The Hard Runner's Happy Return to Asics

For three years I have skipped around looking for a great distance shoe.  Although I was always an Asics person, their many redesigns left me searching for something I could depend on.  I've been to Nike Zoom Elite, Mizuno Wave, Adidas (Arrggh!), just all over the place.  I was once really happy with the Asics 2100 series, but can't do those anymore.  Finally, after an exhaustive hard target search, the hard runner is feeling pretty good about a new pair of kicks.    

Today is the third day I have worn my new Asics Landreth 7.  I must say they were pretty pleasant.  There's one sure way to know as a runner whether the shoe you're wearing is "the right one baby."  Ask yourself this question.  How much do you remember of it after the run?  That is the important part.  If you can remember any sharp or even remote foot discomfort, then the shoe may be to blame.  But if after your run, your shoes are pretty unremarkable, then they've done their job.

That is what is most valuable to me.  I want a shoe I can barely remember wearing.  This means the shoe wasn't too thin on the bottom where you felt every pebble in the road.  It wasn't too bouncy either, where you felt you might lift off into space.  A general overall safe and predictable ride.

Over the last few months I have realized that I am in need of a good distance shoe for this year's training schedule.  Oh sure, I have a great mid distance shoe in the Brooks Pure Flow.  I mean it is very comfortable over about 6 miles.  I have a little consternation with limiting them to six miles.  Maybe even 7 miles on my Flows would be possible, but that would be the precipice of the comfort zone.  However, the Asics were a different story today and the last couple mornings.  After my run I felt nothing.  Let me qualify nothing.  I am suffering from some funky knee/IT band issue right now, but besides that my feet feel great.  The ride on the Landreth 7 is a little smooth and even cushy.  Not too cushy mind you, as I don't feel separated from the road like some "hoopty" Cadillac.  

This isn't the first time I've owned a pair of the Landreth.  I had a pair back in 2008 and the experience was markedly different.  They were so flat, heavy and kinda slow.  With every foot strike you could hear a rather loud clap.  I should mention I hear this same clapping sound when I wear the Asics Neo 33 right now.  I do like them, but dang they're so loud.  But I digress.  Because of the terrible ride, I was forced to wear prescription orthodox in the earlier version of the Landreth.  I can really see the difference in a shoe that is designed for a fast, distance run over one that can work only to a certain mileage.

The Landreth 7 feel very smooth and even light.  I would use the word "natural."  I hate to get too excited since I've been disappointed by shoes before.  The runs I had this week were fairly short, at most 6 miles, so I can be a better judge on Saturday when I go out for my 14 miler.  

I commend Asics for the vast improvement in the Landreth.  I just hope they don't get recurring schizophrenia and totally redesign the shoe in two seasons.  Wishful thinking, I know.  But admittedly, there is a small something fun about test driving new shoes every year.  

So, if all goes well this weekend, I have a real plan.  I'll wear my Brooks Pure Flow during the week and then strap into my Asics Landreth 7 for the weekend.  Shucks, this just might work!  Never, never stop running.

Knee Issues - Could it be…the dreaded IT?

TheHardRunner is having a hard time with IT band problems.  My run today was lacking fun since I'm still having issues with my right knee.  It all started about three weeks ago while on vacation in Atlanta.  I was having a great time running with my brother, well he was riding his bike, but that's OK.  We were set for a 5 or 6 mile run, but even though he's lived there 30 years, he sort of got us lost on the way back.  So, the short run became an 8 mile jaunt through hilly East Point Atlanta.  Naturally, I also had to show off my improved running skills by charging up every hill and flying down on my recoveries.

My ego cost me because soon after that day I was reeling from pain emanating in my right knee.  "Not again", I screamed.  Another injury?  Just coming off of four years of plantar fasciitis (I've found the perfect cure, more to come on that), a stress fracture in my left foot and losing 30 lbs., now this.  I mean, I'd been pretty healthy this Spring, so what could be the problem?  Could one lousy hill run really cause this? 

According to the Runner's Corner, that long hill run in Atlanta may in fact be the real reason for my problems.   

The most common scenarios we see are:
1) Runners coming in the shop complaining of IT Band pain a few days after a downhill race or a long run on a flat, even surface (like a road or treadmill). Usually this type of run puts more work on the quads, which causes the imbalance to get worse and the IT Band pain to manifest.  (Many times this scenario is in combination with #2, below)
2) Over-striding or heel striking runners, especially those who run fast or do speed work.

Thus I turn to the trusty foam roller to address the issue.  The pain that causes is so uncomfortable that it started me searching on whether foam rolling is the right thing to do.

this {continuously rolling over the pain} is not really a good thing to do, especially if we are talking about an area that is sensitive. try rolling back and forth SLOWLY over just 2-3 inches at a time.

the it bands are really the outside of your leg, from the hip to the knee. which could be 15-18 inches or so. so at 2-3 inches at a time, you would end up moving in 6 or so distinct areas.

Paul Ingraham's video of "Save Yourself" says foam rolling is not the best solution.  Not sure what to believe yet, but I'll give them both a try and report on my findings.

Runner's Issues - Black Toenails

TheHardRunner has something to say about black toenails.  I've got the "smart guy" 2nd toe longer than the big toe kind of foot and it can wreak havoc on running.  No matter what shoe I get I come across this issue sometimes.

 

Black Toenails

Some runners, especially those training for long-distance events, can suffer from black toenails. It's actually easy to prevent this unsightly problem.

Embarrassing running problems

Maybe I'll start painting my nails.  Hhhmm, what color?

