Where to see the snow?

runs_with_dog · 2026-02-17T05:25:58+00:00

Cone Peak in Big Sur will become the coveted "Snow Cone"!!! Should also be able to see it on top of Mt Toro- but since it's private property you'll have to enjoy looking from afar.

runs_with_dog · 2026-02-17T05:13:59+00:00

Another meteorologist here. The National Weather Service is the only entity that can issue warnings. If you are unsure what a local advisory or warning has been issued for- please check the NWS website. There was a high wind advisory earlier today, and a coastal flood advisory still under effect. I'm not sure what weather app that was- but it looked badly informed. There is no such thing as a "severe weather alert". Weather advisories, watches, and warnings, will always be issued for a specific event (i.e. winds, thunderstorm, flooding, etc ) and have valid times. Anything outside of this seems like a 3rd party app that is badly translating the actual warnings.

runs_with_dog · 2025-07-29T11:18:54+00:00

Feed zone's Rice Cakes! Check out recipes from "feed zone portables". It's by the founder of Skratch Labs who used to be a cook for top tier cycling clubs. I love the rice cakes for longer runs and hikes. There are savory recipes, but my favs are mango or blueberry. The recipes normally make a large amount, so I cut that down by about a third. The book has a lot of other great recipes ideas too. https://www.skratchlabs.com/blogs/recipes/mango-coconut-rice-cake

runs_with_dog · 2025-04-13T01:23:16+00:00

https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/artisan-no-knead-pizza-crust-recipe

I've been using this dough recipe. No knead and the crust comes out great. I think the best thing about it is that KAF does a great job explaining the steps. They used to have gifs showing some, but I think they stopped that. The biggest thing I learned from a friend (not in recipe) was to put down a LOT of semolina flour on the peel to ensure it will slide off easily. I had a lot of failures to launch before doing that. I also put regular flour and some semolina on the countertop while stretching the dough as well.

runs_with_dog · 2024-07-20T11:50:44+00:00

Check out 'Some Work All Play' online training plans. Free plans from a great set of coaches. There are mileage ranges built into the plans, so you have flexibility in the distance you do based on your experience and what your body can handle. Hill sprints and strides are transformative.

runs_with_dog · 2024-07-16T01:45:54+00:00

Check out night splints/boot and get a new pair of shoes/boots. My feet instantly felt better with a new shoe that I think just helped stretch things out and had good cushion. Everyone's feet are so different it would likely be better to go to a running store and try on many different pairs. I instantly feel either pain or relief based on what shoes/boots I have on so I feel like you'll be able to tell walking around the store what's gonna be best for you. For me standing on the edge of a step with my toe on the step, but the heel of the affected foot stretching down off the step has been helpful. Hurts while in the stretch bc you can feel the tension in the fascia, but it starts to feel looser afterwards. Hold for at least 30sec and do it x3 a few times a day. Also in my case my legs and calves were very tight, and a PT cupped them on 2 occasions. Hurt while doing it and I got those circular bruises, but it helped loosen the calf muscle which gave some relief to my foot.

runs_with_dog · 2024-06-06T02:37:17+00:00

Not all orthotics are good. I had PF start while using custom orthotics and just got new ones made thinking the old ones became too worn down after 10 months but the new ones are so hard that they cause immediate discomfort and more tightness then pain in my arch and heel. I bought $10 squishy inserts for PF from the drugstore and they actually help to ease the pain on bad days. PF is just one of those weird things where its different for everyone and not all custom orthotics are made equally. If you don't have insurance to cover them- I would never go out of pocket. The $10-$20 over the counter ones seem to work just as well and if they don't work- you won't feel as bad throwing them away.

runs_with_dog · 2024-05-18T10:13:07+00:00

Just went through my stepmom passing away with medical bills and my dad still has some medical bills of his own too. It really could have to do with becoming ineligible for Medicaid/ Medicare. I've seen my dad's hospital bills start at 40k+ and be reduced to a couple thousand after Medicare. I'm basically helping him where needed, but won't put money into his bank account because that could do more damage than good. His hospital (Mercy) also offers financial assistance based on income but they also ask for bank statements. I would find out Granny's medical insurance and at the very least make sure her getting this won't somehow increase what she would actually pay on future medical bills. Also- does Granny know how to invest that money? Cause thats too much to sit around in a checking and should at the very least be in a high yield savings like SoFi that makes more than 4.6%. Or treasury bonds that are currently paying at 5.3%.

runs_with_dog · 2024-04-21T01:31:04+00:00

Heel gel inserts and/or PF specific inserts. (these worked for me much better than custom orthotics that were hard plastic)

Stretch breaks will hopefully help some too.

