Evolution

Watched the Evolution Running DVD that I bought last week. Interesting stuff. Drills are good and I'm modifying them for my combination of age and old injuries. The revelation that most impressed me is that the quads aren't really that big a player in moving forward. They certainly stabilize the knee joint (another of those joints that is poorly engineered thanks to our foray into bipedalism. We worked much better on all fours.

The gluteus maximus is the star of forward motion according to Evolution. I've had trouble with hip (almost always the right) on long runs. I also have a chronic pull at the crest of the ileum that just hits like a shotgun. Had that happen training for San Diego--bent over to reach in a drawer and BAM! That was it for training for 3 days.

I'm now doing some glute work in the AM when I loosen up and it feels good--knees especially.

Running more on forefeet all the time and the new wrinkle introduced in the DVD is that your foot whole ALREADY be moving BACKWARD at the time in hits the ground. It's a brush thing--not a landing thunderously to push off thing. That give good runners that light barely touching the ground motion.

I need to watch the tape again, but already admit it's much more effective that reading about running. You can visualize the drills and action of the skilled running while you're running. Remembering what the words said isn't much help.

Getting worried about finding Foot Disc insoles--keep pulling up off shore distributors. I want to try the high arch model--mine aren't really high, but my supination is a real problem and the high arch model has the most cushioning. I put another layer of shelf liner (more on that below) in my right shoe at the forefoot. It never felt quite as comfortable as the left shoe in the Newtons. Feels better now. I have had NO forefoot bruising so far. I always had trouble with my left forefoot--always.

Shelf liner?? No, I'm not wacko--well a little. I discovered this black rubbery shelf liner at the hardware store a few months ago. Big roll is pretty cheap and it can easily be cut with scissors. I use it for just a little extra distribution of impact in the forefoot area. It does compact, but it takes a couple weeks or more and it's easy to replace. I just tack it down with some duct tape at the front of the insole and gently slip it in the shoe. Where's in going to go between the footbed and insole--it sits right there till you take it out again.

Getting really dark in the AM now. Hope I can make it till daylight savings time flips! Don't see in the dark like I did 30 years ago.

Oh a quick word of warning if you don't have lights on in the pre dawn and you meet someone who does have a light. THEY will not see anything that their light isn't shinning on. DON'T assume they see you because you see them. They are blind outside the beam of their light. I've been nearly run over by people walking dogs, riding bikes etc etc. It's almost funny--they think they are safe and they are a menace, because their world is limited to their  light beam.  There are some philosophical implications with that discovery that make it particularly satisfying. Be careful out there!