Hello there, runners!

We are well into October, and the Dec. 6 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon is sprinting towards us at a fast and crazy pace! I have decided, at the advisement of the Zappos Running Team, that I just do the half. The thought that I should run this powerfully and next year do the full. I agreed, and now I have my mind set on completing the Half at a good time and still have enough energy to have a beer and listen to some rock and roll afterward!

This week I am at the goal of 7 miles. I'm not moving along at the pace that I really wanted; I've been flat-lined at 5 miles, and I am going to break it!

Brooks, Asics, New Balance and Saucony have all helped me along with some gear, and it is much appreciated. The only thing I had to run in before this was a plaid moo-moo and wooden clogs I fashioned out of a tree in the forest near my house. (Picture that.....yes...yes....frightening, I know.)

But this week, I came across the finest piece of running gear known to man. (at least this man)

Behold:

Playlists for Brett's Running This Week:
-Robert Palmer-Sneaking Sally Through the Alley (obsessed with this album)
-JEM-Finally Woken
-Old Crow Medicine Show-Tennessee Pusher

Sign up here for the Half or the Full Marathon!

If you're into both reggae music and running, why not combine the two? In the Reggae Marathon, you can. This annual event takes place on the coastline of Negril, Jamaica. Beginners and professionals alike can get in on the competition and entertainment of the Reggae Marathon.

Considered one of the world's finest beaches, the tropical atmosphere of Negril is appealing to many. The Reggae Marathon includes a full marathon and a half marathon event. The course leads through the village and offers beautiful scenery of green pastures and plant life. While this is a fairly mild course open to participation from beginners, any marathon event requires some training beforehand. With that in mind, before the event, start looking for the best gear for the race and try it out while you are training. This way, when you get to the actual event, you will be comfortable and can concentrate on the race.

Negril, Jamaica has a tropical climate. Weather, for the most part, is warm and humid. Therefore, thin, breathable clothing will be beneficial. Short sleeves and thin running shorts are ideal. When considering clothing, think about pockets, as plenty of pocket-sized hydration packs will be handed out at various stations. These consist of a water and Gatorade mix. Also, don't forget the sunscreen. It helps if clothing is treated with sun protection.

Shoes for this event should have good grip for running, but not too thick. Thicker traction is best for snowy and icy conditions, none of which you will find in Negril. Running shoes for the Reggae Marathon also should be lightweight, so as not to weigh the feet down. Besides, you likely will want to hear the drums in the blaring Reggae music, rather than the pounding of your shoes on the pavement.

Breathability is a must in running shoes for a Jamaica marathon. Because of the hot and humid weather, precaution against feet getting too warm is a must. This means socks also should be thin and breathable. If your hair is long, consider a bun or ponytail to keep from getting hot.

SOURCE:
http://reggaemarathon.com

Sunday was Day 2 for Brett's training for the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon. He's sore..and sweaty...and his knees are swollen. And he's wondering if this is normal?

Playlist for Sunday:
Allman Brothers Band
Derek Trucks Band (Best slide guitar player in the business!)

Oh boy, oh boy...I'm out of shape, ladies and gentlemen. I set my sights on trying to run 3 miles today...I barely got to 1.5 and was seriously winded. I ended up running 1 in the morning and 1.5 in the evening. I've received a lot of advice from people inside and outside of Zappos, and they keep telling me to start small, and tomorrow I shall take note of that. It's been so long since I've ran any sort of distance. (I think the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles might have actually been quite popular near the last time)

So, I'm 30 years and 1 week old, and I'm trying to remember stretches from my Sixth Grade Gym class with Mr. Wells. Maybe I should call him for advice...he was always a great help. So, we're sure I can't just do jumping jacks and watch Jane Fonda videos for training for a marathon, correct? (Not her exercise videos...her dramas. Nothing inspires me to bust out the door in a full sprint like On Golden Pond. But, digress I do...)

So, tomorrow is another day. Only 3.85 months until race day. Let's rock and roll.

P.S. I keep forgetting to order my new shoes, so below is a photo of a pair I forgot that I had....love the Asics, yo.

August 1 Playlist:
-Ben Harper and the Relentless 7
-Ralph Stanley and Friends
-Slate Political Gabfest Podcast

Running, whether on roads, trails or tracks, represents a tough challenge, especially for beginners, so finding the shoe that not only suits your style and form but also properly fits your foot is your initial task when looking to maximize your running experience. Seasoned runners will tell you that an ill-fitting shoe causes continual damage, from small blisters and mild discomfort to serious sores and footfall problems. If you use the wrong shoes, you risk needless injury, as your form suffers, throwing off your symmetry and creating muscle and structural concerns.

To avoid these issues, follow the tips below to insure that the shoe itself fits well and will not, weeks down the line, cause irritation and injury.

When trying on a shoe...
• Make sure that the upper portion fits snuggly and securely on the top part of your foot. The part of the shoe that covers the top of the foot should not squeeze too tightly or cause any pain whatsoever. If it does, find a different pair, because this part of your foot will receive considerable pressure and stress while running.

• Check the shoe's toe box to see if you will have adequate room; you do not want your toes pressing tightly together or getting cramped. To test, press your thumb down between the tip of the shoe and your big toe; your thumb should fit comfortably in between. Anything tighter restricts the toes.

• Try adjusting the back of the shoe where your heel rests. Your heel should fit firmly in place and not slide up and down. If the heel moves, blisters and agitation will result.

• Evaluate the widest point on your foot. As all people have varying widths, find yours and make certain the shoe is not overly tight. If it is, it will disallow the rest of the shoe from flowing with the foot when running. While you do not want the shoe to slide on your foot, you also do not want it to choke your foot either.

Choose wisely and best of luck!

I've been a runner for a long time and although I love running, I know I'm a "bad runner." Why, you ask? Because when I buy a pair of running shoes, I tend to break them in until they're comfortable and then I run in them until there's more foot than shoe, because they have so many holes in them. Now, that might be frugal, but it's certainly not healthy - at least not for my precious feet. Lately though, I've been trying to force myself to be careful with my running shoes and replace them much more often. Surprisingly though, it's not just me that doesn't switch out running shoes, a lot of my friends who are runners don't either. So, if you're a "bad runner" like me and my friends, when is the best time to replace your running shoes?

First of all, keep an eye on the soles of your running shoes. If they're looking worn down and particularly if they're lopsided (one side of the sole worn down much more than the other), they need to be replaced. Running in shoes with uneven soles can cause you to run awkwardly and can actually cause injuries if you're not careful.

The second thing is to make sure you keep a careful count of how much mileage you run. Some runners can get away with replacing shoes every six months if they're only running a couple of times a week. For those who run more often or run further distances, you may have to replace your running shoes as often as every six to eight weeks. The rule of thumb is usually about 500 to 700 miles is a good distance to replace your shoes. So, if you're running four or five times a week, 10 miles at a time, you're going to need new shoes after only two and a half to three months - and even sooner if you're training for a marathon.

Plus, honestly, if you wear the same running shoes all the time, you're also likely to have some stinky problems. So, it's probably best to have two or three pairs and rotate them. That way they get time to dry out after a run, and it'll take a bit longer to wear out one pair of shoes.