The past two weeks have been the most exciting for me in some time. Last week I did my first official road run (well a warm-up run) on macadam. Because of the snow it was a little slower than desired, but was able to complete 1.24 miles at about an 8:15/mile pace. The best part about it there was no soreness or pain.
Just a bit of a sidebar. I have worn my Vibrams for daily use for over a year and have done several cool down trail runs with them as well.
Okay back to my previous thought. This week I just compeleted my 2nd and 3rd runs in my Vibrams. I ran 1.01 mile at 8:30/mile and 2.54 miles at 7:51/mile. The feet feel great, but with this last run my legs are a little sore. I think with a little roll on the TP Therapy rollers I will be just fine.
Just to give you an idea of what I am running in. I currently have the Vibram FiveFinger KSO and the KSO Trek. I can not wait to get the Trek's out on the trail. My next post will include pictures and some more information that I experience and can dig up with the runs. Stay tuned...
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Finally some pictures...
Okay, so here is my updates for the Lunaracer line. I feel this was a great update by Nike. There was a slight weight increase, but the changes they made were well worth the increase. Some of the improvements were adding a little bit more rubber to the bottom (in an area that was high wear for me), material on the medial side in the arch, some padding in the tongue, and the seams have been moved to the outside. Here are some pictures for comparison. 
My next write up will be on the Lunar Trainer, however I am not sure if I will include one on the Lunar Elite. I have completed a few runs in them and have gotten some achilles pain with them. I will keep you posted.
I have done my best to get the Lunaracer and Lunaracer 2 side by side.
My next write up will be on the Lunar Trainer, however I am not sure if I will include one on the Lunar Elite. I have completed a few runs in them and have gotten some achilles pain with them. I will keep you posted.
Also be looking for a post on my runs in the Vibrams Fivefinger KSO and KSO Trek.
Til then. Happy Running.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Lunar line convert
I will be updating this post often. I know I have spoken quite a bit about the Free line from Nike, but I am having a slight change of heart. Nike has opted to radically change the Free shoe and I can't say how I feel about that. I can let you know about that in the Spring.
I am in the process of running in the in three of the Lunar shoes. I have the Lunarace 2, Lunar Elite and Lunar Trainer. So far I love the the updates to the Lunarace shoe, the added 1.1oz was completely worth it. The Lunar Trainer is a great everyday shoe and does run about a 1/2 size small and seems to be very stable. Now the Lunar Elite seems to be a great shoe, however the dynamic stability may be a little much for my taste. It is a firm and responsive shoe that can be used for tempo training. I may try to get some longer runs in the shoe soon. Check back for some updates once I get some more runs in the various styles.
Cheers and safe running.
I am in the process of running in the in three of the Lunar shoes. I have the Lunarace 2, Lunar Elite and Lunar Trainer. So far I love the the updates to the Lunarace shoe, the added 1.1oz was completely worth it. The Lunar Trainer is a great everyday shoe and does run about a 1/2 size small and seems to be very stable. Now the Lunar Elite seems to be a great shoe, however the dynamic stability may be a little much for my taste. It is a firm and responsive shoe that can be used for tempo training. I may try to get some longer runs in the shoe soon. Check back for some updates once I get some more runs in the various styles.
Cheers and safe running.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Something for the Everyday Runner
I have been thinking to myself and asking what I have to offer the average every day runner. Here is what I have come up with. I am not an elite runner by any stretch or even a very good runner. Like most of the people out there running, I am trying to live a healthy lifestyle and maybe be the best runner that I can be. When I find something that I enjoy, I throw myself in to it 100%. What I can offer is the chance for that person who wants to better them self or run healthier to succeed in that.
The idea that a runner needs to have six-pack abs and great strength through weight training is completely untrue. Unless you are a sprinter there is no need to have bulging legs and great strength. Now please don’t misunderstand me, a runner does need to be strong and try and do some strength training if they want to improve, but weights are not needed for this. Your body and provide all the resistance you need to increase your “running strength”.
However, I digress as I am getting ahead of myself. My desire for this first article is to speak on the idea that a runner needs a cushioned, stability, or motion control shoe is a bit of a misguided understanding of what the human body requires to function when running. Most of the shoes that I will be speaking of will be products that I have or am running in currently. I have spent two years working in the running specialty field so I have had access to many different shoes. Even as my preferences and interest in natural running changed during those two years, the market dictated putting people in shoes that they necessarily did not need. I once asked my employer why we did not carry some of the natural or barefoot type shoes (Nike Free, Puma Alsten, Ecco Biom, Vibram Fivefinger, etc). His response did not surprise me. Since most people have been wearing stability type shoes most of their lives, their feet and lower legs have become weak and atrophied. For someone to switch to a natural/barefoot type shoe takes several weeks and months of a slow break-in period. Many Americans are not that patient and would go out and run their normal runs (whether that is 3 or 13 miles) in these new shoes and most likely injure themselves almost immediately. This would then come back on the store for having sold them the shoe, even if they were directed to slowly work up distances in the shoe. What is difficult about switching to these types of shoes is understandable. Let’s say you are currently running 20-30+ miles a week with daily runs anywhere from 3-10+ miles. Then you decide you want to go natural/barefoot and what to try out the Nike Free 3.0+. You WOULD NOT want to go out and run anymore then 1-2 miles 2 or 3 times a week to start. The only way you could get away with this is if you were a very biomechanically efficient runner to start with. If you step back and really think about it, this is very true of most individuals.
