Back on my feet

After a five days off my foot seems better which is a relief. Been stretching. rolling, icing, ibuprofening, elevating as I can. Today got out for 4 miles to see how it is and I ran with no pain. Post run it was still there though. I think it's being caused by my calf. I've been running on my mid to fore foot pretty diligently and had been feeling some calf soreness so I'm guessing that was the cause so I'm going to work on my calves some more to loosen them up and maybe lay off the technique change so much.

Dropped out of the Malverns Ultra due to the foot. I still could do it I think but I'm not all that confident in my long run fitness anyway so maybe this foot thing was a sign. Oh well, I'm over it and now I'll focus more on the long term.

After five mornings off I was tempting to throw in the towel on this running thing! Sure was relaxing reading in the mornings!

Just can't win this year

Well in my last post I mentioned some odd foot pain I had. I wasn't too worried about it until now. On Thursday I awoke at my normal time, 5am, and headed out the door. It was a nice morning for running and was feeling good actually. Good for the first time in a while.

Then about 3 miles into a 10 miler my foot flared up in pain so bad I had to stop! I tried to massage and stretch whatever was wrong with it out but I couldn't free it. The outside of my right foot had an intense pain that would not go away.

So I turned around and walked for a while trying not to put any pressure on it. The tried running which only made it worse. Then I finally perfected an odd "run on my big toe" jog which helped get me home a bit quicker. So my 6 miles took an hour.

So it's ice, massage, rest, elevation, ibuprofen for me and my foot. No idea what is wrong. I think Malvern Ultra is out of the question next weekend.

Moving along

Well the running is dribbling along. I feel ok but not great and managed to put in 45 miles last week which was nice. Intended on doing 15 Saturday and then 25 on Sunday but Sunday never happened. So, the Malverns Ultra is in 10 days and I have absolutely NO IDEA how I will feel or run, if I'll finish or drop out. I almost feel as if I should drop out now and not even start. Hmmm. Not really sure.

In other news the body weight stuff I've been doing is trucking right along. I've progressed from headstands in late January to now doing handstand push ups which is pretty bad ass. All the other exercises are going well too. A little hesitant about pistol squats due to my right knee so I've been holding off. I have been able to do them in the past though!

The injury count comes and goes, life as a runner! The right knee gets better with massage and ice so that has been the routine (trying to be consistent with this). Out of no where after wearing flip flops the other day the side of my right foot feels odd. Muscle spasm in my upper back from sleeping on it wrong. All items listed I can run with little or no discomfort. Anyway, minor bumps in the road.

Upped my food intake after monitoring my calories. I had been down way too much. I'd been so focused at feeding and chasing around my daughter that I'd forget to feed myself! So new focus is eat more. I was playing with a high fat low carb diet (150g of carbs/day) for a few days for fun but I lost patience. I do not need to lose weight, I run fine on a normal healthy diet, and I graze all day so I don't really get crashes. I eat a pretty low carb diet in general anyway. If it ain't broke don't fix it!

Racing. I am the worst at planning ahead for these things. Some people have things planned a year in advance! I may have a race or two in mind but nothing like I would like to have. I was asked to run in the UK Masters Championship Relays next month but I had to work. Would have been fun to do a short 5km on a flat course to see how I'd do! Oh well. Looking ahead at summer: Wyre Forest Half Marathon (July), Danny Dash, Stretton Skyline (Sept), Longmynd Hike (Oct), Beacons Ultra (Nov). Pretty much everything I've done before. I'd love to fit in a 5km, 10km, or road half marathon just to see what time I can do too.

Also was toying with the idea of one of the Superior Ultras this September. I'd like to get back to MN to see my family and our daughter flies for free until Oct, so if I could work it out that we happen to be in town over the weekend of Sept 7th it may happen? Big maybe I guess. Logistically we'd need rooms to rent north of Duluth, a ride, among other things but I'd consider the 100 miler if it all worked out. I'd love to have my family there not only to help as a crew but for fun. But the big thing would be a family and little one with the patience to watch/manage a 50 or 100 mile race!

Uh oh, the little one is up from her nap, got to go!

Brooks PureGrit resole!

Got out for an ultra windy run this morning. Not too sure what the gusts were but I was sandblasted out in the countryside. Overall felt alright, still not top notch though. Post run my knee was the worst it has ever been, swelling which I hadn't had before. No clue why this happened but ice, ibuprofen, stretching, etc. continues.

