Back to the Spiras, for now

On May 10, 2012 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Good buzz for the Stinger

Today’s run (treadmill): 25 minutes

Another rainy morning has put me (once again) on the treadmill. I was fine with that. In fact I almost prefer the treadmill when I have limited time and want to have an easy workout. Running slowly outdoors means that I need to take more time to complete the loop back to my house. That results in less recovery and transition time before I start my workday. Advantage treadmill.

I’m due to post my reviews of the new Saucony Kinvara 3 and the Spira Stinger XLT running shoes on Runner’s Tech Review shortly. I’d spent a few weeks running primarily in the Spiras while I waited for the Kinvaras to arrive, and then switched to running mostly in the Saucony’s over the past few weeks. In between, I ran in the Saucony Hattori’s for a 5K and for some treadmill workouts. This morning I went back to the Spiras so they’d be fresh on my mind when I start my writeup this weekend.

Although I do focus on running shows more than the average mid-pack runner, I no longer think that a shoe will make a measurable difference in my performance. More specifically, I don’t think two shoes within the same genre (race, trail, etc.) will provide significant differences. It comes down to whether a shoe feels right, moves well and enables my best performance. The Spiras continue to impress and it’s interesting to see how they’ll compare to a Tier 1 player like the Kinvara 3.

Kinvara 3, Spira Stinger faceoff

On April 30, 2012 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Kinvara 3’s – a worthy successor to the original

Spira Stinger XLT’s – light, fast and comfortable

With less than six days until the LI Half Marathon, I’m still undecided about which shoes to use for the race. Six months ago I wouldn’t have hesitated to go with my Hattori’s, but I haven’t run with them much over the last two months. I’m not sure how those flat, non-cushioned shoes would feel after 13.1 hard miles, especially with my recent issues with mid-foot pain.

It has really come down to two shoes to wear – the Saucony Kinvara 3 and the Spira Stinger XLT. The Kinvara 3 is a minimal running shoe that I’d anticipated for a year, only to be initially disappointed when I finally ran in them. My issues, it turned out, were not with the shoes, but with the foot inside. An acute pain along my left mid-foot was actually a slight injury that has since healed.

The other candidate shoe, from Spira, has been a delightful surprise. I agreed to evaluate this model on Runner’s Tech Review, thinking they were the type of gimmicky running shoes I often lampoon. It turns out that the Spiras are one of the most comfortable and runnable lightweight shoes I’ve ever encountered. As far as their promise of slicing 15 seconds per mile off my pace, I’m not so sure I’m seeing that benefit. But the Stingers have carried me well over many 8+ mile runs.

I wore both pairs on my runs this past weekend and I’m definitely leaning toward the Kinvaras. While the Spiras have their energetic “Waveform” technology, the Kinvara 3’s feel like my original Kinvaras, the highest compliment I can give to a running shoe. Saturday’s 12 miler was grueling, but my feet felt great. The light weight and low platform of the Kinvara 3’s have almost convinced me to go that way. Almost.

First run: Saucony Kinvara 3’s – a great update to a favorite shoe

On March 25, 2012 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s run (street): 4.5 miles

After yesterday’s long run, I was prepared for an easy workout this morning. I’d wanted to try the new Kinvara 3’s for the first time on the treadmill, but the machine is currently down, waiting for parts. Plan B was to run outside, but the weather report wasn’t encouraging. I determined that an early run would allow me to dodge the rain that was predicted to fall by mid-morning.

The temperature was 49 degrees when I hit the road in the new Sauconys at 7:30 AM. The fit was superb and these shoes reminded me of the feel of the original Kinvaras. I’ve been having trouble with soreness at the bottom of my feet as a result of stepping up my long runs in recent weeks. This is not plantar fasciitis, just old fashioned pavement-pounding swelling.

Compared to the Spiras, the Kinvara 3’s feel more agile. I suppose this has to do with the lower platform and flatter (4mm) drop. Like the Kinvara 1’s, the 3’s move well with the foot, and they do help facilitate a mid-foot landing. The Kinvaras felt so good that I changed my run plan from slow and easy, to comfortably peppy.

I fully enjoyed the run, following a different route than usual, and appreciating the cool, cloudy conditions. At one point I crossed paths with another runner and ran behind him for a few minutes. I was concerned that I would overtake him at his current pace. I didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable, so I ducked into a side road that looped back around and opened up more room behind him.

