can help maintain running conditioning.It's one of the best cross-training options probably second best,number one being pool running.The workout ratio is four miles on the bike equals one mile running.

That's good info to know, but it felt like 1/2 mile on the bike = 1 mile of running!

kicks my butt! Santa brought me one, and I still haven't gone over zero resistance! hehe

I've found, being older, that I really don't do well running more than 4x/wk max...so last year I added two focused rides (Wed/Sat) as well as participating in cycling events here and there. I became, surprise to me, a faster and more fit runner. I'm a big fan of cycling as cross training for runners

2 x 500 on 7:00 w/u
16 x 25 on :30 reverse IM order
2 x 200 kick
6 x 100 on 1:30 odds free, evens IM
2 x 200 kick
6 x 100 on 1:30 odds free, odds stroke
4 x 25 fly kick
2 x 500 on 7:00 c/d pull

Felt a little tired (and knew I would) but today's Zach's last day at Colby, so it was my last chance to swim here. Tomorrow I think my shoulders want a break.

just get through the next few weeks, then your feet will heal during your taper. The adrenaline during the marathon will kill any pain, besides you will have freshly tapered feet so you should be fine. One day at a time, you'll be fine.

Ginger is right, when it comes race time, those blisters won't even bother you. I had BIG blood blisters on the balls of both feet at my last marathon and they broke just before the halfway point and I just used the situation as something to laugh at for the rest of the race (you know the laugh when you wonder "what else can go wrong"). The oozing blood coming out of your sneakers will make a great conversation piece and remind you how tough you really are. Also,if you care about your shoes, bring one of those bleach pens with you. I went back to the room after the race and was able to bleach out all the blood, I already have one packed for the next race!

and the worst possible scenerio happened to Paula, and she was unphased by it marathon day. Most likely, your blisters will be healed up by marathon day. A lot of healing comes with a proper taper. The hardest part will be getting through the next few weeks. I would take 600-800mg. Advil before a long run. Mask the pain, you've worked too hard to take a step back now. We're almost there! I know it's easier said than done, hang in there.

want to know the cause so I can fix the problem. I can handle the rest of my training in discomfort, I'm tough and I can do it, but its not the scenario I envisioned or want. :(

Peter and I talked, and he doesn't think it is the shoes....but I have never had a blister in my life until I used these new Kayanos. Maybe they weren't broken in enough when I did my 19 miler, and they just haven't had a chance to heal. Although, that does not explain the new one that happened yesterday, on the opposite foot, with the shoes totally broken in....

if the blisters are on the bottom it may be the innersoles in the new shoes are made of something different and maybe be heating up that area switch them from your old shoes if they seem not to be worn out and try that

yes I think innersoles could be it. I rarely use the innersoles that come with the shoes. Check out roadrunner or Cadillac for innersoles that are for the kind of foot you have. And if this is a new brand of shoes for you, then that could be it too. I have a book all about FEET for adventure racers that you can borrow. As far as the day of the race, be sure to bring ducktape and extra blister patches. Ducktape is a miracle for blisters when you need it. Another suggestion is to limit your running to maybe two days per week, the most important workouts, and cross train the rest of the time...pool running or cycling/spinning maybe

Wouldn't you know....I pulled them out and all the other ones I have from shoes that are "retired" have the same code stamped on the bottom, but the new ones have a different code. I put the ones from my last shoes in there. I am anxious to see what will happen when I run on Tuesday....thank you so much for the tip!!!

is it safe to take painkillers before workouts? I remember reading something about NOT taking NSAIDs like ibuprofin (is Advil in that category?) for some reason, but now I can't find the article.

Not a good idea.

take any medicine anyway. I have to be deathly ill.

on the wonderful taste of Nyquil :D

I've gone through a lot of ibuprofin this past week, along with ice, for various spots in shoulders + legs. But always after workouts

I used to do it and got the worst cramps of my life. I finally figured out it was the ibuprofin doing it. Advil is in that category.

must be made of lead. I always take it towards the end of marathons, works great for me.

I run in Wright double layer socks. They advertise them for blister prevention. I was having terrible problems with chafing on the side of my foot before I ran Sugarloaf a few years ago. These socks, along with Body Glide, solved my problem. The outside layer of the sock moves against the shoe and the inside layer stays snug against the foot.

Where can I get them?

At the time, Cadillac Mountain Sports didn't carry them so I found them on-line and ordered them. I originally discovered them by googling blisters. Since then, I think I once saw the Wright brand at Cadillac Mountain Sports in BH. However, not all the Wright socks are double layer so be careful.

Also, and not that it's pretty, but after a while, where you get the blisters, the skin will get tough and help with preventing them in the future.

Paula! :) I can see that happening on the first one...

RoadRunnerSports

NEW

Women's WrightSock
Double Layer Cushioned DLX Low Cut 3 pk
Reg: $32.99
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to see all the support Suzanne is getting.

I REALLY appreciate it!

Yes, Amy was charging the hills. We were running into some serious wind too.

Started the run with Amy, Ginger, Megan, Sara, Lisa, Rebecca, Missy and Zoë. We split into 3 groups and did different distances today. It's always fun to chat with everyone at the start, even if we don't run together.

It's great to have Ginger back to her old self.

we love him for his generosity! And I've always believed that something has to go wacky during taper or else you spend your time worrying about what's coming. Focusing on making your calf feel great is going to take up some of that mental energy that would have been driving you crazy this week. : ) See you soon--

read the article
trying to get Suzanne sick on race day !!!!
what will she try next , since we are on the way to healing the blisters !!! be careful where she takes you to eat the night before
at Beach to Beacon last year she tried to get me to eat some weird stuff the night before but i stuck to junk food

I think she secretly stole DeLaney's blanket and dropped it in the road at the Flattop too, so I couldn't catch her! :)

JK! :)

the ipod, gps, water, gels, advil and whatever else you're carrying with you in your race you'd probably take off minutes if you dropped some of that weight.

the Camelback, back-up watches, and various split charts I will be wearing. Suzanne may want to carry an extra pair of sneakers:)