Training Supplement – October 15, 2017

I tried compression socks in an effort to alleviate some plantar fasciitis pain in my left foot.  I had a good experience with a caffeine product but troubles with sunglasses.  There were lots of new things to look at on the trails in South Arlington.  I found motivation from the Breaking2 documentary and two marathon majors.

Clothing & Gear

Recovery gear.  CEP Progressive Compression Socks.  I have the calf sleeves but wanted to try to socks because I’ve been having some plantar fasciitis issues in my left foot.  My calf is 12 1/4″, so I’m between sizes.  I bought the women’s size 2 (II), which is for calf size 9.5-12″ since I tend to want more compression in my recovery gear.  I wore them at least five days in the past month.  Did they help?  It’s hard to say.  I think just having them off made my legs feel lighter.

Sports Bras.  Brooks Juno Sports Bra.  With all the running I’ve been doing, I needed another sports bra.  I’ve tried this bra before but ended up tossing them after a few months.  The clasps became malformed because I put them through the drier.  This newer model was made of silkier fabric and was much more comfortable to wear.  It reminded me that it’s good to products that I was previously neutral about since manufacturers make changes.

Sunglasses.  I need to find new sunglasses.  I forgot my Oakley Commit Sunglasses were in a punch of clothes before putting them in the washer/dryer.  When they came out, the frames were okay but the lenses were scratched.  I wore my Smith Optics Parallel Max during the 2017 Bourbon Chase but they were too tight and gave me a headache.

(My Complete Clothes & Gear Page.)

Nutrition & Hydration 

Runners World Box.  Again, I was a bit mystified by the selections in this month’s Runners World Box.  I probably won’t eat the rice or the venison.  And, I haven’t been impressed with most sports detergents.  But, I’m interested in trying the earbuds and handheld.

Caffeine.  Sword Energy Caffeine Tablets.  I bought these from a vendor at the first major exchange at the 2017 Bourbon Chase.  I used them before each of my runs and it helped motivate me to run hard even though I was tired.  According to the packaging, each tablet has 50 mg of caffeine and there are two tablets in a packet.

Routes

Sights.  There have been quite a few new things to see along the trails in South Arlington.

On the Four Mile Trail between Shirlington and Glebe Road, there’s new signage indicating that the neighborhood is Long Branch Creek.  I didn’t know that.  I also noticed a mailbox just off the trail.  Who is getting mail here?

Art.  On my way to the Mount Vernon Trail, I spotted a new art installation in Crystal City.  It’s a slate wall with white outlines and buckets of chalk.  People can fill in the empty spaces with color.

Further down the trail, there are signs printed on the trail educating users about the types of fish that live in Four Mile Run and how they want a healthy stream.

 

Flybys.  I ran by a lot of friends this month during my runs.  What’s funny is that I don’t recognize people until they’re right up on me.  This includes people I see on a regular basis.  I think seeing them out of context takes a while for my brain to process.

Media & Motivation

Music. “Flashdance,” Irene Cara.  My Ragnar crew is running the 2017 Bourbon Chase and its an 80s theme.

(My “Songs of the Week” playlist on Spotify.)

Podcasts.  “Episode 403 – Rowan Ardill,” Marathon Talk.  I enjoyed the Berlin Marathon and Breaking2 documentary discussions.  They also talked about the woman leading the Warsaw Marathon who fell.  I’d heard about it and finally looked up the video after the podcast.  It wasn’t what I expected.  She clearly needed medical attention but I thought she would be unresponsive on the pavement.  To me, it looked like she was suffering from severe leg cramps.

Books and Magazines. “Running Your First Ultra,” by Krissy Moehl.  After reading some online reviews, I bought this book as reading material for my first ultra-marathon.  It gave me confidence that I’m ready for a 50 miler. The book mentions how your first ultra-marathon will have a special place in your heart.  Even though the book recommends staying close to home, I registered to run my ultra-marathon in my home town at the San Diego 50 and Trail Marathon.

Movies. Breaking2 from National Geographic.  I think the best part of this race was that it humanized these elite runners.  I got a taste for who they were and what motivated them.  Zersenay Tadese winning the first Olympic medal for Eritrea.  Lelisa Desisa’s Boston Marathon victory on the heels of the bombing.  And Eliud Kipchoge who lived a monastic life before running 2:00:25.

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2017 Berlin Marathon.  I missed the Breaking 2 broadcast because I was running the 2017 Eugene Marathon the next day.  But, I got up early and watched what was billed as a world record attempt.

2017 Chicago Marathon.  I rushed home from the 2017 Army Ten Miler to watch the race.  I caught the last half hour.  I was surprised to watch Galen Rupp win the men’s race and happy for Jordan Hasay for finishing third for the women.

News.  “Mad Pooper Jogger Craps on Family Lawn”.  I tried ignoring this story but it made TMZ!  But, I have nothing to say about this story.

Motivation. “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, ‘I’m possible!'” – Audrey Hepburn.

At the end of the Breaking2 documentary, Eluid Kipchoge smiles as he talks about someone else conquering the 25 seconds he couldn’t get.  That’s the beauty of sport – challenging yourself and encouraging others.