Now I am taking a small leap here and think that if you are here reading this, then this does not describe you because you are trying to find out where to start to make these changes.
On with the shoes:
My current running line includes the Nike Free 3.0 and Lunaracer. I use these shoes as my everyday trainers and for my races with the distances above 5k. Generally I lean toward the Lunaracer in these instances. My current short distance shoe is the Mizuno Universe 3, which is about as close as one can get to running barefoot and still be in a “shoe”. For trail running my two main shoes are from Inov-8. I run in the RocLite 285 and the X-talon 212. I also have as my everyday shoes; the Nike Free 5.0, Ecco Biom A and the Vibram Fivefinger KSO. I do some short trail runs in the Vibrams and also some short runs in the Ecco Biom A. Although I do find the Eccos to be a comfortable casual shoe I have yet to find it comfortable to run in. I must admit that is has been several months since I last ran in shoe and my running form has come a long way since then. I hope to try and get this shoe back into rotation soon.
To give you an idea of my physical make up, I have low arches and was often told that I overpronate. I have a slender build and would not be considered a heavy heal striker. Because of this, prior to my switch of running style/shoe I have been through a gamut of stability type shoes. I have experienced the New Balance 760 series, Brooks Trance, Infiniti and Axiom, Saucony Hurricane, Mizuno Inspire and Nike Structure Triax. For trail running I would generally use the Saucony Xodus, Brooks Cascadia and the Mizuno Ascend.
As you can see I have had some pretty good experience with several stability type shoes. So why/how did I change to a more natural/barefoot running shoe?
This was not a trivial matter by any stretch of the imagination. During my last year of running Cross Country I hurt my hamstring in mid-September 2008. Because of this I was not able to run until mid-March 2009 or other cross training aids. So when I started running again at the end of March I was only able to run about a mile or two because of conditioning. At this point I decided to start making changes to not only my running style but to my running shoe. I will eventually get into what sources I used for to help me determine what was best for me. Over the next several months I went through various types of minimalist shoes to find what I was comfortable with. My list for this is long and I will not bore you with that, unless requested at a later time. I said previously in this article what shoes I decided to work with. I am not able to complete training runs 6+ miles in either the Free 3.0 or the Lunaracer.
With the winter racing season starting to rev up I will be putting lots of miles on these shoes over the next several months and I will be able to give more information on the hold up of these shoes as I approach the 300-400 mile range.
I plan on getting into more details on the process for my switch and what you can do if you feel like this is a switch you want to take. Feel free to ask any questions that were not answered here or if you want more detail on where to go to make the start. I also welcome comments and constructive criticism. I want this forum to help as many people as possible. I will get to all your questions as soon as I can.
Until next time.
*** I also what to put a quick note in here that when I speak of natural/barefoot style shoes, this does not include the Newton running shoe line. These shoes are designed for a mid to forefoot runner and has styles that do have posting (stability technology). ***
The idea that a runner needs to have six-pack abs and great strength through weight training is completely untrue. Unless you are a sprinter there is no need to have bulging legs and great strength. Now please don’t misunderstand me, a runner does need to be strong and try and do some strength training if they want to improve, but weights are not needed for this. Your body and provide all the resistance you need to increase your “running strength”.
However, I digress as I am getting ahead of myself. My desire for this first article is to speak on the idea that a runner needs a cushioned, stability, or motion control shoe is a bit of a misguided understanding of what the human body requires to function when running. Most of the shoes that I will be speaking of will be products that I have or am running in currently. I have spent two years working in the running specialty field so I have had access to many different shoes. Even as my preferences and interest in natural running changed during those two years, the market dictated putting people in shoes that they necessarily did not need. I once asked my employer why we did not carry some of the natural or barefoot type shoes (Nike Free, Puma Alsten, Ecco Biom, Vibram Fivefinger, etc). His response did not surprise me. Since most people have been wearing stability type shoes most of their lives, their feet and lower legs have become weak and atrophied. For someone to switch to a natural/barefoot type shoe takes several weeks and months of a slow break-in period. Many Americans are not that patient and would go out and run their normal runs (whether that is 3 or 13 miles) in these new shoes and most likely injure themselves almost immediately. This would then come back on the store for having sold them the shoe, even if they were directed to slowly work up distances in the shoe. What is difficult about switching to these types of shoes is understandable. Let’s say you are currently running 20-30+ miles a week with daily runs anywhere from 3-10+ miles. Then you decide you want to go natural/barefoot and what to try out the Nike Free 3.0+. You WOULD NOT want to go out and run anymore then 1-2 miles 2 or 3 times a week to start. The only way you could get away with this is if you were a very biomechanically efficient runner to start with. If you step back and really think about it, this is very true of most individuals.
