Mileage Reporting 46th week 2013

Bare Lee

Barefooters
Jul 25, 2011
6,103
6,617
113
Saint Paul
Sunday afternoon
10.94 mi /17.6 km
42 F /5.5 C
36 F / 2.2 C wc

Ran down to the river, to Ford Parkway Bridge, across to Minneapolis, up to Franklin Bridge on West River Parkway, across that, and then home through Prospect Park and along the U of M busway. A train was passing through so I couldn't take my short cut from the busway into the neighborhood, and had to run around to pass under the railroad bridge.

Legs felt stiff the whole run, but feet felt great. I stopped to stretch and massage twice, which helped, but I was never able to loosen up completely. Might be because lately I haven't been doing stretching/massaging/rolling maintenance as much as I should be, or maybe it's the new conditioning (plyo/mobility/'core') stuff I added last week. In any case, it was still a good run. Now I feel less guilty for having slept in on my long run Saturday. I was again encouraged that I can run a fair distance now even on a 'bad' day.

Seemed like the looks at my feet from the other recreationalists were more blatant and prolonged with the colder weather. No comments though.

Monday morning
One-mile run-commute
23 F / -5C
4 F / -15.5 C wc

Coldest run of the season yet, with windchill. Brrrr. Still, the surfaces were nice and dry.
 
Sunday - 31 miles plus a few tenths - sandals - 5:58

A few notes. I did this run on an empty stomach and no fuel during the run. 24 calories from my electrolyte tabs. No hunger, no wall, no Bonk.

My longest road run, my longest min shod run, and my fastest 50k by over two hours. Very slow pace, but I found that I did not take nearly as many walk breaks as predicted. Very even pace throughout the run. Happy about that.

Good weather conditions with a cold start and warming up to shirtless conditions by the end. Nasty road surface of country chip seal, feet were in agony the last four miles. On the plus side, that kept my pace slow, strides short, and cadence high. Thought I would struggle mentally with the monotony of a straight, flat road, but I did ok.

Some slight knee pain and the usually long run muscle soreness today, but no other problems. This was my road test for a 50 mile road Ultra next month that I was considering. I am going to sign up.
 
Just a short 1.6 mile microrun yesterday to help gauge how the legs felt after Saturday's long run. Things felt good. The only regret about it is if I had done it an hour earlier I could have posted some mileage to the Winter Challenge, but it had already warmed up to about 44 degrees when I got outside.
 
Sunday - 31 miles plus a few tenths - sandals - 5:58

A few notes. I did this run on an empty stomach and no fuel during the run. 24 calories from my electrolyte tabs. No hunger, no wall, no Bonk.

My longest road run, my longest min shod run, and my fastest 50k by over two hours. Very slow pace, but I found that I did not take nearly as many walk breaks as predicted. Very even pace throughout the run. Happy about that.

Good weather conditions with a cold start and warming up to shirtless conditions by the end. Nasty road surface of country chip seal, feet were in agony the last four miles. On the plus side, that kept my pace slow, strides short, and cadence high. Thought I would struggle mentally with the monotony of a straight, flat road, but I did ok.

Some slight knee pain and the usually long run muscle soreness today, but no other problems. This was my road test for a 50 mile road Ultra next month that I was considering. I am going to sign up.
Very interesting post for me to read since I'm thinking about longer distances now. Thank you for the detail. Already I have found I am not getting as hungry during long runs after just about a month of working on endurance patiently.

I was really looking forward to an easy 12 miles today, but my hormones hit me like a mack truck. I usually try to run through, but these cramps are bringing me to my knees. With all that TMI for some, let me say that I had a nice 60 minutes on my spin bike with a friend riding along side yesterday, followed by a nice discussion of both barefoot and endurance training techniques. I think she is encouraged. I know I am.

Also, I just finished listening to Finding Ultra because someone mentioned it. Got some interesting and useful running insights, but I am still going to eat my cheese and meat. ;-)
 
2nd cosecutive forced rest day. I am thinking after that 10 mile pavement run -which was my longest pavement run- that it was just too hard on my joints. I am going to try it again Friday alone (no distractions to form) and with a metronome. If it's still too bothersome, then Bikilas it is for the half!
 
3.4 barefoot miles, easy-paced. It felt really nice. One guy walking his dog said, "Abebe Bikila!" That made me laugh and say, "But without his speed!"

Felt good. Perfect weather for running barefoot.
 
Al
2nd cosecutive forced rest day. I am thinking after that 10 mile pavement run -which was my longest pavement run- that it was just too hard on my joints. I am going to try it again Friday alone (no distractions to form) and with a metronome. If it's still too bothersome, then Bikilas it is for the half!
Although I'm a little confused as to how shoes will help you run more gently.
 
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Yeah, but what can you do, right? To be fair, back in 2009 when I was training for a marathon, I did more or less the same thing whilst wearing shoes. The knee got the brunt of it, that time. :matey:

Well, as long as it is only flesh wounds, it will be okay soon. You should probably take up dancing… I think it really helps me work on my stability! I can kick and twirl all over the place. :barefoot:
 
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Not sure what it is, but I've been having lots of good and fun runs lately. But then, I've been having a lot of them since I first got going back in early August, maybe now it's just becoming more solid and real feeling because I'm running greater mileage and longer periods of time. Last night's run was another one. Not that I set any speed records, but just the feeling of ease and fun I was having. The little bit of hilliness to the park loop was nothing compared to the ups and downs I had done on Saturday's long run and it just felt like fun to quickstep the upslopes, get to the top, and then coast along.

But. But. Not so sure what I might face tonight though. That cold front blasted through this morning, kicking off some flurries, but also arriving with a stiff cold breeze. Wind is my great nemesis. If I go out today and have a good fun run in it, then I'll probably turn into a barefooting zealot as I will loudly and proudly proclaim how it conquered my fear of wind running. If barefoot running can make wind running fun, it's got to be something nearly transcendental.