Finding the Right Shoe

For years, I was happy running in Brooks PureGrit, a low-profile, minimal-drop shoe. They were light and stayed on my foot well. After a two-year hiatus from trail running and a torn plantar fascia, I can't seem to find the right shoe. I've tried so many!

The best fit I've found so far is Merrell Agility Peak. They have a glove-like fit and they are categorized as a cushioned shoe. They have a minimal drop of 6mm, and they have great traction in mud and snow. I don't get sore toes when pounding downhill for several miles. I have found them to be a little hard, though, so I am still looking. And maybe they're not hard; maybe it's just my feet and aging. All I know is the extensors on the top of both of my feet are sore after 18 miles on Chuckanut Mountain.

I ordered three new pairs of shoes a few weeks ago from Road Runner. As a VIP Family Member, I am able to try the shoes out on the trail and return them up to 90 days. The first pair, Innov8, didn't make it past the try-on stage. They are shaped strangely for my foot. The toes curve inward, and when I put them on, they cause my foot to roll aggressively to the inside, even when just walking around in my living room.

Pair number two I thought I was going to love: Brooks Caldera. They are springy and light, and they feel great on. I ran 20 miles on Chuckanut Mountain in them two weeks ago, and my foot moved all around inside them. My toes slid to the front when running even a slight downhill, and they nearly slipped off my heels when running uphill. I had to tighten them less than a mile into the run. In the end, I had sore toes and decided they are too wide for me. For someone with a wider foot, they would be wonderful!

Pair number three I am keeping; they are Brooks Pureflow, and they will be my indoor-only treadmill shoe. I'd been running in a three-year old model of the same shoe on the treadmill, so it was time for a new pair. They still have a wonderful fit and are super light. I also noticed they kept the same treads, which don't work very well for me running on the dirt road I live on. Little rocks from the gravel get lodged in the treads and then poke my feet. They would be fine for outside if I ran on paved roads.

After my long run this weekend in Bellingham, I visited Fairhaven Runners to try some shoes there. They brought out the newest Saucony Peregrine, which I have run in before, as well as Brooks Cascadia and Salomon Sense Pro Max. I ruled out the Nike pair and HOKAs because Nike never fits me right, and my toes catch on something inside the HOKAs. (I already have a pair that I love the cushioning in.)

The first one I tried was the Salomon. From the moment I put them on, I liked them, and they're what I took home with me. I liked the Saucony Peregrine, but they are a little narrow in the toe box and squish my little toes sideways. The Cascadia had a 10mm drop, which proved too much. I ran in the Salomons Sunday, and will again on trails with some decent climbs and downhill on Wednesday and Saturday.

The awesomeness of the story is that Fairhaven Runners have an excellent return policy. They said if I didn't like the shoe, even after running in them for a month or two, that I could bring them back! Wow!

I have a rule, that with each new shoe that goes into my running shoe bin, one pair must also come out to be taken to Goodwill. I'd better start selecting. Meanwhile, I need to get to Road Runner in Bellevue to return some shoes!

Depth Perception

I consider myself lucky. I have a good eye and a bad eye. That means that I got glasses when I was five and contacts when I was in the fourth grade. It means that I struggled with any sports that required a good judge of distance (i.e. hand-eye coordination, ball sports, etc.). What makes me fortunate is that I don't have a lazy eye, which is often the result of such an extreme difference between how my eyes see. My left eye is nearly 20/20 (though only at my distance vision now), but my right eye requires +3 correction for distance and +5.5 for reading.

The discrepancy manifests in trail running because depth perception is required to get a good read on a technical trail, and when your eyes are as different as mine, it ruins your depth perception. I often trip or stumble, even when I am not tired. Currently, I use a reading prescription contact lens in my right eye and nothing in my left. This works well for work. I can see the computer, but I can also see people approaching and recognize them, something that doesn't work when I wear reading glasses.