On to the fun. So a while back I had won a pair of Brooks PureGrits and I ended up loving them however the out sole was horrible so I found a place here, Lancashire Sports Repairs, that resoles fell running shoes with a similar sole to the Walsh PB fell running shoe.

v.1 Brooks PureGrit original bad sole

The Walsh shoes are a product of the UK and are cult status in the fell running community here. I think they look cheap and out out of date but many people swear by them AND by their traction. Well anything could be better than the Brooks' v.1 sole.

v.2 Brooks PureGrit2

As I mentioned before, I got my hands on a new pair of the Brooks PureGrit2 which have a revised out sole (among a few other changes), however still not rugged enough for the UK slop, but they have been great in normal conditions and ideal for someone wanting an on road/off road shoe. Once I had these I then sent off the v.1 for resole. This was all about a month ago I think. I wasn't sure what to expect, my main concern was that the shoe would come back much much stiffer than it originally was.

resoled v.1 PureGrit

I have yet to run in these monsters but as you can see above the resole definitely has given me the traction for mucky muddy UK conditions which was what I was looking for. The new soles have 100% added noticeable weight to the shoes though. Didn't consider the weight gain so I don't have a before and after weight but on my ever exact kitchen scale the v.1 comes in at just over 9oz and the resoled v.2 at just over 12 oz both size 8.5 UK (sorry I work in a UK running store selling to the British, I think it's a US 9.5). Yeah the weight gain sucks but it's life. As mentioned I was worried about the stiffness of the sole. They are stiffer but I can't really comment having yet to run in them. So until then I'll withhold any judgment. If they end up being too stiff I could always cut some slits in the sole to aid in the flex.

So until it gets rainy and nasty out I'll enjoy the PureGrit2!

Moving in the right direction maybe?

Well I'm hanging in there. I think I'm starting to pull it together again. Still unsure about Malvern Ultra in two weeks but there is nothing I can do but give it a go. I am on a team now with the same guy I raced with at the Beacons Ultra. He has won the Malvern Ultra the past two years I believe but is injured. So, we'll do what we can.

The wife was commenting on my caloric intake so I started to monitor what I'm eating. Considering I run most days 7 - 15 miles, then do a calisthenics workout which isn't easy, then get out with the little one walking I must be torching the calories. Add to that my diet high in fruits and vegetables and I run into a pretty low caloric intake unless I eat a ton of food. So, the past few days I've been tracking and yep, I'm on the low side on days I run. The first day I was down 1000 calories! So, since then I've upped my intake. I always try to keep it high fat, high protein, low sugar, avoid wheat and dairy, and looking at my intake I'm definitely doing that.

So this maybe the cause of this down spell maybe? I think I'll get through this next race and then focus on smaller stuff locally, more speed work, hills, but still work up my mileage looking at the Longmynd Hike in October and Beacons Ultra in November (both 50 milers) in the long term.

view from the peanut rocket, yep she's asleep in there! 

Anyway, got out today with the little one in the Chariot. She fell asleep immediately and I got in 7 plus miles at about 8 minute/mile pace. Not bad pushing a stroller on a bumpy path! I sure get funny looks here with that thing! I already am "that guy" who runs all the time, add in the Chariot and I definitely don't fit in! I guess I never really have anyway!

Oh, got my resoled Brooks PureGrits back. Holy shit are they rugged! I'll get some photos up tomorrow and do a little write up on them.

Blah.

Well after being injured most of the winter (and still am a bit), then being sick, I'm not really sure where I lie now. My running has been so inconsistent. I've dropped out of one race and am considering another. I just don't think I have the miles to race well.

I know I can finish the Malvern 50, so since I cannot get any money back I may as well become a completer and use it for training. I hate to say that because what an effort to go out, risk injury, and trash my body just to finish. Who knows though, I'm notorious for pulling races out of my ass relying on my past base miles.

However, my overall motivation has been depleted, I'm not really even excited to run. I want to eat like shit, drink beer, sit on my ass. I don't know what it is whether it's the shitty dreary weather, the little one's recent drastic change in her daily routine, inconsistent training, I can't put my finger on it but something has got me down.

So I trudge forward anticipating that first run "back" where I feel the spring in my step, I feel quick and strong, that run that puts a smile on my face because I know this is how it should feel. It's got to be near. Just before I got sick I was happily charging 12 to 15 mile runs at 6 minute per mile pace so when will it return?

Isle of Arran Running

Well despite having Norovirus diarrhea and cramps the entire stay on the Isle of Arran and having to deal with the worst snow fall in 50 years this place has seen I managed to get out and enjoy the beauty Scotland in miniature has to offer. 

We stayed in Kildonan at my mother-in-law's house which was snow free. We had beautiful weather except for a stiff wind most days. A constant intake of Immodium kept the shits at bay but I still had my fair share of squats in the woods! Despite running far less than planned I wasn't going to let this mess ruin my week! The island only had just had power returned the day we arrived. A storm that blew through a week or so before had left the residents without power for over a week I believe! Some parts the snow drifted so bad as to cover the roads with 10 plus feet and also trap people in their homes! It was a full on emergency. We had a couple power outages until they finally hooked it all up to the mains and we had no issues. I was hoping we'd not have power just for a little more of a rustic stay; no internet, no lights, wood stove, candles, and headlamps would've been nice! Anyway, outside of visiting with family and introducing the little one to the ocean a whole lot of relaxing went down. I absolutely love it up there. 