Tips for Getting Organized in the New Year

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Getting Organized in the New Year Dear Blog,   With the New Year you're probably getting organized in your home or office.  If you're considering a paperless solution to meet your needs, CONGRATULATIONS!  Now has never been a better time - today's technological advancements offer so many viable choices.   However, going paperless comes with a few challenges.  In a recent YahooNews article, one of our executives discusses the common pitfalls to avoid when going paperless or choosing a document management partner. Learn more and read the full article.

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So, What Up with BuzzBrews?

So, I picked up a bacon and egg sandwich from BuzzBrews this morning and took it to the office for a late breakfast. After eating the first half of my sandwich I reached for the second half and found a big, dead fly lodged in the bacon. Fighting back the urge to throw-up, I closed the box and waited for my meeting to end.

I'll just take it back and they'll give me my money back. It's unfortunate, but these things happen. These were the thoughts I had while I drove back up to BuzzBrews. I handed the boxed sandwich to the manager and explained to him about the fly. He opened the boxed, stared inside and said, "hhmmm". "hhmm" he goes again. Then he says, "when did you notice the fly?" "Really?", I thought. What difference does that make? But, I managed to tell him I noticed it, obviously, as I was about to eat the second half of the sandwich. He proceeded to tell me that he personally closed the box and there was no fly in there when he closed the box. Then he says, "it probably got in there when you got into your car or something." "Do you want us to make you another one?" When I said no he actually asked me again. The second time I just shook my head and thought, "no way am I eating food from a joint that gave me a dead fly in my sandwich and then blamed me for it." Then he says, "well, I don't know, I mean there was no fly when I closed the box."

Before I go any further, I must say, I ran 8 miles this morning and was pretty hungry. Since I didn't finish my meal I was still hungry, although admittedly turned off, when I returned to BuzzBrews to deal with this situation. I was also between meetings and needed to get back right away. Maybe my haste, the fatigue and the hunger contributed to what I'd say next, "Seriously, seriously? Are you trying to tell me that somehow, after you closed the box and the server put it in a paper bag and stapled the paper bag, that a fly got in there? Maybe you mean that a fly came into my office on the 5th floor, landed on my bacon and died. You want me to believe that you think it's more likely that a fly would come into my building, take the elevator to the fifth floor, fly into my office and then die on my bacon over the probability that a fly came into your kitchen where there's only one door from the outside. Basically, you're saying this is not your fault and could only be my fault. I would rather you call me an idiot outright than to take this long about way of saying the same thing. If I've gotten you all wrong and you're not calling me an idiot, then the next thing you need to say is, 'I'm sorry Sir, this should have never happened, I will get your money back right away.'"

He studied me for a minute and then mumble something along the lines of, "sorry sir, our fault and I'll get your money".

Lesson here, don't come between a hungry runner and his meal. Never, never stop running.

Oh Boston, Don't Ever Change

OK, so check this out. I was reading in the April issue of Runner's World about the various changes the Boston Marathon timing requirements have gone thru over its 113 year history. I knew about some of it, but had no idea of all the different decisions the Boston Athletic Association has made over the years. No qualifying times and no women runners? Yeah, these I knew about, but for some reason I just thought the qualifying times have always been the same. I was pretty surprised as I read through the article.

Now, there's been some murmurs about changing the qualifying times again. Moving the girls times down, apparently increasing the challenge for women to qualify. Note: the female qualifiers I know would have no challenge even with the new proposed times. I think there's been talk that the guys' times would go up, making it easier for guys to qualify. Something like this has happened before.

Being a guy from this generation of runners I hope the qualifying times do not change. I have not yet qualified and would not want to make it in the "easy" way. It's just a pride thing, because even the proposed times for guys would be a significant challenge for me. I just don't want all those Boston legends I know razzing me 'cause I got in on an easier standard. I might as well run it for a charity for all the bragging rights I would forfeit.

Oh this whole thing makes for a great debate, I'm certain. Imagine all these fast, faster and fastest runners sitting around one morning at Starbucks discussing the merits of changing the qualifying times. It would make for fun banter and a few hurt feelings. But, I'm simply not going to concern myself about it. Instead I'll work on freaking getting there no matter the standard. It will still remain a great honor.

Never, never stop running

I Miss You

I have so missed updating my blog. It's been months. In fact, one of my running buddies google chatted me today and complained about my lack of writing. "You have not written in you blog this year", she typed.

Well, over the last several months I have been simply covered in new technology. It has been great. New Macbook, new shuffle, new web pages, new iPhone, dozens of new apps for same. The list goes on. So, since I've been a Windows person for two decades, you can imagine the steep learning curve I had to travel to become proficient with my new gadgets.

I'm almost there. Just recently I started understanding all the neat features in iPhoto (Apples photo management app). Wow, faces recognition, site location tagging and search preferences. It's really kool.

What does all this have to do with running? Nothing and everything. It all just works together for a much better running experience, I guess. I've been using my iPhone to stay in contact with all my running friends. We text, email and Facebook from our iPhones to plan running events and post run coffees and breakfasts. All without the benefit of voice calls, typically. It's all just so much fun. Enhances the whole experience.

Now, I mentioned Facebook. What an addictive tool. Besides, it makes a would-be writer quite lazy. I can give a quick, one-line update on the front page and my writing quota is done for the day. And some days I have not been doing that.

Well, that's an update for now. Here's a topic teaser for my next updates:

OK City Marathon
Luke's Locker Quick Beat Coaching
Swimming 101
iPhone OS 3.0
Runnersworld Blogging?
The Injury List

So, I hope you return and start following me again. Bye for now and never, never stop running.