Tech-Free (Run 77)*

This afternoon, I acquired a new pair of running shoes. I have been alternating between my Saucony ProGrid Omni 6 Ultimates and my Asics Gel Kayano +14s, but the Sauconys are my preferred shoe for longer runs.** Unfortunately (or fortunately), the Sauconys have over 300 miles on them, and as the race is still 7+ weeks away, I needed to start breaking in a new pair. So, I headed to Runner's Soul, right across Wall Street from my office, to get a new pair of the Sauconys.

After a bit of abuse, er, help from Cory (who sold me the Asics after a failed Nike purchase), I left with a new pair of Saucony ProGrid Omni 7 Ultimate (apparently, the 6s have been replaced). I figured I would test them on my run tonight. The shoes felt great, and I had a great 40+ minute run.

However, this was my first run in sometime that was not assisted by my Nike+ pace/distance/etc. monitor, as I forgot the receiver-insert that plugs into my iPod. It was surprisingly nice to run without hearing the time intervals called out, although my Type-A personality was mentally calculating my pace based on song length (the run wasn't completely tech-free) on perceived distance.

*I thought about quoting a line from "Ayo Technology" by 50 Cent feat. Justin Timberlake as the title, but I wasn't sure how many readers would catch it given the relatively poor showing of 50's "Curtis" album.

**I love the Asics for speed-work and shorter runs, but I don't feel as if they give me enough support on long runs.

Lance Armstrong, My Personal Cheerleader (Run 70)

Saturday morning, according to Lance Armstrong, I completed my longest workout to date. No, I don't know Mr. Armstrong personally, but via the Nike+ system, every time you log your "longest workout to date," Mr. Armstrong's voice comes through your iPod headphones* to tell you that you have completed your longest workout to date, and, of course, congratulations.

I had a hit-or-miss training week, so actually completing my 9 mile run on Saturday was surprising. Even more surprising was that it was a great run, in which I maintained a good pace, stayed hydrated, and felt as if I could run longer (than 9 miles). Given that my race is now 10 weeks away (from today, actually), I feel confident that 13.1 miles will be doable and, dare I say, enjoyable. Saturday's run also reinforced that "time on your feet" (see my post about Run 65) actually does make a training difference. Somewhere during the past 14 weeks, I have become a runner.

*I do not actually use the standard Apple-issue iPod headphones while running. I find that the earbuds get sweaty and slip out of my ears during a workout, so I tend to run with the Sennheiser PMX 70 sport headphones, which I purchased from the online Apple store. I love them for running.

A Great Playlist (Run 23)

The road racing world has been shaken up a bit by the issue of wearing headphones while running. Some races have outright banned the use of headphones while running. The reasoning behind the ban varies, but includes safety. Sure, safety while running solo can be affected by how loud your music is (you can't hear cars as well on city streets, you may not hear the roar of a cougar barrelling down on you, etc.), but in a huge race--such as the Boston Marathon, I doubt wearing headphones raises as much of a safety concern--roads are shut down to traffic, it's highly unlikely there will be a wild animal on the lose, everyone's an experienced runner (as you have to qualify for Boston). I've heard that the issue is more one of insuring a race v. actual safety concerns. Several organizations are re-visiting the issue.

I cannot imagine running for any considerable distance without music--and given that every road race of any notable size has music playing from speakers or actual bands along the course--I am not alone. Why shouldn't I be able to choose what I listen to while running? Of course, I always have music playing--at work, at home, on car rides, etc.

I am always searching for the right running music. While I love R.E.M., for example, it doesn't make for good running motivation (except maybe the "Monster" album). On the other hand, "Appetite for Destruction" has quite a few run-worthy tracks. This is what yesterday's playlist included:

(1) "Put You On Game," Lupe Fiasco. Lupe is one of my favorite hip-hoppers of all-time. While many of his more creative tracks are a bit too slow for running, this song is a great warm-up track.

(2) "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)," My Chemical Romance. MCR's theatrical sound translates well into running. Considering many people think going out and running for 13.1 miles (or even 1 mile) is crazy, this song is perfect.

(3) "Don't Stop The Music," Rihanna. Sure, this song is nothing special or original, but it's a good, dancey track that keeps you moving.

(4) "Feedback," Janet Jackson. I'm not a huge fan of Janet, but the beat of this track really powers you through the middle portion of a run.

