Every Single Street Stalled Out...Attempting To Restart

Screenshot of StatsHunters generated heat map.

I’ve hit a few speed bumps that have delayed my progress with my run every street project. The first and worst of those speed bumps was an injury to my calf (you can read about it in this blog post) at the end of March. After what felt like a long recovery period, the injury seems to have healed and I decided to get back to making some progress on my run every street project of Egg Harbor Township, NJ just last weekend. While recovering, I avoided going more than a mile or two away from home just in case the injury flared up and I had to hobble home. So running farther away from home to continue this project was a bit of a big step in my recovery.

I decided to re-run a grouping of streets I had run once before, but for some reason the data didn’t sync to CityStrides (the mapping tool I’ve been using to track my progress). Introducing speed bump #2: tech tool issues. I didn’t mind rerunning a few streets due to a technology issue, but after the second time of running them and having them not sync I started looking into alternative tools.

Jonathanokeefe.com

http://www.jonathanokeeffe.com/strava/map.php

This tool will create a heat map of your strava activities. You can specify activity types and the date range of activities you want a map of. It’s a really cool tool, but it lacks the really useful features for a run every street project that CityStriders offers: percentage of streets completed and node finder which can be used to pinpoint streets that have not been completed. There is a “new” option to download a KML file of the created map, but thus far I have gotten an error message everytime I tried to use that option.

StatsHunters

https://www.statshunters.com/

Another really cool tool that will create a heat map of your Strava activities and provides a plethora of statistics from all of your Strava data and loads of ways to filter your activites. The statistics are cool to look over and I like the heat map better than the jonathanokeeffe map, but this site has the same drawbacks in regard to missing the really useful features for a run every street project that CityStriders offers.

Street Ferret

https://www.streetferret.com/

This tool seems to be the best choice in my experience for a run every street project. It provides all the necessary tools to make the tracking of a run every street project effortless and make planning easier. It quickly synced all of my Strava data in a matter of minutes; CityStriders took nearly a month to complete the initial sync. I didn’t use Streetferret for as long as CityStriders, but for the week I did use it all of my runs synced quickly and consistently. This is in contrast to CityStriders which I have had syncing issues with. With CityStriders, usually it is just a 1-2 day delay, but there have been several periods when runs just don’t sync at all. Of all the tools covered here, Streetferret is the only one that is not free. It offers a free one week trial, but after that it charges a fee of $4 per month. 



With the injury and tech issues, my run every street project has not shown any progress since the end of March. It’s kind of a bummer for me, but I’m reevaluating and then will be back at it. At this point, I think my plan is to print out a large EHT road map and highlight all the roads I have run so far and update the map as I make progress. Yes, it is more labor intensive, but I also feel it is more dependable than software mapping options I have used so far. Once I am pretty confident that I am near 100% complete, I plan to pay for a month of Streetferret to get my percentage complete and determine where/which streets I still need to complete.

If there are any tools that I failed to mention here, I would love to hear about them and give them a test run. Thus far, Streetferret is by far the most useful dependable tool I’ve found for a run every street project, I’m just not willing to pay the monthly fee for the service while this is a long term project for me. Once I know that I’m within a month or two of finishing, I’ll be happy to drop that 4 bucks a month.

Safety First! Road ID Sidekick Product Review

"Disclaimer: I received a Road ID Sidekick to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!"


Feels like it's been awhile, but I'm finally feeling like a runner again after about two months of little to no mileage. This past weekend’s runs made up my longest distance weekend since injuring my leg. Saturday and Sunday, May 30th and 31st, I ran two consecutive days covering 8.5 and 5.3 miles respectively. For most ultrarunners this is nothing to make note of and certainly doesn’t necessitate any kind of post on social media. For me, it is a low mileage weekend compared to what I consider a normal weekend, but under my current circumstances I was pumped to make it through two consecutive days of running with increased mileage and without any pain in my left calf. These were my first back to back runs that felt like training and not recovery since getting injured on March 30th!

