7-20-13 If you don't know ask

I got the Altra Torin's that I was rambling about, and the Runners Corner staff was so helpful (as they always are). I told them what was going on with my foot, and the person who initially helped me said the same thing happened to him when he was playing soccer and that spending extra time stretching the ankle and making sure his cleats were loose enough is what fixed it for him. He also added that on day it just went away. So I was happy I talked to him first. After that it was the litany of trying different shoes on because I wasn't sure any more about sticking with Altra's since they are Zero Drop shoes (try to mimic the natural foot). So I tried on some Saucony Hurricane 15's (too narrow), Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12 & 13 (pronation support was awkward to walk on), then the Mizuno Wave Creation 12 & 13 (I almost got these). When it comes down to it I am already running in a Zero Drop shoe and its corrected my pronation issues that I have had for quite some time. It was suggested that when running in traditional shoes you tend to heal strike more... I'm a big guy and don't need more impact pressure to my joints than I am use to. So onto my first run in these fabulous shoes.
At the Runner's Corner they have a group that meets up Saturday mornings for a long run. As I start to do those I am going to join them (from what I understand long runs can be easier with other people. Who knows maybe I'll make some encouraging running friends along the way.
Today's Run

My wife told me this picture makes me look like a villain who lost to a superhero in a fight. I think the superhero's name is Treadmill Man! Today running there was the same breathing issue but I started a little slower and that helped some, I was still struggling for breath the longer I ran. But my ankle did not hurt, my shins did not bother me, and my feet feel good. I only set my distance for 2 miles today because of the ankle pain yesterday. It felt good to get that goal today.
At the gym I get to see all sorts of people (most guys my size are either on weights, an elliptical, or bike. I haven't seen one other guy my size running. It must be quite the site to see me on the treadmill chugging along at 5 mph, at the same time two treadmills away (it seems to always be this way), a woman with a runners physique (slender with lean muscular legs) running at 7 mph... and running... and running. My 10 minutes of running is dwarfed by their 20+ minutes. I laugh a little at myself as I begin to compare myself with them. I laugh because there is nothing to compare. I'm three times their size and have been running with the intent of getting better for just over two months. They are inspiring to me, I hope some day when I am in the gym running in the middle of winter someone sees me going at it and gets that same inspiration, or is a little jealous that I haven't stopped running yet.

Next Week
Monday I will get the three miles and one of them will be a continuous run. I am making some minor adjustments to my running schedule over the next three weeks, and putting my focus on duration of my run. I don't think I'm where I need to be on continuous running to really start short and long run training. But that's not supposed to start for about a month, and a lot of changes can happen in a month.

Thanks For Reading,
Riley

PS: I am starting the book Born to Run, so far it seems like a good read.