Not advised to buy a pair of Newtons 4 weeks out from your 70.3 that you've been training for all season. Wait, let me add to that: and run 13 miles at a 7:40 pace and then do 8 miles of speed work two days later. Wait, a little more... especially if you've had achilles problems in the past. Hang on, a little more: a slight achilles tear that sidelined you from running Boston in 2008. Wait, scratch all that; let me start over with a complete sentence (or maybe a run-on sentence):
Hey MORON, Don't go out and buy a pair of Newtons when you have never run in anything but asics for years and years, when you are 4 weeks out from your 70.3 A race of the season and 9 weeks out from a marathon, especially when you have had achilles problems in the past; specifically don't lace them up and run 13 miles and then two days later do a hard speed work day in them.... and expect everything to be a-okay.
That about sums it up. Luckily I think I caught it in time; as soon as my achilles started to show the same signs of injury again, I backed off - took 6 days off from running; was religious about using rock tape; and I think I'm good.... I hope. As I get older, the more injuries I seem to get, but I also seem to get smarter about taking care of them immediately instead of trying to push through them. The Newtons are back in the box, haven't decided if they are going back or if I'm going to just keep them in the box until November and then slowly break them in over the winter. Right now they have left a sour taste in my mouth (or on my achilles) but I really want them to work. The two runs that I did in them felt great; just not so great after.
Ran 13 miles this morning, in my asics (and rock tape), felt great. Phew. Tragedy narrowly averted.
As with any "shoe" that closely mimics "barefoot" running, such as the Newton's claim to do, you must acclimate your feet and leg muscles to this VERY gradually (1/2 mile, 2 days off, 3/4 mile, 2 days off, 1 mile, 3 days off, etc., etc. - you get the idea :)
ReplyDeleteThe first time you did an open water swim, you didn't go to Mendem's and swim a mile out and a mile back and expect to survive did you?
The first time you did an ab workout, you didn't do 200 incline crunches then 200 leg lifts, and then expect to get out of bed for 3 days did you?
Did you?
Amanda? Did you?
Oh, wait, I forgot, it's you were talking about. LOL
What's the mantra: Go hard or go home?
But look who's talking. I went out and ran 3.5 miles the day after I completely changed my running form, stride, and strike. I didn't walk right for 4 days (but it's getting better because I am now going about it more gradually).