The injury took me out suddenly a little over two miles from home. I was running along feeling good when my calf started to ache a bit. I thought I’d run through it, but it only got worse until the pain was so bad that I couldn’t run on it anymore. I’m not superhuman and I don’t like pain, but I like to think I can deal with it pretty well. Anyone who runs 100 milers has to have a healthy tolerance for pain and discomfort. This pain was different though; it wasn’t induced by exhaustion and was far more debilitating than anything I had experienced during an ultra. I could not physically run on that leg. As I hobbled the two miles home I thought I should call my wife to get picked up and avoid any further damage I may cause by limping two miles home on my messed up leg. I didn’t have my phone so I considered trying to borrow someone’s phone to make the call. Unfortunately, even if I had found someone willing to help out, I don’t know my wife’s phone number. I could have tried calling my phone in hopes she would answer it, but I thought the chances were slim so I just hoofed it home in typical IPOS fashion. Thankfully, I’ll never be in that situation again as I now have my wife’s number on my Road ID Sidekick attached to my Suunto which is on my wrist every time I run. I hope that I will never have a need to use my emergency contact number while out on a run again, but having it on my wrist every time I go out for a run gives me an added bit of comfort.

Having my wife’s number on me at all times while running wasn’t the reason I decided to get a Road ID. The main reason was for worst case scenario situations like getting injured and becoming unconscious while trail running or getting hit by a car while road running. This added safety feature that never even crossed my mind until I needed it made me such a believer in the benefits or Road IDs that I decided to order one for my kids. I think they’ll love the tye dye design I ordered and they’ll always have our phone numbers on them in case of emergency.

What else is there to love about the Road ID Sidekick? After my short time of being a Road ID Sidekick user, here’s my short list:

• The Sidekick fits Suunto. When I ordered my sidekick I was a little nervous because I only saw it advertised as fitting Garmin GPS watch bands on the Road ID website. I figured a watch band is a watch band and it would most likely fit. Thankfully it did without any problem.
• The Sidekick fits comfortably on my watch band and is always on there so I don’t have to even think about another item to grab before going for a run.
• I loved the freedom of personalization allowed for the engraving of the face plate. There are plenty of lines and characters allowed. I even had an extra line after all of my essential info so I added one of my favorite running quotes: “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” - Haruki Murakami - What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: A Memoir
• Every face plate comes with a lifetime guarantee on engraving which is comforting as I plan on taking my Sidekick on some rugged adventures. I can’t be certain, but I expect my Sidekick will outlast my watch.

If you’re still on the fence as to whether a Road ID is right for you after my short list, here are Road ID’s top  10 reasons you should wear ID:

1. If you can't speak for yourself, ROAD ID will speak for you.
2. ROAD ID enables First Responders to immediately contact family members and friends.
3. ROAD ID enables family members to provide additional details about your health or give consent for potentially life saving procedures.
4. ROAD ID enables hospital staff to locate vital medical records.
5. ROAD ID can communicate medical conditions or allergy information to medical staff.
6. ROAD ID can prevent serious delays in treatment by saving crucial time during the "golden hour" of medical treatment.
7. It's far better to have Road ID and not need it than to need ROAD iD and not have it. It's not just a piece of gear, it's peace of mind.
8. Accidents happen far more than you think they do. Each year approximately 450,000 of us are taken to hospitals unconscious and without identification.
9. ROAD ID looks good on and makes a statement about your athletic lifestyle – not to mention that studies would probably prove that people that wear Road ID are considerably smarter than those that don't.
10. ROAD ID can save your Life. Period.

If you decide to pick up a Road ID, be sure to use discount code "SAVE25BRP" for 25% off any ID!

High Desert Drop Bag Gear Review - Ditty Drop Bag

Update! The owner of High Desert Drop Bags recently contacted me to share this limited time discount code with all of my readers. Use code "BCTR-21" to receive 20% off of your order. Offer is valid 9/2/21 - 10/1/21.

I received a High Desert Drop Bag (Ditty Drop Bag) as a part of a swag package included with my entry to the inaugural Mines of Spain 100 mile trail race in October 2017. Since then it has become my “go to” and favorite drop bag I’ve used at any ultramarathon. It’s durable, keeps my gear dry, and cleans up easily after a day of getting tossed around and thrown in the dirt.

Some Quick Stats:

• Front Identification Panel
• Water resistant 400 denier nylon packcloth
• #8 nylon coil zipper for easy access as well as security
• 1/2" nylon webbing carry loop
• Available in four easy-to-see colors
• List price: $22.00 Plus shipping
• Weight: 3.7 oz
• Dimensions: 13.75 in × 16.75 in × 1 in

The Ditty Drop Bag is the smallest size drop bag offered by High Desert Drop Bags (Bishop, CA). They offer two larger size drop bags: The Dirt Bag (18.5 in x 19.5 in, 21 liters) and The Ultra (28.25 in x 19.5 in, 39 liters). Even though it is the smallest drop bag they offer, I have found the Ditty Drop Bag has plenty of room for everything I have wanted waiting for me at an aid station. I most recently used it at the Blackwell aid station (mile 80) of the 2019 Eastern States 100. For that race I easily fit all of the following in my Ditty Drop Bag.

