This summer has been a battle with dehydration.  The season has had higher than normal temperatures and humidity and I have found myself very dehydrated following runs which had ill effects when running on consecutive days.  Before every run, I have been trying to consume 16-32 ounces of water before hitting the road.  Additionally, to beat feeling thirsty I like to chew gum (cinnamon Trident is my favorite) during my runs.  This generally is my current plan, which I will adjust as my fitness hopefully gradually improves:

1-3 MILES: I figure for short runs that no additional hydration is necessary.  The water I drink before setting out will carry me through.

3-6 MILES: With the increased miles, I like to have the security of a splash of liquid refreshment when dry mouth sets in.  For this distance, I like my Nathan handheld water bottle:

I mostly carry it in my left, but occasionally switch it, but with only 12 oz. of liquid I don’t think the weight is a factor.  I prefer this model because it fits comfortably in my hand and I hardly notice it’s there until I’m looking for a quick swallow of water.  I’m guessing that I’ve used this bottle for close to 100 runs and it has held up well.  You squeeze and then bite the top to get the water.  The top shows no sign of wear and there have been zero issues with mildew, even after long periods without use.

6-9 MILES: For longer runs (finally have built up to a couple lately), I choose to break our my Camelbak.  I purchased mine in 2015 once I ventured into double digit mile runs.

This pack carries 50 oz. of liquid.  I like this amount because I worry that anymore liquid weight could result in some chafing on the shoulder from the straps.  This pack accompanied on one of my most memorable runs a few years ago, circumnavigating Rangeley Lake:

 

 

Cue “Glory Days” here…Oh to be able to run that distance again or even to consider doing it without second thought.  Maybe down the road???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fact is that despite some heavy pre-hydrating, I think I sucked the pack dry by mile 15.  The lesson learned was to carry cash or credit in the zipper pouch for a pit stop on the route (not that it is always an option).  Like the Nathan handheld, this pack has held up to biting on the tube end for water and has had zero mildew issues after a seriously long layoff from use.  I did however use a bleach solution to sanitize the pouch and tube before setting out a couple of weeks ago on my first venture back to an extended distance.

For training the hydration packs are essential.  For races however, I have used the handheld more often since most event will have a fair share of water station for refills which is much easier with the handheld.  I’m hoping that both my hydration systems get plenty of use in the coming months.

See you on the road!

-Mike

Is there anything more exciting in a runner’s life than getting a new pair of shoes?

(Forgive the dark photos.  Not much daylight around these parts right now.)

No matter how many different routes I have, how many distance and pace variations, how many weather variations, there’s always a bit of monotony to running.

Having some kind of newness really makes my run – especially when that newness is what’s supporting me through all this running.

There aren’t many things where I won’t try to find a cheaper option, but with running shoes, I don’t bat an eye at price.  I justify by calculating how much it will cost per mile.  I have 654.52 miles (approximately.  Did I mention I’m a nerd about stats?) on my current pair of shoes.  They cost me $180, so that’s about 28 cents per mile.  Actually, I might be kind of upset to drop a quarter every mile I ran (that would pay for a lot of my bad diet Pepsi habit), but mostly, it puts it into good perspective for me.

My last two pairs of running shoes were the Adidas Ultra Boost (first black, ugh, then bright pink/purple, better).  And if you must know, before that it was Asics, Nike, Brooks Ghost 7, Brooks Glycerin, Brooks Ghost 7, Brooks Ghost 7 (did I mention I’m a nerd about stats?).  You’d think I might like to keep things simple and stick with the same thing over and over again, but that would eliminate that newness factor that I love.  I at least need a different color!

So, after Christmas, Amazon credit was plentiful, cash – not so much.  As I was approaching 600 miles on my current shoes, I figured I’d better do something, so I ordered these beauties.

Loved the gray color.  Well, it turns out they weren’t the exact same as my original Ultras.  On top of that, I accidentally ordered a half size down, so back to Amazon they went.

Which worked out pretty well, since I was getting some pressure to switch brands.  Mike just bought his first Hoka One’s.  After his first run in them, he urgently texted me to say I should drop everything and order the Hoka’s.  He was in love.