I visited the eye doctor on Friday with the goal of getting an extended wear distance prescription contact for my right eye so that my depth perception is the best it can be, and so that I don't have to stick a dirty finger in my eye in order to remove/insert a daily-style contact lens. I was planning to carry a cheap, light pair of readers so I can see my watch. My doctor was hesitant to have my leave the contact in my eye overnight, even though the contacts are made for that. She was worried about an infection. She gave me an extended (30-day) contact to try. They are thicker, but it only took my eye a few hours to adjust to it. At first it felt like I had an eyelash in my eye. I did notice that it dries out in the wind easily, which could be an issue on the PCT, not so much because of wind but because I will likely be dehydrated.

Meanwhile, checking out with Geoffrey, who gives you pricing and also fits glasses, I asked about sunglasses and what type would be best to view my watch. He said to rule out polarized lenses. This eventually led to a great idea! I have ordered a pair of fairly light brown (best for contrast) sunglasses that give good coverage and fit closely. They will have a very slight correction in my left lens just to give me perfect 20/20 distance vision in my left (good eye) so I can see that the dark thing in the distance is actually a bear, and they will also have a small, bifocal circle on the lower left so that I can read my watch. The right lens will have no correction, and I will wear a contact lens to correct for distance vision. Brilliant! I had no idea you could do such a thing. I was able to custom position the bifocal part, instead of having the lower half of the lens be the reading prescription and the upper half distance, which is what you normally get with a bifocal.

I can't wait to try them out in a few weeks! I think they will be a great addition to my trail running gear. I did use the extended-wear distance prescription contact in my right eye running on Chuckanut Mountain this weekend, and for the first time since starting on trails this year, I didn't trip or stumble once!

I'll post a picture with the new glasses when they arrive!

~LTR

Trail Running Community

One of things I enjoy about trail running is the sense of community. Even though I don't know anyone I can train with, I always feel a sense of acceptance when I see other trail runners or during races. I have always been amazed that the front runners in most races will actually tell me I'm doing a good job when they've already made it to the half-way point and have turned around to head back. You would never find that in a road marathon. The front runners won't waste their breath on encouraging you. The only time I've really encountered that attitude at a trail race was the Chuckanut 50K. The race does attract elite runners, so maybe that's why.

It's been a few years since I trained on trails, so I hope I am not seeing a new trend. It's great that trail running is growing ever more popular, but I just hope that the attitude of road runners hasn't spilled over onto the well-trodden, friendly trails. Last weekend while running in Grand Ridge, I encountered 16 mountain bikers, most of whom were courteous if not friendly. I also saw three runners. Two said hello, but one young man who was running hard up a long climb didn't even acknowledge my cheerful greeting. I couldn't help myself; I said, "Fine, don't say 'Good morning!' I guess your working too hard to spare a hello."

Hey rude guy, News flash! If Lance Armstrong can say "good work" to me when he's in first place heading back to the start in the Woodside 35K, you can say good morning. All feelings about Lance Armstrong aside, he's probably a better runner that the guy who thought he was amazing in Grand Ridge.

Keep it friendly out there on the trails. Encourage others. It means more than you may think.

~LTR

Leg Strengthening and an Easy Run

Last week, I asked my colleague, a PE teacher, to suggest some exercises I can do to strengthen my hamstrings, quads, and glutes. She suggested four exercises, some with weights and some without.

For my hamstrings, she had me do deadlifts. She started with 65 pounds, which I am pretty sure is very light. I thought it might have been a little bit too heavy to start. She then suggested just using the bar, which weighs 45 pounds. She suggested three or four sets of 12 with the heavier weight, and as many reps as possible for three minutes with the lighter weight.

Also for hamstrings and glutes, she suggested butt raises with an elevated leg. You lie on your back on the floor and put one leg, bent, on a sold chair. Raise the other leg straight into the air and lift your rear off the ground. Again, three sets of 20 or so. Ouch!

A simple squat with a 26-pound kettle bell is what she recommended for my quads. I got the weight too heavy Friday and only managed six. She recommended three sets of 12.

One other thing she gave me to do was scissor lunges. She didn't say how many, but she said my legs will burn. I am familiar with those from Jillian.

All in all, she recommended doing these things three times a week. I am thinking of doing them Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Mondays I already do lunges and squats with Jillian, as well as riding my bike up the high school trail, and Fridays I am trying to keep as a rest day before the weekend's back-to-back long runs.