• 1 Pair of Altra Timp 1.5s
• 1 Pair of CEP Knee High Compression Socks
• Small Towel
• 8 Science In Sport Energy Gels
• 2Toms SportShield - Anti-Chafe and Blister Prevention Roll-On
• 3 AAA Batteries
• Imodium

In addition to the Ditty Drop Bag’s tolerance for rough handling without showing any signs of wear after a couple years of use, the other feature that stands out to me about this drop bag is the identification panel. It’s an aspect of the bag that may seem like a big fat nothing burger. At first take that was my thought about it as well. After using it a few times though, I realized how handy it was and how much more convenient and dependable it was than my previous methods of labeling my drop bags. In the past, I had attached some type of paper tag with all of my pertinent information to my makeshift drop bag with safety pins. To waterproof my homemade tag, I would seal it in box tape. This worked fine, but was a bit cumbersome and I always worried about the tag getting caught on something and ripped off or being made unreadable from rain seeping through my waterproofing. My other drop bag method was to just use a large Ziploc bag. This was super easy and completely waterproof, but I always worried about the bag tearing and losing some of my goods. The High Desert Drop Bag identification panel resolves all of these concerns. Now I just slap some duct tape on the panel and write my info on with a sharpie. Quick, easy, and no worries!

For me, High Desert Drop Bags have set the standard for other drop bags. No other bag I’ve used has worked as well or as conveniently as a drop bag than the Ditty Drop Bag. If you’re frustrated or even just kinda irked about a few issues your drop bag has caused you, I would recommend at least looking at what High Desert Drop Bags has to offer.

Testing Nabee Compression Socks for Running...Errrr Recovery

"Disclaimer: I received Nabee compression knee high socks (15-20 MMHG) to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!"

Use Discount code “BIBRAVE20” for 20% off all socks (one time use)


I need to preface this product review by saying up front that the trial as a whole did not go as I had hoped. The reason is in no way a result of the quality or performance of the Nabee compression socks I received to test out, but entirely due to the quality and performance of the muscles in my left calf. Midway through the testing period (which was going swimmingly up to that point) I was forced to take an unwelcome hiatus from running due to a (self diagnosed) muscle strain in my left calf. As a result, my “test runs” with Nabee compression socks went from literal test runs to figurative “test runs” using Nabee compression socks as a means of recovery. 

My common recovery view.

Even though it was only about a month ago, it feels like a different world today compared to when I first opened the package that contained my Nabee compression socks. Let’s take a trip back to that world. The most notable feature that jumped out to me the first time I tried them on was how easily they slipped on compared to other compression socks I’ve used. Likewise, they have also been far easier to take off. It may not sound like a huge issue, but I’ve worn other compression socks that felt like I was fighting the tidal forces of a black hole to pull them on. Nabee compression socks slipped on with almost no effort. This is an even bigger factor in ultrarunning events long enough to make it beneficial to have a sock and shoe change. It’s hard to describe how frustrating it is to struggle through a compression sock change after 40-60 miles of running when you’re already completely exhausted. Yet there you are, expending energy and straining to pull those knee high socks over swollen calves in hopes of feeling rejuvenated. Yes, it usually helps, but at a cost. The ease with which Nabee compression socks slip on and are removed gets you the benefits of the sock change without the cost of the struggle.

Still in place after 21 miles of running. 

All of my runs wearing Nabee compression socks up until my injury were great! They were comfortable on my feet and allowed my toes to spread which I particularly look for in a sock. I can’t stand when a sock makes my toes feel like they are being forced to scrunch up together. The seamless toe of the sock made for extra comfort and zero blistering. The top cuff of the sock didn’t cause any irritation during my runs and always stayed in place without any readjustments. The longest test run I wore my Nabee compression socks for was my 21 mile birthday run (no, that’s not the run that I got injured during). They performed great and still not a single blister without any other preventative measures taken. The breathability of the fabric of the socks was especially appreciated during that long run. It was one of the warmer days of early spring, but having the extra coverage on my lower legs didn’t bother them or make them feel overheated at all.

After my 21 mile birthday one (preinjury).

