Breaking point

Last week was a busy one. So much so that my blog is late! Two good swim sessions had me busting my lungs but feeling that progress was being made. Swimming is reducing my chance of injury with my running, helps with the recovery for my legs and at the same time keeping me fit. I need to be ready for a 1.9km open water swim as part of a 70.3 ironman in June which I feel comfortable with and then the major 10km river swim in September.  I can concern myself with that in the summer when regular open water swimming will start once the temperatures have risen but in the meantime just work on my technique rather than distance.
On Saturday I was short of time so went for a 10 mile "fast" run. It's difficult to get the old legs going fast when I am training them for an ultra but I was pleased with the result. On Sunday I was going to be doing 3 laps of Chatelherault with some friend but went early so I could get an extra lap in to total 20 miles.  It was a beautiful day with a blue sky but you had to stay wrapped up. I was testing out my Ultimate Direction running vest which is like a minature rucksack. I need to carry 2 bottles with me on my training now due to the mileage and the bottles sit on your chest just like my MdS rucksack. However I couldn't work out how to get the water out without unscrewing the top.  Knowing you have water but not wanting to stop to get it made me very thirsty and frustrated. But this is why you test any new equipment. A fellow runner said he had the same problem so I asked a friend who had one and he explained how the bottles work! The running vest didn't rub or bounce around so that was £100 well spent!
Sadly my shoes gave up on me - they'd reached breaking point! I hadn't noticed when running but they both split on the outside edge along the material.  I'll be taking them back to the shop as they haven't done so many miles but this gives me a quandary as I need to be able to trust my footware.
My legs felt reasonably good this morning considering the hard trail miles which means they are getting conditioned (or tenderised!). My swimming for the next two days should have them ready for more running as the miles build up. I'm looking forward to more miles along the West Highland Way because it is so beautiful and just on my doorstep.