Mileage Reporting 6th Week of 2013

[NickW]

Have you read Thomas Sowell's Basic Economic? http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Economics-Common-Sense-Economy/dp/0465022529/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360339768&sr=8-1&keywords=basic economics thomas sowell
You might find it refreshing after all the academic posturing.
This is another good website and book: http://www.fee.org/library/detail/economics-in-one-lesson-pdf-doc-audio#axzz2KKBhYSFR

Haha! No, I haven't read that. It might be good night night material for me. Honestly, a lot of this stuff is wasted on me. I wouldn't mind being a writer either but I know that can be tough to get into and make any money at too. Honestly though, I'd be pretty happy working at a Lowes or Home Depot type place too. I just don't have that drive for this corporate business world. I find economics and a lot of business classes to be extremely boring and extremely difficult for me to understand. I try to explain this feeling of complete lostness to my wife, but she seems to get this stuff. To me it's like they are speaking a foreign language. I ask my wife what things me and she puts it to me in laymans terms and then I understand it, but otherwise it's like gibberish to me. I just think some people are suited for that lifestyle and some are not and I happen to be one of those that are not suited to corporate business. That's ok by me, I understand that it takes all types of people to make society productive. I am not on that corporate business end and that's ok by me.

 

[rickwhitelaw]

5 miles of cross country skiing on Sunday. Had my GPS on and one downhill stretch noticed a 4:30 pace. As I watched the trees blur by, it boggled my mind that people run at that pace. Then I hit the uphill at a pace too slow to mention. Wish I could have skated, but the snowmobiles trash all of the trails in that area. Then went downhill skiing with my 9 year old daughter. She is really improving this year.

Back home, I have managed 15 miles of walking this week. Short walks do not aggravate my heel/PF and I am enjoying the sole stimulation. Now shut down by the weather. Looking at dusting off the elliptical in the garage, not too excited about that, but I've got to do something.

One other note, I have canceled all race plans (except for H2C in August) and group runs until I am 100 percent healed. It is actually nice not to have any pressure right now. Still think I can figure things out in time to have some big hikes in Zion and the Grand Canyon in late spring.

 

[NickW]

One other note, I have canceled all race plans (except for H2C in August) and group runs until I am 100 percent healed. It is actually nice not to have any pressure right now. Still think I can figure things out in time to have some big hikes in Zion and the Grand Canyon in late spring.

I was wondering how long you were going to keep pushing on it. Have you seen a dr about it? I finally get to see the new doc next wednesday myself, hopefully he can find out what my real problem is on my right heel.

 

[happysongbird]

Haha! No, I haven't read that. It might be good night night material for me. Honestly, a lot of this stuff is wasted on me. I wouldn't mind being a writer either but I know that can be tough to get into and make any money at too. Honestly though, I'd be pretty happy working at a Lowes or Home Depot type place too. I just don't have that drive for this corporate business world. I find economics and a lot of business classes to be extremely boring and extremely difficult for me to understand. I try to explain this feeling of complete lostness to my wife, but she seems to get this stuff. To me it's like they are speaking a foreign language. I ask my wife what things me and she puts it to me in laymans terms and then I understand it, but otherwise it's like gibberish to me. I just think some people are suited for that lifestyle and some are not and I happen to be one of those that are not suited to corporate business. That's ok by me, I understand that it takes all types of people to make society productive. I am not on that corporate business end and that's ok by me.

Well, those resources are written in "laymen's terms" I think once more normal vocabulary is used and one can see how it applies to everyone, it becomes more interesting. And useful. I can now listen to all manner of propaganda without being confused. I bet you could read either of those books in a few days (particularly the second one) and come away with a better understanding of economics than you got from all the college courses. I know when my one daughter took several economic courses in college, she was very grateful that we had studied/discussed it at home first. It may be the system, and not you, that is hampering your learning. Hope you do well!

 

[rickwhitelaw]

I was wondering how long you were going to keep pushing on it. Have you seen a dr about it? I finally get to see the new doc next wednesday myself, hopefully he can find out what my real problem is on my right heel.

It was a tough call doing the Carlsbad half. I am glad I did the race (one of my favorites for sure), but it certainly set me back on the recovery. It is very hard not to break out into a run when I am walking and it is very hard to not register for all of the good races that are coming up in my area, but I've got to get this under control. Also, my ski season has been affected by this. Only two months left and my kids really want me to ski with them.

Doctor? No, I know what is going on, I've got torn fibers and if I continue to push it I risk a rupture.

Your case Nick? Is this your persistent PF or something else? Good luck with your appointment, hope he/she can help you out.

 

[NickW]

It was a tough call doing the Carlsbad half. I am glad I did the race (one of my favorites for sure), but it certainly set me back on the recovery. It is very hard not to break out into a run when I am walking and it is very hard to not register for all of the good races that are coming up in my area, but I've got to get this under control. Also, my ski season has been affected by this. Only two months left and my kids really want me to ski with them.

