Another week... running week of 2/2

[Aggie_Ama]

30 minute easy run last night. My running shoes are worn out and I really hate that I have to deal with that.

[eclectic]

{{{{{{{healing vibes}}}}}} sent over to you Oakleaf

I was thinking about my long run day for the last 3 days and wondering "can I do it"

Well I decided to just get out and do it. I ran on the indoor track at the Y and got all 5 miles done and was able to maintain a 12 min pace throughout. Not fast by any stretch of the imagination but I was really happy I was able to maintain it.

I swam this morning because I think it helps w/ recovery . My legs were pooped out so I wore zoomer fins to help them float

so 5 down and 8 to go

[Aggie_Ama]

40 minutes- 5 easy, 30 hard, 5 easy. I shocked myself by doing all 40 minutes, hydrating is paying off! Went and bought new shoes I will try out tonight. I did get aggravated because the HR strap slipped and I didn't get an accurate reading of my workout. Not that I really know what to do with the information but I like it.

I have a pretty ugly blister on my left foot in the arch, going to see if I can locate NuSkin before tonights run. An aside, I used to use NuSkin in my past life as a competitive bowler.

[OakLeaf]

Aggie, good luck protecting your blister. I used to get awful blisters in my arches. If you can't find NuSkin, I used to find that just a plain 1" band-aid with a little Neosporin on the pad as lubricant was enough to protect it.

What are you using to prevent those blisters? I never did find out why I was getting them, but I started using BlisterBlock on my arches before every run (also heavier wool socks), and I haven't had a blister on my arches since. I've been a little nervous since I've been trying to increase the mileage, but so far, so good.

I'm feeling a lot better, but still a bit weak. I'm going to try to get out for a little jog here before my massage (re-scheduled from Tuesday). Can't wait for that!

[Aggie_Ama]

What is blister block? I just started back running in earnest. Don't remember having an issue with them before. My socks fit snugly but aren't thin, I hate the thin cycling style socks a lot of people wear. They are moisture wicking Hanes I think I got at Target or the dreaded Wally World.

Last night I did have one of those bandaid blister protectors on it but it slid and the blister was just worse when I was done!

[OakLeaf]

Blister Block is the poor woman's BodyGlide. It's a J&J product that's sold in the drug stores next to the bandages (so it's a lot easier to find than BodyGlide, which I've never actually tried). It's a stick lubricant, mainly crisco but a few other ingredients that I'm not sure if they're functional or not (maybe I should just try plain crisco - wouldn't buy the stuff otherwise! ). Seriously, it doesn't turn liquid on skin contact the way I remember crisco doing, so I guess the other ingredients are some kind of stabilizers, or the oil is more hydrogenated, or something.

I resisted trying lubes for the longest time, always had this idea that they'd just soak into my socks and not work. I'd protect my feet with Spenco Adhesive Knit which was hard to find and not 100% effective. But the Blister Block is working great.


And, I can't say enough about wool socks. Not enough to prevent my blisters by themselves, but any more I don't wear anything else, year round. Just about 24/7!


EDIT: I mean, I don't wear any other socks. Yes, I do wear something besides my wool socks.

[Aggie_Ama]

Oh thanks! I have to go to Walgreen's at lunch, I will peruse the options. I would like to try something other than nuskin honestly. After 15 years of bowling and the occasional torn open thumb I would be happy to never feel that burn again!

[OakLeaf]

I'm not sure Blister Block will be enough to protect a blister you already have.

But I've never tried it that way, so who knows.

[Aggie_Ama]

If I am going to make it through the seven miler Saturday morning I think I am going to have to suck it up and buy some nuskin. But I have a mild blister (more like just a rub) on the right foot so I may get that Blister Block. This training program may kill me.

[Crankin]

Should I be wearing something other than my cycling socks for running? The thought of socks that are thicker worries me. My feet, particularly the one with the bunion are worse when I wear thick socks. When I hike, x country ski, or snow shoe, I end up wearing the thin, long wool socks that are for x country skiing. I cannot wear wool hiking socks, they are just too thick and I have ended up miserable on a few excursions.
Going to body glide my left foot tomorrow...

[Aggie_Ama]

I see a lot of people wearing cycling socks for running but I don't not like the feel. I have worn smart wool socks and loved it though. Actually my favorites are these new TEKO Merino Socks I got at the REI clearance, they are a midweight a little thinner than Smartwool cycling socks. I personally do not like thin socks, I think it is personal preference. I also cannot wear road shoes, I wear light weight trail runners even for asphalt which makes my running co-workers balk at me.

[Jolt]

This morning I was working at the Y, so after finishing my shift I ran 20 minutes (barefoot) on the crummy track and then did my strength training. I've decided that track is really not a good idea to use--it is so small and sloped that it messes up my form and is likely to lead to problems. Plus the surface is pretty hard. So I guess it'll be the treadmill if I want to run at that Y--ugh!

[yellow]

SadieKate alerted me to this product...they go on your SHOES, not your skin:

Engo Patches

I don't get blisters from my running shoes but do from my XC classic ski boots. Or did. The Engo Patch seems to have solved the problem. I picked them up at my LRS but I suspect they are sold in most higher-end sporting goods stores.

On another note, I LOVE the Injinji socks (aka "toe socks"). Don't knock 'em until you try 'em.

Oh, and I've not been running as much as I'd like this week (I've missed one day so far). I am so freaking sore from Crossfit...but in a good way. It's a good feeling!

[eclectic]

Thank goodness I haven't blistered yet

before I really started thinking about running I bought some asic running socks just because they were on clearance.
They are actually right and left footed and padded in strategic areas w/ some support around the arches. I have no idea if they are any better than anything else but my feet don't hurt and I don't have blisters so I am not going to mess w/ success at this time.

Just another bit of info if anyone is a new runner - I learned I was tying my shoes wrong I switched and my shoes never come untied anymore. Just think what a person can learn 45 years later.
Also I watched a couple of other short videos on runnersworld.com that showed different ways to lace your shoes to alleviate different problems. Very cool and they actually work.
Anyway they would be worth checking out to see if that helps alleviate blistering.

[Aggie_Ama]

Tonight I did 30 minutes easy run on asphalt (normally do caliche trail). I figure the run I am training for won't be on caliche I better get used to some pavement.

I wore my new shoes and they felt alright. I also wore NuSkin and running socks. My blister was not noticeable. I wonder if the thicker socks were the culprits? Hard to know when so many variables changed. Stay tuned....

I know one thing tomorrow is a rest day and my little body is ready!! Next week's schedule arrived in my inbox, I am not looking forward to the 40 minutes of intervals on Monday or my self imposed hill training I am starting.