Shoe Review - Brooks Defyance

The Brooks Defyance is a 10k shoe that fits and supports my feet well both on the track and on the road. I experience foot fatigue and soreness when I run in them over 10 miles. And therefore, I do not consider them a "high mileage" shoe. In my opinion, a high mileage shoe will support my feet for 15+ miles in a single run without foot fatigue and soreness.

I recommend the Defyance to those looking for well-priced running shoe for mid distance training and road racing.

Size: 10
Total Miles to Date: 195
Type: Neutral
Weight: 11.3 ounces
Cost: $58
Store: www.brooksrunning.com - see web specials

Disclaimer:
I do not work for Brooks or any other shoe manufacturer. I am just a consumer, a runner, who has been running off and on for 30 years. My comments reflect my thoughts, experience, and opinion with the shoes - definitely not a scientific approach to measuring performance/cushion/comfort.

Seeking consistency and quality

Here's a run chart depicting total miles over each week as I built up to the Yakima Marathon. The blue represents running miles, red cycling miles. I try to combine the two to reduce impact. I fell short of averaging 40 miles a week. Looking back, sickness, injury, work and family life had their impact. Being consistent was and is super tough. I could improve my consistency by becoming a monk or winning the lottery. Not likely. A less stressful option is to make 80% of my runs a quality, purposeful run. A run that will move me to the next level.

Measuring that's tough. The watch has been the time honored way to predict out comes. I can see that in the shorter distances like the mile, 5k or 10k. But so far, predictions to hit my marathon time haven't come true. Frustrating and thought provoking.

4 Doughnuts

Spent all day swinging hammer, lifting 4x8 sheets of plywood, and balancing on rickety saw horses. We're hustling to get the chicks, now young chickens out of the house into a converted garden shed- now a chicken coop.

I was up and at it early this morning; charging the day with a hot cup of coffee and four doughnuts. Not my usual affair. I had my chops set on the left over pie from last night's dinner. When I awoke, however, the piece was gone and I was off to the grocery store for coffee and a sweet. Anyway, I didn't stop for lunch. Drink a lot of water.

Quit at 5pm. Hustled into the house, changed into my running clothes, and headed out the door. It would have been much easier to call it a day with abeer. But I was able to avoid the pitfall and get down the road for 8 miles.

I've recovered from the Yakima Marathon and I decided to get some speed back into my legs. Yesterday, I ran 8x400 at 85 seconds with a 200m jog in between. So, I was in for the hurt which came about mile 6, so I shut it down and cruised home slowly.

I don't know if this run gets me any closer to my goal of running a marathon in 3:20. But it sure felt good to sit on the back steps, watch the sun go down and know that I got my run in on 4 doughnuts and coffee.