RED January - 20 Days On...and Shoe Porn!

[TailChaser]

20 days of RED January down, so time for a treat. I was able to wear my Christmas shoes when it started but I had to put them away with the decorations and go back to my Brooks Ghost 12 work horses. Wearing the Brooks Revel 4s I found my Achilles started to feel better - at last!! It seems they don't rub my left ankle as they are cut slightly different, and, rather than it being a calf strength issue (which I thought was odd as I have huge calves!), it's just my wonky middle aged ankle shape.

Without being able to wear the Revels (I know, I could but what would I wear next Christmas?) I've been getting around it by wearing some excellent socks Katnap got me for Christmas which are much thinner than my usual cheapo (but very dependable) Karrimors. They are Hilly mono skin technical socks and they really support the foot (and they are Ron Hill which I always get on with) . Then last week I got an email from Brooks with some new 'limited edition' Revel 4s and...well... this afternoon these babies arrived. Unfortunately the weather was too horrible to take them out for today's run but tomorrow 🤞🤞🤞

So 20 days in, I'm keeping the mileage steady, only one longer run a week and I'm just keeping to a daily 5k now (got to get those steps in and it's too cold to walk with just running clothes on when you're only allowed out once a day). This seems to have got around the problems I had last time when I only got to 14 days. Could do without the Joe Wicks with the kittens 3 days a week but it makes the days when I don't do Joe feel so much easier!!

All this mileage means LEJOG6 is coming along very nicely and I reckon I'll be in Scotland just in time to toast the haggis on the 25th 🥃

And so, even after nearly 3 years of running, I'm still learning! It never seems to stop, there's always something new to find out, ways round things, how far I can push myself, ways to keep motivated etc. Running in a pandemic just adds to the education! Who ever says running is boring doesn't know what they are talking about! 😁

Happy safe running everybody 💪👏👏👍

PS - anyone got any suggestions as to what to name my new shoes?! I was thinking of Pinky & Perky as the bottoms are very pink?

[Katnap Graduate10]

A happy accident! I'm surprised the lower heel to toe drop is helping.

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

That’s because it’s not the Achilles that was the problem so the drop doesn’t affect them. I do find them harder than the Ghosts but they are so much lighter it balances out. Just shows that it’s useful to try other shoes occasionally.

[Shake-and-run Graduate10]

Love the shoes how about Lancelot and Gobbo. (Shylock’s quick witted servant in Merchant of Venice).

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Shake-and-run]

Thar sounds much more high class than Pinky & Perky Shakes; it will definitely go on my list 😊 Thank you 🙏 x

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Shake-and-run]

I was very sorely tempted Shakes but in the end Katnap suggested having a Pink Floyd link as they have very pink tread. So I’ve named them Emily & Arnold after ‘See Emily Play’ and ‘Arnold Layne’.

[damienair Administrator]

Love the new shoes. They are similar to mine. Hilly socks are amazing and last. I’ve 3 pairs which are 3 years old and are still going strong. I’m trying to do 5K everyday for January. Walking and running. I’ve had a few slip ups which I need to pull back plus a blister on my left foot. Happy running in the lovely new shoes.

Damien

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thanks Damien, and thank you for the review of the socks. Neither of us knew they were Ron Hill until I read the label, so the fact they last so well doesn’t surprise me. Fab! Although they are good, I’ve been sewing up the right big toes on most of my Karrimors lately so they were telling me they’d had enough.

Not much longer for RED, it’s certainly a challenge. Hope your blister heals very soon x