RANdom Thoughts: Seven Weeks Until Chicago, Some New Running Shoes, a Hotspot and Back on Track {Tuesday}

Disclosure: JD Sports generously sent me a pair of running shoes to review, but the Asics GT-2000 were too narrow for my wide feet. The review is brief, but the opinions shared are my own, including the fact that I really, really wished the shoes fit.

In the marathon training sense, I found myself really struggling to get back into routine the week when the kids returned to school. Hubby and I managed to share the jobs related to the morning school routine and getting the kids off to school on time, but beyond that I didn’t know which end was up.

Honestly, I knew that was going to happen and I planned for it. I gave myself some slack and just focused on surviving the first week of school. After weeks of sleeping in and enjoying the lazy days of summer, I couldn’t face an alarm at 5:00 a.m. So I didn’t.

Some people would call that an excuse. For me, I see it more of redirecting my attention. It’s so hard to juggle training for a marathon, blogging and still trying to be there for my kids and husband. Something has to give. If you are a regular reader of Run DMT, you probably already know which was ignored.

Although I felt no guilt, I have been feeling a bit depressed over the past week which may be a direct link to my lack of workouts. The anxiety and depression could be hormonal but it might also be caused by a lack of endorphins from running less and spinning less and not weight-lifting. It also might be the “end of summer blues”. To overcome this sadness, I know I need to focus on eating right, avoiding sugars, reducing my alcohol consumption and commit to a regular workout routine. I also need to reconnect with my running partners and carve out some positive family time not related to a blogging job, a tech-time out so to speak.

With one school week under way and seven weeks left until the Chicago Marathon, I was ready (kind of, sort of) to face marathon training again and to shake off the anxiety and sadness I had been feeling. That’s not to say I jumped out of bed at 5:00 a.m. but more slumped out of bed around 6:00 a.m., as was the case this morning.

Yesterday, I missed my golden hour to run before my family wakes up but I wouldn’t allow myself to miss another run. So I decided to run around 9:00 after I dropped Little Lion Man off at preschool.

That was a bad move.

Like a bad prank, the morning seemed a tad bit cooler and I thought I would be fine running later in the morning. Unfortunately, my body temperature rose right along with the heat index. Even though I set up extra water for a water stop in my neighborhood, it wasn’t enough. Halfway into the run I changed my course and ran to my local Publix supermarket just for more water some A/C and a potty break.  I filled up my handheld Nathan and still barely made it back to my planned water stop.

I set out to run 8 miles but could only manage 6 miles in the heat and I was totally fine with that. At least I was committed to running regularly again. And you know what? Even though I felt as though I was going to die from a heat stroke, I felt remarkably better.

Wanting to avoid another heat stroke, I decided to run a tad earlier than the day before and attempted some speed work. Last time I ran intervals, I ran 4 x 800s and since I need to slowly build up to hit the magical Yasso 800s, I decided to shoot for 6 x 800s today. Not great, but I made good progress toward my marathon goal. Next week, I think I’ll aim for 6 x 800s again to hopefully show some improvement.

On a side note, I’m totally loving the MapMyRun app, which I discovered through my running partner, Daffodil. Although I was using the free version, I just purchased the upgraded app for $1. I find the MapMyRun to be a great little substitute while I pine over my dead Granny Garmin and decide which watch to purchase next. I just wish I could link the MapMyRun data and workouts to the Daily Mile.

In case you’re interested, today is the last day that the discount will be available, so don’t delay. Get yours today! The MapMyRun app is available in the iTunes store or Google Play store.

I recently received a pair of Asics GT-2000 from JD Sports which was perfect timing as I was due for a new pair of running shoes. Funny enough, my very first pair of running shoes was Asics and I find it amusing to come full circle in the running shoes sense.

This generation of the Asics GT-2000 is a really gorgeous shoes with Dynamic DuoMax® Support System offering lots of support and cushion in the heel (where I need it for my plantar fasciitis), however, no wide width was available and the shoe was a bit tight for me.  I felt a slight pinch on the inside of my foot. *insert sad face*

So off to my favorite running store for a new shoe fitting although I waited until tax-free day on August 1 to save a bit of money. As much as I loved the cushioning in the Brooks Ravenna, I feel like the shoes really did some damage to me. In longer runs, my toes would go numb and then, I grew a hideous and painful bunion on my right foot. Ok so, maybe it wasn’t the shoe but rather other factors involved (like my gait for one), but since it all occurred while wearing the Ravenna shoes, I had a mental block and wanted to try something new.

After a few trials, I chose the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14 which is funny because I rejected a previous generation of the Brooks Adrenaline years ago. Rumor has it that Brooks added its famous Brooks DNA to the Adrenaline for added comfort and I would agree to that. My heels are happy and my bunions aren’t complaining either. And knock on wood, no numb toes!

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14

Then, the other day, I wore my new Brooks Adrenaline to the Zoo Run Run and forgot to pack my favorite Speco recovery flip-flops. I made the mistake of wearing my shoes on the Gator Falls flume ride and my shoes got DRENCHED! UGH! I absolutely despise wet shoes but I hate walking around in wet running shoes even more. My feet felt like they would never dry out. As a result, I believed I developed a hot spot from it. For the past couple of days, I have this horrible sore in the center of my sole that feels like a blister but I can’t see it. It’s painful! According this, I think there may be a blister under the callous. OUCH!

How is your training going?

Have you ever developed a hot spot? How did you “fix” it?

Do you allow yourself a moment to recharge and refocus?

What shoes are you running in these days?

7 comments

  1. Stacey Wendol says:

    I can relate to so much of this…trying to get back on track with kids going back to school, needing to find new sneakers (I have a bunion too but its been there all my life!), and of course dealing with this heat! Thanks for sharing your experiences!

    • Denise says:

      Thank you for feeling my pain…in more ways than one. 😉 Training in the summer has been particularly challenging for me this summer. I’ve had so much going on in my personal life that I really, truly struggled with finding a way to balance it all. I know it may appear flaky or that my heart is not into it. Whatever. Other things needed my attention, but that doesn’t make training any less important. It’s nearly impossible to clear all distractions. Something has to give. My head is in the game now and I’m ready.

  2. Jenny says:

    I developed a hot spot while walking on the National Mall back in 2000. OMG. Hurt so so so bad.

    I’m not running, but recently had ART on my Plantar Fasciitis, so running might once again return for me in the distant future.

  3. Vishal Mahadik says:

    Hi Denise, I am your first time reader and I must say your blog is really interesting to read. The best thing is its about my favorite topic viz. being fit with running.

    I love Asics GT-2000 running shoe because its really lightweight and provides good stability while running. The best thing is it is also suitable for people with foot ailments such as bunions and plantar fasciitis.

    I read that you are also a sufferer of bunions. I wanted to ask to you about Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14 shoes. Are they good for protecting bunions? I am searching for a good shoe that can safeguard bunions. I will be waiting for your reply.

    One more thing to mention which is about your breaks in between two running sessions. I love yoga and meditation exercise which is a good thing if you are not running at all and want to keep yourself fit while you are at home.

    I can highly recommend you to try them yourself when you are not running. I can tell you from my personal experience that the regular yoga workout will definitely help you cure your personal health problems.

    Regards

    Vishal

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