[Drumroll please....]
I logged my entire week of running, YAY! For my reward...well...uh, personal satisfaction? I couldn't figure out what to do so I scratched that idea. We'll see how this week goes.
In terms of runs, this week was a mish-mash of the good and "bad." I've noticed a more prominent pain in my foot so I took a couple of days off and massaged it with a tennis ball (may I add I did this while NOT falling down.) I assume that the pain is due to a couple of factors: increasing mileage too quickly, worn out runners, and the boots that I wore a lot this past week had crappy insoles.
You will be relieved to hear that I remedied this by finally buying a new pair of runners!! (Also some insoles for my boots.) I went to a different running store and tried on what seemed like a gazillion pairs of shoes. I bought two pairs and yes, I feel guilty for this even though they were on sale. :P I'm back in Asics for my long runs. I purchased Mizunos for shorter runs. I have not run in either yet due to the foot pain. I'm just itching to get out there! Both have a little support because I am afraid of rolling an ankle if I go with completely neutral or cushioned runners.
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I had so much success with my previous Mizunos as my road runners that I ordered Mizuno Wave 11s as my next pair. I got them from REI. Between my annual dividend and a 20% coupon, they only cost me $18.96 US!
I will soon need to replace my trail runners. I have heard great things about the INOV-8 line of trail shoes. The problem is that there are so many types, I don't know which one to choose.
One thing that is interesting... despite the fact that INOV-8 is well-known and respected in the trail running and ultrarunning community... the most recent issue of Runner's World magazine makes no mention of them or any of their shoes in their supposed trail shoe review.
I guess it goes to show how money talks.
INOV-8 is not a large company like Asics. Asics may be well-known but they make crappy trail shoes like the ones I purchased last fall...http://ultramarathon.vox.com/library/post/asics-gel-trail-sensors--product-review.html
Anyway if you are suffering from foot pain and plantar fasciitis, besides stretching exercises, I recommend the Strassburg Sock. It works wonders for painful feet and tight calves. I got one for my wife but I tried it out once and it worked so well that it is pretty much mine now.