Doctor? No, I know what is going on, I've got torn fibers and if I continue to push it I risk a rupture.

Your case Nick? Is this your persistent PF or something else? Good luck with your appointment, hope he/she can help you out.

Well, I hope your skiing and persistence doesn't cause a rupture. As far as my problem, yes it is the supposed persistent "PF". I actually think that it was a combo of PF and something else. I think the PF covered up the real problem so the original doc missed it. I have cleared up the PF completely in my left foot and the same type of PF feeling in the right heel, now it's a different pain that I notice hurts when I push off when walking or running, and that is what gets worse as the day goes on. I think it is related to the ankle pain I am experiencing on that side too as it seems to wrap up along the medial side of my ankle and down under my heel. I posted something for the docs a week or two ago but no one have answered so I just said to heck with it and scheduled an appt at a new (to me) podiatrist.

 

[rickwhitelaw]

Since skiing might have contributed to the injury, it would be wise to cancel the rest of the season, but like registering for a race, it would be hard to give up the cost of the season pass.

So you figured out your left side and now have troubles on the right. I feel for you and wish you well. If you don't figure it out, we can retire as runners, be poor farmers in the summers and brewers in the winter.

 

[NickW]

Since skiing might have contributed to the injury, it would be wise to cancel the rest of the season, but like registering for a race, it would be hard to give up the cost of the season pass.

So you figured out your left side and now have troubles on the right. I feel for you and wish you well. If you don't figure it out, we can retire as runners, be poor farmers in the summers and brewers in the winter.

I love it Rick! I have some ideas for a brewery and kind of want to get a little "crazy" with it, maybe go back and mix some old old old school brewing techniques and flavors with modern types. I have to work on some of the recipes though and figure out exactly what I want and what people will like.

My right side has always been the worst and the original doc as soon as he heard me say the words heel and pain said "I bet it's plantar fasciitis or Achilles Tendinitis". Of course he diagnosed PF and slight AT after that. I understand that probably a high percentage are going to actually be pf when those words are stated, but I felt, even at the time, that he didn't really exam the foot very well.

 

[scedastic]

about 25 min swim. breathing went the best it did all week. Had a few moments of 'what? the wall, already? where i actually wasn't out of breath. alternated full laps with kicking across. Cut it short since my shoulders, arms and back were finally starting to feel it after 4 swims this week. Good sign to be developign new muscle. Left off in a good spot.

then 45 min of gym until it was time to go out for a big breakfast

 

[scedastic]

Man, hats off to all of you guys swimming in indoor pools. I think if I were ever to improve my swimming, it'd have to be in open water.

Right now I'm way too busy being a beginner to get bored by the monotony.
Who knows. My friend who swims all the time says eventually it starts to feel like the swim equivalent to a treadmill, but that might take me a while to appreciate.

 

[Barefoot Dama]

No running today just good volleyball games.

 

[Bare Lee]

Right now I'm way too busy being a beginner to get bored by the monotony.
Who knows. My friend who swims all the time says eventually it starts to feel like the swim equivalent to a treadmill, but that might take me a while to appreciate.

Yah, I could see that. I was thinking more of the chlorine and having folks on either side of you doing their laps. I'd be too busy flapping my arms about trying not to sink to get bored initially too.

@ Sid, got the Homedics Percussion Massager, and it's perfect! Thanks for the rec. It'll make giving my wife back massages a lot easier too . . .

Edit: after 15 minutes my calf feels noticeably better!

@Nick & Rick, looking forward to the Nick-Rick brewery. I want the IPA named after me. Meanwhile I wish you all the best with your injuries. Please Rick, just rest if you're at risk of aggravating it.

Will do a lite lower body ST workout in a bit, and then another micro run down to pick up my daughter and pick up some steaks for dinner.

Supposed to be over freezing tomorrow. May have to test my callusless toes out with a little barefoot running. Meanwhile, I just ordered the Vapor Gloves. The frost nip mishap is turning me into a real shoe whore. Yesterday I walked out in some fresh snow and almost got frost nip again! My toes are really sensitive without their protective calluses.

 

[happysongbird]

4 miles barefoot on an indoor wood track. Surprisingly, I got one smallish blister on a big toe, in spite of still present thick pads. I think it is just hard to not constantly slip a bit on the smooth floor. It is not a surface blister, if that makes sense.

The 4th mile was strenuous and slower, but I'm glad I pushed through. I know the wood track is faster, but it is still fun to have manage an 8:30 pace for the first couple of miles, being not quite completely recovered from this illness.

After some lunch, I did the now standard TRX work for the arms, then planks and crunches for the abs. I was able to add a couple repetitions to about 2/3 of the exercises.

