are good shoes in the sense that they do the job and have never given me any trouble……but they're SO stiff and hard.  I've even tried looking for inserts or something that I could use to make the shoes feel softer.  Comparing the Brooks to the New Balance, the Brooks feel like I'm running on plywood while the New Balance feel like little pillows.  

But, the sudden achilles pain and random blister got me nervous about wearing these shoes for NYC.  I don't want to find myself at mile 10 with a painful blister on my toe.   I'd end up obsessing over the blister, and the rest of the race would suck.  So, after a long discussion with the guy at Luke's, I decided to play it safe and go back to the Brooks. bleh. 

My longest long run

Another reason I wanted to switch back to the Brooks ASAP is because I'm doing my 21-mile long run on Saturday, and I didn't want to run in bad shoes.   I'm nervous about the run - I was sick the weekend of my scheduled 18 mile run, so the longest distance I've done so far is 14.5.  Plus, if I want to finish NYC under 5:00 (4:59:59 hee), I need to maintain a 11:20 pace throughout.  Can I do it?  I guess I'll find out on Saturday.  

My planned route will be three loops around Memorial (9), then up Allen Parkway to George R Brown and back (~12 to 13).   I got more gu (Accelerade gu), a red blinky thing to wear on my butt (I plan to start at 6am, so I'll have an hour of darkness), and some Wrightsocks (known to prevent blisters).  I'm loading up my little MP3 player, and trying to take things easy before Saturday.  I'm flying to New Orleans tomorrow for work, but it's not a big meeting so I'll still be able to take it easy.  

Oh, and I need to read that damn Garmin manual again.  

(click here for full route map) 

Location:  Memorial Park –> Allen Parkway catacombs –> Sabine Bridge
Distance: 8.34 mi
Time: 1:31
Avg Pace: 10:56
Avg HR: 164
Temp: 75, humidity 54% (yay!) 

Tonight's run was one of my best this year, thanks to the cold front that came in this afternoon.  The temperature was a cool [x], with such little Houston humidity, you could *almost* feel some fall crispness.  The park was busy and crowded with people training for various fall races or just taking advantage of the cool weather.  

A little after 7pm, our group of about 10? Striders headed out.  Most were doing the 6-mile Jackson Hill route.  Chip and Matt were doing 8 miles to Sabine, so Maureen and I decided to tackle it too.  Thanks to the weather, I had a good start, keeping the pace around 10:00 (pretty good for me).   We crossed the bridge over Memorial and after a quick water stop, headed towards Sabine.  I turned on my trusty hat-lamp-thingy and took a deep breath before as we crossed under the disgusting Waugh bridge - 100ft filled with the stench of bat guano, and the sounds of millions of bats chirping.  Yuck. 

The cool weather was still working for me - it's amazing how high humidity drains me of energy.  I can't wait till winter.   We got to the catacombs - a stretch of gravel among huge concrete pillars, under the Memorial Dr bridge.  There aren't any lights, so it's pitch black and creepy as hell.  It would be impossible to run through there without any sort of light.  

By the way, everytime I run through the catacombs, I think of these homeless guys I surveyed for a research study at work.  I went to Sam Houston Park one night with the outreach team from SEARCH to administer health surveys.  Two guys were trying to be funny all night, cracking corny jokes and making marriage proposals to me and my intern.  Eventually they got bored and one announced, "Hey Joe - let's go down to the Bayou and scare some of those lawyers jogging down there."  (Don't know why they specified lawyers).  I said they shouldn't be scaring people, it wasn't funny and they started giggling like kids.  I asked why they liked scaring joggers and they said, "It's easy!  All we do is stand there, and those lawyers get freaked out."  One stood completely still like a statue, while the other started jumping and waving his arms around, mimicking a scared jogger/lawyer. Then they hurried off, saying "We have to go - it's almost 7pm.  All the lawyers are coming out."   Great.  In the spectrum of the homeless population, these guys were harmless….but I definitely made a mental note: do not jog along Allen Parkway alone.  At 7pm.  Especially with lawyers. 

Back to the run.  We made it to Sabine, stopped for a quick water break, then headed back to the Park along Allen Parkway.  Whenever we stopped at an intersection, I tried marking the stops on my Garmin by pressing LAP…..but got confused and gave up.  I guess it's time to RTFM again.  But otherwise, my energy level was still pretty good.  We skipped our usual water stop at Shell, thanks (again) to the cooler weather.  During the last half mile, I felt a surge of energy and was able to push the pace to 9:30!  Where the hell did that come from? 

So, it was a good end to a great run.  But, now two problems (which are hopefully minor): 

- Around mile 5, I felt a blister starting on my right big toe joint.  I thought my shoe might be too loose, so I stopped at Sheperd to tighten the laces.  No help.  I was wearing my usual socks, but I was in a new pair of shoes.  Maybe they need more breaking in?  I'm going to try some WrightSocks to see if those help.   I really hope it's not the shoes, especially this close to the Marathon. 

- Achilles tendon pain.  My right calf is painfully stiff.  I had been having problems with my achilles, so I got a new pair of shoes in case the pain was from wearing down my old pair.  I ran in the new shoes on Sunday (Conroe hills), and my legs felt great.  But tonight, the run was easier than Sunday but my achilles is throbbing.  Hopefully it's just because I was compensating for the blister with my right foot during the run.  I've been slathering Icy Hot on my leg, and now I smell like menthol.  My cat took one whiff, and disappeared under the bed.  ha.