In a relationship with shoes

I have owned many, many pairs of running shoes. Most pairs I did not like. They feel great in the store and while running through clothes racks and around customers but once I lace them up and hit the street I hate every step. I tell myself that it's a break in period, that every shoe has a few bad miles in the right away, but most of the time I never feel good in them. To be frank, there are very few shoes I have ever actually enjoyed running in.

It is true that a new shoe will not feel 100% right away. They will give you sore spots and blisters, they will fall funny or have an odd bounce for the first 30 miles and you won't really know what to make of them. After the leather, rubber and nylon have all worn in a bit, fitting your feet better, you will have a better understanding of the shoe. There will come a point where once it goes onto your foot it will be there for protection and nothing more. It will be to you as your favorite pair of jeans, just something to cover your nakedness. A good shoe should give you nothing more than does a good pair of socks.

A pair of shoes should not slip around underneath you. There shouldn't be any extra movement from your foot; you shouldn't slide around in the heal, arch or toe box. All of these things point to an ill fitting shoe.

Most people buy a size similar to their daily shoes, something thats comfortable to wear at work and around the house. A running shoe is different. A running shoe must perform better, must fit better and above all it must be the right size. Something too big will cause serious irritation to you skin and cause burns or your feet will slide around and smash into the front or sides causing damage to your bones and nails. A shoe too small with cramp your feet, reduce blood circulation and bind against your skin causing strange pressure points. Check our your preferred size first but don't be surprised if you go a size smaller. In everyday life I wear a 9-9.5, all much preferred running shoes have been 8.5.

Is there a Secret?

Try a lot of shoes.

Most big time running stores will have a very large selection to choose from, a daunting challenge for anyone. You'll stare up a a wall covered in color and brand names and have no idea where to start. Your best friend in a time like this is an experienced sales person.

Every person needs a different shoes and many times it turns out not to be what you expected. A trained sales person will be able to watch you walk, jump and even a few paces running to help point you int he right direction. But thats just a suggestion. There is no way anyone else will know how it feels to run on your feet. Try on everything, even ugly shoes. Try on things from the super high-end to the cheapest thing on the wall. Take a stroll through the isles in a pair of minimalist shoes and a pair of super supportive old-man shoes. You never know which one will strike your fancy.

Don't feel awkward for being a needy customer. A good sales person understand the importance here and the fact that they ARE knowledgeable and selling shoes at a running store means they care about the product. Spend some good time just putting on shoes. Ask a lot of questions; talk about your running style/distance/goals/expectations and past shoe problems. The more info you give the better chance you are at getting what you need.

Next, buy two pairs. If you're going to be serious about this then you're going to need something good. It doesn't make any sense to buy one when you could buy two, plan on spending $120-200 on day one. The good news is most running stores have a return policy, find out what that is. Many times it will pertain to where the shoes were worn, not how long. If you can take them to a track or indoor running for a day or two that will give you a better side by side with a couple pairs than just walking in a store.

After you've found the perfect shoe buy a second, or third, pair. You never know when you'll need a new pair and you can't be sure they will still be in production when you'll want them. Something I have struggled with in the past is switching shoes every season, or mid-season, and having to break in a new pair or learn a new style because unfortunately when you switch brands or styles you will starting this whole process over again.

I have run in everything and hated them all the same. From full support Asics to light weight Saucony, they just dont feel right. I was lucky enough to find a shoe I loved, the Puma YuGoRun, unfortunately for me when I discovered this shoe it was already out of production. I have spent a lot of time tracking the right size down on Ebay and online only to be left wanting for a second pair.

There is no magic answer here. I hate running in Nike, Brooks and Asics. I like running in Saucony and Puma. My friends all run in a different brand and style than I do, and thats OK. What works for one person may not work for another, there is no silver bullet here. Just because a shoe is wildly popular in the world does not make it the right shoe for you. Just the same with price, more expensive does not make better. The materials may be better on a $140 pair but that does not mean it will feel as good to your feet as does a $60 pair.

Reading shoe reviews is helpful, to a point. The authors will do their best to help you understand what the shoe is doing, but its hard to make a judgment off words alone. It is a good place to start, if you have run in the past then you can relate to issues or concerns other may have about a shoe, so keep them in mind but don't base your decision off what someone else has said. Especially when buying online. Buying sight-unseen (read: unworn) can be a disaster. You wouldnt buy a car without test-driving, why would you buy shoes that way? Once you have a pair you like for sure buy more online, just be cautious with brand new style or brand.

Why is this so important? I mean, they're just shoes after all.

As cliche as is sounds, in running every step counts. The difference between you getting better and getting tired or hurt comes down to training and shoes. Without either you are left in the cold. Forget about running shirts, shorts, hats and gear, the only thing that truly makes you a better runner is training and if every time you walk out your front door and hate the shoes you're in then every step will suck. Running in bad shoes is like being in a bad mood at work, its really hard to get anything done and you hate everyone around you. Start with the basics, the street and your feet, the rest will fall into place after that. Treat your feet well, get them a great pair or shoes.

