NO NEED TO PANIC!!!!!!!

Every runner knows the day is coming when his/her favorite security blanket, aka. shoe, is going to change!! I see it all the time, and get to hear it from MANY when it happens! “Why do they change?, What are they thinking?, I’ll never wear that brand again!” I could just respond, “Stuff Happens!”, but that’s not nice, or really the truth! These running brands spend a ton of doe on research and product development, and when they come up with something new, they want it  on display in their best shoes! Basically, EVOLVE or become EXTINCT!

Why am I making a big stink about a shoe changing? Well, our best selling shoe for the better part of 17 years (by better part, I mean all) the Asics GT-2100 series (currently the 2170) is changing!! I know what some of you 2170 wearers are thinking, it’s changed every time the number changes, but that’s not really the case. This series of shoe has been Asics’ most popular for a LONG time as well, and about 6 years ago, they decided to only make very minimal, mostly cosmetic, changes to the shoe to not lose that loyal fan base, but as ole Bob said, “The times, they are a-changin’”.

OK, so what’s happening to the shoe? First, Asics is beefing up the cushioning with the largest Gel system ever in the GT-2000 series. This will obviously help lessen the vibrations and pressures that travel from the asphalt and cement up your legs, and will add to the price a bit. Remember, the more Gel you see, the more cushioned and durable the shoe will be! We’re still recommending 400 to 500 miles on the shoes, but with an improved cushioning system, the shoe will protect you better toward the end of it’s life.

To add to the larger Gel units, the GT-2000 will feature a dual layered midsole. You may have already seen this in some shoes like the Gel Kayano and the Neo33. The top layer, basically right underneath you feet, is made of Asics Solyte material, which is a lightweight foam, and the bottom layer is Asics standard EVA. By layering the midsole, Asics has improved the comfort of the shoe and can adjust the density to be more gender specific. That’s right, guys’ and girls’ feet differ! Who knew?!

You’ll also see less stitching in the upper, a more “minimal” drop from heel to toe (10 mm for those geeks out there), Dynamic Duomax, a few racier color options and a restructured collar, but I feel like I’ve gotten to “techy”! Allow me to mention what I believe to be the most important aspect of the new GT-2000. What didn’t change! The same great fit from the same great brand! As the title of the blog suggests, NO NEED TO PANIC! All you Asics wearers can confidently purchase this shoe from all of our locations in October!

4 Weeks and Counting!

Dixie200 Relay is in 4 weeks!! Our fearless leader has assigned legs. I’ll be running 7, 4 and 3 mile legs. I haven’t written of my running situation in a while, so what perfect timing to talk about what I’ve been doing, and what my training plans are for this crazy relay! First and foremost, The Trak Shak has a team entered, and I think you should challenge us! Register for the Dixie200 Relay by clicking here! I, myself, have not participated in one of these endurance team relays, but have a few friends who have and most say it is one of their fondest running experiences! Nothing says good times like spending over 24 hours in a van with 4 to 5 other sweaty, half naked men!!

NOW, I can’t start writing about my training without first mentioning the infamous shin! A LOT of thought and focus has gone in to keeping the shin “healthy” (I use quotes ‘cuz I’m not sure it’ll ever be 100%). The first part of my plan started with a mix of little running and spinning. I started with 3 days of a tough spin class in the morning and no more than 2 days of running at most 4 miles. ALL of the running was on a soft surface either on Jemison or on the side of the road. Over a 20 week period, I increased the 45 minute spin classes to an hour and a half and the running increased to 4 to 6 miles at least 4 times a week. By the end of the 20 weeks, I was hitting the streets a little more to test the shin. ALL WAS GOOD!! I ended that training segment on December 19, the birth date of my second beautiful child!

