Since my 50 miler I'd done only two runs for a grand total of 12.5mi. I decided on Sunday that I felt pretty good, and with Columbus Day Monday upon us, I figured I'd head out for a 26.2 effort bright and early. Things turned out a wee bit different since my girls wanted to go to the museum to see Sue the T-Rex, for I think the fourth time now. Daddy definitely should not go for a run they told me. So, the museum it was! That changed my plans to doing a 20 miler in the afternoon, which I was totally fine with. It's still a good long run.
The first 2 miles were pretty awful. My calves were really tight and the legs in general were just... blah. A couple of stops to adjust the laces on the Trail Gloves and a few walks while I muttered insults to myself seemed to do the trick though. By mile three I was feeling good. I could maintain an 8:30 pace - which actually feels like real running to me - with pretty easy effort. The day was a beauty with bright sun and mostly cloudless sky so I'd stop to take some pics every once in a while, which I normally don't do.
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| A view of downtown Denver in the distance |
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| The southern edge of Highlands Ranch back-dropped by Mt. Evans |
I came across one big buck whom I had to scare off the trail with some loud clapping (no pic, bummer). I also crossed paths with a baby, 12" or so, prairie rattler, and some other small snake I couldn't ID.
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| Baby Prairie Rattle Snake - ~12" |
At mile 12 the top of my right foot started to bother me with a hot spot just behind my big toe so i stopped and taped it, and a couple of other toes, up. About a mile later things went south on me (as they seem to always do). My legs pretty much just gave out. My pace slowed waaaay down, and I pretty much walk/jogged the rest of the way home for a total of 18.5mi. I still managed an 11:36 pace, which for me isn't too bad for that distance, even with all that walking/jogging. I'm pretty sure the legs were just telling me - "Dude, you ran 50mi only two weeks ago. Chill out would ya? You're still just a rookie ya know." So, as anxious as I am to hit some long runs, I think I should stick to shorter runs more often, at least for now.
On interesting reads:
I came across an interesting article on runnersworld.com titled: Could Usain Bolt Run from Paris to Beijing? And More on Short Strides. It's all about running economy and how it isn't real critical to ultra runners. It's all of a three minute read and worth the time!
On faulty equipment:
I'm super disappointed in the lifespan of my Merrell Trail Gloves.
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| Merrell Trail Gloves (middle) after 200 miles |
I started using Shoe Goo on them after 200mi to try to extend the life of the soles and am now at about 300mi on them and they are deteriorating rapidly on me.
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| 300 miles - 3 months old |
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| 400 miles - 3 months old |
I've contacted Merrell via e-mail and asked what they could do to remedy the issue. They said:
"We would recommend that you try to handle your return through the retail store where your product was purchased. If your original retailer is unable to assist, you may return your product directly to us."
"Once received, our Quality Assurance Team will evaluate the product and determine if the problem is a result of a manufacturing defect or the result of normal wear. Defective products will be replaced (we do not perform any kind of repairs). If products are not deemed defective, they will be returned to you as soon as possible."
In other words - no dice. I bought them at Sports Authority only because I had a Friends and Family coupon. I won't hold my breath on them taking them back. Big mistake not sticking with REI like I usually do.
I really like the shoes, but the quality of the soles (Vibram) are sub-par. There is no way anyone should expect to get only 200mi worth of distance in any pair of shoes! Sorry Merrell, but unless you have a change of heart, I'm boycotting you - even if the soles aren't yours.
Anyone else out there having an issue with their Trail Gloves?
On stomach problems:
So, two days before the Bear Chase I stopped taking my Vitamin D supplements, just on a long shot. No stomach issues race day, and really no issues since. I had been at the point where drinking a glass of water would sometimes make me double over in pain. My endocrinologist told me to take at least 2000 units of Vitamin D daily since I'm Vitamin D deficient. My body just does not create enough of it naturally according to him. That has lead to osteopenia in my right hip, which he's hoping will reverse with the supplementation. Well, seeing I like to overdo things, I started taking 5000 units daily. I'm not sure how long I had been taking it before my stomach issues started, but I'd been suffering with it for about two months before stopping the pills. I've even tried to re-introduce the supplements, and with even just one dose now, my stomach bothers me. Guess I need to talk to the doc again...
Congrats and Good Luck:
Huge congrats to my buddy Chris - the Agile Fox - on 3rd place overall and 1st Masters in the inaugural Slickrock 100 in Moab, UT last weekend!
And good luck to my pal David in the Detroit Marathon Relay on Sunday! You must be all out of bubble gum!
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