Because the right pair of shoes will change your running life.

My Saucony Kinvara, about 75 miles ran

Puma YuGoRun, about 300 miles ran on and off-road

The worst thigs in life are free

I had made it 17 days in June, running every day and loving it. June 17th in the evening I started to feel strange. My hips were sore and stiff. I figured it was from running 10K in the morning and then working all day. I guess it could have been anything, all I know is the its the 19th and Im still down.

I didnt run yesterday, or today, and I dont know if I will be able to tomorrow. I dont think I was pushing too hard, I wasnt running 10miles a day or anywhere near that. Most days was a quick 5K or some speed work around the neighborhood. The one day I did run 10miles I felt fantaistic, great like I hadnt even run at all. I woke up yesterday and I couldnt walk. I stood up out of bed and fell over, I thought I was being stabbed, or poisoned.

I dont think it was the running, that seems too likely and almost silly. I was running for just 17days, there is no way that could be it. I have been a runner my whole life and there have been points, playing soccer, that I would run every day for months at a time. I was 17 then but I dont think being 27 is too old to run every day.

I think what took me out was my lack of preparation and cool-down. I would just put my shoes on and run, come home and grab a glass of water and hop into the shower. I wasnt taking time to stretch or walk around at all. That's where the problem is, I didnt take enough care of my body before and after running. And now I am paying the price.

So Im hurt, again, and there is nothing I can do about it except wait. I hate waiting.

Reading streets signs is hard

I set up a 5K course using the GMaps Pedometer around my 'hood. My final time was 23:59 giving me an average below 8min/mile. I walked for 45 seconds after what I thought was mile 2. I set it up so I could have a good measure of my mile for mile time. I was shooting to run the miles in 6min, 7min and finally 8min for an overall time of 21min. 21 is my goal time for the next 5K I do.

Where I went wrong was using the wrong signs for my markers. My first mile was measured too short and my second mile was almost a half mile too long. I killed myself on the second mile, I kept checking my watch and saying 'im not going to make it, Im not going to make it' so I pushed faster. In reality I ran my second mile under 6min, but the pace I was running and the extra almost half mile I ran just took everything out of me. I had to walk for a bit.

I was so mad at myself because as I was walking I knew I screwed up. I knew that I had started to push too soon and was on it for too long. When you get so set on a goal and totally miss it there is a lot of mental work that needs to happen to get back in the stream. My last ~mile was very good. Just a nice easy pace that I knew would keep me under 24 min and I hit it bang on.

Its hard to work through those mental blows. Especially when youre tired and still quite a ways from home and the only thing to do is run. And thats the lesson here, just keep on running. No matter what happens or how badly things have gone you just need to keep pushing forward. Left foot, right foot. Left foot, right foot. Because its when you stop, thats when youve given up and have doomed youself to failure.

Sure, sub-24 minutes wasnt my original plan, but when things feel apart I made a new plan and stuck to it. When in doubt, keep running.

I like this part right here

At some point in a running life you have to wonder, will this ever just be natural? As in, will waking up in the morning and putting on your shoes be as easy as brushing your teeth before bed?

I dont think Im there yet. Its only been 10 (successful) days and Im really going strong, but I think it will take more time than this. Thats not to say it hasnt gotten a whole lot easier to get on the road. Used to be Id need some mental convincing, gearing myself up for getting off the internet and going for a run. That hard descision when youve got an hour before you need to leave for work and you really just want to watch Netflix.

Now, however, its getting easy. I know that I need to go for a run so I budget the time into my life. I know I want to read my favorite blogs/forums and shop for car parts, but I also really want to run. I am planning better and getting into a good head space about everything running.

Today was a short distance day, not because I needed it to be but because I dont want to burn myself out. The last three runs Ive done have all been around 7 miles. Those are not HUGE runs, all under an hour, but I want to pace myself a bit more so I dont kill my legs or my ambition.

Today was a testing day, 2+ miles just around the neighborhood with no music, sunglasses or my watch. Just me, a long sleeve tee, running shorts and my shoes. I couldnt have been happier.

I started out very fast, like 80% speed fast. I wanted to get a feeling for what it was like to over run my legs and lungs an to do that I knew I needed to really run. Since I wasnt keeping track of my time I really cant tell you how fast my first mile came up. I know that my natural pace is roughly 8min/mile and I know I was really pushing hard. I would assume I was running a 6min pace and it felt amazing. When I reached my 'jogging' point I was winded but not ruined, my legs were warm and I didnt need a break at all. I slowed my pace to a more natural rhythm and ran about a mile more. I picked my 'sprint to home point' and this is where I really got trashed. It was only about a 1/4mile but I sprinted hard, I mustered up all my remaining juice and went for it. Much the way you do when you can see the finish line, you pull out all the stops.

