My feet hurt

There are so many thing I want to cover in this post, so expect something quite disjointed.

I will start off listing what physical activity I have done since I last posted a week and a half ago:

• Zumba the last two Tuesdays
• Swimming last Wednesday, Saturday, Monday, and yesterday (Wednesday)
• Running on Monday and Wednesday of this week
• Short (just over 15 minutes round trip) walk on Monday
• Lunch duty two days both last week and this week

Although I am satisfied with the amount of exercise I have gotten, I don't feel as if I am making the gains I want to. Normally, I would not care, but on Saturday, I am planning to run in the Race for Pace. As it stands now, I am not sure that I will be able to finish it in around 30 minutes. When I ran this race two years ago, I did it in 27 minutes. There is no possible way I could come close to that considering how my times have dropped off in the last year or so. :-(

On Monday, I had a really good run, and based on that I would think I could finish Saturday's race in under 30 minutes. But I have a bigger problem, which is impeding me greatly: my feet. Unfortunately, my latest pair of Asics Gel Enduros have proven to be worse than my previous pair. My feet were so uncomfortable during Monday's almost three miles (after I did my normal two miles, I ran around the outside of the gym and up the steps a handful of times), I ended up buying Dr Scholl's athletic foot insoles to try to help. Those babies cost an insane $19.99, which is more than half of what my running shoes were on sale (yes, the fact that I paid less than $40 should be a good indicator that I am not buying good shoes!). Anyway, the insoles were little help. They feel good on my feet when I walk, but the bottoms of my feet, particular the balls of my feet, continue to hurt once I hit the pavement. I won't completely blame my Asics; as it turns out the Gel Enduro 7 shoes are apparently trail shoes and I run on pavement. But the Gel Enduro 5 was awesome, and I would assume it was also a trail shoe. Anyway, on both Monday with the old insoles (three miles) and Wednesday with the new ones (two miles), I got through the runs, so I am pretty sure I will make it on Saturday. Just not sure how I will end up. Hopefully, there is not some other issue going on...

I am taking a break today, other than a brief (five minutes one way) walk I have to do as part of a volunteer thing. And if I swim on Friday, I will take it easy and try to swim no more than 10 laps (I swam 18 on Monday and 15 on Wednesday, which is pretty good after a run on those days).

Monday's run
Mile one: somewhere over 9 minutes and under 11 (I forgot to turn on the stopwatch); it was a pretty good run, so I am thinking and hoping it was around 10:30)
Mile two: 8:30

Wednesday's run
Mile one: 10:55
Mile two: 9:17

No idea why Monday's run was better, but it was. Hopefully, I can get back to better times soon. And, more importantly, here's hoping the feet feel better soon. Those babies still hurt a little today.

Some step improvement

I took it easy again this past weekend. Other than walking around a few stores and chasing my aunt's dog around her living room for a few minutes, that was pretty much it.

Today, after some cleaning (and the way I vacuum and clean my bathtub, that IS a workout), I ran the 64 steps in two sets of 10.

I inadvertently forgot to record/write down precisely how long it took me for the first 10 trips, though I think it was around eight minutes. I do know I was glad I was going sleeveless but wishing I had gone with shorts. I took probably just over a minute to catch my breath and rehydrate before getting my second set in.

When it was all said and done, I ended up completing my 20 trips up and down in 16:17, which was an improvement over the same distance two weeks ago. I felt okay, though a "lap" or two into my second set, I considered stopping at 15. Fortunately, always the competitor (against myself), I did not give in. Not sure if the new Asics helped or hindered.

Within an hour, I was swimming laps at the pool, though my pace resembled someone swimming through honey. Still, I managed to complete 10 laps, swim around with the kid for about 35 minutes or so, and then I ended with three more laps.

Zumba tomorrow.

The new insoles helped a little

Thanks to Indian summer (wait, is it politically correct to say that?), I ran in 60-degree weather yesterday. I could not bring myself to run in shorts since it is November and all, but it was still nice, and most likely my last 60-degree run until March.

As for the new insoles, they definitely helped. My feet did not have the "walk on clouds" feeling I had when I first put on my Enduro 5s in 2010 or whenever I got them, but I hardly noticed foot pain, so I call it a success.

