Why Does Everything Hurt?

Oh yea, because I ran 20 miles yesterday.

Duh.

My training plan had the goal pace at 10:15. I decided to just go out slow and run at a pace that was comfortable for me since I wanted to make sure I didn't have to take any walk breaks. I ended up doing it at an average pace of 10:49. Even though this was 30 seconds off my target pace I am extremely happy with the run. I didn't have to walk at all (not even up hills!) and I felt really good (mostly) for the entire run.

Here's a look at the elevation/pace. The few little blips in my speed were to get rocks out from between the lugs in my Newtons and to check directions at one point so I didn't get lost. Otherwise I kept up a pretty constant pace, I even (barely) managed negative splits! Out of all those hills the one I was most worried about was that tiny one right at the end. Don't let it fool you. It may look like a tiny little thing but it is a steep, cruel, soul crushing hill. Coming up at the end of my runs I always dread it and usually end up walking it. BUT NOT THIS TIME! I pretty much just repeated NO NO NO NO NO the entire way up it.

This run I just focused on not walking and taking in water and fuel every mile. Gotta get used to eating on the run. I am finding that Shot Bloks are my fuel of choice. For this run I brought a pack of Bloks and some Sports Beans. At mile 4 and every mile after I took one Shot Blok. Once I ran out of those I switched to Beans.

I am still really concerned about the Newtons. I don't think they are going to work out. I get about 4 miles into a run and I get a pretty bad pain in my left foot that I can't ignore. Running another 16 miles with that pain is not fun. By the end of it I was tempted to take my shoes off to finish the last mile.

Overall this run made me feel quite confident that I can run my goal time of 4:30 in the New Jersey Marathon!

Training

My training at a glance for last week was:

Monday: Off! I don't do ANYTHING on Mondays after work!
Tuesday: 4x1200's at an 8 minute pace
Wednesday: 45 minutes on the bike with some tempo work thrown in there
Thursday: Off (laaazy)
Friday: 10 mile run at marathon pace (9:45)
Saturday: Off
Sunday: 12 mile run

My biggest issue right now is that I keep skipping out on my swimming and rowing. I don't really like rowing so I am fine with dropping that but I like swimming I just hate going to the gym. It really only makes sense for me to go in the morning before work (otherwise it's far too crowded) but I don't like getting up before 5AM. The pool schedule is also pretty bad because they have the swim team in there Monday's and Wednesday's first thing so that doesn't leave many days for me.

The 10 mile run was HARD. I pushed myself though and ran up some rough hills.

My shoes are still hurting my feet on long runs and now I have a noticeable bit of pain in my left shin, close to my ankle. Starting to get concerned that the Newtons are not the shoes for me...

New Shoes...

After countless miles with my New Balance Minimus Zeroes I have finally decided to try some new shoes.

The Old Shoes

I have been running in these super minimalist shoes (above) for a long time now. I switched to them from Vibram Five Fingers because I wanted the minimal sole but truthfully I didn't like the look of the toes. They were just too weird for me.

So I got the Minimus Zeroes and loved them even when they did not love me. Through pain feedback they taught me to be a better runner. I figured if I was feeling any discomfort in these shoes it was no ones fault but my own so I  kept tweaking my form and upping my cadence until the pain went away. I trained and ran my first marathon in those shoes. I am pretty proud of myself for doing that. When I told a guy at the running store that he said I must be a really efficient runner. :D

Now, however, it is time to move on to something new. Since I have been training for marathons my feet are taking a real beating. The Minimus is a great shoe but with the super thin sole and neutral support I was finding that I needed a little more cushion and some arch support on my long runs. I pronate normally so in those last few miles on my long runs when my stride gets a little sloppy I would start heel striking a little bit and the Minimus could offer no relief so I've started getting some lower leg and shin pain.

So I have decided to give these puppies a go.

The New Shoes!