I finished the run feeling pretty good considering the distance I’d covered on Saturday. The Kinvaras performed well and it’s going to be interesting to compare them to the Spiras in the coming weeks. Still, my feet were feeling mighty sore, so I indulged in a foot soak using my wife’s foot spa unit. This device provides inferred heat, water jets and vibration. I added Dr. Bronner’s Magic Castile Peppermint soap to the water, and it has kept my feet feeling great, long after my soak was over.

I’m pleased to have covered over 13 miles this weekend. I’m hoping that the weather will clear by Tuesday morning when I go out once again. I’m expecting the treadmill to be operational by the end of the week. Fingers crossed for good conditions until then.

My mystery running shoes have arrived

On March 23, 2012 By Emerging Runner2 Comments

Fresh out of the box

A long day and late night on Thursday translated into another ad hoc rest day this morning. I had the best of intentions but, after getting less than 4 hours sleep, I felt I needed more rest. I intended to elliptical but the advantages of skipping that workout outweighed the disadvantages. It’s been a pretty poor week for running, but with this week’s schedule, I knew I’d miss a few days.

On the plus side, my mystery shoes arrived last night. I was too tired to even try them on when I got home but I will tonight. They’re the new Kinvara 3’s that I’ve been anticipating for a very long time. I loved the original Kinvaras but didn’t really like the 2’s. I’m hoping the third time’s the charm. My one minute assessment is that the K3 seems to be built more like the Mirage than the original Kinvara model. That may be okay. I went up 1/2 size and hopefully that will provide enough room in the toe-box to make for a perfect fit.

Speed takes effort, it’s that simple

On March 21, 2012 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s run (street): 2.5 miles

The UPS truck mocked me as I drove into my driveway last night. The UPS driver usually does his deliveries in my neighborhood around the same time that I get home from work. I watched as he carried what looked like a shoebox-sized container, but he dropped it at a neighbor’s house. Saucony is supposedly looking into what’s happened to my pre-launch Kinvara 3’s. I’m thinking I may never get them.

As much as I’ve anticipated the Saucony’s, I’m still appreciating the Spira Stinger XLT’s. I skipped yesterday’s run, but went out this morning. Again I found the XLT’s to be comfortable and responsive. I moved well during my run and, while my PE was relatively low, I felt like my pace was brisk. When I came to the end of my run I looked at my Garmin, only to see that I’d covered my route more than a minute slower than expected. So much for getting that bonus 15 seconds per mile from the XLT’s.

I think the lesson I reinforced today is that, at my level, speed should feel hard. If I don’t push it, I shouldn’t expect to put up good numbers. Due to some scheduling issues this week, I’m swapping my Thursday elliptical session with a run tomorrow morning. I’ll put in more effort and see whether that makes a difference. Perhaps the 15 second bonus only happens on harder runs.

Saucony’s secret news is leaking out!

On March 16, 2012 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s run (treadmill): 25 minutes

The cat seems to be out of the bag in terms of the “top secret” news that Saucony plans to share. Via re-tweets on Saucony’s Twitter feed and through blogs I follow, it seems like the running shoe stork is dropping off boxes of the pre-market Kinvara 3 to bloggers and reviewers like me. This is a shoe I’ve been anxiously anticipating.

After reading people’s first impressions, I’m even more excited to receive my pair. I’m also worried that something got botched up and my shoes won’t ever reach me. In the meantime, I continue to appreciate the feel and responsiveness of my new Spira Stinger XLT’s that I wore on today’s run. It was my third workout with the XLT’s and the second on the treadmill (raining this morning). I hope to take them out on a long base run tomorrow.

So as I wait for the Kinvaras to arrive, I’ll be happy to run with the XLT’s. I’m really curious to see if the Wavespring technology delivers any extra support when I face that last big hill at the end of mile 8.

Looking for my winter running shoe

On December 19, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Perhaps I need some (new) balance in my running

After trying on the Kinvara 2’s only to realize it wasn’t the shoe for me, I’m back to rethinking my winter footwear. I really loved my original Kinvaras. In fact, I’d still be running in them except that I wore out the Kinvara’s mid-sole to the point where I began experiencing knee pain. That breakdown coincided with the timing of my half marathon that I ran while injured.

Green Silence – an opportunity lost

A couple of years ago I anticipated Brook’s launch of the Green Silence, their first “minimal” shoe not made specifically for racing. I couldn’t wait for them to go on sale. I ended up being dissuaded by the salesperson at Jackrabbit who steered me toward the Brooks GTS 10’s, a great shoe but it rides too high. I ended up switching to the Saucony Kinvaras midway through 2010.