As for the actual run, I did pretty well. Not my best time as of late, but enough to keep me satisfied and motivated, particular since yesterday marked four weeks until I turn the big 40.

Mile one: 10:00
Mile two: 8:36

After I ran my two miles, I ran around the outside of the gym, which includes about 20-some steps, for about eight or nine minutes, so I got in almost a third mile.

And now, for something I rarely say: I really need to get back in the pool!

A shorter trip up the steps

As pathetic as this sounds, after my four-mile run on Tuesday, I was afraid to run again this week, for fear of it not going so well. On Friday, I instead planned to run up and down the 64ish steps my usual 20 times. Unfortunately, I ended up talking to someone beforehand, so I had only about 13 minutes, which was not enough time for 20 trips.

I ended up running up and down the steps 10 times, for a total time of 8:11. Technically, that is less than half of what it takes me to run up and down 20 times, which makes it sound somewhat impressive. But my guess is had I kept going, it would have taken me over 17 minutes. I am thinking all the Halloween candy is catching up to me.

As an aside, I did replace my original Asics insoles with Dr. Scholl's sports insoles (not sure exactly what they are called). I hardly noticed pain in my left foot, but I was pushing myself, determined to go at a pretty good pace since I was doing only half as many trip. That coupled with my overly sugared body may have been enough to block out pain. The real test will come when I run this week.

As another aside: I will be 40 in 30 days. Here's hoping I can get in at least four more runs before then. And laying off the candy would be good too.

Finally, a long run

Today I ran 40 minutes! I had scraped the back of my heel pretty badly last evening and was thinking about forgoing anything more strenuous than walking to and from my car, but when I walked for 10 minutes this morning without any problems, I figured I had no excuses. And considering the day was sunny and the temps were decent (about 50), how could I not take advantage?

Since I had extra time, I decided I should see if I was able to run more than my usual two miles. It helped that I started near the top of the killer hill, and I kept my pace slightly slower than normal, since I was going for distance, not time. I kept mostly to my main route, going less than a half a mile past where I normally turn around and adding side streets on the way back.

This time when I ran, I forced myself to really pay attention to my feet, since the new Asics seem to always bother me. I noticed that it was only my left foot that hurt and that was not until about a mile in. The pain was confined to the bottom of my foot, so I am wondering if replacing my insole will help. It does not appear that my shoes are too small, as I wondered, since my smaller (left) foot is the one that hurts.

The foot annoyance aside, it was a pretty good run. I felt good, and I probably could have run even longer. Considering I have been averaging just over a nine-minute mile during my two-mile runs and I skipped the killer hill at the beginning, which adds the extra time to my mile, I had to have run about 4 miles. So yeah, me!

Today, turning 40 in just over one month does not seem so bad. :-)

I'll take it.

Since yesterday was most likely going to be the only warmish, sunny day we will have all week, I decided to stop making excuses and get out there and run.

As with some recent previous times, the first hill was not awful. Not great, mind you, and I was still left somewhat breathless, but I did it, and I did not think my lungs were going to burst.

As usual, my feet started out hurting a bit, but after about five or so minutes, I had forgotten about them. I am seriously considering contacting customer service at Asics. What have I got to lose, really? For the record, I have tried on about a half dozen running shoes over the past month or so, but nothing seems quite right.

Anyway, to the best of my recollection, I felt little to no pain anywhere else (maybe a slight knee thing for a bit), and I enjoyed the sun and slight breeze, so all in all, a good run.

Mile one: 9:53
Mile two: 8:15

I have been pretty consistent with my times the last few times out, which I consider a good thing. Since I will be 40 in just over a month, I think I am almost ready to give up the dream of doing this run again in under 18 minutes. If I can manage to run once a week, to go along with my swimming and running up and down the steps, that will be great. But I think I can be happy if I can run a couple times a month, considering my track record this year.

Until next time...

At least it was the OTHER side of my chest that hurt

I ran steps on Tuesday, as I just blogged about. That was due mostly to weather, but partly to just how darn hard running has become for me lately. Since my stepping on Tuesday was pretty challenging, I figured I might as well just go for broke and get out there and run today.

So I did.

