Back-to-Back ... to Back?

Yesterday's weather was too good to pass up, and so I headed out for another three-mile run around the neighborhood and in so doing tied my fastest pace of the year. That's back-to-back runs and back-to-back paces of 9:30 per mile or faster. But can I do it one more time?

Thursday has been one of my regular running days, and the after-work weather forecast calls for high 30s and partly sunny. That's a good running climate.

While running seems likely, another 9:30 mile pace doesn't. Furthermore, I'm contemplating a midweek trail run, as I've noticed the daylight has been lasting just long enough to be able to make it through the woods before it gets too dark. That is, if I go direct from the office.

My trail running pace has been more like 12 minutes per mile, so logging 9:30s, even on a flat trail, would be extremely ludicrous, especially considering my legs will likely feel tired. But speed speculations aside, another three-miler this week would put me ahead of my pre-training plan heading into another potentially busy weekend.

What'd You Say?
Have you seen the latest "Sh*t ___ Say" video?



That's Steven Sashen of Invisible Shoes fame. Remember when I reviewed those her-ra-kees? That "heel striker" comment is totally me. Cheers!

Something to Talk About

Since we're dealing with the Mondaze, I'm a bit short on creativity. And since I failed to run this weekend, I need something to write about. Let's deal with the hangover from Flashback Friday and answer some more questions from the comments, all of which dealt with holy holey "sockemetrics."

From Xenia: "Since you're the King of Thrift, are you going to sew up the hole and keep running in that pair of socks? You know you want to, you cheap bastard."

Answer: I actually already answered this question in the comments, but I'm trying to get content here, teammates. I will keep running in my holey socks, but I'm not going to sew a darned thing.

From Kelly: "Are you seeing a similar heel wear pattern on your Altras? A work mate is concerned about heel wear on his VFFs, but doesn't seem to have a problem with it otherwise."

Answer: So far, I have not experienced abnormal heel wear on my Altras or my VFFs. Since both are zero-drop soles, they help foster a more mid- or forefoot strike. So if anything, these shoes have shown less heel wear than traditional running shoes I've worn.

From Barefoot Josh: "I wouldn't worry too much about the holy heel. That's where the sock is stretched the tightest, compromising structural integrity and stuff. The holy development pattern changes with each sock for me. I think there are too many other factors to learn any valuable info re: one's gait from holy observations."

Answer: This wasn't a question, was it? No, it wasn't.

My lovely wife and I started the packing process over the weekend by starting to purge unnecessary items. We already have three big trash bags and three boxes of donation items.

I finally parted with my extensive VHS collection in the name of technological progress. After all, we haven't used the VCR -- as it has been stored in the same closet as the VHS tapes -- since we moved to the apartment.

This morning, I noticed all the shoes I'll have to part with. My old Brooks T6 Racers will be among the trashed. I'm also considering what to do with the KSOs (eBay, perhaps?), as I haven't worn them much.

When we move to the house, I intend to only have my Altras, New Balance MT101s (which I want to take to the cobbler to have zero-dropped), Invisible Shoes and socks as my arsenal of running footwear.

No Improvement, Running Home and Lies

Another rescheduling of my supposed-to-be-Sunday long run, and last week's planned mileage is complete--sort of. Not a good week to be behind on my running with the Buckeye Half Marathon this weekend, which already will be tough with my bachelor party the night before.

The Enthusiast dropped me off at work yesterday morning with nothing but my running gear to get me home. I mapped a run from work, down the Towpath to Merriman Valley, and then up the hill to Highland Square and home.

In retrospect, it was a brutal route. Flat for the first 10 miles or so, and then straight up hill for the rest.

Wearing my Invisible Shoes for the Towpath portion of the run, I was logging easy 10-minute miles with 30-second walk and water breaks every 10 minutes. Once I got to the smooth sidewalks of the Valley, I ditched the huaraches and stowed them in my CamelBak, which I chose over my handheld because of the storage space for my wallet, keys and phone, which I didn't want to leave at work.

I got a couple snickers from two guys who passed me near Sand Run. "Need a shoe?" No, I do not. "I don't know how you do it." I followed them into Sand Run to refill my water. They asked how long I'd been running barefoot. As I left, I heard them say to a third guy, "Nothing like a new pair of shoes, huh?" Yuck yuck yuck.