Oh, The Swimming Tip of the Day! Balance drills are very helpful in finding a breathing rhythm AND being able to breath on both sides, which can be very useful. Balance is different from "floating" in that what you want to be able to do is rotate yourself from a comfortable (approximate) 45 degree angle, face up, mostly back to the water, at any point in your swim. Maintain this with a light kick. If your feet sink, press your upper body toward the water. If you can do this, you can rest and catch your breath at any time during your swim, but still be moving down the lane and making progress in your overall swimming ability. (for the record, I had to teach my kids how to swim, because they did NOT float)(Also, when I took some lessons from a private adult instructor last year, she offered me a job as a coach, so, I'm not bragging, so much as saying I've been validated as having some insight and skill. )

 

[happysongbird]

Meanwhile, I just ordered the Vapor Gloves.

I haven't heard of those!

 

[Bare Lee]

I haven't heard of those!

I just heard about them today myself. Everyone seems to be raving about them:
http://birthdayshoes.com/vapor-glove-merrell-barefoot-initial-review
http://barefootrunninguniversity.com/2013/02/06/merrell-m-connect-lineup-the-vapor-glove/

I don't really need them, but I might have to run shod for another month or so. I was only out in the snow for a few minutes the other day, but now that my frost nipped calluses have molted on all but my pinky toes, my toes are quite exposed and sensitive, so I don't know if I'll be able to handle sub-zero temps unless the asphalt is absolutely dry.

So ... even though I don't really have a problem with the Aqua Lites I just bought, or even the Moc3s, I thought if the Vapor Gloves really are as good as some folks are saying they are, it might be worth picking up a pair. I found out the other day how much even a minimalist shoe like the Neo Trails can affect gait and lead to injury, so it's worth experimenting a bit more to get the shoe that works best for me. I like the Aqua Lites' groundfeel quite a bit, which is comprable to the Moc3s when the insole is removed, but I think my Bare Access shoes feel a bit more snug, so I'm curious what a more minimal Merrell shoe might feel like. I'll let you know if I like them, but looks like it might take up to a week for them to arrive. The Vapor Gloves ($80) are also cheaper than the Moc3s ($94) and the Aqua Lites ($115), so, even though it's too late for me, that would be a plus for someone trying to decide between them.

 

[Spiderweb62]

8km today, with George Carter and Dawsy at Manly, nice to be able to chat with others. We took it very slow, but I still managed to tear my calf !! RICE it is now

 

[Barefoot Dama]

I just heard about them today myself. Everyone seems to be raving about them:
http://birthdayshoes.com/vapor-glove-merrell-barefoot-initial-review
http://barefootrunninguniversity.com/2013/02/06/merrell-m-connect-lineup-the-vapor-glove/

I don't really need them, but I might have to run shod for another month or so. I was only out in the snow for a few minutes the other day, but now that my frost nipped calluses have molted on all but my pinky toes, my toes are quite exposed and sensitive, so I don't know if I'll be able to handle sub-zero temps unless the asphalt is absolutely dry.

So ... even though I don't really have a problem with the Aqua Lites I just bought, or even the Moc3s, I thought if the Vapor Gloves really are as good as some folks are saying they are, it might be worth picking up a pair. I found out the other day how much even a minimalist shoe like the Neo Trails can affect gait and lead to injury, so it's worth experimenting a bit more to get the shoe that works best for me. I like the Aqua Lites' groundfeel quite a bit, which is comprable to the Moc3s when the insole is removed, but I think my Bare Access shoes feel a bit more snug, so I'm curious what a more minimal Merrell shoe might feel like. I'll let you know if I like them, but looks like it might take up to a week for them to arrive. The Vapor Gloves ($80) are also cheaper than the Moc3s ($94) and the Aqua Lites ($115), so, even though it's too late for me, that would be a plus for someone trying to decide between them.

What's the weight? are they super light? like 3oz ?

EDIT
Are they true to size?

 

[Sid]

Oh, The Swimming Tip of the Day! Balance drills

Is this the same drill that you're talking about? I find videos to be very helpful with visualization.

 

[happysongbird]

Is this the same drill that you're talking about? I find videos to be very helpful with visualization.

It looks like he has some good things to say. Here is a link to what I was trying to describe:

This approach allows you to work on balance without being concerned about breathing much. It is also a good place to begin to learn rotation from.

 

[scedastic]

4 miles barefoot on an indoor wood track. Surprisingly, I got one smallish blister on a big toe, in spite of still present thick pads. I think it is just hard to not constantly slip a bit on the smooth floor. It is not a surface blister, if that makes sense.

The 4th mile was strenuous and slower, but I'm glad I pushed through. I know the wood track is faster, but it is still fun to have manage an 8:30 pace for the first couple of miles, being not quite completely recovered from this illness.

Ooooo wooden planks underfoot. Some of the paved trails I've run barefoot have wooden bridges. The feel of the cool, smooth planks underfoot was wonderful. I imagine a standard wood floor feels the same for running (my house is all ceramic tile or wood floors, but barely big enough to walk through without bumping into things, let alone run). Soooooo jealous.

Also: Great that you are finally recovering. Nothing like getting back into things, eh?