Shoe Review - Nike Vomero

I haven't run in NIKEs in ten years or so. The shoes got the point of being too expensive, too esoteric and most important, didn't fit my feet. So, when I visited my local running store, I was a bit hesitant to try a pair on. But I did.

I usually visit my local running store at least once a year to try on new shoes, and get opinions from the pro staff. I typically will buy a pair in-store versus online because I value the time that I spend there trying on a variety of pairs (6) and the time of the staff.

This go around, I tried the Brooks Glycerin, New Balance 7 somethings, Etonic and NIKE Vomero. I was shopping for a shoe that provides support and comfort for 26.2 miles. The Brooks was so hard out of the box, I wonder if they will sell many. The New Balance felt cushy but flat; a better 10k shoe maybe. The Etonic was very light but I didn't feel confident I could get a lot of miles out of them. The NIKE Vomero though, felt awesome. Lots of cushion through out the shoe. A narrow foot print. They fit.

And they held their own during the Yakima Marathon. I am very pleased with the shoe except for the price. I recommend hitting an online site for a better price.

Size: 10
Total Miles to Date: 57
Type: Neutral
Weight: 12.4 ounces
Cost: $137 including tax
Store: Fleet Feet in Bonney Lake, WA

Disclaimer:
I do not work for NIKE 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.

Committing to the Race

The Race is coming up, May 17. The last fee increase deadline came and went and I still lack the dedication to sign up. But the questions arise; will I have time to finish up my training or will I be trained up enough to run well? I haven’t kept the overall distance up in the past few weeks that would give me the running confidence that I’ll do ok.

Fortunately it’s not the target race, just a check up. A pre-race if you will that will take my training temperature and provide me with a sense of how to finish preparing for the “real” race, the Seattle Rock & Roll Half Marathon at the end of June. It wasn’t until recently that I considered the benefits of a check up race. For someone that races only a couple times a year generally I’ve found that it gives me a better sense of how my training is preparing me. I can make final adjustments then in the weeks leading up to the target race.

The check up race does something else…it’s a confidence builder. Without the stress or pressure of the target race, the months of training, the hours of running, it allows me to run relatively hard and go through the motions of racing. I’m able to get mile splits, run through aid stations, and most importantly run with a crowd in advance of the real thing.

Getting creative

Getting a run in, sometimes, is a challenge. I have to get creative to make it happen. Today, for example, I was downtown, interviewing and networking for work. I was laid off as part of the largest savings and loan failure in history. Anyway, I'm 45 miles from home base without a lockerroom or shower. And if I wait until I get home, my chances of getting a run in are slim to nil.

Just needed a place to change. Free WiFi would be nice as well. Hello, Public Library. The Men's room has a large and private baby changing room that I could slip in and change without making a scene.

Had a great 55 minute, hilly run in 70 degree weather. Returned to the library which is air conditioned. Did the French bath, changed and I'm back at the job hunt with free WiFi.

Other ways I've managed runs into my schedule
- run to and from work or the bus stop
- run at 11pm at night (not my favorite)
- have my wife drop me off 10 miles before our destination so I can run in. Usually on the weekends when we travel to the family cabin
- get up before the chickens do and run
- visit family members and have them watch my 5 year old while I run. Use it if it works!
- run while mowing the lawn or shopping of groceries
- run around the soccer fields while the kids are playing
- run to town for groceries or that hardware part instead of driving

Getting creative can bring some fun into the run which isn't a bad thing at all.