Redefine happiness.

Eucch. This is hard. I have enjoyed zero drop shoes very much. It helps my posture, it strengthens my abs, my feet feel better, they feel strong and awesome.  However, the pain my right calf, from the heel on up through the soleus gets seriously exacerbated when I use them instead of cushioned soles.

Soon I will get some new running shoes, traditional shoes, because the ones I currently have are worn. I am thinking it may also have to do with the weather. Stretching was something I was lacking, but not recently, I have been warming down very well. Something has to change.

Temperature: 30°
Climate: dry & cool
Distance: 3.25 miles
Weight: 172.5 lbs.

Tremendous first night last night. Couldn't find a chair at The Alcazar. Looks like its going to be a great run.

1976 Playlist
Peace of Mind - Boston
Brand New Arkansas Traveler (160 bpm)  - Alex Bevan
Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult
More, More, More - Andre True
Money, Money, Money - ABBA
Teenage Depression (179 bpm) - Eddie & the Hot Rods
Cherry Bomb - The Runaways
Rip Her to Shreds - Blondie
Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder

I dream of cherry pies, candy bars and chocolate-chip cookies.

Bilbo faces Smaug.

FLOW CHART FOR RUNNING-RELATED PAIN

My soleus muscle in my right shin continues to hurt. What should I do?

Q: Has the pain increased in intensity since you first noticed it?

--- If "N" = Keep running.
--- If "Y" = Go to:

Q: Can you still run on it?

--- If "Y" = Keep running.
--- If "N" = Keep running. 

Temperature: 33°
Climate: cool and clear with (mostly) dry pavement
Distance: 4 miles

Arthur: Three pints? At lunchtime?

Ford: Muscle relaxant. You'll need it.

That was splendid. But with bright sunshine and no breeze, and only a few degrees warmer than yesterday, I was quite overdressed. No matter. Outstanding weather, outstanding view, inspiring playlist. And though my right shin was tight and unhappy for about 100 yards, it was springy and pain-free for the rest of the run and even now.

But only just now. I can feel the tightness creeping in.

David H., this is a very large beer. "Hi."

It's The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Genius Playlist
Rush And A Push And The Land Is Our - The Smiths
Bombs Away - The Police
(Nothing But) Flowers - Talking Heads
Heartland - U2
Strange  - R.E.M.
Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Never Mind - The Replacements
The Mayor of Simpleton - XTC
These Things Take Time - The Smiths
Secret Journey - The Police

I have taken EIGHT runs this December, which ties the number of December runs I took in 2008 when I was in training for And Then You Die. That is a good thing.

All this year's been a busy blur, don't think I have the energy.

Okay. So, the fact remains. Since I began either running barefoot or using zero-drop shoes, I have been experiencing tightness in my soleus muscle which causes pain and can make it difficult to walk without taking baby steps.

This pain only exists for a short period following rest (sleeping at night) or sitting for an extended period of time, as in a chair or worse, crisscross on the floor. Walking makes it feel better, standing exacerbates the pain.

Odder still, it is largely concentrated in the right leg, little or not at all in the left. Why do it do this?

"I was making rather merry last night."
- Bob Cratchit, A Christmas Carol

And if by last night you mean this morning, so was I. The girl couldn't sleep and joined us in our bed at 5 AM but though she was able to get back to sleep, I was not. I sat up and read and wrote, my mother-in-law encouraging me to get at least a few minutes rest before the festivities began at 7, which I did.

It was a glorious morning, I was spoiled with presents of great function received with extreme appreciation including winter gloves, knit hat and a Current hoodie. An early morning spent drinking coffee & Bailey's was followed by a late morning sipping several Guinness at the Skull.

By 1 PM I was ready for bed, waking a short while later with something like a hangover. Because that's how the human body works. In spite of a natural desire to stay in bed for the rest of the day, I chose instead to get up and out, which could either go well or very, very poorly. 

Temperature: 35°
Distance: 3 miles

Holiday Run Playlist
Feels Like Christmas - Cyndi Lauper
Snowman - XTC
Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney
Hot Christmas - Squirrel Nut Zippers
Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
Holiday - Vampire Weekend
Carol of the Bells - The Bird and the Bee
Holiday - Green Day

Cooldown:
I Believe in Father Christmas - Greg Lake

I returned feeling like a new and sober man, a brisk three mile run and holiday music buzzing in my ears. The Christmas you get you deserve, indeed.

Good boy.