Lean Horse 50k- Race Report!!

[yellow]

I knew you'd kill it!

Re: socks, I second the Injinji. I won't wear anything else for runs longer than about 10 miles. I put body glide all over my toes, heels, and balls of my feet then put the socks on. I do not get blisters. I wear the wool ones in the winter, and even when my feet are wet I don't get blisters.

Oh, changing your socks after about 20 miles doesn't hurt either. Since most big races accommodate drop bags, just put a fresh pair in your drop. I know people that also change shoes in a race (although this is usually 50 m or longer).

There's also some (probably cockamamey) theory out there that low sodium can lead to more blisters (somehow affecting the skin). Could be bunk. Since I don't have a problem, I haven't looked into it much. Maybe some medical pro-fessional here can comment on this!

[Urlea]

Thanks for the sock recommendations, I think I will have to try several out to see what I like. I wear Injinjis as recovery socks, my feet are kind of wide so I'm concerned the extra width in the toes added by the socks might not fit well in my shoes, will give it another shot though. For now I'm running in VFFs without socks, hoping to build up a good tolerance to barefoot running at least for the shorter races left this season. I'll keep you posted!

Teigyr- The Ultra group is a lot different than the 26.2 group. I'd compare your average marathon crowd/volunteers to a fast food restaurant, get in & get out, say thanks. Ultras are a nice sit down dinner with five courses, good service & great conversation.

Now, while a 50k is only roughly 5miles farther than a 26.2 those added miles are difficult. The terrain is also much different. I'm used to running races on mostly flat pavement & this race was hilly gravel trail. The nice part about that is that your joints don't take the same beating.

All said, if you are interested in doing an ultra you should. Because the people who even consider them are more than likely the type who would enjoy one!

[indigoiis]

You may want to look into alpaca socks. I love mine!
Red maple Sportswear has a very thin alpaca sock:

http://www.redmaplesportswear.com/st...products_id=95

They are worth the $$$.

[colby]

Runner's World's "best no blister" sock was the drymax maximum protection something or other - happened to have it in my stack.

[SadieKate]

I'm officially putting you on my ignore list with yellow.

Congratulations!

And I'm also going to quote myself just incase it helps anyone. The author has a great newsletter also.

Glad it doesn't seem serious!

I've been battling a blood blister recently and stumbled upon this book. All I can say is WOW. I wish more authors would delve into this much depth when it came body care for athletes.

http://www.zombierunner.com/store/product36.html

[Jolt]

Thanks for the sock recommendations, I think I will have to try several out to see what I like. I wear Injinjis as recovery socks, my feet are kind of wide so I'm concerned the extra width in the toes added by the socks might not fit well in my shoes, will give it another shot though. For now I'm running in VFFs without socks, hoping to build up a good tolerance to barefoot running at least for the shorter races left this season. I'll keep you posted!

Glad to hear you're running in the VFFs--they are great! I've never gotten a blister from them although my longest run in them (actually, longest run ever) has been 9 miles. I think the reason is that they conform to the foot and move with it so well. You can wear the Injinjis with them as well, to really make sure there's no rubbing! That 9-mile trail run last Sunday has gotten me thinking about training for a 21-mile trail race that is held in southern NH in the spring--think I should go for it?

[Urlea]

Jolt- Absolutely! Sounds like a good race. As for the injinjis w/ the VFFs: I grunted really hard and was unable to get them to fit in the shoes to save my life.

[kacie tri-ing]

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!
How are you feeling a week out?

[Urlea]

Kacie- Really sore, but not from the 50k. I started training jiu-jitsu & crossfit the later part of this week! It's been fun, but working an entirely different set of muscles has been a rude awakening. Should make me even stronger for next race season though!!