Newton Motion III's. They have a little bit more cushion between my foot and the road and they have some support under the arch for when I get tired on long runs. I went in to the local running store and made them measure my feet, analyze my form, and I tried on almost every shoe in the store - twice. I really didn't think I would like going from something so lightweight to something fairly inflexible like the Motion III. They aren't even zero drop! I was really nervous that I was making a mistake but it is what both of the running store employees suggested and I know you are supposed to be able to run on your mid-foot regardless of the shoe.

First impressions are good so far. I made a bad call and wore them out for a long run right away, so my feet were hurting after that but I think that it was just because they were brand new. I was a little concerned at the way the plugs felt under my left foot. I was experiencing some pain there prior to the new shoes so hopefully that will clear up and it will feel fine. I ran in them for the second time last night - 4x1200's - and that was MUCH better. I had no pain anywhere while running except for some small blisters but again, I think that is because they are new.

I do not intend to stop running in the NB Minimus completely. I've heard it's actually good to rotate shoes so I plan to use them on shorter runs. I also like to wear them to work on Fridays.

I find it a little funny that I am wearing my NB Minimus Zeroes as I write this.

Training Thoughts

I have been using the Run Less, Run Faster method to train for the NJ Marathon. I am 5 weeks in and I am dying.

I did it to myself. They have you use a recent 5k time to pick target paces and race times. I decided to use my time from the Hollis Fast 5k. I don't know why. That was just plain dumb. The Hollis Fast 5k is a downhill race and I pulled off a 24:30. I have been able to do the workouts at the paces that correspond with that finishing time, but I feel destroyed afterwards. I have been DREADING my runs. I even skipped all of my runs last week making lame excuses that all the snow clearing I've been doing counted...

That isn't how I want running to be. I want to feel happy and psyched for my run. I used to be so excited to get out of work and go for my run that I couldn't shut up about it.

Well, I have smartened up! I am taking my second fastest time which is 26:10. Yes, the gap is that big. I am really looking forward to the slightly slower pace. It's actually not a huge difference in terms of the training paces, but it will be enough I believe.

2015

Oh boy, 2015... where should I start?

I've gone more than a little nuts this year and I am trying all sorts of different things. Right now I have three marathons, one half marathon, one 5k, one sprint triathlon, and one century ride on the schedule:

Eastern States Half Marathon - March 29th

Novo Nordisk New Jersey - April 26th

Hollis Fast 5k - June 11th

Greater Nashua Y Sprint Triathlon - June 14th

Seacoast Century Ride - September 26th

Mount Desert Island Marathon - October 18th

New York City Marathon - November 1st

I am extremely excited for each race for different reasons. I am running the Eastern States Half with a good friend. She hasn't done a half in a long time (if ever?) and she helped me through many a long runs last year when I was training for my first marathon, so I am very happy to be running this with her. For the NJ Marathon I would really like to hit my original target time that I set for the Adirondack Distance festival of 4:30. (Eep!) I would like to set a new 5k PR again in Hollis this year, it's a downhill course and with all the speed work I have been doing I think it's definitely possible! I am nervous but ready to tackle my first sprint this year to see if branching off into triathlons is something I would enjoy. I cannot wait for the Seacoast Century ride because I will be doing it with my father and sister. They are both very strong cyclists so I will have to work hard to keep up with them! Mount Desert Island will be my Maine Marathon but if I drop any race this year... this will be the one my priority is getting to the start line of the NYC Marathon happy and healthy. I don't intend to have a real time goal for NYC. I just want to enjoy the experience.

That said about MDI and NYC... if I completed them both I would qualify for the bronze level of the Marathon Maniacs club! It is incredibly tempting. If I feel good enough leading up to MDI I will attempt them both!

I would like to add one more half marathon to my schedule. At the Half Merrython on Dec. 7th I missed my goal of sub 2 hours by 3 minutes. I know I can do it. I just need another race!

I am very excited for everything I have signed up for. I think it's going to be a great year.

Cheers!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

EEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee!