Both worthy of some thought, (maybe?!) but, for the past 24 hours, my every thought has been consumed with getting through today's 19 miler!
As I said the other day, I've been struggling with sore ankles and shins this week because of a lack of rest. I was in pain all day on Friday and I even wore my compression socks to work, in the hope that they'd provide me with support and take the swelling down.
Yesterday I was still hurting and, when we went to our favourite shop so I could buy some new running shoes (Sports Shoes in Bradford - it's excellent! - www.sportsshoes.com), I could hardly run when I was trying them out! Needless to say, I was a bit worried about today!
After a bit of debate about some really nice feeling, lightweight Mizuno, I decided to stick with Nike Vomero shoes. I got my first pair last autumn and was well impressed with them from day one. They're really well cushioned but much lighter than the equivalent Asics shoe, which is what I used to wear. On the downside, they wear out quicker, hence having to replace them yesterday. I reckon I got about 450 miles out of my first pair, which is about 10 weeks of running at the moment! Expensive!
A lot of runners have got a problem with Nike shoes - Runner's World don't even sell them and some people claim, ridiculously that, if you wear Nike you're "running with the devil". Frankly, I think it's a load of crap - they've got the R&D budget to ensure that their shoes are at the leading edge of technology and, if they're good enough for Paula Radcliffe, they're good enough for me.
Check 'em out - bobby dazzlers!!!
Anyway, today's effort was prefixed by a monster ten hour kip (in bed before 10pm again!) and a huge bowl of banana porridge. We set off quite late by our standards, not getting out of the house until nearly 11am, but stepping out into cloudless, electric blue, Yorkshire skies.
We've found a pretty easy nine and a half mile loop recently, with a steady two mile downhill to start things off, a very flat three mile mid-section then a steady climb up to about seven miles, before an undulating last couple or so.
So we decided to do it twice.
It worked out well because it meant we could leave some water and energy gels not far from the house and pick them up half way round.
The first half was fine; brilliant sunshine, steady pace, pain-free legs and a nice chat about this, that and the other. It's refreshing to run at a pace that allows you to have a conversation, rather than pile through the miles right on your cardio limit.
Things got more interesting and painful after about 12 miles and it was a case of digging in and getting round. Oddly, my toes were the most uncomfortable thing - when I wear compression socks I can't really flex them much and they end up really bugging me!
Thankfully, my legs don't feel half as bad as I thought they would, but I'll need to stretch a lot ASAP. I've also put some flight socks on to give the old ankles some support. I reckon it's the magic of me new Vomero shoes!
Anyway, 19 miles in the bag, and a bacon cob, Snickers bar and shedload of crisps in the stomach. Speaking of which, we were meant to be having roast pork for tea, but neither of us can be bothered to make it, so we're opting for a takeaway. Well...I think we might have just earned it!
All is looking good for the Spen 20 race, three weeks today.
BTW - please sponsor me! Ta kids! x
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AlexBoryslawsky1
Ace trainers! Cool to hear todays adventure too. Enjoy your tea kids!!
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