This past week I started Tony Horton's P90X3 training program. So far I'm impressed with my ability to do the exercises within my current abilities. Well, minus pull/chin-ups... Any surprise my lower body is where I excel from? So, I've ordered a bar for my basement floor joists, and some crossfit bands to add and decrease resistance as I slowly step up to eventually unassisted maneuvers. They should be here for week two. :)
After the Yoga section I did an "easy" 5K on the treadmill in 27 minutes, which is ultimately my target road marathon pace. My goal ultramarathon/trail pace is 2-3 minutes per mile longer to accommodate for stuff like hills, heat, and exhaustion. It will all come down to how many miles I can log and how I hold up in the heat. The strength training will be here to "make it easier" to keep going with less energy expenditure.
While on the mill, during walking, and any other running, I've now begun to work on hip form. This means driving them forward with each stride. This should mean an easier time on all three grade types, with lighter impacts and less wasted energy.
Also this week I've added two new pairs of shoes into my rotation. I decided to get two with minimal drops, as I need some more mid-foot support to at minimum allow for some more speed.
The trail shoes are the Saucony Xodus 4's, which have the great features of Gore-Tex and a Vibram tread. I'm so tickled with these, as they're fairly light for how rugged, they have a shoelace tuck pocket on the tongue, and the heel tread is wider than the shoe so that it prevents stuff like ankle rolling (which I'm prone to). The Salomons will still serve their purpose on flatter, muddy courses, but for hills and speed, the Sauconys are my best bet. One thing I'll need to do to the Salomons is reduce the drop, probably by sanding or whittling the back lugs. The 10+mm is just too severe for my knees, I'm afraid.
My new road shoes are just your basic Asics GT2000. These have a bit more of a drop than my Nimbus 14's and are less bulky overall. I think my feet will be happier and I will hopefully go a bit faster. I do thank my 14's for helping to strengthen my feet, as they're neutral.
That's it for now! I'll be upping the running mileage to 15, hopefully Sunday morning weather permitting. See ya.
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