A few notable runs (I guess that pun IS intended!):

Eas Mor waterfall

A fairly easy run up from Kildonan to Eas Mor Waterfall, then to Loch Garbad with some bushwacking to get to the high point of Cnoc na Garbad. About 1000 vertical feet of gain over a couple miles keeps you in check. I did this a few times as it's right out the door.  

view from Cnoc na Garbad looking South to Pladda and Ailsa Craig 

The funny thing was that the first day running up here I ended up having bad bad diarrhea. So with the elevation change from the ocean tools changed and I wiped my ass with: grass, smooth sticks, smooth rotten log pieces, smooth stones, and snow. As always snow trumps all methods of ass-wipery.

Loch Garbad

Eas Mor waterfall and canyon

I initially intended to run the Glen Rosa Horseshoe but was forced to retreat due to the high peaks being covered in rime and ice. I was pretty bummed about this but there was NO WAY I was going to be able to pull it off considering the conditions! Hopping on the uber-convenient bus service got a lift from Kildonan to Brodick. I started running in Brodick at the ferry terminal and headed to the Goatfell trailhead. Goatfell being the high point of the island.

beginning of the trail up Goatfell

patchy snow down low hides the trail

snow scared most people away but not all

 Ended up seeing about 10 people all together on the way up. Most, as usual, had some stupid comment such as "go for it", "run Forrest run", "looking good", "you're doing great", "wow you're doing better than me". I hate comments like that, especially when I can't breath. I still wonder what people carry with them in their full size backpacks. One dude had full on mountaineering crampons on in the dirt at the bottom, that was a little overkill but up top they could have been employed depending on what your goals were as there was water ice and sheets of ice in small patches. My trail running shoes and a keen eye for safety worked just fine though.

final ridge line to the summit of Goatfell

view down to Brodick Bay

snow and rime covered summit

Overall the run up Goatfell was easy. Made it from the ferry terminal in about an hour and a half. The snow wasn't an issue and I didn't need my crampons or poles to help me with the conditions. It would be really fun to do the Goatfell Race which is a run up then back down to Brodick!

looking towards my intended ridge run, ice and rime altered my plans

Seeing all the ice and rime everywhere I opted to skip the loop. It just wasn't safe in running shoes! Looking down the above ridge you see North Goatfell which I summited and then the drop down to The Saddle to the left which splits Glen Sannox to the north and Glen Rosa to the south. I made it to that point and headed down Glen Rosa.

view down Glen Sannox from The Saddle of Ceum na Caillaich with the summit of Caisteal Abhail to the left

cold me with a view down Glen Rosa

 Running down Glen Rosa was a huge pain. I was cold from not being able to run on the snowy, windy, post holey ridgeline. Then when I thought I could pick up the pace to get warm the snow was just deep enough to post hole and the vegetation was all soft, wet, and muddy. All added up to very inefficient travel. There is a trail but it is so over used it has become a deep trench which was full of snow. They sure don't maintain the trails like the USFS or the NPS do in the United States. Makes me laugh thinking of how much people from the US would bitch if the trail there looked like this!

view up Glen Rosa to The Saddle with Cir Mohr dominating the skyline to it's left

thankful to be on a trail and out of the snow

the opening of Glen Rosa to the left with Goatfell on the right

 Well it wasn't the loop I wanted but super fun none the less and now I've got an idea of the logistics of it all. I'll definitely be back for a run in better conditions. I think I ended up with over 3000 vertical and 15 miles which was a pretty solid run even if part of it was a hike.

lower gorge in Auchenhew Wood

Keeping it close to home I did quite a bit of beach running and exploring. One run I ended up digging around the lower part if the drainage that Eas Mor waterfall comes from. Officially Auchenhew Wood this cool gorge is about 200m from where we were staying, hidden from view by trees, brambles, and ferns. Some guy is attempting to make a "trail" following the creek but has been stopped by a land dispute. Probably for the better as his "trail" looks more like a damn road! Anyway I followed his "trail" as far as I could and found this pretty cool canyon. Then followed it down stream and bushwhacked my way up and out.

After we left Arran we stayed in Ayr for a couple nights in order to visit some more family before heading back home. So a short run early morning ensued and I found the River Ayr Way, a footpath that follows the River Ayr (duh!?). Then I wandered my way back to the hotel through some council housing (government provided) which looked to be a pretty rough neighborhood but luckily everyone was asleep!
  

River Ayr Way

stepping stones crossing the River Ayr (icy!!!!)

River Ayr Way confirmed!

single track along the river

council housing, glad it was early morning, talk about the ghetto! 

Always have liked haggis, but needed to try it deep fried! Luckily most fish and chip shops have it up here! It looked like a piece of crap but was excellent! Should've skipped the fish as it wasn't that great and had two haggis turds!

nope, not deep fried shit, it's haggis!