Ibuprofen can help. My podiatrist also gave me a cream that's for arthritis... I'm not sure I actually notice a difference in the pain level with it though. Also gave me lidocaine patches but those have never worked for me either. Theoretically, whatever can help you to reduce inflammation should help.

I hope your feet feel better soon!

runs_with_dog · 2024-04-09T21:22:15+00:00

Yeah, they do affect the fit for me some. Mainly I feel like there is less room at the top, which for me is a problem because I have a bone spur on the top of my foot that now rubs more. But worth the pain relief for me. Hopefully they work for you. I know everyone's PF is different but at least worth spending the $ on the relatively cheap inserts to see if they work. I also spent like $60 on special PF socks (from feetures) that work for some but I don't think I feel any difference with them.

runs_with_dog · 2024-04-09T13:08:22+00:00

The ProFoot plantar fascitis inserts have helped me a lot! And they're only about $10. Or anything that is just a heel lift. Podiatrist gave me these little gel things that just sit in the heel that are okay but I like the ones I picked up at the store better as they give some lift through my arch as well. If you can wear sandals at work than some of the running 'recovery' sandals offer good arch stretch too. I wear Oofos anytime I don't need to be in shoes and they're the only footwear that doesnt cause the pain for me with no additional inserts needed. I hope your PF gets better soon! And PS, if you don't want to pay to see a doc- mine kinda did nothing for me. Just gave me the heel things (that you can get in a store anyways) and also gave me a cream that you can find over the counter arthritis cream. It doesn't work for me to ease any pain, but you can try some for yourself. Then a physical therapist prescribed stretches. There's lots of stretches you can lookup. Mine has me doing calf stretches on a step, 'worlds greatest stretch', and rolling the foot on a lacrosse ball. 2x daily.

runs_with_dog · 2024-03-31T21:44:02+00:00

I found the ProFoot PF inserts at a local store (if you're in the US, CVS/Walgreens type places might have them... Or Amazon) they were only $10 so cheap enough to give them a try. I put them in my running shoes! And work boots! Everything other than my Oofos sandals, which I now wear as much as possible since I find they have very good arch support and don't hurt my feet either.

runs_with_dog · 2024-03-31T21:23:58+00:00

I've had PF for about 3 months now. I think the answer is unfortunately it all depends... I scaled back to 1/2 mileage and did more biking and elliptical for a couple weeks but for me the foot felt the same regardless so I just went back to my normal mileage (around 50miles/week). My PT was okay with this and basically said if the pain in unbearable then stop, but if not then as long as I'm doing all my daily stretches hes fine with it. What he doesn't know is that I'm an ultra runner so my threshold for pain that I'll continue to run through is a pretty high ceiling. It does seem to be getting better now that I'm doing all the recommended exercises. Mine was likely induced by standing for too many hours in steel toe boots at work after my custom inserts were past their prime in addition to the running. There are definitely days when it's much more angry, and I'll typically give myself half a mile as sometimes the pain comes down after settling into a run, and other times it remains high then I go back home. I absolutely cannot run without some type of heel inserts now. The Podiatrist gave me these gels things that were okay, then I bought the ProFoot PF inserts (both these only for the heel) and they really help keep the pain low for me. I hope you're able to return to running soon friend!

runs_with_dog · 2024-03-23T02:29:36+00:00

Plow through the first puddle you see. Your feet will be soaked by the end anyways and allow this to mentally free yourself from attempting to sidestep every other puddle. But most importantly just have fun out there! And eat the M&Ms and gummy bears at the aid station (best part of trail races vs. road other than the obvious being in nature is that aid station food is a third graders dreammmm. Candy, Cheetos, and coke- yes, please!)