And, much like my 20 trips up and down the steps, this run was no walk in the park. As I struggled up the first killer hill (which, to be fair, I probably do 98 percent of the time), my thoughts alternated between a disappointing, "Am I just too old for this" and a sad/angry, "But some people in their 50s and 60s run almost every day."

I will be 40 in two and a half months. I really wanted to leap into 40 and be able to say that I was in great shape. That age was irrelevant. That I could run circle around people half my age. But lately those thoughts are fading. Sigh.

Anyway, I got through the run with the typical shoe annoyance. (I really think I am going to have to give up on these stupid Asics.) I felt chest pains, fortunately on the side opposite my heart for no more than a couple minutes. My side stitches lasted probably for about five to seven minutes, so, hey, not even a mile. I did not drop over, despite my labored breathing. And, to be fair, the temps had to be near 80, and it was fairly humid.

Mile one: 10:29
Mile two: 8:50

Sure, I wonder if my first mile will ever get below 10 minutes. Or, for that matter, will it ever get close to 10 minutes! But I am still standing, so let's just go with calling it a successful run. :-)

In conclusion, swimming does not keep you in really good running shape.

After three months and about 20 days, I finally hit my usual, two-mile running route, thanks to school's being back in session.

Almost immediately, my right knee hurt. My feet (stupid new Asics) were not far behind. Fortunately, the pain mostly subsided after about a half mile. Unfortunately, I had some side stitches to deal with after that.

I am not going to lie (not that I ever do in this blog or in general, actually): it was a pretty tough run. It took a lot out of me, and not surprisingly my time was not great (but not awful, either). At least I did it.

Mile one: 10:15
Mile two: 8:45

Total run time: 19:00

Because I felt I should have done better with such a short run and because I had time to kill, I ran the 65 steps 10 times after that. I have to say, running those steps made the two-mile run seem easy. It took everything for me to finish, and during the last trip, I was pretty much walking. I did manage to finish in 9:30, which is pretty good considering it came on the heels of my run (with a 10-minute break in between). And those stupid shoes...

Since I am subbing Wednesday through Friday and there is no way I would put my 39.5-year-old body through two runs, two days in a row, I am going to have to call it a week at least as far as running goes.

All that said, based on today, I am thinking I won't be running in the Steelers 5k this coming Sunday, as I had recently hoped (even though I had done little in the way of running this summer). I am just not sure I can do it in under 30 minutes, which would greatly disappoint me. I am still planning to run in the Race for Pace again. We'll see.

I made it through the pain

For only the second time all summer, I ran just over 3 miles. I ran the same 3.1-mile route I did a month and a half ago, in Indiana County. This time, however, my time was just under 32 minutes; when I ran on 7/1, I did it in just over 30 minutes.

On the one hand, considering I have run so little the past four months, I should be happy running a 10-minute mile. But on the other, much more competitive, hard-on-myself hand, I am disappointed. Since May, I have been swimming three days a week, except for one, maybe two, weeks. Because of that, I feel as if it should not be a struggle to run three miles.

Today's run included some discomfort in my right foot (either my feet have grown or Asics has made this Enduro size 9.5 slightly smaller than last version's 9.5), some chest pain (hopefully not my ticker!), and a little thigh annoyance. Fortunately, no pain was consistent the whole time, and nothing was too strong.

In the end, I could have run more, but I pushed myself the last few tenths of a mile when I realized I could complete this run in just over 30 minutes. Since my heart rate was over 170 bpm, I decided to walk around for a few minutes and call it a day.

I am pretty sure I will not be Running Around the Square in two weeks, but I would like to get a 5k in at some point, whether I run the Steelers 5k Labor Day weekend or Race for Pace in October. Stay tuned.

And they're off!

So much for my wanting to keep looking for a better-feeling pair of shoes...

This morning, the kid and I decided to race each other. She loves to brag about how fast she is (according to her she was the only girl who received an award for making the President's Physical Fitness time for the one-mile run). And I am all about proving what great shape I am in. So I decided we should put our speed and my seemingly inferior Gel Enduro 6s to the test at the local track.

We started off running just under 100 meters/yards (however a typical track surrounding a football field is measured). I figured there was a pretty good chance she could beat me here, because I am not that fast when it comes to sprints. (Actually, I am not that fast no matter what the distance is.) But I ended up edging her by a few seconds without pushing myself to the limit, as she seemed to be doing.

