Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Wednesday Workout Update

 Our team race shirt!

It's race week!  I know, I keep mentioning this, but we've been looking forward to the Houston Half Marathon since June, when our JFR Crew of 9 (now down to 8) got in via the lottery.  I will admit, it was a little challenging to continue with our long runs after the BCS Half Marathon in December, especially when the weather turned cold and rainy.  But I stuck with it, and on Saturday ran my last long run before Houston - 7 miles!  It was very cold (36 degrees, felt like mid-20s), but the company was great (I ran with Cary and Julia again) and the run was great, too...which was a relief after that not-so-great 11 miler the week before.

After the run, we went to Jessie's Tacqueria once again, where we had such a great time eating, laughing, and talking (and even threw in a little bit of knitting, thanks to Cary helping me out with a problem) - sometimes it's really hard to drag yourself out of bed super early on a cold and wet Saturday morning, but getting to spend time with running friends makes it so worthwhile!

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Last month, while our oldest was home, he got inspired to start running again (and YES, Jeff and I take full credit for that considering we made him come and watch us cross the finish line of the BCS Half Marathon).  He asked about running shoes - specifically, how long they lasted before they needed to be replaced.  I gave my standard spiel about tracking the mileage, getting anywhere from 300 - 400 miles on them, or replacing them sooner if something started hurting that hadn't been hurting before.  And then the light bulb went off in my head...about three weeks before the BCS race, my knees started bothering me.  My knees have never bothered me, but I figured it must be the high miles I was running.

Well, I added up the miles on my shoes, saw that they were around 350, and bingo.  Light bulb.  I bought a new pair of the same shoes I'd been wearing - the Hoka One One Cliftons (only in a much more fun color) and guess what?  My knees have been fine ever since I made the switch.
In some instances, new shoes CAN solve all your problems...

And in shoe news, Garmin Connect added a new gadget where you can track your shoes with each run, which is pretty darn cool.  You can have several pairs of shoes on this gadget - I have my old Cliftons on there as well, because I can still wear them during my shorter runs.  You just have to assign the shoe to the run - it's an easy way to monitor shoe wear:
I gave these shoes 300 miles, since I figured that's about when my knees started hurting with my old shoes.  And yes, this pair is called "the pretty shoes" - because they are!

Only one more run this week - tomorrow - before the big race weekend!  Eeeek, I'm getting excited!!!

15 comments:

  1. I keep the same "rules" for my running shoes as you do. I use Garmin connect to upload my stats but also put my stats on a Dutch website where I can also keep track of how many miles I ran on which shoes. I had to replace one pair of my walking shoes recently because my right calve started to hurt during a walk and I knew immediately the shoes did it.

    So exciting that race day is almost here! I am not sure if I will respond on your Friday post on time but just in case I don't: Good luck and most of all: have lots of fun!

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    1. Garmin Connect has a "modern" view version that is pretty cool - it has all kinds of gadgets for keeping track of stuff. I'm enjoying it more than I thought, as I resisted switching over for quite some time.

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  2. My back hurts when I need new shoes. Unfortunately I don't track since I switch around a lot. My half is this weekend too. Nervous!

    Good luck on yours

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  3. Knees and shins for me too but I expect much more out of my running shoes - 500 miles is what I'm looking for. It's one of the reasons I stopped wearing Brooks. Love them but they just don't last.

    Love your shirt - wish I was part of a JFR crew. They just announced that we have a half marathon and 10K coming back to this area. It will be held in May, I think and it's being run by the organization that puts on the Hartford Marathon so it will be well managed. First time I've had the thought that I might try to run a race. But it was a fleeting thought lol!

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    1. At most, I end up buying two pairs of running shoes a year; for that, I'll go with what feels most comfortable over the mileage. Not a bad investment for some fun plus a healthy habit.

      You should do that 10K! Might be fun. :)

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  4. Nice shirt.....good luck & maybe I will see you guys on Sunday!

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    1. Same to you, and I sure hope we find each other on Sunday!

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  5. That is a cool shirt! I want new running shoes even though I don't run! I looked at the Hoka One One's on Amazon, and now I see them everywhere in ads!

    And I had to laugh at your label for your shoes. They ARE pretty! So glad you had a last good run!

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  6. I love those shoes!!!! That is fun news about the Garmin connect tracking your shoe miles. Can I do that with any Garmin?

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    1. Yes - just download the Garmin Connect app to your computer/phone...you choose your particular Garmin and go from there.

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  7. Haha! I LOVE my Hokas so much! Since I only use them to walk, I have purchased several styles in various stages of use on eBay .... have the Bondi, Stinson Tarmac, Clifton and Mafate. For my wide foot, the Bondi is the most roomy, but the Cliftons are def the most "springy" --- Hoka love! ;)

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  8. YAY for the new shoes!!!!!!!!

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  9. I go through shoes like nobody's business - and I don't run anymore! I wear them down like crazy from walking around and then I wear the back of the heel out on the inside of every pair of shoes (do I have a claw there or something??). Even my bike shoes are that way LOL!

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