Week 2, no running. I am going crazy

Just completed my second visit to the massage therapist. He says my achilles and calf region looks all better. I have been stretching and getting back into my yoga and this had made the difference. I am still laying off running for another week to let it heal completely. But the wait is killing me. The elliptical trainer is fine and all, but it is no substitute for running. Doing thirty minutes on it feels like three hours: booring.

I did buy another pair of Brooks Trance, this time the on-sale Trance 6, which was 50 bucks off at www.runningwarehouse.com, plus FREE 2-day shipping. Can't beat that. I'll alternate the two pair of Brooks to extend their life, IF I can survive another boring elliptical week.

On the good news side, I found a wonderful podcast and blog this week: Running Adventure (http://marathonchris.blogspot.com). The podcast is called Running Adventure and can be found on iTunes. Check it out and tell Chris you enjoy it.

On The Shelf

Well, for the past couple of weeks I have run very few miles, primarily because my achilles has been acting up. Yesterday I went to a massage therapist who specializes in sports medicine-type injuries and he gave my entire lower left leg a workout. He thinks that since my calves are so developed, what he calls "football player calves" that the rest of my lower leg is unable to catch up, and he also contributes it to overuse--too many miles. So, no running for at least a week, if not two. On Sunday I ran 5 miles, testing the injury, which I though was better. But I ran with a faster group of guys and while I ran what was for me a fast 5 miles (53 min.) I aggravated the achilles once more.

So, no running, only elliptical and stretching.

By the way, when I do get to run the new Brooks shoes are awesome.

Vacation running and new shoes

I have been at the beach on vacation for 9 days. I did run, though, while there and had some pretty good runs. I was strongly advised not to run on the sand, as it can lead to injuries, so I ran on the roads across the street from our condo. The only problem is that those gulf breezes that might cool me down on 90+ degree days were absent, blocked by all the big condos. So it was HOT. But I still rose every morning between 5:30 and 6 and got my runs in. In fact, I ran about 31 miles over 10 day period--my highest mileage output to date. Of course, I have developed a slight case of achilles tendonitis--soreness along the tendon or at least the sheath that houses the tendon). I could feel it "pulling" a little last week on my runs, but it often disappeared as I got warm on runs. After an 8 mile run this past Sunday, it remained sore, and was sore into Monday, a rest day. So I iced it, wrapped it, rested it, and am laying off of running through Tuesday and may do a couple of miles Wednesday if I wake up and find no sorenes or tenderness.

On the way back from vacation we stopped in Jackson, Miss. and were treated like kings at Fleet Feet Sports there. I wanted to get my gait analyzed and get a new pair of shoes. I have been running in neutral shoes (Asics Gel Nimbus 7) but was worried that I might be doing damage if I was not a neutral gait as my runs climbed above 9 miles. They hooked me up on a treadmill and videoed my gait and we discovered that I am a moderate pronator. So, the guy, Jason, brought out several pairs of shoes that provide stability and motion control. Here is where I was impressed: He did NOT bring out the most expensive shoes first. He brought out mid-line shoes, under 100 dollars, then he ASKED ME if I wanted to see some more, higher line shoes, and warned me they were more expensive. I love that. First, it treats me with respect because he is not just after commission. Second, if I knew nothing about shoes, he could have easily taken advantage of me. He didn't. I respect that and will return to them for my business, even though they are 100 miles away.

What shoe did i get? Brooks Trance 7. The choice came down to Asics Gel Kayano or the Trance and I wanted to try a different make than Asics to see what shoes are best or me. I love them and have been walking around in them before I make runs. They feel great.

Gone to Vacation

Sorry folks. I went on Vacation with every intention to blog, but did nothing. Big update coming soon. New shoes!