My laughing days were over, as I headed toward the steep hill up from the Valley. I made it up the steepest part, but my Achilles started to hurt, which forced me to walk much more. I had planned a little loop around the neighborhood to get me the final mileage, but I was done by the time I got there. Instead I just went home.

So my 14-miler wasn't exactly 14 miles, but my running time was certainly long enough to match the effort, especially with that tough climb at the end. Will that bite me in the ass later? Stay tuned.

That said, last week's completed miles and paces resulted in a Parrott Prediction of 4:43:56, which McMillan says would give me a 2:14:38 half marathon. With no improvement from my previous week's predictions, my plan to stay back with the 2:15 pacer group for the Buckeye Half still sounds like a smart idea.

Review: Invisible Shoes (aka Commercially Made Hippy Shoes)

Many of you will remember my craft project last year, when I made my own running sandals, or huaraches, which I dubbed "hippy shoes." For about $10, I purchased all the supplies I needed and then used Steven Sashen's Invisible Shoes site as a guide to make my own minimalist running shoes.

To date, I've run a little more than 50 miles in my homemade huaraches. I found that the industrial rubber sheeting I used as the sole was a bit heavy and tended to flap too much and kick up dirt and rocks when I ran. Therefore, they've been relegated to minimal use. In fact, I'm not even sure where they are right now.

Last month, a publicity representative from Invisible Shoes contacted me about trying a pair of the company's newly revamped huaraches (thanks to Ian at Half-Fast for the referral).

When I first came across Sashen's site, he was selling huaraches made from Vibram material for the sole. Now he's offering what he calls "FeelTrue" outsoles available in two thicknesses, the 4-millimeter "Connect" and the 6-millimeter "Contact."

Invisible Shoes sent me a pair of each, the Connects with orange laces and Contacts with black laces). Upon trying on each pair, I immediately knew that I wouldn't be running much in the 6-millimeter Contact soles -- too thick. In fact, the farthest I've run in the Contacts is down to the end of my neighborhood block and back. However, they're nice for walking around, and with black laces they actually look almost somewhat fashionable.

The thinner Connect soles are much closer to what I look for in a minimalist shoe: flat, flexible and lots of ground feel (the three F's, we'll call them and immediately trademark the phrase). I have now run in these Invisible Shoes five times for 33 miles, including a 10-miler and over asphalt, crushed limestone and trails.

By now, I feel I've adapted to the huaraches and can run very close to how I would barefoot, but that doesn't mean this trial has been without its tribulations.

My first couple of runs resulted in some painful abrasions from the lacing. First, during their debut run, I got a nasty cut over the top of my right foot, which has since been solved by loosening the laces. The scab kept me from wearing these huaraches or my flip-flops for a few days. The second was between my big and second toes during that 10-miler. A pebble lodged itself between the lacing and my toe webbing and I didn't stop to remove it. I was fine the next day.

Overall, the Invisible Shoes are comfortable and very light weight (especially compared to my homemade version). The sole material holds a bit of shape and cups my foot, which I think helps prevent it from flapping. At any rate, I don't kick up nearly as much debris, unless I'm walking.

The Invisible Shoes have already become my first choice when I decide to use some foot protection. (I just banned my Vibram KSO's until winter.) They are especially nice for running on the Towpath, but are a bit thin for me when running on trails. However, I blame that on my lack of barefoot trail experience. The huaraches made me feel like I was wearing enough shoe to blast through difficult terrain, but that was not the case. I need more practice on trails.

You can either buy a custom-made pair of Invisible shoes, on sale now for $39.95 (Connect) or $44.95 (Contact), or you can get a do-it-yourself kit for $24.95 or $29.95. (The Vibram outsole is still available as the "Classic" kit for $21.95.)

I don't think I would actually buy a pair of the custom-made Invisible Shoes for that price, but I got them since they were offering them for free and I'd already made a pair in the past. However, the kits are a decent deal and making your own shoes is pretty fun.