After we had a chance to catch our breath during a short walk, I asked the kid if she wanted to race once around the track. Based on our sprint and the fact that I am better suited for longer distances, I was thinking I had this one in the bag.

I thought wrong.

I really had to push myself to keep up with her. In the end, because I was kind of winded, I decided to slow up just a bit, and she won. I was both impressed with and surprised by her.

After that, we (well, mostly I) ran a quarter mile a few times and timed each other. I completed my first quarter mile in 1:53, my second in 1:50, and my third in about 2:00, taking breaks in between. Jordan ran her quarter mile in just over 2:00; she seemed much more content timing me.

Based on Jordan's complaining and her pretty much stopping between runs, it appears as if she is not ready to join the cross-country team (not that she wants to). But I think she did pretty well for an almost-8 year old. As for me, I did manage to get in just over 1.25 miles. Pretty pathetic, but running nonetheless.

As for the shoes: When I first starting walking to the track, the shoes felt uncomfortable. But once I started running, they felt fine. These shoes are no Gel Enduro 5s, but hopefully they won't embarrass me too much. :-)

Blame it on the shoes

In April of 2010, I bought Asics Gel Enduro 5 shoes, and was fairly impressed from the get-go. But, like all running shoes, eventually they lost their luster (i.e., they felt too worn out), so I went in search of new shoes.

Like the (mostly) eternal optimist I am, I figured I could head back to Kohl's and get those same running shoes.

I figured wrong.

But, again, being positive, I decided that the Gel Enduro 6 was probably just as good if not better, so I tried it on.

Wrong again.

Nevertheless, knowing that Kohl's has a great return policy, I went ahead and bought the shoes, once a again for such a good price (around $35).

Still not sold on the shoes, I left them in the box for a few weeks, figuring not running for a few weeks when I was swimming so much would not hurt. Then, when I really started to miss running, I went to a few sporting goods stores to see if my beloved 5s happened to be there. No dice.

While visiting Steelers training camp this past Monday, I shared my sad shoe story with Grandma. A woman sitting next to me overheard our conversation and suggested I try holabirdsports.com, which I promptly did as soon as I got home. No 5s there either.

I tried an internet search last evening, and the few 5s I found were not in my size and for prices at least twice what I paid for originally anyway. Sigh.

I guess I am going to have to give up my dream of the Enduro 5. Still not sure if I will keep the 6s or continue to shop around for another shoe. But I need to decide soon before my legs forget what running feels like (they certainly know what swimming lap after laps feels like).

The moral of the story? If you find a shoe you like, buy an extra pair. Wish I had.

New shoes

Nike has always been my running shoe of choice. I went with New Balance one year because I noticed the winning team in the Steelers 5k all ran in New Balance, so I promptly went out and bought a pair. Of course, most companies/manufacturers make dozens upon dozens of running shoes, ranging in price from about $30 to over $200 (though most fall in the $50 to $100 price range), so buying by brand does not necessarily guarantee you a good shoe.

Yesterday, I decided to check out Kohl's "lowest prices of the season" sale for running shoes. I typically go by looks, then price. After not finding some Nike's I liked in my size, I came upon an Asics shoe, the Gel Enduro 5. The price was right (just over $33 on sale, from $65), and I liked the gray and fuchsia coloring. But what sold me on this shoe was the feeling. The shoes were so cushiony that everything I tried on after paled in comparison. I was talking to a woman who had recently started running and told her about the shoe. She too was a Nike person, but after trying on the Asics, she went with the same pair.

I am not entirely sure if I am ready to break out the shoes yet. Most running experts recommend replacing shoes every 250 to 500 miles, depending on your weight, running style, and running surface. Assuming I have run about 5 miles a week most weeks since September, I should have logged less than 200 miles. But I also wear my shoes most days while doing errands and taking walks once or twice a week. And I do run outside and probably pretty hard while going downhill.

I will let you know how they turn out. In the meantime, I am happy to report that on Tuesday, I managed to get my first mile down to 10 minutes. My second (easier) mile was about 10:25, so not as much progress there.