Freethinker ~ Freerunner

Long run 13 at a 7:44 AP.  It was a little warm this morning at 69 degrees. 

Recovery run of 7 miles.  7:40 AP. 

I decided to sleep in and take advantage of my day off.  Instead of running at 5:30 or 6:00 I slept in and ran at 10:00.  On this taper I'm trying to focus not just on tapering in miles but also in getting a little extra sleep.  I have taken this Saturday off from work so I can get a little extra rest the day before as well.  I plan on not only sleeping in but also on staying off of my feet as much as possible the day before the race.  

Today was to be the marathon dress rehearsal, which is a 7 mile run with 2 miles at marathon pace.  Yesterday I bought some new shoes.  The Mizuno Wave Elixir was replaced by the Sayonara.  I tried it on yesterday and compared it to the Brooks Ravenna.  I have loved wearing my Elixirs this cycle,  and since the new Sayonara felt so good I bought it.  This morning at about the 2.5 mile mark I felt pain in the back of my right heel.  It only got worse as I kept running, so I turned around and walked about half a mile and then jogged the rest of the way home.  I know they say you shouldn't have to 'break in' a new running shoe, but I think that is all I can attribute this too.  I'm going to try this workout again tomorrow in the Elixirs, and if I feel good I will run the marathon in them.  They are up to about 410 miles so I bought the new shoes with the intent of running the marathon in them, but my feet may not be ready for that yet as I found out this morning. 

If I feel the same thing tomorrow I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but there is no point in worrying about that today. 

Dress Rehearsal Second Attempt.  This time it went much better.  I just needed to break in my new shoes.  I wore the old shoes today and my heel felt fine.  I ran 6 miles with 2 at marathon pace.  I'm ready.  Now if we can just get this approching winter snow storm to back off. 

My final run before the marathon.  I ran 3.21 miles with 2 100's.  The temp was 34 with 10 mph north winds which felt pretty awful.  I'm not sure I'm going to be too happy about those same winds tomorrow morning with temps at 26 degrees.  I think I've figured out how to dress.  I will wear compression tights under my shorts with a compression turtle neck up top.  I will of course wear gloves, a hat, and my ear warmers as well.  I think with that setup I will be just a little cold starting out, but I should warm up nicely after 6 or 7 miles.  That's my assumption.  I will also pack a throw away sweat shirt for the starting line.