New updated links

Just a few more cosmetic changes to my blog...

The Links along the right side of the page have all been updated, and am now using the ever-so-wonderful Delicious to manage them all.

So, when I add new links, they'll be updated here in real time.

Would you like yours added? Just shoot me an email and I'll be happy to!

I also updated my registered races for 2009. More soon to come...

My Troubles Persist

Well, it seems the annoying shin pain I've been suffering through on my runs is back. A couple of good runs on some new Brooks Defyance 2 shoes had me convinced I had licked the problem, but it has returned.

I'm struggling to find the reason as to why this is happening.

I can understand having pain running on worn out running shoes, so I went out and go new ones. The difference here is this is a redesigned model of the Brooks Defyance I've been running in until now. I found it a bit odd that I had to get these new shoes a whole size bigger so they feel right. After taking them on a few spins, I was feeling really good about them. Not so much now.

Something is different. I've read the sole was redone, but they look and feel fairly similar despite being a size bigger. They're beginning to feel a little awkward during my runs, and my shins are not liking the feeling right now. They get incredibly tight to the point where I have to stop and walk. The pain is close to excruciating at times, but only pops up during a run and only after 2 miles or so. After that, it's really hard to continue.

The problem is, I'm past the return date in the new shoes, so I'll have to eat the cost should they not work out. I'm looking to get a hold of the previous model of this same shoe to see if that is what is causing the issue. I haven't written off the Defyance 2 just yet, but I need to make sure it's the shoe, and not some sort of recurring injury. I'm desperate, really.

My training for the Chicago Marathon starts on June 22, and I'd really like to have this resolved before then- even before a 5K I have scheduled on June 13.

As I mentioned, I don't consider it an injury just yet, and I'm taking it as something being wrong with the mechanics of it all. I hope to find the answer soon.

Oh Blogger, why do you hurt me?

*Update: Fixed. Darn, sneaky code! Still may play with some design elements...

For whatever reason, the layout of my blog got a bit screwy. Nothing major, but the white background you see near the top is supposed to extend all the way to the bottom.

Hmmm, this is going to take a bit to figure out.

I've thought about renaming the blog and/or doing a bit of a redesign, so maybe this is my chance.

In the meantime, pardon the dust....

Taking a licking but I'm still ticking

Catchy title, no?

Well, it's been a little while. I've been super busy, though, but still no excuse to hold up on blogging. Poor little blog. I usually start up on some posts and never end up finishing them for some reason. I'll have to work on that.

Anyways, I have been running since the St. Louis half-marathon back on April 19. I took about a week and a half off of hard training, mostly because I didn't have any immediate goals set. Four pounds gained and nearly a month later, I'm back doing some short miles before starting to train for the Chicago Marathon in October.

I've been struggling with some rather severe shin pain in both of my legs since St. Louis. I thought for a while it was because of my layoff from running. It isn't too uncommon for me to be a bit tight after a large race, and am no stranger to a little shin pain. Now, after almost three weeks of running, I am still struggling with the pain that comes along after about two miles of running a route.

Then, this past Monday after my run, it struck me. Maybe the pain isn't due to lack of running. Could it be the shoes? I sat down and found out my shoes have close to 300 miles on them and are nearing five months old. Tuesday, I went to my local running store to pick up a new pair of Brooks Defyance 2's.

I took them for a three mile spin on Wednesday, and lo and behold, no shin pain! Duh. The shoes ended up being a bit too tight near the front, so I exchanged them for a pair one size larger. I'll find out by Saturday how they work out. I'm just relieved that the shin pain is gone. I was really having a hard time with that.

So that's a quick update. I was planning on running an 8K this Sunday, but it may just be a last minute decision depending on how the new shoes work out. Otherwise, I'll be shooting for the Skirtchaser 5K on June 13, followed by the North Shore Half Marathon on June 14. A two-fer!

Write soon!

Sock on Cat

Sock on Cat
Originally uploaded by automatic_man2

It's been a little while since I've blogged, but I have a few posts cooking!

Hope you've all been well!

----->
Jesse.
www.treonybbles.com

Sent with a Sprint Palm Centro Smartphone