Did my final “long run” today before next weekend’s Big Sur Marathon. After 17 weeks of training, it seems weird to call eight miles my long run, but tapering works…at least that what I tell myself. I had planned to do my eight on the road, but it was hard to pass up the draw of “tracks” like the one above and great weather too.

Today was also my second run in my Hoka One One Stinson EVOs. It went much better than last week. I have no hip discomfort at all (kinda know how they ride now) and my feet didn’t bug me (laced ’em looser.) Overall assessment: me likey!

One week to go!

Training Journal – 4/20/13:

• Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W17D6 (Taper week 2)
• Today’s session: 8 mile easy run
• Comments: I did 8.37 up in Alum Rock Park (it was probably closer to 9, but my GPS always seems to go haywire at two dead spots in ARP)
  

• Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W17D5 (Taper week 2)
• Today’s session: 6 mile easy run @ 8:27-9:28 pace
• Comments: I did 6.57 @ 8:26

• Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W17D4 (Taper week 2)
• Today’s session: 4 mile easy run @ 8:27-9:28 pace
• Comments: I did 4.54 @ 8:29

With Big Sur coming and it most likely being cold and windy along the coast, I’ve been considering on my options to stay warm.  I thought about wearing a long-sleeve shirt, but don’t want to get too warm.  Arm warmers seem like a good possibility – one that i’ve seen others use.  They can be removed when I get warm and stashed in my waistband.

So, last night, I made a test pair out of an old pair of tube socks and wore them one this morning’s run.  I really liked them and they seem like a great option.  A few discoveries:

• arm warmers – gloves ≠ warm runner … at least not this morning.  It was about 45 degrees with a 12mph wind this morning and my hands were CCCOLD!  I think I will wear my light gloves tomorrow to test further…
• I’ll buy a pair of arm warmers rather than wearing my tube sock versions.  My homemade ones frayed pretty bad and probably don’t wick well…

Do you wear arm warmers?  What is your take on them?

Training Journal – 4/16/13:

• Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W17D2 (Taper week 2)
• Today’s session: 4 mile easy run @ 8:27-9:28 pace
• Comments: I did 4.56 @ 8:28
  

This morning, I did a nice, 12-mile run up in Alum Rock Park (Boccardo Peak, South Rim, and North Rim.)  It was my first run in my new Hoka One One Stinson EVOs, which I’d been wearing around the house since Tuesday – anxious to road test them.

The run went pretty good, but I did have some cramping/burning in the toes of my left foot on the last half of the run (which I’ll work out with lacing) and my hip is a bit sore this afternoon (which I’ve heard is common when first trying Hokas.)  Overall though, it was a great first run; I did notice the cush factor for sure. More to follow on these babies…which are keepers.

Since I am on taper for Big Sur, I took it slower than usual today and actually took a few pictures:

Wonderful sunrise this AM

Two bulls chilling. (kinda sounds like an Indian name of something…)

Nice view of the trail up to Boccardo Peak and the Silicon Valley

Zoom in the same shot and you can see Mr. Coyote. We watched each other for a second. I’d move, he’d move, we’d stop. I’d move, he’d move, we’d stop. He watched me run by from the hillside about 100 yards up.

Love the fact that Alum Rock Park has dry hills and this lush area…

space

Have a great week!

Training Journal – 4/14/13:

• Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W16D7 (Taper week 1)
• Today’s session: 12 mile easy run
• Comments: I did 12 up in Alum Rock Park
• Weekly mileage: Running: 43.17 / Bicycling: 0

• Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W16D6 (Taper week 1)
• Today’s session: Rest
• Comments: Rest

• Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W16D5 (Taper week 1)
• Today’s session: 4 mile easy run @ 8:27-9:28 pace
• Comments: I did 4.59 @ 8:26

• Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W16D4 (Taper week 1)
• Today’s session: 5 mile easy run @ 8:27-9:28 pace
• Comments: I did 5.39 @ 8:14

I got my April StrideBox the other day and finally got a chance to dive it and sample/test some of the stuff included this month. If you are not familiar with StrideBox, it’s basically a goodie/sampler box of running “accessories, nutritional products, and apparel” that you get each month for a $15 subscription.

As you can see, the box contained a great sampling of products and I’ll definitely use/try almost everything included.

Product List and Comments:

• Barnana. I’m familiar with these already and love ’em (though I’m partial to the chocolate-covered version!) In fact, when I was up in SF last Friday for the RnRSF expo, I stopped by Whole Foods and picked up three bags of these treats since the Palo Alto WF was sold out (Choco covered, of course.)
• Clif Shot & Shot Bloks. I typically use GU Gels & Chomps, but tried the Shot Bloks on my run this morning and the Mountain Berry flavor was actually pretty good. I’ll use the Shot tomorrow or Friday, but those are pretty typical in form and function. For me, it’s about the flavor – I am partial to GU’s Just Plain flavor, finding that it doesn’t mess with my electrolyte’s flavor.
• Bars: Hammer & Clif. I’m partial to Picky Bars (included in the March 2013 StrideBox) – mainly from a “agrees with my stomach” standpoint, but will give these a try. Again, they are pretty typical in form and function.
• Action Wipes: I’ll put this sample in my race bag. I have been using a similar product after race before I head home.
• ENERGYbits® algae tabs. This is the one thing I’m not sure about. I’m particular about what I try/eat and need to read about this a little more…
• Hammer Lips. I’ll also put this in my race bag and use for sure this summer.
• Nuun Hydration Tabs. I’ll give them a try. I’m partial to GU Brew, but am always willing to try something once…or twice, since I got two in the box!
• One thing that was not listed on the “Guide” was an LED slap bracelet/anklet/safety light – it’s the white/black thing at the bottom of the upper-right photo. Not sure who makes it, but it’s kinda like the one at this link – only white. It’s a pretty good product and I have used it the last two mornings. I’m still trying to decide the best placement when I run, but see it as a good thing to have on my “road side” when I run in the morning.

Box Value? Again, the monthly subscription is $15 and, by my calculation, this month’s sampling total about $31 – a pretty good deal in my book.

There you have it – StrideBox vApril 2013…and it’s another winner!

You can sign up for your monthly StrideBox here!

Training Journal – 4/10/13:

• Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W16D3 (Taper week 1)
• Today’s session: 8 mile easy run @ 8:27-9:28 pace
• Comments: I did 8.19 @ 8:29