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.

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.

Shoe Review - Brook Glycerin 5

I bought the Brooks Glycern 5s based on my confidence in the previous version of the shoe. I got 350 miles in the previous version and it suited me pretty well. For some reason, version 5 didn’t last as long. I found them feeling flat and thin under the forefoot after 100 miles. While I ran long runs in them (> 10 miles), I didn’t feel comfortable in them plotting along at 8 minute miles. When I got up on my toes and ran 200s, they seemed to support me better. Heck, might as well start my marathon that way!

I would recommend these as trainers for days less than 10 miles on the road or track. Too thin for me to run offroad in them.

I have retired the shoes to moving the grass, painting, yard work, picking up after the dog.

Size: 10
Total Miles to Date: 263
Type: Neutral
Weight: 11? ounces
Cost: $82 including tax
Store: Sound Sports Seattle, WA

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.