More running

Wow, another post on the blog..... something might be happening. it's speculation at this point, corroborated with some good runs, but still, my credibility for predicting these kinds of things is pretty bad...... I just finished a 13 mile week, 3 runs, a little over 4 miles per run, brisk pace. Soreness has been light. I've made a few changes recently that might explain this.

I think the biggest change is that I got a new pair of shoes--- Nike Free's. Heard some stuff on NPR--- who is the guy who claims to be injury free since he started running barefoot? There's a book out recently, I think. Anyway, the first thing I noticed when I put them on was that they were comfy, like slippers. Then when I ran in them, I could feel my feet interacting with the ground. It felt nice..... new. I think they have changed my technique. I can feel myself landing on my forefoot. And I can feel my feet pushing off-- that plantar flexion business. And when my foot lands, it's soft, quiet. My other shoes (Brooks Glycerins) tended to clunk when they landed. I'm surprised to be saying all of this... my feet are pretty fucked up--- it makes sense to strap some elaborate motion control contraptions on my feet, not Free's. Anyway..... weird.

I've also been trying to run pose. I've had a tendency to heel strike. It makes sense that landing on your heel probably isn't the way you were meant to run, because you wouldn't do it if you were barefoot. I'm skeptical about these kinds of sites and their infomercial-like testimonials, but I'm taking what I think I need and nothing more.

postscript: Born to Run--- that's the name of the recent book mentioned above. I think the implication, or maybe the assertion, is that barefoot running is the solution to most running injuries, a claim that I'm skeptical about, but it's interesting stuff, worth investigating.

4 miles of optimism

My optimistic expectations are well documented in this blog. When something good happens--- I have a good walk, good bike ride, good run, I'm compelled to write about it here and then attempt to extrapolate where I'll be in a couple months, given that I feel good at that very moment. But something always happens that forces me to revise my optimism. At least now I see the pattern.... took me a couple years, but finally I get it. So lately I've been resigned to the fact that the old hip may never get better. It's easier this way--- acceptance. and I get tired of wondering.... the uncertainty sucks..... just want an answer, even if it's not good.

But dang, I just had a good run. 4 miles, 7:30 avg pace, trail, no soreness. Haven't run this well since I can remember.... Maybe I'll run a sub-40 10k in March....... (kidding)