The Hattori – great except on really cold days

The Mirage – a really good shoe but the fit is narrow

Earlier this year I tested the Saucony Mirage, a Kinvara-like shoe with some stability features. It’s a great shoe and I’ve put in a few hundred miles in them, but the toe width is a bit narrow. I was hoping that Brook’s new Pure Project line would provide a shoe that met my needs. I tried on the Pure Connect and really disliked the fit that was narrow and very tight in the arch. The other models weren’t much better so I decided to look elsewhere.

After looking at many reviews, I am thinking that the New Balance Minimus MR00 may be a “good fit” for me. My hope was to find a minimal, zero-drop, road shoe that will give me a little more insulation that the Hattori’s for winter running. Given that the MR00’s aren’t due in stores until March, I may need to get through most of winter in the Mirages on cold days and the Hattori’s on more moderate days and races.

A return to the Hattori’s

On November 10, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s run (street): 2.5 miles

Super minimalist ninja

Hattori Hanzō was a famous ninja and samurai who lived in 16th century Japan. I’m guessing that his sword skills were the inspiration behind Saucony’s Hattori super minimalist running shoes. I’ve put about 250 miles on mine since I’ve got them and I’ve come to love their purposeful simplicity.

For the last three weeks I’ve been running in either my Saucony Mirages or Brooks GTS-10’s in an attempt to clear up a minor pain I’ve had near my right Achilles. I figured that the greater cushioning and stability control on these shoes (compared to the Hattori’s) would help my healing. It must not be the shoes because the pain remains, although it always goes away after a few minutes of running.

Since Sunday is race day, I thought I’d end my taper with a run in the Hattori’s. It’s a different experience going back to a shoe 1/3 the weight of the Brooks. I worried that my layoff from these shoes would cause me some calf pain when I returned to them, but I had no problems today. I ran okay but I’m nowhere near my late September peak. I think the Hattori’s provided some benefit over the heavier shoes this morning since I ran 30 seconds per mile faster than yesterday. However, that pace was still far off my target for the 10K. I guess I should reset my expectations for this race and defer my focus on performance until the following weekend when I run the Long Beach Turkey Trot.

Hurtin’ Hattori’s

On October 16, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Along with the damage to my Hattori’s toe box yesterday, that probably came as a result of so much downhill running during the race, I also managed to aggravate my right Achilles to the point of great discomfort. This injury has been a long time coming. I started to notice some pain at the back of that foot (just above the heel) some weeks ago, but it never became worse than an uncomfortable distraction. It wasn’t too bad after the race yesterday, but later in the day I felt some sharp pains as I walked around.

I don’t know why this problem developed. If it is the Hattori’s, I’d think the injury would have happened on both Achilles tendons. But running related injuries never seem to occur symmetrically. It could be a combination of the shoe and the way I run. I’ve been icing the area and taking Aleve since last night, and that combination has helped a lot.

I considered doing an easy run today, just to get outside, but I decided that might do more harm than good. A slow, easy recovery run wouldn’t help my conditioning and it would definitely put more strain on the Achilles. I’m probably going to do most of my running in the Mirages over the next two weeks to see if that helps the problem. I love the Hattori’s but they may be getting to the end of their usefulness. I have another pair of Hattori’s that I can start to use once my Achilles feels better. When I do, I’ll know to replace them soon after I reach 200 miles.

I’ve found my minimalism threshold

On August 1, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Dare I say “a little too minimal”?

It wouldn’t meet the definition of a “Two-a-day” but I did get out late in the afternoon on Sunday for a bike ride. My wife and daughter had gone over to the middle school to play tennis and I thought I’d surprise them with a visit. After I saw them I did a ride around the neighborhood and followed a route that I commonly run. Once again I was amazed how quickly I covered the roads on my bike compared to when I run them. It’s also a lot easier to ride these roads, especially the hills, but there’s something about the simplicity of running that I far prefer. Must be this minimalist mindset I’ve adopted.

Regarding minimalism, I made my second attempt to run in the Invisible Shoes huaraches yesterday and it didn’t go well. I tried the sandals with socks (much to wife’s horror) but kept in the backyard to prevent her any further embarrassment. I’d hoped the socks would protect my toes from the lace but it actually exacerbated the discomfort. I shed the socks and tried another run but it was so uncomfortable I had to stop.

I really wanted to reach the point of minimalism where all that existed between my bare foot and the road was a thin layer of rubber. The Hattori’s get me very close to that and it feels correct and natural. The huaraches may be a good solution for others, but I know I’d need to invest a lot of time acclimating to the feel of these “shoes.” The Hattori’s work for me already. I think I’ll stick with them.