Blog

This morning

(photo: Michael Chamoun)

It’s the middle of October and – finally – all feels pretty much right in the fitness part of my world.

Holy crap, it only took me twelve weeks since Badwater to be able to write that. And it was only two weeks ago that I started writing a blog post with the title “My Broken Body”. Thankfully before I had a chance to finish that one, I started feeling better, physically and psychologically.

I’ve been running every other day for the last two weeks and the runs have varied between “feeling decent” and “feeling good”. I still don’t love running like I did before this time off, but I don’t hate it either. Generally, I’ve been running 3-5 miles and, except one run at Temescal last Thursday, all of it’s been on pavement and by myself. Those runs have been pretty boring and uninspiring and made me feel a little like I was being forced to run.

This morning though was a great reminder and example of why I run. I met up with Chamoun at Los Liones trailhead in the dark and we headed out to run the 7.2ish mile route up to the Parker Mesa Overlook and back. The sun starting rising as we were running up and for the rest of the run up and down, we had these amazing views of the ocean to the west and city and mountains in all other directions. Once the sun was up, the sunlight was busting through low clouds creating this crazy beams-of-light effect (above photo). It was a nice, easy-paced run and was great to catch up with Michael after all these weeks away from my local running world. My body felt – and continues to feel – good. (Knock on wood!)

In addition to the running, swimming has been going great and I feel like I’m back to being a semi-competent swimmer. And I’ve been consistent about my strength training too. Working out with Ryan on Tuesday mornings is the most fun I’ve had doing strength training in many many years. We do all kinds of “functional” exercises that I would never be brave enough to try on my own. And I’m doing another solo strength training session most weeks as well.

A couple other mid-month updates:

• I dropped out of HURT 100. And I’m confident it was the right decision. When I got in and wasn’t running I told myself that I’d re-evaluate it in October. Well, October came and even though I’ve started running and I’m confident that by mid-January I could be in shape to run 100 miles in Hawaii, I decided that I don’t want to do it. I don’t feel like pushing myself that hard physically or mentally over the next few months and would rather enjoy a fall and winter of casual training without another big race hanging over my head. With that out of the way, I’m actually not signed up for a single race. I don’t remember the last time that was case. (There might have been a few weeks last fall between finishing Run Rabbit Run and getting accepted for Brazil 135, but that doesn’t really count since my application for Brazil had been submitted.) I’m a little envious of people talking about their 2015 race plans and signing up for races or lotteries, but I need to work a few things out before I consider signing up for anything. I figure that in a month or so I’ll be able to at least start considering making plans. There’s a swim event up in San Francisco that I’m considering next summer but I don’t think that would get in the way of any running plans.

• I’m still looking for new road shoes. The Skechers I’ve been running in for years are still fine, but they didn’t work very well at Badwater and even though I’m not planning anything nearly that long anytime soon, I think I can do better. I tried the Hoka Clifton and they seem like good shoes but they just don’t fit my feet very well – too wide around the ankle/heel and too narrow around the forefoot. I might try some Newtons next. And might just take a field trip to the running store and see what I find. Suggestions are welcome – I usually like relatively lightweight, low drop (4-6mm), lower profile shoes with some cushioning. From experience, I know that Altra and New Balance Minimus don’t fit my feet and I’ve never loved any Hokas. The traditional brands (Asics, Saucony, Brooks, Mizuno, adidas) have all felt like too much shoe in the past. Where does that really leave me?