After all that returning and mind-changing, pay day finally rolled around again, so I thought I’d pick up a pair at our favorite local running store, so I could at least try them on.  We left a little early for our running group – also put on through Fleet Feet Sports – so I could try them on and presumably buy them.  It was complete chaos in the store with the running group there.  Craft was also doing a demo night (tried a shirt – nice – but not my tried and true wool).  And there was also some kind of spin class going on.  I still made the poor sales guy take me through the whole thing.  I tried on some new Saucony’s, the Hoka’s, and the same Ultra variation I had ordered from Amazon.  Every time I try on running shoes, I hope for some kind of sign – I don’t know, angels singing, rays of light, something – that these are the shoes for me.  But they all feel great, so I just never know.  I decided to go with the Hoka’s, since Mike was so excited about them.

As I got ready to pay, the nice sales guy said I could use them on my run with the training group and pay for them after if I liked them.  Or not if I didn’t.  Our coaches had a nasty hill workout in mind for us, but I actually felt great, and the shoes felt great, but . . .

I had a few little twinges of tight calves and tight arches.  Not a big deal, and I figured I would get used to it.  But as I was running, I got to thinking that at my last marathon, I had no calf problems at all while in my first three, the only major pain I had, especially in the last 6.2 miles, was in my calves.  Before that I’d never even given that any thought, or if I had, maybe I just figured I was in better shape.  As much as I’d like to continue to think that, maybe, just maybe, it was the shoes.  First three marathons – Brooks Ghost 7, last marathon – Adidas Ultra Boost.  That was it, finally, some kind of solid evidence (maybe) for a decision.  (I’ll let you know after this marathon.)  They were very gracious when I got back to Fleet Feet and told them I wouldn’t be buying the Hoka’s after all.  (I sure hope they can still sell them to someone else – I assume they have some kind of strategy for that.)  I wanted to get my Ultra’s right then and there, but they only had black (a girl’s gotta be a bit girly) and were still very busy and about to close.

I found my new babies on Amazon.  Here’s the unboxing . . .

Aren’t they pretty?  Even in the 5:00 am light?

Here’s another shot for good measure.

I only have about 15 or so miles on them.  Two recent snow storms and tapering for Austin have completely sapped my motivation.  I’m still planning to wear them for the marathon.  Is that crazy?

Since then, (like almost the very next day), Adidas has announced a new shoe which seems similar to the Ultra’s but specifically for women.  Maybe my next pair.

Off to pack for Austin.  Woo hoo!  And help my daughter with some kind of crazy school project.

She has way too much homework for a third grader.  It’s ridiculous and frustrating, but that’s a post for another day.  Anyone else in the same boat?

If you want the best running socks hands down, get your feet in some DARN TOUGH Vermont Socks.  Since switching to these last February (first wool socks ever for me), I have not had cold feet or a blister yet!  In fact, I’ve dumped all cotton footwear from my dresser and wearing Darn Toughs exclusively every day (running or not).  My feet are grateful!

Used to be when I lost interest motivation at work, Facebook was a nice distraction to pass the time. Now my first stop on the WWW is Runkeeper.com.  It is much better to relive some great (and not so great) miles on the road rather than status updates, George Takei, video recipes and pictures of everyone’s perfect children.  It’s also fun setting new goals and getting motivated for my next run.

Yesterday’s Runkeeper distraction convinced me to log 11 miles in order to hit the 1,500 mile milestone for 2015.  I was planning only a quick 4-5 miles, but I saw I was at 1489 for the year, so after getting home, I strapped on the Camelbak and set out for an 11 miler.  Kinda stinks that this morning I realized that I’m actually at 1,499.7.  I guess Runkeeper rounds up.  Gonna run a quick 5k tonight and actually get to celebrate this accomplishment (my previous high for yearly miles was about 600 about 15 years ago.

Speaking of Runkeeper, it is one of the key elements that has turned me into a “runner”.  I love stats (thanks to baseball) and Runkeeper is fantastic at provding them.  Total miles, pace, total climb, average pace, personal records.  It amazes me that this app is free.  On top of that I have used Runkeeper’s FREE training programs for 5k, 10k, half-marathon, and marathon race training.  I exceeded my goal time for all of those distances!  You could almost say I’m addicted to the app because I get anxious if a run is not recorded to Runkeeper.

Another weekend breakfast run tomorrow!  Plus my first run with the newly arrived PEP wool shirt.