Meanwhile, I had a nice run in Grand Ridge yesterday. Now that I am increasing my mileage on the hard weekends, I have dialed back my easy weekends to 10 and six miles for Saturday and Sunday. It was great to run at a faster pace and still feel energetic at the end. I had hoped to run it in 2:10, so I was pleased when I ran 2:06. My watch measured short on the return, but even if I went the extra .14 mile, I would still have been 2:08. I am improving! I took a video just for extra practice with the GoPro. I may post it later.

~LTR

Training Begins in Bellingham

With spectacular weather in store for the weekend, we decided to spend it in Bellingham (again). We got up early on Saturday, loaded up the car, and drove the hour and a half up there. I had a great run on Chuckanut Mountain, while John walked the opposite direction to downtown Bellingham on the South Bay Trail. We met afterwards at The Bellwether's Lighthouse Bar and Grill for a glass of wine and some hummus and veggies. Later, after enjoying some vegan cheese, crackers, and wine at Fairhaven's Marine Park, we headed for our Airbnb just down the road. There, we relaxed and made pizza in my new air fryer since the Airbnb didn't have an oven. Sunday was even warmer, so after my run and John's walk to and from coffee, we did a short hike to Chuckanut Falls and then spent the afternoon at the beach after having lunch at Brotha Dudes.

We have a snack at Marine Park.

John at Chuckanut Falls

Sunday afternoon at Little Squaliucm Park

My Saturday running route ended up being just a little long, but I was able to do a loop instead of an out and back, so I was happy. I started at Marine Park in Fairhaven and headed for the Interurban Trail to Arroyo Park. In Arroyo Park, I took a left on the Hemlock Trail and started to climb the base of the north east side of Chuckanut Mountain. It was gentle at first, but then it was steadily steep. After nearly six miles of primarily uphill running, I finally came across the trail to Raptor Ridge on the right.

It was beautiful up there. I hadn't seen anyone for miles until I arrived at the ridge, where a hiker was sunning herself and enjoying the solitude. We chatted briefly, and then I headed off, continuing west on the ridge trail until I encountered the North Lost Lake Trail, which I am familiar with from the Chuckanut 50K route. I trudged up North Lost Lake to South Lost Lake, and then grabbed the Fragrance Lake Trail, which dropped me back down to the Interurban Trail. Then I headed back to Arroyo Park. Below is a video of my route up until Raptor Ridge with a map at the end. I used the Session 5, which is much smoother even though I was still just holding it in my hand.

https://youtu.be/Qml7r5454h0

When I realized that I was going to be over the 18 miles I had planned for the day, I decided to skip the Marine Park loop and got back to my car in the most direct route I could think of. I still ended up at 19.6 miles. I felt absolutely great until about mile 15, which is good because I have been running 16 miles every other Saturday since October and have been running trails the last two months. I have been trying my best to ease into training.

Happy to be back at the car, I snap a quick picture before texting John to find out just where he was enjoying a glass of wine!

This past weekend marked the official beginning of my training and the first mileage increase in a long time. With the elevation gain of the run being over 3500 feet, it makes sense that I was spent when I neared the usual distance. I rate the loop a 4 for technicality (it really depends on the specific trail), a 6 for elevation gain, and a 1 for elevation. I managed to eek out a couple of sub ten minute miles in the last stretch of the Interurban.  In all, not bad, and probably a little more than I was ready for.

The elevation profile shows the first high point, Raptor Ridge, and then the second one at Lost Lake Trail, which is almost the top of Chuckanut Mountain.

Sunday's short run of six miles was also not too bad. I was very slow, but I did manage to pull out a sub ten minute mile or two heading back toward Fairhaven on the Interurban. I ran a few short hills and one long one, and I survived. One thing's for sure: I have a long, long way to go before running 71 miles with 17,000 feet of elevation gain!

My Garmin Fenix 5X behaved nicely this weekend. I have not put any maps on it yet (because I have to return the SD cards and purchase the download version). I also tried out John's GoPro Session 5, which was super easy to take videos with but I messed up taking a photograph. Next weekend I'll do better! I also tried out a new pair of trail shoes, Brooks Caldera. While they were comfortable, light, and springy, they just didn't fit well. I ended up with sore toes and I could feel my feet sliding around inside. My toes rammed against the toe box on even the slightest downhill. I will have to return them. I have another pair to try this week. So far, the glove-like fit of the Merrill Agility Peak, which I have been running it for around a year, seems to be the best for me. I am just trying to find another trail shoe to alternate with.