(5) "You Give Me Something," Jamiroquai. Jay Kay of Jamiroquai sounds like a young Stevie Wonder, and 95% of their songs are great dance tracks with a pulsing, steady beat. Perfect for any cardio workout.

(6) "I Can," Nas. This song about working hard for your dreams helps with the motivation during the last portions of your run when you want to quit.

(7) "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," Michael Jackson. Old school MJ is classic.

(8) "Steve McQueen," Sheryl Crow. Clearly, my musical tastes are everywhere. Crow's track is a great way to end a workout.

The Treadmill is My Enemy (Run 22)

Given that it was all of 47 degrees in Spokane yesterday (and it snowed in Airway Heights), I was forced to do my 40 minute training run indoors at the gym. I haven't run on a treadmill in months, as the cardio wall in Oz Fitness has several tvs (with the closed captioning turned on) and as I am never without my iPod, I figured it couldn't be that bad.

It was awful. The actual running was fine. I made sure to up the pace and incline to better mimic an outdoor run, but the 40 minutes seemed like forever without a change in scenery. I found myself staring blankly at "30 Minute Meals" with Rachel Ray. She is considerably more palatable with the sound off, and not once did the closed captioning read "E-V-O-O," or any other Ray-ism. However, it was still torturous watching her make the least appetizing mac-and-cheese I had ever seen that did not originate in a box.

Still, I got the run done, and even tried a new gel--the ClifShot. I didn't need the nutrition for a 40-minute run, but I am testing them for the actual race, when I will need the carbs. So, I downed one with water 15 minutes before the run. The flavor was fine, and I didn't notice any GI stress during my run. However, my stomach was upset for most of the evening after my run, so I may not be having any more ClifShots. So far, Carb Bomb is the clear favorite.

Spastic Runner? (Run 18)

In my desire to acquire more and more running toys and products, I ordered a pair of Nike Air Structure Triax running shoes online, so that I could use the Nike+ technology. Nike+ is the fusion of iPod and Nike that tracks pace, mileage, time, etc. of your runs. It works through two sensors--one in your shoe and one attached to your iPod Nano. Your iPod Nano, when using the shoe sensor, gives a visual read out of time, pace, and distance, and you get verbal feedback periodically as well. You can upload all your run data onto nikeplus.com. There are a few other things it can do, but that's the gist of it.

Prior to the purchase of the Triax shoes, I was logging my routes after I ran on either runnersworld.com or mapmyrun.com, so I could check distance (and therefore, pace). You can track your route on an actual map of where you are running, but of course, it's not exact. I wanted more info, but was not yet ready to drop $300+ on a Garmin GPS-type watch that does all these things. So having a Nano and knowing I would need new shoes before the race in October, I ordered the new shoes and the Nike+ kit ($29). Unfortunately, the new shoes didn't feel right just walking in my living room, so I didn't even try to run with them.

I headed to Runner's Soul yesterday to get a second pair of shoes, figuring I would either just continue with the close approximation of pace or I would buy a pouch that apparently let's you use the Nike+ sensor without Nikes. As instructed, I brought my Sauconys in so that the fitter/sales rep could see my wear patterns and make sure that I had the right shoe. Noting that the wear pattern was quite even, he brought out several different models for me to try. I asked him about why he selected the shoes he did, and I then learned that I wear a "stability" shoe that borders closer to "motion-control." Basically, my arches aren't very high, and I tend to roll my ankles in when my feet strike the ground while running and walking. Bottom line--I run spasticly without the help of the "motion-control"-type "stability" shoe to keep my alignment right and fix my heel-strike. Of course, the sales rep at Runner's Soul did not tell me that I run like a spaz. He just said that these were the shoes that would fit.

Well, turns out, the shoes I liked best were a different pair of Nikes--the Air Zoom Equalon 2--which is like a stability+ shoe. It is HIDEOUS-looking. Worse than the Sauconys. However, they felt good on my feet (after I learned a new way to tie my laces to make sure they don't slip when I run), and they were compatible with my new Nike+ gear. And...fantastically, my pace was faster than I had been estimating it at prior to the integration of Nike+ into my running.

So, I'm going to buy the pouch so I can use the Nike+ with my Sauconys...and see if there's any more gear that I need.