On and off the trail
Posted on 16. Sep, 2006 by Brad in Training
Surface: Concrete, grass, single track
Mileage: 7
Shoes: Montrail Masai
Today I put in two runs. The first one was a short 2.5 miler starting around 5:15pm. Here is the joglog entry.
I began my second run after coming in to cool down and drink some water. I was really sweating a lot even after 2.5 miles and knew I needed to take it easy. Later in my longer run I realized just how much I had been sweating.
The route for my longer run was much like the Sunset sixer earlier this week. However, it was much darker by the middle of my run this time due in part to my slower pace but also because I got a later start. Since it was darker, I strayed from the main path and wandered through grass fields more near the road. Even though the street light was providing some help, I still had to be careful about my footing. This is the first time I’ve dealt with that in a long time. I guess I should have brought my Petzl headlamp to get used to night running. Next time.
I also experimented with a different ointment to prevent chafing. I’ve read where a lot of ultra runners use Desitin to relieve and prevent chafing. Though it is for diaper rash, it would make sense that it would work. I normally use Vaseline and it has never done me wrong, but I was curious to see how something else might work since Vaseline can get quite messy. Though it was only my first use, I think I strongly prefer Vaseline.
For the shorter run, I ran in my Montrail Hardrocks. I have been having the hot spot / numbness issue recently but was still wanting to give these new shoes a shot. Since I had the same strange feeling on the bottom of my left foot after the 2.5 miles, I figured I should try my old standby shoes which I wore during my last two marathons. Well, it’s not the shoes because I got the same feeling in my old shoes, which I have never had a problem with. I was even using the same socks. So I’ve got something new to figure out.
Finally, I tried a new compression short. I think I like it a lot but will definitely need to test it at longer distance to see if it is comfortable and prevents chafing as well as my usual setup.
Though I went a lot slower tonight than I did earlier this week, overall I covered more distance today so I felt like it was progress nonetheless. One reason I was slower was due to the hydration issue I suspected I was having after the 2.5 miles. By the end of the long run, I felt my left hamstring getting very tight and it was well on its way to cramping up. Too much sweating in hot weather without my hydration pack is probably a bad combination.
