It's over, man. Let her go.

Did what I should have done months ago and picked up some new shoes.  My NB's were getting too worn down.  On a few runs over the last couple weeks they just haven't had any traction on leaves or other wet surfaces.  I was thinking I might add some screws to the bottom for my winter runs, but with almost 600 miles on them, they really were done.

So, Hurricane Sandy forced my hand.  There's no way I'd be able to run the Dirt Monster on Sunday without trail shoes, and the RD'd email last night confirmed that the course was a mess and that a few slight modifications would need to be made to go around downed trees, etc.  Unlike last year, the leaves were not going to dry out and blow off the trail, so what is a pretty rough trail when you can see the roots, rocks, etc. will be even more difficult with a thick layer of leaves and mud.  But fortunately, that will make for a softer landing when I bite it (so long as I miss the rocks and roots).  So...praying for a sprain-free, injury-free training run/race.

There's a relatively new running store in town, True Runner, so I decided to give them a try.  I had a 10% off coupon, and since the Fleet Feet and Elite Runners weren't having any sales, I figured I'd give True Runner a try.  They recently opened a second store in St. Louis, apparently.  I called ahead and they have changing rooms with lockers.  Since I headed out there during work hours, I brought my running gear just in case.  The folks there were super friendly and seemed very knowledgeable.  Their selection of trail shoes was pretty good.  I tried on several pairs but with my orthotics, I have to be fairly choosy in finding a shoe that doesn't make me feel like my foot is only half way in to the shoe.  

They didn't have any New Balance since NB seems to change their models and offerings so frequently, but I was looking for a change anyways.  From reviews and talking with a few other runners, I was focused on either Mizuno or Brooks.  I like to be a little different, so I stay away from Asics because it seems like everyone wears them.  I liked my NB's because they had some color to them, but were primarily grey so they didn't look dirty after my first muddy run and washing.  I don't like white shoes - they look great until they get dirty the first time and then they just look dirty all the time.

I'm also not a big fan of flashy/bright shoes because they scream "I'm super fast" and I'm not, so I've always avoided them.  But, after trying on several different shoes, I threw that thinking out the window and went with the Brooks Cascadia 7s.  I got them in the blue which is kinda between a bright red/orange, "These shoes show I kick butt, so take a good look at them from the front and sides now because you'll only be seeing the heels once the gun goes off" and my old grey NBs that just say, "I'm a runner...maybe I'm fast, maybe I'm not, but don't count me out."  The blue is a nice change, I must admit.

Some time ago, I had a coworker who's wife was a runner and swore by the Injinji toe socks.  I wear a gel toe wrap product on one of my toes because I tend to get blisters under it from the next toe rubbing on it.  I decided I'd pick up a pair of the Injinji's since I needed a sock that came up a little higher than my anklets to keep the mud/pebbles out.  Anyways, enough of my adventures at True Runner.

Jogged about 1/4mi at TR, then after work, hit the TM at the gym.  Socks feel good, but I'm not convinced they're worth the $12/pr.  They may just require a little getting used to, as they said they might.  So, I wore them doing an interval workout on the TM going from 0% to 4% incline every 2 mins for 30 mins.  Took it pretty easy, but it was a good workout.  Then kicked it up to a 7:15 pace for a 1/4mi - shoes felt good, so I think I'll give them a go for the race. 

Wow, this week has been a killer for me.  I will admit I used Hurricane Sandy as an excuse not to run the beginning of the week.  Since I worked from home, it made it even harder to set aside time to go out.  When I work from home, I get up and my work day starts earlier and usually ends later.  Once I'm in the groove at home, it's hard for me to sign off and go for a run.

No run today, but was productive getting some things straightened out...as well as taking a nice long nap which I rarely let myself do.  So, I should be well rested for tomorrow's race!

Nice chilly morning for the annual Dirt Monster benefiting the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation of Western PA (OCFWPA).  The family has volunteered for the last 4 years and I've run it twice now, I think.  It benefits a great foundation and is always well organized and fun.

Summary:  A little slower than last year.  The course measured slightly short on the Garmin, but that could be the result of the tree cover through 95% of the course.  Overall, a great training run and fun time for the whole family.

LWD (Long-Winded Details):  We had to be there by 8am (race starts at 9:30) to get the family in place to help direct the runners on the course.  Since they took the car to the parking area, there wasn't anywhere for me to stay out of the wind/cold so I just did some slow jogging to stay warm - definitely over a mile.  I don't usually do much warm up jogging since I try to not expend too much energy before races, then just use the first mile to get warmed up.  Today, it worked out well since I felt pretty limber, stretched out pretty well, and so I wasn't as worried about pulling something going up the hills in the first mile.

There were some course changes due to Hurricane Sandy and some downed trees that hadn't been removed by the park yet.  One cut off and caused part of the typical course to be washed out too much, so a change had to be made for that.  Another laid across the course, so if you were over 5' tall you had to duck under it.  There were some mud slogs and leaves covered the course completely.  Not enough could be said for having good trail shoes for this race!  