I was loving the feel of my Nabee compression socks on my runs. Then during one fateful run I was sent on an unexpected detour. I wasn’t wearing my Nabee socks during this fateful run. It started off feeling fine. I found a one dollar bill on the ground about a half mile after leaving the house at which point I thought to myself “this is going to be a great run!” I was planning to hit some streets to add to my “Run Every Street” project. My legs felt a little sore to start but they started feeling good after about a mile. Then pretty suddenly I had a pain creep up on the back of my left calf. I figured it would just go away so I kept running. But it didn’t go away. It got worse. I walked a bit thinking it was just a cramp that needed to work itself out then I could run the rest of the way home. Unfortunately every time I tried to start running again the pain only got worse. I ended up hobbling about two miles home hoping that after a night of rest it would feel better.

Graph of my pace during the run that I incurred the injury during.

The next morning as I limped out of bed, I realized I was going to have a longer recovery period than one night. On a positive note, I had my Nabee compression socks to provide the “C” for my RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). As I write this review it’s been about two weeks since my injury. I haven’t gotten back to running yet for fear of reaggravating the injury, but I am able to walk without a limp again and pain free so that’s an improvement. The comfort of the Nabee compression socks has been very much appreciated as they provide compression to help with my recovery. My only regret is that I got the super plain, boring black/grey design rather than one of the many festive designs that Nabee offers to improve my spirits while I’m not running. 

Scott Snell
April 12, 2020

Hope During Dark, Uncertain Days

“Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
- Stephen King - The Shawshank Redemption


Over just the past few weeks the situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has escalated from “just a hoax” to a global pandemic. As a result of policies dictated by governments worldwide, group gatherings and in person social interactions have been restricted to various degrees in an effort to slow the spread of the disease and avoid inundating health care institutions with a flood of patients requiring critical care beyond their capacities. The terms “flatten the curve” and “social distance” have become everyday common language.

With restricted group gatherings came race cancellations and indefinite postponements. It began with large marathons, smaller shorter distance races next, and finally trail races followed suit. It may seem a bit shallow to be concerned with race postponements and cancellations when people are dying due to a global pandemic, but running is more than just a hobby to many runners. The majority of their social relations may revolve around meeting up for group runs. Running may be an important part of their daily routine that motivates them for the start of the day or relaxes them at the end of the day. It can be the primary activity that keeps them focused, happy, or realigns them mentally. It can be a way of life. For me it’s a bit of all of those things.

So what is a runner who thrives on the camaraderie of group runs and the competition of races to do during these dark, uncertain days when all or a portion of one of their coping mechanisms may no longer be available to them. My best advice: maintain hope that this is temporary and all the aspects of running that we are currently missing will return. In the meantime while we wait out this indefinite period of social distancing, we can make the best of a challenging time and use the tools available to us to fill in some of the missing pieces. What options am I suggesting to replace racing and group runs? My short list includes virtual races, virtual group runs (Zwift), fastest known time (FKT) attempts, Strava king of the mountain (KOM) attempts, or your own personal run every street project.

 

I ran my first virtual race earlier this year, the 465 Challenge. It was basically an online challenge to finish as many 53 mile loops as you could running, biking, walking, hiking, or using any other self propelled means of travel during a two month period. I wasn’t a strong proponent of virtual races prior to running the 465 Challenge, but it did help get me motivated to pick up my training so I would be ready for my biggest running goal of 2020: to PR my longest distance run at my first 24 hour race. Unfortunately, I just received notice last week that the 24 hour race I intended to achieve this goal at was canceled to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The race was scheduled for the end of April so it didn’t come as a surprise; I was basically just waiting for the announcement to be made. Actually receiving the announcement and reading it was still a bit depressing.

In my opinion, virtual races can’t replace actual, in person races. But maybe they’re better than no races. I’ve almost decided to register for a virtual race happening next weekend, the Quarantine Backyard Ultra (QBU). The format of the QBU follows the standard last person standing rules, but will use a Zoom meeting to let participants interact between laps. I think this race has the potential to be a lot of fun and to allow me to run a distance PR thereby achieving my top 2020 running goal. I just never imagined I would run my longest ever run while competing against other runners in a Zoom meeting.

Of my other suggestions, another I am making use of is progressing my project to run every street of Egg Harbor Township. I personally have found this to be a fun, long term goal to work towards. For me it adds a little spice to what may have been otherwise just a routine solo run. It may take a little extra planning at times or force you to slow your pace, but it is a project that will likely take you to places that you had never and may have never discovered otherwise. It also allows you to track your progress towards a goal. For those benefits, it is a project that I have found rewarding and am thankful I began.

So if race cancellations/postponements and a lack of group runs have got you down when you you’re already stressed, nervous, and/or sad from all of the other repercussions due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, I encourage you to try to find some solace in some of the offered suggestions. Keep your chin up and continue forward progress as we navigate this storm. And please, never lose hope.


Scott Snell
March 28, 2020