Now I am taking a small leap here and think that if you are here reading this, then this does not describe you because you are trying to find out where to start to make these changes.
On with the shoes:
My current running line includes the Nike Free 3.0 and Lunaracer. I use these shoes as my everyday trainers and for my races with the distances above 5k. Generally I lean toward the Lunaracer in these instances. My current short distance shoe is the Mizuno Universe 3, which is about as close as one can get to running barefoot and still be in a “shoe”. For trail running my two main shoes are from Inov-8. I run in the RocLite 285 and the X-talon 212. I also have as my everyday shoes; the Nike Free 5.0, Ecco Biom A and the Vibram Fivefinger KSO. I do some short trail runs in the Vibrams and also some short runs in the Ecco Biom A. Although I do find the Eccos to be a comfortable casual shoe I have yet to find it comfortable to run in. I must admit that is has been several months since I last ran in shoe and my running form has come a long way since then. I hope to try and get this shoe back into rotation soon.
To give you an idea of my physical make up, I have low arches and was often told that I overpronate. I have a slender build and would not be considered a heavy heal striker. Because of this, prior to my switch of running style/shoe I have been through a gamut of stability type shoes. I have experienced the New Balance 760 series, Brooks Trance, Infiniti and Axiom, Saucony Hurricane, Mizuno Inspire and Nike Structure Triax. For trail running I would generally use the Saucony Xodus, Brooks Cascadia and the Mizuno Ascend.
As you can see I have had some pretty good experience with several stability type shoes. So why/how did I change to a more natural/barefoot running shoe?
This was not a trivial matter by any stretch of the imagination. During my last year of running Cross Country I hurt my hamstring in mid-September 2008. Because of this I was not able to run until mid-March 2009 or other cross training aids. So when I started running again at the end of March I was only able to run about a mile or two because of conditioning. At this point I decided to start making changes to not only my running style but to my running shoe. I will eventually get into what sources I used for to help me determine what was best for me. Over the next several months I went through various types of minimalist shoes to find what I was comfortable with. My list for this is long and I will not bore you with that, unless requested at a later time. I said previously in this article what shoes I decided to work with. I am not able to complete training runs 6+ miles in either the Free 3.0 or the Lunaracer.
With the winter racing season starting to rev up I will be putting lots of miles on these shoes over the next several months and I will be able to give more information on the hold up of these shoes as I approach the 300-400 mile range.
I plan on getting into more details on the process for my switch and what you can do if you feel like this is a switch you want to take. Feel free to ask any questions that were not answered here or if you want more detail on where to go to make the start. I also welcome comments and constructive criticism. I want this forum to help as many people as possible. I will get to all your questions as soon as I can.
Until next time.
*** I also what to put a quick note in here that when I speak of natural/barefoot style shoes, this does not include the Newton running shoe line. These shoes are designed for a mid to forefoot runner and has styles that do have posting (stability technology). ***
Friday, October 2, 2009
First time out
I cannot decide what has possessed me to think I can start a blog, but I am going to give it a shot. I must warn you right now, my spelling and grammar are not always the best, so that is that.
I have determined that there are a plethora of running blogs out there; however this is as much for me as anything. I figure if I start writing about races that I attend and such, then I will be more apt to keep up with my running and focused on racing. My list of interest is fairly outdoorsy; I enjoy running, football (soccer), hiking and camping for the short list. I am very passionate about football and follow Newcastle United in the English Premier League. However, my passion as of the last 5+ years has been running. I just graduated college as a non-traditional student at the age of 34 and was the oldest member of the schools Division III XC team. I am currently a member of the UA Team Run. Although I go up and down with how often I get out on the road, when I am on the up side that is all I focus on. I am still young in my running career and still feel that I have a few years to continue up.
With all that out of the way, I hope to expose people to some little heard about, but really fun races, as well as the trials and tribulations that go along with trying to improve one’s running ability while still focusing on things that pay the bills. This is just an informal introduction and I anticipate that the writing should become slightly more exciting as we go along. Please check back soon as I will be updating the site with pictures and many other comments and little tidbits of info.
I have determined that there are a plethora of running blogs out there; however this is as much for me as anything. I figure if I start writing about races that I attend and such, then I will be more apt to keep up with my running and focused on racing. My list of interest is fairly outdoorsy; I enjoy running, football (soccer), hiking and camping for the short list. I am very passionate about football and follow Newcastle United in the English Premier League. However, my passion as of the last 5+ years has been running. I just graduated college as a non-traditional student at the age of 34 and was the oldest member of the schools Division III XC team. I am currently a member of the UA Team Run. Although I go up and down with how often I get out on the road, when I am on the up side that is all I focus on. I am still young in my running career and still feel that I have a few years to continue up.
With all that out of the way, I hope to expose people to some little heard about, but really fun races, as well as the trials and tribulations that go along with trying to improve one’s running ability while still focusing on things that pay the bills. This is just an informal introduction and I anticipate that the writing should become slightly more exciting as we go along. Please check back soon as I will be updating the site with pictures and many other comments and little tidbits of info.
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