Obsidius to run a half marathon Feb 7th

Well, I got some news shoes from Snail's Pace (a local running store) last Thursday. No more blisters on the ball of my foot... but they do correct for over-pronating, and eventually rub my instep raw. Was only able to do 3 miles on Friday before I got off the treadmill, right before I started blistering. Going to use some Glide tonight to see if it helps in breaking in these new shoes; otherwise I might buy some better socks.

And no, I wouldn't be turned off by toe socks, as long as they did the trick.

Well, I did 5 miles in the new shoes on Monday and 7 miles yesterday. Friday I'll do 8 miles and be back where I was before I had to get new shoes, and projecting to be running it at a faster pace. With only a little over two weeks left to the event, I need to progress to at least 10 miles before the event.

How are you feeling? Any luck with the no-xplode?

I decided not to use supplement since I had to buy new shoes anyhow. But I am back up to where I was before I got the new shoes, which is something in itself considering I'm still breaking them in. I plan to run another 8 tonight, and then hopefully 9 miles by Friday.

Been pushing myself too hard and am having issues with the top of my right foot, either tendon or bone related. Going to do low-impact cardio tonight on the elliptical or bike instead.

Pop a blue insperation.

Sometimes less is more. Don't try to keep grinding more and more. I got a stress fracture several years ago running through recurring shin splints. This injury came about from improper footwear (now I use aesics or new balance) and an very poorly regimented PT program I recommend a week of downtime from running 6 weeks or so. You can swim bike or other non-impact cardio if compelled to keep doing a cardio.

Don't quit but don't create a long term problem. I kept running trying to gut it out and basically ruined myself permanently. Ortho inserts helped but I have never run without shin pain now since the stress fracture. Don't wish that anyone that isn't evil. Evil people...now they can have all the suck in the world.

Not much longer until the run, eh? Hope you're going to be alright.

I should be alright, although my right leg is still bothering me. I tried to break these new shoes in by running them into the ground, but I think I ran myself into the ground instead, especially since th shoes correct my pronation and my body is still adjusting to it, especially my dominant right leg.

But I did the exercise bike and elliptical last week instead of the treadmill, which has helped. I skipped Friday altogether to let myself rest and did upper body on Sat. I plan to do elliptical today and hit the treadmill by Firday at the latest, to ready myself for the race on Sunday.

One of my major problems has been blistering, but I finally convinced my wife to let me get some pairs of pricey but better-for-distance non-cotton socks.

More updates to come as the week progresses.

Sp there wasn't a lot to say the week up to the marathon. With the exception of the elliptical on Monday, I let my legs rest for the week. This may or may not have been a mistake.

But I did it

Before - - - After
Final Time: 2h 32m
Things went very well up until the halfway point, where my right knee started giving out on me. It definitely slowed down my pace, but I was able to alternate speed walking and sprinting up until the last half mile, after which I pushed myself over the finish line.

Friday when I went to pick up my race tag and complimentary shirt, I picked up some running socks. They certainly helped with the blistering - I didn't develop any blisters until my knee started bothering me. Blisters are pretty much a given for a half or full marathon, but I'm glad I didn't get any until later in the race.

I was also wearing my heart monitor with chest strap. Average heart rate was in the 170s, estimated calories burned was over 2k. I've lost about 8 pounds since I started my workout regimen.

I took yesterday off of work to take it easy, but ended up assembling some new pre-fab shelves and moving some stuff around since my wife and I are rearranging our apartment. Still a little sore today, but it's mostly muscle pain. My knee is much better.

I think next time I'll work out with more incline on the treadmill. There were a few uphill spots, and I think those caused the most stress on my right knee, since it's my dominant leg. I'll be hiting the gym again tonight to work on upper body, and hopefull get back to cardio by Friday... but only running 5k since I don't have to train for 13 miles

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the results from my first half marathon. I might do one again sometime in the future

And with that... time to hit the Training Room

Nice job! Way to pull through and accomplish something. As an avid tri-athlete, there is no better feeling in the world then completing a race. Are you motivated to do it again next year?

I'm motivated to do one in June. My cousin-in-law is going to try and get me to do one (in San Diego I think), and I'm considering it

Gratz!!!!!!

Yes, I had to wear shorts, lamentably.

Great job on pulling through!

I did a couple of laps around a track recently, but I don't exercise much these days.

Doh! Belated Grats! Glad to here you made it through.