My Trek to an Iron Man

New Insoles Hurt

Last modified on 2009-08-25 05:54:29 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The new insoles I got suck.  I ran 7 miles tonight and my back and feet were hurting like never before.  I bought the same pair of shoes, but all I changed was the insoles.   The new “Airr Sofsole” insoles are too thick for the new Asics GT-2140 and have no support.  So it pushed my foot to the top of shoe.  I like my laces tight, but after a couple miles, my toes started to get numb.  (A sign that things are too tight)  I am going to get a new pair of the insoles I used before and got from my favorite store: Walgreens.  I am gonna use what worked before.  The new ones looked like they had lots of arch support, but they didn’t.  My flat feet need lots of arch support.

The new insoles that hurt the feet. Notice no arch support. But they look pretty.

The old compared to the new.  The old ones (Dr Scholls) have more arch support.  The orange part on the bottom is a strong piece of plastic.  The new ones have cushioning where the arch support is.  Don’t waste your money on “Sofsole” if you have flat feet.

New shoes for my flat feet

Last modified on 2009-08-22 17:08:13 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I have reached 300 miles + on the shoes so time to retire them.  After 300 miles of running the shoes lose their bounce and support.  For my flat feet I want to have the most support so I can keep running until I am 70 years old.  I look around at Sports Authority for some new shoes.  I opted to go with new versions of the same one.  The GT-2140 from Asics.  It has some good reviews from Runner’s World. They worked well for my flat feet so I’ll keep with something that works.  I did get new insoles called “Airr” from SofSole.   The stock insoles are crap and flimsy.  So far the feel pretty good, but my feet are getting used to them.  I ran 6 miles in them and no hurting in the knees, feet or legs.  This is a good thing.   They do have a higher arch version that I may try if these start to present some pain.

10 Piece Running Kit

Last modified on 2009-07-26 23:38:52 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

10 Piece Running Kit:

I am usually over prepared but here is what I carry with me on runs.

1. Fuel Belt:  Holds backup water, and a small pocket to carry things
2. Glasses:  Keeps the bugs and crap out of my eyes.  Makes thing clearer too.
3. Reflective Vest:  Yes I now I get 10 nerd points for the vest, but I do not try to argue with cars.  I want them to avoid hitting me.
4. Pepper Spray:  Around my neck I carry a small can of it.  Just in case. (I have had things thrown at me by drivers)
5. Ipod:  Music to listen to.
6. Flashlight: To see.
7. Phone: for emergencies and to send pictures to facebook.
8. GU Energy Gel:  Keeps the motor running on long rides.  It tastes like crap but it works.
9. Chafing gel: Keeps things going.
10. Main Water Bottle:  Wrapped around the hand to make it easier to carry.

That’s what I carry on my runs.

How to not get bored when running (9 ways)

Last modified on 2009-07-22 14:01:48 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I get bored on runs.  When biking, things go by faster and there is alot to take in.  Running is a little slower paced.  Here are 7 things I do to spice up the runs.

1. Change up the route a little.  Go down roads or into areas you haven’t been before.  Do a 1/4 mile in a different direction.  I have found new paths by accident doing this.
2. Go a totally different route.  Keep your phone GPS along with you so you can track your route.
3. Change the order of your music.  About once a week, make a new library to listen to on the IPOD.
4. Listen to TV.  I’ll download TV shows from hulu or apple and listen to them on the run.
5. Run backwards.  Run backwards for 100 yards, then run forwards for 100 yards.  Be careful not to fall on your butt.  Running backwards works different muscles.
6. Look for things to take pictures of.  Carry your cell phone and look for odd or strange things to take a picture of.  Then send it to facebook.
7. Run with someone. Or Run with a group.
8. Think how healthy this is making you.  Sometime I just push through the boredom.  Then I forget about it.
9. Dream about finishing the marathon.  When I am bored on a run, I just think of going over that finish line with my hands in the air.

The boredom will pass.

My Flat Feet. From no arch to a marathon

Last modified on 2009-07-09 23:37:36 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

A size 13 foot and no arch.  Flat to the floor.  So flat that my feet got me out of the army.  Flat like flapjacks.  Flat like a board. Flat like..flat. My feet ain’t pretty either.

I started out biking because my flat feet caused alot of pain when I ran.  My knees would ache after a run.  I didn’t want to injure myself and prevent me from excercising.  This went on for years, but I finally figured out what I needed to do.

1. A good pair of shoes with a good arch and lots of support.  Then some additional insoles I got from walgreens.  The Asics gell cost me $90.00 at Sports Authority and are worth the price.
2. Let the foot hit the ground mid foot. Naturally.  I used to try to muscle my foot into the right position.  But this actually cause more pain.  Once I started to let my foot land naturally, the pain went away almost immediately.
3. Leg Strength.  The pain was coming from me trying to use my tendons to run rather than the muscles.  So I made my quads and calves stronger.
4. Most Important: Stretching.  Before runs, after runs and on off days. I stretch all day.  If I am at my desk or waiting in line, I’ll do stretches to keep limber.  I probably look funny sometimes, but it keeps my legs and tendons loose.  This is probably one of the biggest things saving my knees; Just keeping limber.

My Shoes that work great.  Lots of support and a great arch.  I threw away the insoles that came with them and replace with insoles that have a more pronounced arch.