Anyone stopping by for the first time- especially in the middle of the week- might wonder why this blog is called “Runners Fly.” It seems like all I talk about are books, food, cats, and random life events. Well, okay! Here’s a little running update.
The Ankle Situation
My ankle is doing GREAT! Especially when you consider that two months ago I couldn’t walk without limping. It’s still lacking a little strength and mobility compared to the good ankle, but I’m working on that. And it still aches sometimes. But yesterday I ran on my favorite trail and hardly even thought about it. A month ago it was hard to imagine ever running on trails again. So it just goes to show- be patient, and things will heal!
The Race
My race- Sweat, Swat ‘n Swear 50K– is coming right up- May 26th, less than three weeks away. My training plan for this race could be described as “accelerated.” I didn’t have much time between the ankle injury and the race. My long runs jumped from a 10 mile run, to 13, to 17. I’m going to give my body ten days to recover from that effort, and do the last long run- 20 miles- next Wednesday. That gives me a ten day taper before the race. It’s a short taper, but I’ll make it work! I think “I’ll make it work” will be the theme for this entire race.
The Shoes
I’ve been running in the new Altra FWDs, a shoe with the wide toe box Altra is known for, but with a 4 mm drop (Altras usually have a zero drop, meaning there’s no difference between the heel height and the forefoot.). I love them, but decided I needed a trail shoe. So I bought a pair of the Altra Timps, a trail shoe that’s comfortable and perfect in every way- except that they are zero drop, so they take some getting used to.
After I ran part of my 17 mile run in them, I thought “If only there was some way to combine the FWDs and the Timps.” Later that same day, I received an email advertising brand new Altras- and one of them is a trail shoe with a 4 mm drop. YES I WANT THEM. I ordered them immediately- I have a feeling these are going to be my dream shoes.
Have you ever sprained your ankle?
Are you running any races this summer?
Favorite running shoe?
23 Responses
I am so glad that you are able to run again! What a relief! I am sure that your trail race will be a lot of fun, and you will be so glad to be out there that it will feel like a breeze (right?!) I know you were cold last time, but I do hope that it is not too hot for this upcoming one, although that is probably more up your alley than cold in the end! I always run in Sauconys, and you just reminded me that I am going to be due for another pair soon, even though I am not running nearly as much as I used to!
Well- I’m pretty sure this race won’t be a “breeze.” But you’re right- I’ll be so glad to be out there, AND I’ll be glad not to be freezing cold! There’s zero chance of that this time.
“I’ll make it work” is a very fitting theme for a Sweat, Swat and Swear race.
And you have found YOUR shoes!! If you get them by the end of this week, you will have enough time to break them in before your race. The race will go much better than you think!
Please remind me: is this race within a reasonable driving distance or do you have to stay overnight the day before?
Thanks Catrina! And- I will have to stay overnight the night before. It’s about four hours away, But since it’s a 50K- not 50 mile- and it starts at 6:30 am, I’ll just drive back that day. So it’s just one night in a hotel.
Oh the shoe, how fortuitous! Wonderful and a good omen. I’m sure you can make this happen, and I’m so glad the ankle is doing so much better. My husband sprained his falling off a stile in the middle of nowhere in the North of England and it took forever to heal. Go go go!
Thank you Liz!!! Yes, I was really lucky- this wasn’t a severe sprain. I also sprained my other ankle, about ten years ago, and THAT took much longer to heal.
So exciting that your race is under three weeks away — and even better that your ankle is feeling great! Hopefully the weather cooperates, I can imagine Florida in late May could be quite hot, but you’ve definitely trained for it.
Right now I’m mostly rotating between the Hoka Tecton X2 and the Hoka Mafate Speed. The Mafates are great on more technical terrain but I usually prefer the Tectons for longer runs since they’re more comfortable. Both have a 4 mm drop which seems to be the sweet spot for me!
My next race is coming up this Friday (!!!) and I actually have two more that I’m signed up for this year that I’ll have to train through the Arizona summer for! I told myself after the last two years of training for summer/early fall races that I wouldn’t but oops I did it again haha!
Okay, Friday- I’m excited for you (Friday is an unusual day for a race?!) And… it’s going to be hot AF for my race, no way around that. Luckily it’s already hot here, so I’ll be used to it.
Speaking of hot… yes, you’ve got some hot training coming up! Is it at least a little cooler early in the morning? I’m imagining it is since you’re in the desert. But what do I know- I’ve never actually been to Arizona.
Yeah, Friday is a weird day for a race but it’s part of the Cocodona 250 which started Monday and runs through Saturday morning, so my race has a 27 hour cutoff because they have to keep the finish line and final aid stations open for the last runners in the longer distances!
