Wardrobe Malfunction

Saturday we did 12 miles in my hometown of West Brookfield. Actually, we also ran in North Brookfield and New Braintree on that run. The run would have been perfect except for one thing. The running shoes.

My New Balance 1080's - it's not like they were new - I thought they'd be fine. About 2 miles in I thought it was a sock wrinkle on top of my foot. I would adjust the sock, run a few feet, re-adjust, run a few more feet, untie shoe, retie shoe. Nothing was working. So, I took my sock off. It did feel a little better - once I loosened the laces. I think the real problem was that the tongue and the sock were both wrinkling and pressing on top of my delicate foot bones. Very, very painful.

I knew removing the sock was going to probably give me blisters, and the cold breeze coming through the mesh was kind of weird - but I was going to finish the run. By the end I was in some pain. The inevitable blister. When I finally stopped and took my shoe off - the collar of the shoe was soaked in blood. I had an inch long raw spot on the side of my heel, just under the ankle bone. Every shower since then has been burning pain. I have run twice since. There's a visible bruise on the top of my foot that is still tender - the raw spot is bearable while running - it's the pain from the water that is the worst.

Take away message: not sure - I can run through pain but not shower through it? At least, not quietly! Who new I could hit such high notes?

Hanukkah Wishes

Hectic week. I still have major gift purchases to make. Hanukkah gelt to find for the stockings. Yes, since childhood I've been receiving Hanukkah gelt in my Christmas stocking. It's the chocolate coins. And it's a Jewish tradition. How this ended up being a tradition in my family is something I plan on investigating this weekend. We're not exactly a religious family - and definitely not Jewish.

There's a few other things that *must* be in my stocking. A toothbrush, an orange or clementine and the previously mentioned Hanukkah gelt. I remember the year I got the giant box of crayons in my stocking - the smell made me sneeze and I woke up.

I've got a long run to do Saturday am - followed by Christmas festivities with family - AND a Patriots game. Hectic!

Merry Christmas - hope you all get gelt in your stockings!

Lighten Up!

This past week was a cutback week for me - total of 17.2 miles for the week. Worked out well that yesterday's run was just a 5 miler. Had to wrap presents and head off to my sister-in-law's and her husbands (Jen and Al) for our Christmas with them. We had a good time with family - got to relax and enjoy the company.


I now have 2 new weapons in the night-time running war. I got my knuckle lights and Jen gave me a light that you attach to your clothing with magnets. (She also gave me a very cool bead that says 13.1 for my half-marathon!)

I've run with 1 knuckle light and it was awesome. I can't wait to wear two!

The magnetic lights I've seen have made me curious - but I wasn't sure how strong the magnets would be. I thought it might fall off while running. Well, there's no worries there - those magnets are STRONG. They won't be falling off - you have to pull hard to separate the two pieces. And you can set the little LED's to blink or run in a number of patterns.

ASICS Hi-Res LED Light

Keep in mind that I also wear a reflective vest and sometimes I wear LED lights on my running hat too. I will be much safer this week - thanks Jen!!

Sneakers

Apparently I've made a mockery of myself by calling the footwear I run in "running sneakers" instead of "running shoes". I believe one comment went something like, "Wow! I quit wearing sneakers in grade school."

Even my husband commented on it. Honestly, normally, I just call them sneakers. All the sneakers I own are made for running. After I can't wear them for running anymore, I use them for hanging around, shopping, yard work, whatever.

I went to grad school with a woman from Canada - I always thought it was cute that she called her sneakers "runners". Even though she didn't run in them.

So, just to be clear, when I say sneakers, running shoes, running sneakers, runners - I mean the expensive footwear I buy at Runner's Alley in Portsmouth, NH that I do all my training in - whether it's running or weights.

Ghosts

I spent today shopping - that counts as cross-training in my book. My feet are sore and tired and tomorrow's a 10 mile run. While most of my purchases are for Christmas I did get some things for myself.

I got a new pair of running sneakers. Our coach told us to have 2 pairs, different models, and alternate them on runs. I will NOT wear them on my 10 miler tomorrow - I'll wear my current pair. The difference in the shoes strengthens your feet. Obviously you want to stay with the same type of shoe, like if you need motion control. Today I got some New Balance 1080's. I wish NB gave their shoes cool names like other companies. I normally run in Brooks Ghost - I love them. They make me invisible - and fast! (*in my mind anyway)

Brooks Ghost 4

Mizuno has a model called Nirvana ~ now that's a great goal.