I've been impressed with Sashen's commitment to customer service; just check out his response to my comment over at Barefoot Josh's site. That kind of personal touch is nice to see. It's also nice to see a minimal shoe for a much more minimal price than what Vibram, Merrell, New Balance and the rest are offering.

[Drunkard's note: Invisible Shoes provided the products reviewed above. The opinions expressed in this blog are my own.]

Getting Passed, Not Getting Passed

Less than three miles to go. Three voices enter earshot and steadily get louder as the men pass me like a Formula 1 car passes a peddle cart. I used them as motivation to pick up the pace as long as I could see them, and then my watch beeped.

My delayed long run of 10 miles proved to be a good way to start the week, despite compressing my schedule for this week. I employed a ratio of 10 minutes running to 30 seconds walking throughout my 103-minute session. My focus was on quick foot turnover, striving for four steps or more each second. 

I got some stares with my Invisible Shoes, and I also got a slight abrasion between the big and second toes on my right foot. (Most likely from a pebble that lodged itself between the strap and my toe webbing, but it's fine today.) The Towpath was a bit puddle strewn, and I enjoyed watching others play dodge'em while I plowed right through the water. 

After my turnaround, I saw three long and lean young guys racing effortlessly toward me. I had a feeling I'd be seeing them again. 

The evening was fairly cool. The recent rain had pulled the moisture out of the air. This was my longest run of the year so far. I felt good as I passed Szalay's farm on target for my goal time with three miles to go. 

Where the Towpath borders a series of sweet corn fields, and the sounds of predatory birds and gun shots fill the air, my premonition was verified. The three men flew past me again. 

While I was pleased to note that my footfalls were nearly in rhythm with theirs, they still floated by me like I was walking. After a few minutes of trying to keep pace with them, I was walking, as my watch alerted me to my 30-second break. 

It was nice having that extra motivation to pick up the pace, and thankfully a new impetus arrived. Shortly after my walk break ended, I heard some heavy breathing behind me. My racing instinct engaged, and my pace surged. 

Thinking about it now, I remember this same scenario happened in reverse on my way outbound at nearly the same place on the Towpath. An older gentleman was walking ahead of me as I approached, and he suddenly started running and darted away from me. My walk break soon arrived, and I lost him for good. Now, it was my turn to return the favor ... to whoever was behind me. 

My pursuer's breathing was loud and labored. No way was that going to pass me. The evening shadows fell in a way that allowed me to see a good 10 feet behind me without looking. The mouth breather wasn't close enough to see, nor would he ever be. 

We approached a gaggle of women walkers. I gathered my composure and said loud and cheerfully, "Passing on your left." No hint of exhaustion was in my voice. After I passed the four walkers, no hint of the heavy breather was behind me. I dared not look back. 

I exited the Towpath and started the climb up to where my car was parked. I removed my huaraches when I reached the smooth sandstone sidewalks of Peninsula, Ohio. The previous week's training finally was done. 

Solid Weekend, Delayed Long Run

Yeah, it was doable to run four days in a row to fit in all of last week's training runs, but it seemed more ideal to add a day off and delay Sunday's long run until today. That, and I had a sunburn that I didn't want to further aggravate by spending a hundred minutes outside. Overall, though, my weekend runs turned out well.

My legs felt pretty decent considering the crammed mileage from Thursday through Saturday. Nine miles were done barefoot and another five were done in my new huaraches. Yesterday's Today's 10-miler will also most likely be in the Invisible Shoes. (I've been running in the "Connect" version, with the 4-millimeter sole.)

Sweaty Beast
In my advancing age, I appear to becoming smellier. I don't remember sweating as much as I do now. Each time I return from a run, my body is coated in a filmy sheen. Furthermore, my sweat stinks worse than it did before. It used to be that I didn't mind rewearing running clothes once or twice. Now, the stiff test results in an "egads!" and a swift toss to the farthest corner of the room. Am I going to be a stinky old man?

So Stinkin' Slow
Another trend this year is my painfully slow pace. Yes, switching to barefoot running is likely a main contributor to my lacking speed, as I've had to slow down to ensure good form, but I also haven't run nearly as much this year. I think I'm looking at a 4:30 marathon at the very best. Who knows what I'll manage for a half.