As usual, the gun went off right on time.  I had my Garmin set to last years course so I could watch how I was doing against my "ghost."  Didn't work real well when I went "off course" so I wasn't sure how I was faring against last year's results - but it was a different course so it really didn't matter and I could tell I was slower.  
Update:  Comparing last year's course and this one on the map, there only appears to be a very slight modification between 2012 and 2011.  I'm wondering if since I had loaded the course into my Garmin and set it to run the course if it just tracked my distance and isn't showing the actual GPS points or something.  Because it seemed there were definitely deviations from what I remembered from last year.

At the start, I mentally decided to just do as well as I could, with finishing strong & without injury my primary goals.  But then I saw THEM...the 3 guys I did not want to lose to.  They were wearing kilts for some reason.  Getting chicked is one thing.  I can deal with that - heck, happens all the time, but getting semi-chicked by a dude?  That was going to be tough!  I kept my primary goal, but beating those three was a very close second!

First mile is fairly tough with some pretty good hills.  The course is all single track after the first 200m so I just got in behind some other runners and chugged along, passing (and being passed) when possible.  The first 1.5mi, I was feeling just OK.  Passing the first kilt in the first mile and the second toward the end of the 2nd mile did help, though.

As always, I was wearing a doorag with skulls & crossbones on it.  At the lone aid station at about 2.5mi, the volunteer commented on how she liked my "Halloween hat" and that it was cool I was festive.  No time to explain...I had a kilt to find...a quick thanks and I kept chugging.

My family was at about the 3.2mi mark and I asked how far ahead he was..."not far" was the response.  Gee, thanks! haha  Finally, I saw him on the switchback at about 4mi...walking up the hill.  YES!  By this time, I was into a groove and was feeling good.  I had passed a few other runners in the last mile as the course flattened out, so I was feeling strong for the hill.  Cruised on up and passed him.  I smiled and said "good job, keep it up!"

I passed a few more runners, including the teen with a "RUNNING - cheaper than plastic surgery" shirt.  The last 1/4 mi is a steep downhill to the finish.  Not sure why they have it finishing like that because it's incredibly rocky, full of roots and ruts, and seems just plain dangerous for the end of a race when you're tired and your form is deteriorating.  At least mine was.  I decided to stay in control and take it easy or I'd be needing plastic surgery due to running.

Finished strong and felt good about the race.  We didn't stick around for the awards or anything this year.  The family was cold and tired and ready for a nap, as was I.  Results won't be posted for several days, so I'm not sure where I placed.  With the 10 year age groups, I'm sure I wasn't in the top 3 so no need to stick around.  

Besides, I had beat the kilts...

Slacked off for two days, but hopping back on the wagon now.  Actually, according to my recently created 26-week 2013 Pittsburgh Marathon Training Plan, I'm on schedule.  :-)

Hit the TM for some easy miles today.  40min @ about 9:45-10:00 pace, with a pickup to 7:40 over about 6 mins towards the end.  Dang, that feels fast...  :-(

Stretched well and went back to work.

Got in a quick trip to the gym after a week...

Just some treadmill work, some inclines, nothing fast or fancy 

Well blow me over with a feather...two days in a row!

Fought with the stupid TM for as long as I could take it. I won.

Nice evening run. Nothing special, but I got out. 9:10 AP

How do I put not enough in the night sleep time field and "I wish" in the nap time field?

It was all worth it.  Got up early with my 12 year old son to go to the Ward Turkey Bowl. Had enough show up for 2 games of 6 on 6. We won 2 of 3 games. Although not the overall winners (we lost by 1 TD in the finals), I walked away with only a strained calf. No broken bones, torn tendons, etc. so the only thing preventing me from my marathon debut in May is MYSELF. Kick it into gear, BNS!

I thought of running the Turkey Trot but it was about half way into the games. Plus, the fast guys were playing football too, so it really was a trot with (mostly) tots. Maybe next year.

A very memorable day with Zayne, and he got to see his old man's skillz to boot.  Glad I didn't embarrass him...although that is a lot of fun too!

Got down to the TM for a quick couple of miles.  Saw some buddies down there that I hadn't seen for a while, so chatted more than ran.  Turned out to be OK since I've been fairly sore since the Turkey Bowl.  Felt good to get back in the swing of things, but the weeks are ticking down on me and my running isn't consistent with steadily building mileage like I'd hoped for.  So, I may revise my plan a bit starting this week to see where I can get to by May.

I really despise the TM, even the sweet new ones we have.  So many options with a big 15" touch screen monitor on them so you can have a scenic view like you're running on a fall-time path, all the stats you could want, etc.  For some people, I'm sure it's great, but I find that I get tired quicker and just don't want to run when I'm on it.  Maybe it's because when I'm outside, I've run X miles and have no choice but to finish the run in order to get back to the gym/home so I can't call it quits as easily.  I don't know, but I feel faster and have more motivation and endurance when I run outside.

A buddy I was talking to at the gym said the same thing - he hates the TM and refuses to run on them.  But, he's also the one who needed to get in a 24mi run one Saturday during Snowmagedon a couple years ago and since he had a buddy that worked at the local YMCA, got in there and ran it on their TMs.  He had to switch to a second machine when the first one shut down due to overheating after about 15 miles.  Haha.