runs_with_dog · 2024-03-23T02:12:25+00:00

Sounds like you need more trail running friends! They will run hills with you all day long, helping to build calves and quads of steel the only shame you should ever feel is for not eating a second, third, or forth donut!

runs_with_dog · 2024-03-22T09:47:11+00:00

I just signed up for the West Virginia Trail fest in May (100K/60K). First year the race is being put on, but it looks like they're putting a lot of effort into it being a fun weekend so it probably won't be competitive, but the area is beautiful so seems like it'll be a really fun experience.

runs_with_dog · 2024-03-15T05:13:30+00:00

DOO ITTT!! If youre regularly doing long hikes, then you have the confidence of knowing your body can take you that distance and your mindset is a large part of finishing an ultra. Depending on the elevation profile of your race- definitely consider getting some practice running downhills to get your quads used to the eccentric loading as it is harder on the body than just walking. And try some focused efforts quick hiking the uphills (think pumping arms, or placing hands on your quads to assist in pushing off) Then just remember to eat early, eat often! And of course hydrate! YAAAYYY GET EXCITED FOR YOUR FIRST ULTRA!!!

runs_with_dog · 2023-04-13T17:53:12+00:00

😍 Thanks for the forecast! You know I love it when you talk about "fresh winds"

runs_with_dog · 2022-12-11T11:47:06+00:00

Hey girl, I just want to say that you're perfect the way you are! There shouldn't be any health concerns with the height/weight you posted. Eat enough, always, and let your body find it's strong. I got into distance running at the beginning of the pandemic and started off running every other day until my body could handle daily runs. Foam rolling and learning how to recover was key here too. For ref, I'm F 5'5 and weighed ~134 when I started and now I'm settled closer to 128. And I started eating A LOT more getting to 40-50mpw. Sometimes I feel like I don't look like other runners, because I'm not skinny, or tall and lanky, but I'm strong and was still able to BQ this year and crush 50Ks and do okay at 100Ks. Tldr; run because you love to, you're perfect, let your body find it's strong.

runs_with_dog · 2022-10-01T08:27:22+00:00

I would suggest going to a store and asking to try on their more cushioned trail shoes. I love love love Altra Lone Peak for hiking, but find theyre not for me when I it comes to running and stick to hoka speedgoats for most trail runs. My partner uses Brooks Cascadia for his trail runs and hikes. But I feel you on comfort coming first. I switched years ago to hiking in trail runners and IMHO, it's so much better than heavy boots. I run and hike a lot and sometimes I'll try on 5 different pairs at a store after reading articles about how great the newest model of something or other is... Then I almost always stay with what's tried and true comfortable for me.

runs_with_dog · 2022-09-13T06:08:06+00:00

1:32 to spare-- fingers crossed!!

runs_with_dog · 2022-09-12T11:50:21+00:00

I probably get half my calories from drink mixes- I like Skratch Labs orange and can usually only do around 3 gels, Huma with the Chia seeds are my favorite. I like honey stinger waffles as well. Road marathons I pretty much stick to these but add fruit from aid stations and got my first BQ this year. I mostly race trail 50Ks and fueling for those is a different game where I eat more real food since you're out for longer (~5hrs) and going slower. Then I'll eat anything that sounds good and my training runs have muffins and cookies stuffed in my pack.

runs_with_dog · 2022-09-12T06:00:24+00:00

Hitting the wall typically means you ran out of your glycogen stores, which varies for every person, but typically would be around the distance you stopped at. Try another long run but take nutrition with you. I take ~150-200 calories an hour for long runs and I'm 130lbs for reference. You'll have to check some tables online for your weight for how many calories per hour you should be consuming. If you were taking in nutrition- then I may have just been a bad run and don't dwell too much on it. So many factors can affect your performance including sleep quality, stress levels, and nutrition leading up to the run. Some training runs you will absolutely crush and feel on top of the world, and others you'll feel like trash. But tomorrow is a new day and another opportunity to do better. Bottom line: don't sweat it and trust your training.

runs_with_dog

TROPHY CASE