Yes, I still run

Yes, despite my complete and utter lack of posts for the past year, I am still running. Yesterday was the perfect day for running with very unseasonable 60ish degree weather here in Northeast Ohio. It was ideal running weather, with the sun going down and a slight nip in the air. I also set out with a brand spanking new pair of shoes, a pair of Saucony Grid Cohesion NX cushioned shoes that I picked up for cheap, $39.99 on sale at Dick's Sporting Goods. Normally I try to get my shoes at one of the local running stores to support them, but I had a gift card and was really looking to save a few bucks for once.

So of course, the beginning of my run felt like I was running on pillows. The first run in new shoes is like being introduced to running all over again, especially when combined with the awesome weather. But halfway into my run (around 3.5 miles in), I realized I had ignored common sense and gone for a longish run with new shoes, and the inevitable new shoes blister was making an appearance on my left heel. At that point, I turned around, but I still had the whole way to go back. So the perfect run turned into the run from hell as my left heel felt not-so-great as I gritted out the run back.

In the end, 7.18 miles in 58:12, for an 8:06/mi pace. That pushed my running total for the year over 700 miles, but I'm ultimately going to end up well short of my 1,000 mile goal for the 2nd year in a row. But hey, next year will be attempt number three. Maybe three will be the charm.

Here are my new shoes: