The Running Thread

[verb_to_trust]

Just did 11 miles in 59:16

I think there is something wrong with your car Lenny

[washing machine]

Heck yeah brother. The fastest I've ever done it was over an hour and a half. Keep on going.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

Just did 11 miles in 59:16

I think there is something wrong with your car Lenny

No I’m just really, really fast now.

[verb_to_trust]

Dug out an old pair of Kinvara 9s to see if the lack of dumbass heel drop will help me.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

Doing 17 miles tonight after the Masters

[lennytheweedwhacker]

I did something dumb af on my run, even though I wasn't going to beat any PR's. Third mile felt great though and was my fastest, so I'm happy.

[The Argonaut]

Just did 11 miles in 59:16

I think there is something wrong with your car Lenny

No I’m just really, really fast now.

Did you buy a bike?

[lennytheweedwhacker]

Just did 11 miles in 59:16

I think there is something wrong with your car Lenny

No I’m just really, really fast now.

Did you buy a bike?

No I just run like the wind and nothing can stop me.

Did you quit

[The Argonaut]

No, I went out Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this week. I did six sets of 2:30 jogging/2:30 walking each day, about 2.5 miles total for each. (My regular trail along the river was flooded on Friday so I drove out to a trail in the woods. It was a much more pleasant run than the trail sandwiched between the river and the highway, but I got there late so I ended up only doing five sets instead of six. And about 2 miles total.) I'm feeling good, honestly not working myself too hard. I'm good with that, though. I'm OK with slowly sneaking up on a long run. I think I will try six sets of 3 minutes jogging and 2 minutes walking next week, and strive to go out again M/W/F. Maybe T/Th/Sat depending on weather. Right now I'm still in the stage of strengthening my legs and my lungs. I'll see how the 3/2 split feels next week before deciding what the run/walk split will be the week after that. It's going well so far

[verb_to_trust]

Running in the old K9s might be helping.

[washing machine]

Running in the old K9s might be helping.

Even if I go for a short run in my old Bostons now, old nags resurface. Make of that what you will.

[verb_to_trust]

Running in the old K9s might be helping.

Even if I go for a short run in my old Bostons now, old nags resurface. Make of that what you will.

What sort of knee pain were you feeling in higher drop shoes?

[washing machine]

Running in the old K9s might be helping.

Even if I go for a short run in my old Bostons now, old nags resurface. Make of that what you will.

What sort of knee pain were you feeling in higher drop shoes?

I don't know, exactly. Just always felt like I needed to kick and pop my right knee. Even more than knee pain, though, it was a sharp hot spot on my lower right back. A constant presence throughout my day. I always thought it was just part of picking up running in my late 30s, but I'm convinced now it was high drop shoes and relying on a big cushion for a hard heel strike.

I'm still somewhat of a heel striker, but switching to lower drop shoes has helped me be very conscious of my footfalls and especially how hard I make an impact.

In short, with the higher drop shoes I was overstriding. Now at least I land with my foot under my center of gravity and consciously try for a midfoot every time.

[verb_to_trust]

The K9s produce a squishing noise that is deafening. I've noticed that with a lot of Saucony shoes over the years.

[washing machine]

Hmm. I'll have to pay attention to that next time.

I also want to add that I do not think it's a coincidence that the most consistent weekly running routine of my life neatly lines up with my switch to low drop shoes over a year ago.

Shoes are going to be different for everyone, but I can attest that once someone finds a shoe that really works for them, running becomes loads more enjoyable.

Not really directing this to you personally, verb, since you seem to have found a groove well before now. Just an insight in general, I guess.

[verb_to_trust]

My body is getting older. It makes sense that I'd need to adjust. The market for "normal" running shoes has become very narrow though. Not much out there that lets you feel the road beneath your feet anymore. In the Adidas lineup for example, look at the Adistar and Prime X. Just stupid at this point.

[washing machine]

Not much out there that lets you feel the road beneath your feet anymore.

This concept is so underrated, at least in the world of shoe reviews that I live in for my social media running content. The Believe in the Run folks are the worst about this, too. Thomas and Meg especially seem to really hate groundfeel.

[verb_to_trust]

Thomas seems like a lumbering oaf who probably needs it, don't know why a beautiful creature like Meg needs the stack even for a daily trainer.

I got into running around Born to Run. Minimalist was so in back then. It's always clicked with me since.

[washing machine]

Thomas seems like a lumbering oaf who probably needs it, don't know why a beautiful creature like Meg needs the stack even for a daily trainer.

I got into running around Born to Run. Minimalist was so in back then. It's always clicked with me since.

Yeah, I keep coming back to the concepts in that book. I understand the pushback, but I think the idea is sound. The closer we can get to natural running, the longer we can run. It's the book I recommend to people who say RuNnInG iS bAd FoR yOuR kNeEs. Some people/companies took it too far, getting away from the whole point which is less about shoes and more about finding a way to get to a style of running that works for you, but there's still a lot of happy medium out there. It's why I love Altra, though I don't love the gradual entry into the super shoe market they seem to be inching towards.

Ever try the Escalante Racers? I've got a little over 100 miles on mine and they're perfect for what you're describing. Low stack, sensible cushion, no frills.

[washing machine]

Thomas seems like a lumbering oaf who probably needs.

True. Ever listen to Meg and Featherston's nutrition podcast with Thomas? I love his approach but it's exactly how you're describing. The two gals spend a good amount of time spouting truth about running and fuel and Thomas occasionally stumbles upon some real wisdom while mostly making jokes.