HM training #3

Ended up we had a huge non-running project to tackle once we got into August, so that started to eat up running time. Also, my ankles/knees were feeling some pain and I know my shoes were getting older, so I wanted to try the tip I heard. It's a shoe transition period: Buy new shoes and wear them for short runs to wear them in and wear the old shoes for long runs. So I got a 20% coupon from Kohl's and found a pair of New Balance that fit well, or so I thought! The back of my heel rubbed slightly and there is a seam in the shoe lining right in the back of the heel.

I got up on a Wednesday before work to do a long run and decided that wearing in shoes before I run isn't important! I wore the new shoes and went 9 mi. The route I took was similar to the last long run, however I thought I fount a better way to cut from the street back into the river trail. Unfortunately once I got there it was a locked gate, so I detoured. But at about this time I felt a hot spot for a blister on my right heel. I tried to adjust socks/shoe laces to make it feel better. I finished the run:
8/12/2009: long run #4
83.2 min / 9 mi = 9.2 min/mi
Pretty good result! I was happy with that as if I could keep that pace I'd be under 2 hrs 5 min on my HM race time. But my heel was hurting and when I took off my sock, yikes, big blister. Size of a quarter. I thought the blister would heal (hah, pun INTENDED) quickly, so not a huge deal. Went to work, and my other ankle started hurting like it was sprained. And by the end of the day, it was clear that it was mildly sprained. I iced it, but the pain persisted for 2 weeks, hence, this ended up being my last half marathon long training run. I got in one other short run after my ankle as feeling better:

8/25/2009 (est.): maintenance/recovery run
30.7 min / 3.12 mi = 9.8 min/mi
I planned the route so that I'd always be less than a mile from home in case the ankle started to bother me. Indeed, at 3.12 mi it was slightly fussy, so I stopped the run. Luckily, tons of time left to heal. This run was in the "new" New Balance shoes so I decided I'd be better doing the half marathon in my oldish Asics.

Side note, ended up doing a 5.2 mi hike over that next weekend at Pt. Mugu. Gorgeous area! Ankle didn't bother me too bad.

Next post, race day!

HM training #2

7/27/2009: long run #3
69.7 min / 7.6 mi = 9.2 min/mi
This was a weekday morning run before the sun came up. Started at 5:15a. Had plans to run a sort of loop, however missed a turn due to a street changing names, so just wing'ed it. I was hoping for 8.1 mi to stay on track, but no dice here. Will catch up to the schedule this weds or so. Nice morning, but I'm afraid the route I took includes a lot of street crossings and long traffic signals. May try it one more time to see if I do the loop I'd intended in case that improves the route.

8/2/2009: "maintenance" run
66.3 min / 6.8 mi = 9.75 min/mi
Saw a pellican spashing in the water with its wings, and also some neat RC planes. One looked like an F-15 (two vertical stabilizers, at least), and a few other dudes were flying gliders they'd do a spinning move to launch from their hand, and then try to find updrafts over dark patches of soil. The gliders were probably about 2 ft wide. Was not planning on making this a long run... will heal up before I do the official long run.