I feel really good about today. It was a nice short run that got me running much harder than normal helping me have a better understanding of what it would be like to really push during a race. I want to do some more testing with a 5K course around the neighborhood and run a 6min 1st mile, 8min 2nd and finish the distance back at 6min. If I can get down to a roughly 20min 5K I think I will be in a very good place for my half marathon.

manydaysofsun

Because everyone in the world doesnt know, its really hot in Minneapolis/ST Paul right now. So hot that its making national news as the hottest place in the country right now. Suck it, Phoenix. What that means for me is running early, like 8am early. I know that doesnt sound like a very bright start to most people, but I dont usually get home from work until 10pm and then after any sort of hanging/beer drinking it gets to 1am very quickly. 8 am is very early in my world.

Rise and shine, its 75 and humid. And by the way, its going to be 90 in 60 minutes.

This has been an odd year for us up here in the Great White, with our very long, desperately cold and snowy winter up to the total lack of spring, we've seen our share of wacky weather. But weather is not what I write about, running is.

So how have I done so far with my 30daysofrunning (even though its only June 7th), very well actually. I fake ran one day, I had to count the 6 blocks I ran to the Ace Hardware store as my run for the day, it would have clocked in at roughly 1.25miles so at least its something, right? The last two days I did quick 5K routes around my house, today I did it in 22min, a personal best. It felt really good, too. I was never really that tired and even at the end I felt like I could have dropped a whole minute or more had I been pushed. I think I could pull off a 20min 5K right now and that is pretty quick for me. I wouldnt win any awards but it would feel pretty sweet to see a 19:45ish on the clock.

Tomorrow starts my weekend, it also starts a cooler streak in weather around here so Im going to hit the road hard, like 10 miles hard. I need to get some big miles under my belt in a hurry here, time is running out (ha!).

30daysofrunning

On July 4th I will be running my second 1/2 marathon, the Red, White and BOOM. I did it last year with very little training and lead up, I did well but not as well as I would have like. The problem was the lack of training.

Now its June 2nd and I have yet to really start training, again. I have been running a bit this spring so far, not more than twice a week average. This is not good enough. I now have 1 month to get in shape so I can run the hallowed 90min 1/2 time. I need to get my butt in gear.

I ran yesterday, ran well. I did 6 miles in right about 45 minutes. That would have been a personal best for a 10K had I ran just a bit farther. I stopped because my route was over, not because I needed to . Today will be a bit shorter, Im looking at only 4.

30 days of running.
I figure if I can run every day for the whole month of June, getting my miles up to around 10-12 at least 6 times between now and the 4th of July that I will do very well in the 1/2. My goal really is ~90 minutes, but I have never run that fast the far before, we'll see what happens in the next few weeks.

Running in place

Nothing scares me more than an injury. Something about being down and out when you want to be up and up really makes me shake. I think about it a lot, being hurt that is. When I ride my motorcycle to work I always imagine a car coming into my lane and knocking me down and how that would feel. Sliding at 65mph, on my back, across lanes of traffic and coming to rest against the median or off in a ditch. It really freaks me out.
That or falling off something and getting my arm caught so I dont actually fall all the way but end up hanging there like a lynch victim supported by only my now broken arm grasping at the air in an effort to climb back up. These things haunt my downtime.

I dont know why, I mean Ive never really been hurt before, not badly anyway. Sure I have had my share, maybe more, of cuts and bumps but I have never broken a bone or been torn open so big I couldnt handle it myself. Ive need stitches only twice and once was when I was 3 so that doesnt count. So Im not sure why I have this fear.

All I know is when I do get hurt I hate it. Which makes sense, I dont think a healthy person likes be hurt ever. Its when I have a little pain in my foot or ankle, I would have normally pushed through it and just gone about my life but now it seems to stop me dead. Perhaps its age, or wisdom?

I have watched my father get hurt and stay hurt for a lot of years, mostly because he hasnt taken care of himself in 20 years and to see him not be able to do something really hits home. I dont want to be 50 and not able to run or climb or snowboard. I love those things and to think that a silly shoulder injury could ruin that for me, well that's what I worry about. So when my foot started to get achy last week I took some time off from running. I went for a bike ride instead to relax my foot, that way I could heal and work out.

What Im worried about is letting that thought get the best of me. Thinking that every little pain could be debilitating and knock me out of the game. I dont want to be so worried about injury that I stop doing stuff for fear of being broken forever.

There is something to be said about knowing your limits and listening to your body. When your legs say stop sometimes it does mean 'stop' and not 'push harder'. I dont know, I guess Im a little confused and worried all at the same time. Im not even 30 yet and Im already upset about beign an old man, things like hangovers and back aches are way more meaningful than they ever used to be and I dont like it.

I suppose the best thing to do is eating well and training responsibly. I cant overdo anything and expect to be 100% when I come out the other side, you know, like when I was 19.