Doing Jillian was tough today. I am looking forward to an easy weekend of 10 and six (miles on Saturday and Sunday, respectively). Time for some stretching!

~LTR

Why You Shouldn't Buy a Garmin Fenix 5X

Number 1: Garmin makes an unreliable product, be it the watch, the software, or their website. When I first got the Fenix 5X, I couldn't get Garmin Express to recognize that it was connected to my Windows-based laptop. I tried the MacBook Pro, and it finally recognized it. The next time I connected it to my laptop, it recognized--horray--but then, when it began installing an update, it didn't. Back to the MacBook Pro, where it continually disconnected and reconnected itself over the course of a half an hour. Incidentally, my husband's Garmin watch had the opposite problem. The MacBook Pro wouldn't recognize it, but my PC laptop does.

And the website. Talk about going in circles. I needed to return the maps I bought of Washington and the PCT on an SD card (because they can't be used with the Fenix 5X; you have to buy the download version...but the owner's manual of the Fenix 5X takes you to a page where you can buy the SD cards), and every time I clicked on Returns, it told me I needed to contact support for a RMC (return merchandise code). When I clicked the link to contact support, it took me back to the page I was on previously...and around and around I went.

Number 2: The price. I found it on Amazon for $600. I wish I had found the Sunto Traverse, which is only $419 and gets great reviews. I am four days past the return date on Amazon for returning the Fenix. Who knows? The Fenix 5X got great reviews, too.

Number 3: Accuracy. So far, I've run 15 or so times with the watch, and only two of those times have I found the watch measuring accurately. I kept making excuses for it: it was raining and windy; it was snowing; I was in heavy tree cover. But if it doesn't work in those conditions, it will hardly be worth using in western Washington.

So now I am stuck trying to get the Garmin watch to behave and work properly.

A Weekend of Good Running

The weather was beautiful this first Saturday of March, so my husband and I decided to head up Bellingham, one of our favorite places to go, for a run and bike ride (for him). We started on Harris Street in Fairhaven and I went south toward Chuckanut Mountain, and he was going to go north along Bellingham Bay. Unfortunately for him, the valve stem broke off his rear tire, and since he has not ridden his bike in a long time, the tires were completely flat.

The view from the Interurban Trail along Chuckanut Drive was incredible! The water of Bellingham Bay was blue-green, and the San Juans were majestic. For about six miles of the 12 and half mile run, I could see the water. It was gorgeous! Even though I didn't get to run up any of the trails on Chuckanut Mountain, my legs were still pretty tired when I was done. I ended up with around 800 feet of elevation gain, so nothing challenging. I rate the Interurban Trail 0 for technicality, 1 for elevation gain, and 0 for elevation. I felt slow, but the beauty of the day overrode any disappointment with my run.

After my run, I had a great veggie sandwich at Avenue Bread. We then headed for Anthony's near The Bellwether Hotel and had a glass of wine, and a second one at The Hearthfire Grill, which looks right out over the harbor. It was a lovely way to end the afternoon.

We had a delightful seat at The Hearthfire Grill where we enjoyed the warmth from the wine and the sun.

This morning, I felt fresh when I woke up and hoped I would have a better run. I tried out John's GoPro Hero3+ while running in Redmond Ridge and Watershed. I am trying to decide what to take with me, if anything, on my fastpack to document the event. I put together a short video of my run. I hand-held the camera, so there's a lot of movement. I will have to work out something to attach it to my vest, as the GoPro chest strap is too heavy.

I was quite pleased with my performance today, running an average of 9:52 per mile. That's not too bad for a trail and while it's not a difficult course, it does have some hills. I was happy.

Next weekend, I'll try John's GoPro Session 5. We've been having trouble getting it work since we bought it for our trip last May to the Cook Islands. We think maybe the card was corrupt, so we changed it, drew down the battery, and did a hard reset. It seems to be working perfectly now, so I'll give it a try next weekend.

~LTR