After a couple of weeks of “rest”, it was time to get back at it! Time was limited, and I knew if I started back running on the road, I’d reinjure the leg. The first week back, 1 day of running, 3 miles, on a soft surface. The second week, 2 days, 3 miles, soft surface. That was in January, in which I ran about 45 miles for the month. With a little patience, I’m now at around 40 miles a week, with a long run of 10 miles! I know it ain’t 100 miles a week, but it’s consistent, AND, most importantly, my leg don’t hurt, unless you touch it or bump it, after which I would respond by either slapping or punching you!

This idea of a relay team popped up over a month ago, and I have to admit, it’s motivated me a little! As I mentioned in my last post, I’m trying to not be the weak link! This goal, while rather modest, is not going to be the easiest to reach! Of course, the majority of the team are ringers! I have no intention of being able to run as fast as them. I just want to try to stay as close to our average time as possible! How? Well, I’ve got a lot of miles in my legs from the past few years at that easy run pace. I’ve got to change that! So, over the next 4 weeks, I have to add some tempo runs and hill workouts for some speed and strength. My first hill workout was last week, and let me tell you, it SUCKED, but in a good way! That feeling of almost throwing up and having a stabbing head ache for most of the day brought back some fond memories of the good ole days!

Obviously, the miles have to increase a little too. The increase in weekly mileage will surely test the shin, among other unfit parts of my body, so I have to focus on the little things that most of us ignore! This means, the living room/training room is back! The foam roller, the Thera-Band, The Stick, and the ice packs are all easily accessible and in full use! You gotta do, what you gotta do!

Oh yeah, and since I’m running more, stay tuned for some reports on some new products I’m getting to test out!! I LOVE MY JOB!!

Taper?

I went out front today to greet some customers who had just finished their run for the day, and two of them are in training for Boston, which is to say they are SUPPOSED to be tapering. The discussion started with one wanting to add on some miles because she felt the run just finished wasn't enough. The discussion of tapering started up with some familiar comments from both. "I HATE TAPERING!", "I feel sluggish", and "I'm worried!" I have had this discussion at least a hundred times with concerned runners, and today I actually said something that makes a little sense! THAT, I will get to in a sec. First, tapering! 


You've all seen that section in training schedules leading up to your goal race, and depending upon which schedule you follow, it could be as long as 2 weeks. In college, our goal races were typically the big events at the end of the season like conference, regionals, and if you were good enough, nationals. No matter the event, that goal is what has motivated you for however many weeks, months or years. It's what has pushed you through two-a-days, workouts, 4 AM runs, rainy days, and, in Alabama, 98 degrees and 98 percent humidity! Then, all of the sudden, the schedule says, "Let's put the brakes on, chill out a bit, and rest." What's the point? REST! You've put in all of these miles and worked your butt off. Now, it's time for your body to recover and rebuild. 


In the past, when I've been asked about tapering and how bad you feel, I've always reverted back to the college days and related how I felt. I always felt sluggish and as if I was losing fitness, and blamed it on the 25 to 50% reduction in mileage. The underlying problem with that explanation, I didn't have a family or a job back then. I had running and school. It didn't seem easy at the time, but now it looks pretty simple. I will never forget saying to my former coach and fellow employee at the time, "I can't wait to get out of school, so I can just train and race on my own.". His response, "Dude, it will never get any easier!". 


My new take on tapering involves a little more LIFE. Sure, you've put in the miles, the sleep, the diet, and the workouts. But what did you have to schedule it around? Work, late night feedings with your babies, drops offs and pick ups at daycare, or meetings? It takes a little more effort to actually train. So, when that schedule says, "4 miles easy", there's a big shock in the system you've worked so diligently to develop. No wonder your mind turns to panic mode!


So, what did I say in the conversation today that spawned my new response to those fearing those easy weeks leading up to the big race? Tapering justifies it all! If you take a good look at that schedule, tapering is a very big part, and if you ignore it, you don't actually finish your training and risk squandering the valuable effort! And hey, if my epiphany hasn't rung a bell, there's always the famous saying, "The hay's in the barn! Go take a nap!" I AM aware "The hay's in the barn." is the famous Southern saying! I just added "Go take a nap!". It seemed fitting!