Right now morning temps are low to mid 60s which feel pretty nice, but by June and July it can be in the 80s (or even low 90s if it’s a 110+ degree day!) in the early morning so on those days there’s really no escaping the heat!
Oh wow that is so cool!!!!!!!!! There are some big runners doing Cocodona 250, including Joe Corcione (I listen to his podcast, Everyday Ultra.) How cool that your event is part of that race. I’m imagining it’s a really beautiful course. GOOD LUCK and I want to hear all about it!!!!!
YAY can’t wait for your race weekend! You and SHU are racing the same weekend, and I’m so excited to follow along with you both! I think you’re going into it with a cautiously optimistic yet realistic attitude- seems smart, considering all the things you’ve been through lately!
Yes I know, SHU and I have the same race weekend (mine is the 26th which is the Sunday- can’t remember if hers is the exact same day.) It will be exciting!
I have not ever sprained my ankle but a lot of people in my family have and it seems to be something that the men in my family are particularly susceptible to? My dad has actually had both ankles replaced. It is not a common surgery but the person he saw in Minneapolis specializes in it. He was down to bone on bone contact after years of wear and tear (he was on his feet a lot for his job as an electrician/electrical contractor). My brother sprained his ankle a lot in HS and has as an adult so now he always has to wear a brace and kind of assumes he’ll need ankle replacement surgery eventually. Then his son really hurt his ankle playing football and had ankle surgery on that. I believe he had knee surgery, too. Football is SO HARD ON THE BODY which is why even if our children were interested in it, it’d be a hard no (no judgment to anyone reading this that has made a different decision – it’s a you do you type of situation but that same nephew that had 2 surgeries also broke BOTH OF HIS ARMS when he was in like 5th grade).
ANYWHO. I am feeling healthy now and trying to slowly increase my mileage so I can do a 10k at some point. I want to get to a point where my weekend run is 5 miles. I would like to get Paul to be able to scoot a bit further so he could scoot with me while I run and then I’d only have to leave Taco w/ him if I went for a run after work or something like that. Or I’d like to get Paul interested in biking but he is all about the scooter.
All that said, I am glad your ankle is feeling better!!
Thank you Lisa, although your stories of ankle surgeries are making mine hurt all over again, ha ha. And, ankle replacement? That is unusual, but I guess it makes sense- people have knee replacements all the time. Luckily I never had to worry about my son wanting to play football- or my daughter either. The most athletic thing they do is march in the band : )
Oh, what a shoe win! I can’t wait to hear how they do for you! I sprained my ankle in college; I was walking across a parking lot at like midnight and stepped in a hole and it was a whole lot of not fun for a few weeks. I am not doing any races this summer, but hoping my calf feels better so I can continue with this plan I am doing. I run in Brooks Ghost or Glycerin but only because I am terrified of trying other shoes, haha!
If those Brooks are working there’s no reason to change it! A lot of people love those shoes. Hmm, I hope your calf starts to feel better soon. I wonder what’s wrong with it…?
Woot woot! Your training might be accelerated, but it sounds like you’re in great shape for the race!
Gotta love it when your dream shoe comes out just in time for the race!
I know- I feel like it was meant to be.
I have not ever sprained my ankle, but I had a serious tib-fib fracture more than a decade ago and my left leg has never been the same! I spend so much time trying to make sure that both legs/ankles are the same, but it’s somewhat of a losing battle. I’m so excited that your race is only a couple of weeks away. How exciting!!
i know you’ve talked about that injury before- a tib-fib fracture (both bones? how did that even happen???) sounds horrendous. I guess a sprained ankle isn’t really that bad.
Oh, how exciting about the new running shoe.
My favorite running shoes have been Brooks – the Levitate and Ricochet specifically – but I think I am ready to try something else. Sarah has got me intrigued by the Ascis Novablasts.
What great news about the new trail shoe!! Yay for you! Also great news about your ankle of course. It takes a while to get back full strength and especially mobility (you know I know) but you’re doing some good things to get there.
I sprained my ankle twice when I was around 20, playing soccer, and later at work when I missed a step while walking up stairs. It was absolutely awful!! Especially the second time it hurt so much that I nearly fainted! (not exaggerating) And I thought it was broken, but when I tried to walk on it, it was possible. I worked as a home care assistant for elderly, and kept going all day with some modifications, but when I came home in the evening I absolutely couldn’t even stand on it. The next day it was better so it still was “just” a sprain.
I’m very excited about your race.
I still have weakness in my good anile because of all the hardware. maybe now I am equal.
My half training is very abbreviated it’s Saturday! I’ve been very lazy about running.. I blame the Florida heat and the 5k and 10k I ran instead.