Over the weekend I only ran 16 miles, 13 on Saturday and just 3 on Sunday, hoping to feel well-rested for Monday. But I didn't plan exactly right. I bought those new Saucony
Still, I think it did help to take Sunday easy. Track last night was 20x200m with 30 second rest. You were supposed to run the 200's in the number of seconds that your 10k time is in minutes. So a 42 minute 10k = 42 seconds for a 200. I easily completed the workout, averaging 39 seconds, varied from 38 to 40. Now, this is a short workout, so of course it felt easy on the muscles, but I liked not feeling dead, so I'll try to stick to the shorter/easier Sundays from now on.
As for the Saucony Mirage...jury is still out, but I don't love them. They're a tad narrow for me, and a lot less cushioned than I'm used to. My Mizuno Musha flats on the track last night felt more pillowy!
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I would definitely struggle with a track workout on Monday as the bulk of my "hard/long" workouts are Sat/Sun. Sat long bike/Sun long run. Hopefully running your longer miles on Sat and just short miles on Sun will give you the break you need. Sounds like it worked this week.
ReplyDelete"Usually" (as in when I'm following a training plan) any track/speedwork sessions are on Wednesdays. That works well for me; of course, when someone else is planning the workouts I guess you don't have that luxury.
ReplyDeleteI only ever have one pair of running shoes (well, one road/one trail) at a time after wearing my previous pair to death, so I'd have a hard time comparing different shoes. Of course, you're a far more experienced runner than I am, too.
I think a 3-mile recovery run between the long run and track is a great idea. And I love the sound of that workout!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I agree about the Saucony Guides. I feel so torn about them. They don't actively HURT me, but they are narrow and they're not the best. I honestly don't know what the hell to do about it.
ReplyDeleteSo, turns out I put the wrong shoe (hehe, I got the Mirage), but I still feel just like you. Ride it out for 500 miles? Ditch them? Do short stuff only? I just don't know!
DeleteI always like to have a rest day the day before speed session. It gives me a decent chance of getting through the session without dying. But then I'm old and rest is just as important as training to me.
ReplyDeleteI thought that you bought the Mirage? (Disclaimer: I've been reading your blog for a while without commenting, and I'm a shoe nerd, so I notice these things.) The Guide is a full-blown stability shoe, while the Mirage is the much stiffer sibling of the Kinvara. I've tried the Mirage, and while I like the fit of the upper, the platform was so firm that it irritated my IT band after only 3 miles. Back to Running Warehouse they went! I currently run in version 1 of the PureCadence for half marathons and under. I LOVE them. I have version 2 of the Cadence, and the fit is off for me, so I only use them on my super short days. I agree that the ride of the Cadence is surprisingly soft, especially compared to the Mirage. I spent a long time looking for a more substantial shoe that I could use on longer/slower days and ended up settling on the Saucony Ride. It's a neutral trainer that has a small plastic bridge under the arch which gives them a little extra stability. They have a nice soft (but not marshmallow-like) forefoot that feels really good as the miles pile on. They may be way more shoe than you're looking for, but I go back and forth between the Ride and PureCadence with ease. They have a fairly roomy forefoot that could also be a good fit for you.
ReplyDeleteJust figured I'd share my experience. Also, the Sayonara is touted as a pretty stable lightweight trainer. It may not be stable enough for everyday use, but could serve as a good half/full racing shoe for you since the fit was so on-point.
Yeah...it's the Mirage. Thanks for the catch, I don't even know where I got the "guide" from! I really don't know what to do at this point, so thanks for the advice. I really just want my Kinvaras back! I might go try on the Ride next week. I just hate that I spent money on the Mirage and dislike it.
DeleteIf they feel off after one run, I say ditch them! Most running stores are really good about exchanging a lightly used pair if it doesn't work for you. I've tried soooo many shoes in the last year looking for "the one." I learned two things: 1) Listen to your gut; if a shoe doesn't feel good immediately, it usually only gets worse. 2) "The One" doesn't exist (at least not for me). I love the Cadences, but they beat up my knees and feet beyond 13.1 mi. I need them in conjunction with a beefier, more supportive shoe for slog-fests. Maybe you should get the Kinvara for racing/fast/short training and a workhorse for the slower days. I doubt that someone of your speed needs a very stable shoe for racing distances. I think that supplementing a lighter shoe with a heavier one may work well for you. I know that means extra $$$, but happy/healthy running is worth it! Plus, the Kinvara 5 comes out in the Spring which means that all the 4s will hit the clearance racks! :)
DeleteKeep us posted on what you end up doing and what you think of the Ride if you try it. I think that a Kinvara/Ride or Sayonara/Ride combo may have potential...
Looks like you have a 39 minute 10k in your future!! :)
ReplyDeleteRemember that our bodies adapt to the training when it's resting! Good job on the workout and I hope you find a shoe (what a process! Why can't you go back to the Kinvaras???)
Don't you hate it when a shoe feels so good at the store, and then after a run or two you're like, "Oh no ... what have I done!" If I've wasted money on anything over the years, it's been shoes. I have a trail of perfectly good shoes over the years, that if they didn't work, I usually gave to my son.
ReplyDelete