Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Update, Long Run, Rain and Latest Obsession

It’s been awhile since I’ve given an update on my running and what my latest obsession is.  My running continues to go well.  The 16 miler last weekend was right on pace, although I did feel tired towards the end and then throughout the rest of day.  Part of the slow recovery is I continue to help out at the house (we should move in 3 weeks), am not resting and not eating properly.  Post run I had 2 muffins (the boys did not start in on the muffins until I got there since I gave them such a hard time about eating all the muffins the week before ) and a chai tea.  By noon I felt shaky and needed to get something to eat; I wolfed down a Quizno’s sandwich.  When I’m at work I try and eat every 2-3 hours but on the weekends, I’m not planning ahead enough to do that.

Monday night I headed to the track despite the light rain and John being LAZY BONES and staying at home.  I ran 2 sets of 5 x 800’s with a 90 sec rest and a 3 min rest between the sets.  I was really pleased that not only did I maintain the pace, but I got a little faster on many of the reps.  I have been working my way up to 10 x 800’s as a predictor for the marathon.  My coach said the Yasso 800’s predictor is a poor indicator but I feel really great knowing I can run 10 x 800 in 3:35-3:30’s.  Last night it was raining so much (I know it hardly rains in Phoenix) that I opted to skip the running and indulge in Thai food for dinner.  This morning I was fortunate that the rain had passed and I went for a goal pace 5 miler.

I have a friend coming into town this weekend so I am moving my long run to tomorrow after work.  Well that is if I don't get rained out.  I know so many of you run in pouring rain on a regular basis and I feel wimpy even saying that I may not run.  If its pouring tomorrow afternoon then I'll move the long run to after work on Monday. This is my last long run and then I begin my taper.  I am nervous about the run because I will work a full day and then go out and run 20 miles.  By 4pm I’m pretty tired already, not to mention hungry,  and then to start a 3 hour run?  It will be an experience.

So my latest obsession is when to start wearing my marathon shoes.   At Christmas I got a new pair of Nike Lunar Glides and I’ve been holding on to them just waiting for the perfect moment to pull them out.  I just hit 400 miles in my old Lunar Glides and usually that’s the maximum that I wear shoes for but since they are holding up so well, I’m not ready to donate them yet.  Maybe I can comfortably wear them another 100 miles?  I will wear the old pair on my long run tomorrow but here is where I don’t know when to switch my shoes.  Naturally I want to break in my new shoes some before race day. I don’t want to wear the new pair out too much but don’t want to wear my old pair to a point of injury.  It would have been nice if I had 200 miles on the shoes instead of 400.   How long do you wear your shoes?   What do you recommend?

Happy Running!

16 comments:

Zoë said...

Great track workout! I pretty much run my shoes to the ground, quite literally.

Have a great week!

ihaverun said...

I wore my shoes until they gave me an injury. I am going to pay more attention to the mileage on my new pair. I don't think I will push it beyond 400 miles, but I'm sure it depends a lot on the shoes.

Aron said...

i always get rid of my shoes right around 300 miles. i wear very cushioned shoes, so they wear down pretty easy and my legs can just tell. i usually start wearing my marathon shoes the first week of taper (so 20ish days before), but they are always the same shoes, same brand, size, etc.

ajh said...

I wear my shoes until 500 miles. I like to have around 30ish miles on new shoes before a marathon. And I do run in the rain regularly but not 20 miles. The chafing and discomfort are way beyond a shorter rainy run.

Jenn said...

I would move into your new shoes in your taper and alternate every other day until the marathon. Then time to donate! I've been trying to adjust more to running at night. I get done work around 5 and I'm hungry but I don't want to eat a ton before I run. Problem is I'm never very hungry when I'm done and it's harder for me to eat then. Great job on the 800's! Good luck with obsessing! I obsess over everything during marathon taper!!

Carol said...

I buy my shoes in bulk (3-4 pairs at a time) because I can get a good price on them (Asics Nimbus). I replace them at 300 miles. I need the cushion. When I have a pair nearing their end, I start using the new ones for long runs and keep the old ones going for awhile on the short runs. BTW, rain is a deal breaker for me too.

RunKathyRun said...

I would switch the shoes now; you don't want to take any chances this close to marathon day.

I have done a 20-miler after working all day; it's not fun, but when that is your only option you just put on your big girl panties and go for it.

As for the rain, it is a staple here in Oregon; I learned a long time ago that you can't let the rain keep you from doing anything - otherwise you would never do anything. You have to have the right gear though, it makes all the difference in the world.

Katie A. said...

Great workout at the track!
I only wear my shoes for about 300-350 miles - depending on the season (winter it's closer to 300). After that I get rid of them. I have never bought specific marathon shoes, but that is usually because I have 5 pairs I am rotating at all times. I would start to wear the shoes you want to wear for marathon day now, maybe not for your long run but for all the runs inbetween.

Running Through Life said...

I probably get rid of my shoes too soon, but then again it is cheaper to do that than pay the price of an injury.

Running in the Family said...

I rarely get much more than 300 miles out of a pair of shoes. I'm holding on to a pair that should be retired now, because I'm trying to see if they'll last until Spring. I hate to break in a new pair of shoes on icky roads during the Winter.

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

My shoes usually start feeling flat around 400 miles. I wouldn't want to wear 'too new' shoes in the marathon (in case I got a bad pair that hurts, even if they're the same kind I've worn before) so I'd start wearing them in a bit now.

Those are some fast 800's!

Running in the rain is good practice in case it rains on race day, but you'll do fine whichever you choose.

I'm glad you got some muffins this time!

April said...

I wear my shoes for about 400 miles, I can't wait to hear how you like your new shoes. I tried those on a few weeks ago.
Good luck on you 20miler tomorrow! Hopefully the weather cooperates for you!

Lindsay said...

i'm glad you had muffins this time :)

i do 300-500 miles on shoes, just depends how they are holding up. i also usually have 2-3 pairs in rotation so that helps them 'last longer' by default. i've retired a few pairs at 300 (one before then even) but some i've stretched to 500, probably sometimes a little over. i just pay attention to how my legs/feet feel once i hit 400 (unless they feel 'off' before 400 of course).

i would think you could play it by ear for another 100 miles, but start to work in your next pair too?

Jill said...

I don't keep track of miles, my legs tell me by being more fatigued than normal. I also look at the wear at the bottom. I think everyone is different but if you feel some life in them, then keep going. But do be cautious as some knee and calf injuries can come from old shoes. Have a great weekend running!!

Natalia said...

Wow, so you are almost starting your taper! I look forward to reading about your last long run....it sounds as though you are having a great time, and are ready for this marathon. I think you should start on your new pair now, well before the race - you can always keep your old pair for speed workouts etc.

Have a great run!

Anonymous said...

I run in mine till they are dead. No cushion, ripped on the sides, and smelly as heck. :-)