Shoe Perfection

After 174  miles I had to say goodbye to my first real pair of running shoes. Generally speaking, I let them go a little early but I could tell it was time. Here's what clued me in:

                  1) One of my toenails bruised and got blood under it...just waiting for that sucker to fall                   off now :)
                 
                 2) I felt like I had zero support underneath my foot. It felt like all the cushion had been                  squeezed

                 3) My feet started to go numb during my longer runs. It was making me panic a bit                  thinking that I just wasn't built to do 13.1.

                 4) I began developing a lengthening list of semi-injuries, ankle pain, knee pain, the toenail,                  IT band pain, and although these things do accompany longer distances I really felt like                    something was off

With all that said my sweet hubs took me to a running store Saturday and let me talk to someone. It took the guy 3 seconds to look at my shoe and tell me it was too small. Opps. I went up an entire shoe size just like that. Luckily the shoe was still the correct fit for my stride which was something I had worried about. I do think that I killed my first shoes so fast from a few different factors. I was heavier when I started by 10 lbs which doesn't seem like a whole lot but I felt like it made a difference. I know my stride has changed drastically from when I first started really running. I finally feel like I have a good rhythm to my runs which is nice compared to before when I felt like I was all over the place.

The extra size feels awesome. My foot finally has some breathing room in the shoe and can shift down when I land which it didn't have room to do before (hence the blackened toenail). The sales guy explained how running shoes aren't meant to be like street shoes that should be laced tightly (guilty) and that you should tie them comfortably. I ran 5 miles yesterday and they felt like I was on a cloud. I had so much spring to my gait.

Here's a picture of the new shoes. I'm a believer of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", so I didn't. My other shoes were Brooks Ghost 5's and my new ones are Brooks Ghost 6. Basically the same shoe, minor differences that aren't really noticeable to me but I was told all about them. Cool thing about most running stores is that you can return them even after running outdoors. Inside Out Sports in Cary has a 14 day return policy for running outside and a 90 day for inside which is awesome. I don't foresee returning these though because they're awesome.

 

3 more Sundays until 13,1!!!

Fuel Up: The Mind and Body

 

 

On Sunday I ran my farthest distance to date: 8 miles. To say I had scared the crap out of my self before hand is an understatement. From the moment I saw 8 miles on my training calendar, I had a knot in my stomach. Running is so mental for me. I still don't have that confidence to go into a long run KNOWING that I am going to rock it. That's what training is for, building that stamina physically but also, for me, it's a confidence builder.

 

The run started ok. Brooke and I decided to run a new route which was fun but sometimes not doing your research can really mess up your mojo. We ran a trail (we normally run pavement) and it was only 1.5 miles one way (we don't usually backtrack). It's amazing to me that a tiny give in ground can affect you so much differently that pavement. I felt this run in every muscle I had. I made it non the less and after walking a ton and feeling like I was going to throw up a ton, this is what I looked like :) Eat your heart out:

 

 

I have a few suggestions for going out on a long run:

1. Run in a familiar place. Don't get a wild hair and go rogue: it may not work in your favor to switch surfaces ,altitude, route, etc. Also for me, when I run a familiar route my brain doesn't have to think as hard and my pace stays steady, Running in an unfamiliar area I'm much more inconsistent and never feel as confident about what's ahead.

2. Time is only a number. A mile is a mile no matter if you do it in 6 minutes or 15. Sure you'll burn more calories the faster you go but finishing your distance will feel much better than running half of it and stopping due to fatigue. (If you run a 6 minute mile, Scott Brown, you're a freak of nature)

3. HYDRATE. Big mistake I made Sunday. I drank 10oz of water. That's it. Not a good idea for any run but especially a distance run coupled with unseasonably hot weather. I was so dehydrated I just knew this would be the first time I threw up on a run :) lovely image. 

4. EAT! I ate 3 granola bars the day of. That was breakfast and lunch. Stupid. I'm not going anorexic I just decided to have a lazy morning and got a little carried away :). I did not fuel my body with enough calories or carbohydrates to get 8 miles. It's a miracle I'm alive (jk)

5. Eat during the run. I really like the GU Chomps! They taste pretty good and can give you enough umph to push through and complete your run. I didn't do that either. (see the trend)

6. Stop and stretch. There's no shame in stopping to stretch. If you're tight, stretch it out. The rest of your run will thank you for it. Remember this isn't the end, you're in it for the long haul and not stretching out a tight muscle can lead to an injury that can put you out of the game.

 

So now that I have written down some tips I will hopefully follow them and not break nearly every suggestion I wrote like I did on Sunday :) That being said, I ran 5 miles last night and got my confidence back. I BEASTED it. It was easily my favorite run. I never thought I would say 5 miles and easy in the same breath but it was. We kept a great steady pace and were easily able to hold a conversation throughout the run. I really needed that confidence boost after Sunday. It just goes to show that fueling your body with ample water and food will give you great results!

 

Only 4 Sundays until 13.1!!!!!!