Just A Few Weeks Until Vibram Spyridon Launched

I'm really excited about the new trail running shoes from Vibram. My current KSO Treks are in need of a replacement. When I first saw the BMX bike tire tread on the Spyridon's, I wasn't too enthused about them, but the more I read about them, the more I like it. According to Vibram, these should be in stores, or at least online, by February.

Leah at Birthday Shoes has written up a pretty thorough review of the new shoes if you are interested. Now to start tracking online retailers.

Ran With My Wife Towards Santiago Peak

Susan and Ed taking a break to snap this picture.

The local trail group is doing a 24 mile run this coming Saturday. The distance doesn't bother me, but the fact it is going up to Santiago Peak does. The peak is around 5,700 feet and the trail head is at 2,000 feet, so this is a 3,700 ft climb in 12 miles. That is not an easy run., at least for me. I think I can handle the 3,700 ft descent for the last half.

I decided I wanted to pre-run some of it today to make sure I was up to speed for it. Having run 14 miles yesterday didn't exactly leave me in a rested condition for this, but it was a last minute decision last night. Susan decided she wanted to go with me. She doesn't run the distances I do so we were going to run together for a few miles, then I'd go on ahead. My original plan was to go 6 miles, or half the distance up. I'd hook up with Susan again on the way down. If I could do 12 miles with little trouble, 24 miles this coming weekend should be doable.

Susan at the trail head
with her Merrell Trail Gloves

Ed at the trail head with the KSO Treks

Given a bit of soreness after yesterday's run, I stopped at the 5 mile mark on the way up. I could have gone further, but my speed was really bad and I didn't really want to be out for much more than 2 hrs today. My altitude was 3,720 feet when I turned back, so I climbed about 1,700 feet. That told me with 7 miles to go, there was another 2,000 feet left. It wasn't going to get steeper, but neither was the grade going to easier.

Less than half a mile into the trail part of the run.

It does give me confidence though that I can do this run as long as I rest the day before the run. I've really overdone it this week. Today was my ninth consecutive run. There was a holiday thrown in there which allowed more time to run. I don't normally run more than 2-3 days in a row. The body needs to rest and repair.

It isn't a terribly technical trail, just fire road, but it isn't smooth trail dirt either. Actually, the first three miles are rough asphalt, which means the last three will be too since this is an out-and-back run. I really wish I had a pair of the new Vibram Spydiron trail shoes. My KSO Trek's tread is getting low and the Spydiron has more rock protection, especially in the arch. Unfortunately, they aren't for sale yet, so the KSO Treks will have to do for a few more weeks.

You can see the rocky trail behind me.

Total distance today was 10.1 miles Susan did somewhere between 7 and 8 miles I think. Her running software on her iPhone was accidentally paused during her run so we aren't sure exactly how far she went.

There are more pictures below of the beautiful scenery. It rained here like crazy Saturday and it was overcast the entire run. It makes some of the pictures look a bit dark.

At 3,700ft where I turned around

Another view of the terrain

The average grade

A look over the ledge into Silverado Canyon

Almost Time For A New Pair Of Shoes

It looks like it is getting near time to get a new pair of running shoes. I logged another 14 miles this morning, mostly in the rain. This pair of Vibram Five Finger Remixes have just over 762 miles on them. I can probably eek out another hundred by spreading some Shoe Goo on the bottom. I have to start doing that after about 500 miles. It is getting bad though. The uppers are holding up well though. Other than being dirty, I cannot really tell the difference between this pair and the fresh pair in my closet that is on deck.

It is interesting to see the wear patterns on the bottom. They are definitely not the same for the left and right. The left tends to wear on the outside, the right on the inside. I should probably learn from that and try to adjust my stride.

Not a big fan of running longer distances in the rain. Anything under an hour or so is fine, but more than that and you have to start seriously considering chafing issues. Wet clothes will rub you raw in a hurry.

Chronicling My Running in Southern California

I've decided to set up a blog that focuses on my running journeys. I have recently hooked up with Orange County Trail Runners which I am hoping opens me up to a whole new world of running. The vast majority of my running has been on streets or paved bike trails. After doing a 14mi trail run last weekend though, which I will write about later, I think I am hooked on the dirt and rocks.

I also plan to talk about the gear I use when running, whether it is bare feet, Vibram Five Fingers, Camelbak hydration packs, and even food I take with me to keep my body nourished when running.

At some point in the next few weeks, I'll explain why I named this blog as I did.