Not so cool...

Darn! I have been bothered by a painful right foot for the past week and that has kept me from the circuit. I'm not sure of the reason for it, it just seemed to happen one morning. I have looked at both feet, comparing them, and I see a slight swelling on the instep of the right foot, but I have no idea as to what is causing it. It simply hurts to walk on it. And when I favor that foot, it causes the muscles in my calf to hurt as well.

I'm taking some ibuprofen now, hoping that will alleviate the pain and reduce the swelling. So far, so good...I can walk a short distance without any pain.

Cooler

I’m back…and it was a great walk this morning. Early of course, and cool. I think it was 39 degrees when I went by the thermometer in front of the bank. But I had a pair of wool raglan gloves ready for the occasion. I started off, eager to get the blood flowing and warming me. I had spent too much time in a heated car on the way to the park. Now it was cold reality that greeted me during the first mile. Darn! I sure wish I had something for my ears. (I will stop at the store today and get something that will serve as a sweatband and ear warmer.)

The pace was quick and I spent some time fiddling with my technique…which was probably the wrong thing to do. Finally, I contented myself with simply driving my hands across my chest in short, hard jabs that moved my hips along with them. That increased my pace and I was soon warmed by it.

At mile 4, it was time to rid myself of the gloves and I no longer noticed any discomfort to my ears. In fact, I was quite toasty! And I decided not to look at the GPS unit any longer, I was just going to look at the clock when I finished. And I finished in 1:17. That’s a 12.16 minute mile average for the 6.33 miles.
(Hey Jill! How about that?)

Giveaway

OK, here it is...I'm giving away another invention. The other day, as Jill and I circled the park, my shoe lace came loose and I had to stop and fix things. After I resumed my pace and caught up with her, I began to think that there might be a neat solution for loose laces. A little plastic gizmo that held the lace ends and attached to the laced portions of the shoe came to mind. I know, that has already been invented...but here is where I would innovate! The plastic gizmo would be large enough to display a logo or symbol. Small enough to never interfere with your stride. And it would be "electronic", with the logo/symbol lighting up. The process of printing batteries is already developed and I can see them printing the batteries onto the back of the gizmo. You could have your Nike "Swoosh" light up, or your high school mascot...Go Mustangs!

Don't forget where you got this idea.

Way Cool, but not cold

The wind was blowing and the leaves were falling like rain. And I was enjoying a good walk around Bidwell. After a slow start, I worked up to 12:32 minute/mile pace and finished the 6.33 miles in 1:18. What was cool was the fact that I did it without a pacing partner.

Now that I have good speed and endurance developed, I need to work more on my technique. What I have a problem with is the push-off as my trailing leg rises off the pavement. When done right, it's quite smooth. My push-off makes me appear "hoppy". And it's the push-off that gives you more speed.

Unfortunately, there are very few racewalking enthusiasts in this area, so I can't get the personal training advise I used to get when walking and training with the Sierra Race Walkers.

Racewalk

Racewalk.com - Home PageNow why didn't I see this before? Everything (I think?) for the serious racewalker. Check out the Equipment (Shoes) pages as there is plenty of information there.

Race Walking Magazine or E-zine

Race Walking Record - Welcome
It's a British magazine, but it might inspire you if you read the news about the races...And they offer one free .pdf issue.

Inspiration is what it's all about!

Bidwell Park

Here's a satellite view of Bidwell Park. As you can see, Highway 99 runs through the lower portion. But the highway is elevated at this point and makes a minimal impact on the park. It really is a great place for training.

Hersey Custom Shoes

Custom made shoes that fit each foot!
I was interested in these; in fact, very interested. But I see that they are not taking any new customers at this time. And their website tells the visitor to "Check back with us in one month"...one month from when? From now? Or from whenever the notice was added? Baffled!

Fast laps

It didn't start out as a particularly fast walk, but it sure ended up that way. When we began, Jill was having a problem with her Achilles tendon. We hadn't stretched before walking and that might have had something to do with it. But after that problem eased, we began to hit our stride, doing five miles in 59:38. When we hit the 6.33 round trip mark we were at 1:18. We then continued on and finished with 8 miles completed at an average of 12:08 minutes per mile. Now that's a good time!

Let's see, if we could do 26.2 miles at that pace...we would (potentially) have a 5:24 marathon time. We did Portland 2005 with a 5:56 time.

Early Morning Training

Jill and I will head to the park this morning and get in a long walk. We’re going for an 8 or 9 mile walk at a good pace. We did 6.33 miles yesterday and did it fairly fast and we weren’t really straining; except for the last 50 yards, where we raced each other and that was a tie. Despite a reduced (post marathon) training schedule, we seem to be doing quite well. My plans for a half marathon time of 2:45 seem to be more than just possible. Consider the fact that my last ½ marathon time, the Bidwell ½ marathon in 2002, was 2:48:25. And my first ½ marathon time, in 2001, was 3:04:17. What a difference!

A Good One

I had some good company this morning as Jill was able to make the rounds of the park with me. We started off at a decent pace and within a few miles, we were into the Zone...where we could have gone on that pace forever, or so it seems. It turned to be a 12:47 pace and that's not shabby at all, doing the 6.33 miles in 1:22 We're going to try an 8 miler tomorrow at that pace or better.

A Slow Day

13.38 and 4.48 mph...that was the best I could do today. I felt fine, but the legs weren't moving as they should have. Maybe it was the time of day; it was around 9:45 and I'm more of an early morning person. I like the feeling I get when I head out at 6:30 or 7, or as soon as it's light.

Weight 201 BP 110/67 Pulse 66

A Pretty Good Day

I got in another good walk before the rains come. I did the usual 6.33 miles in the usual 1:20. That seems to be a pace that I enjoy; in fact, about mile 4 I felt that I could have gone for hours at that pace. It just felt right!

It was 45 degrees when I started and after a few miles I was wishing that I had something to keep my ears warm. Despite an absence of hair, my head is quite warm, so I don't want a hat...I need to buy one of those bands that goes around your head and covers your ears.

There are fewer and fewer people in the park, now that fall has made it's presence known with falling temperatures. But I did run across the Beagle Brigade; 5 beagles and 3 women. Getting past that group without being entangled in the leashes was very tricky!

PLan for the day

Ok, plans for the day; they must include a fast walk in the park! I need to make sure I get in at least four days of walking this week. 5 days would be better. I weighed myself yesterday and I was up to 203 pounds. Ideally, my weight should be at 195 and so I must concentrate on my diet. The exercise will take care of itself. But, this is the beginning of the most tempting months of the year. Beginning with left-over candy from Halloween. Next up is Thanksgiving with pies and potatoes and gravy and I’m sure there will be some stuffing. (How apt a name!) Christmas will only tempt with even more of the same. And this time of the year brings us colder weather and the body cries out for items like stew, chili and rich soups. Salad or a grilled cheese sandwich? The answer is obvious, but will I make the right choice?

The Phoenix marathon is not that far away…8 pounds; be gone!