Tension

I've notice looking though pictures of me running that when I get tense it shows up in my hands, my thumbs actually.  When I get tense, I look like I'm give the thumbs up gesture...weird.  It's hard to run fast while tense, so I have to constantly monitor my thumbs and remind myself to relax.  How does your tension reveal itself while you run?

Hell Week: Tuesday

Trying to run 20 Miles for the 1st time after yesterday's workouts (especially the 4.5 miles of near sprint intervals) was not a great idea. But it wouldn't be Hell Week if it didn't suck.

Taking inspiration from Randy I mapped out a 5 mile loop. I was already struggling by the end of the 2nd loop. I walked about 1/3 of loop three. I could only run a few hundred yards at a time here and there on the last loop. It was basically a disaster with an average pace of 14 minutes. Post run tonnage: 230 lbs

But it would be Hell Week if the suck stopped there. So after recouping for 6 hours I popped the three blisters in between my toes and did a 1/2 Murph. The Murph is a Crossfit exercise named after Lt. Michael Murphy who was killed in Afghanistan. It consists of 1 Mile Run, 100 Pull Ups, 200 Push Ups, 300 Squats, and another mile run. I did the miles on either side of half of the Pull Ups, Push Ups and Squats.

4000+ calories burned today.

Shoes

The best thing about running is that it doesn't require a lot of equipment. I love cycling but the prep work for just getting out the door is a pain. Getting flats is a pain. In running you just head out the door.

What you do need (most of the time) is shoes. I'm too much of a tender foot to go full barefoot but I am a minimalist runner. I use two different shoes styles most of the time. Vibrim Bikila LS and Merrell Trail Gloves. I prefer the FiveFingers but some long runs are tough in them. Plus one rock can ruin your day. Occasionally I use Nike Free when the balls of my feet are really sore.