Shoe Review

One thing I noticed about running is that the shoes I don't run in are as important as the shoes I do run in. Over the years it's been a struggle to find a good shoe that I can switch back into after a lunch run and keep my feet happy. Since shoes aren't cheap, I thought I'd give my thoughts and recommendations. I'll start with these:

Keens are famous for they're outstanding sports sandals. In the summer, I love putting those suckers on after a run - but buying a pair of Keen shoes didn't seem to be a good match for work. The soles of the shoes are much less comfortable than the soles for the sandals. The toe box still has that nice wide feel - but the overall

comfort I found dis

appointing. Two stars.

Next up were Cole and Haans. These are famous for having the Nike air soles - and they looked promising, so about a year ago, I ordered a pair. They looked as funny as the picture, but I gave them a try anyway. The soles were indeed comfortable - but the shoe was narrowest shoe I'd ever worn. They didn't hold up well either. Not a killer - but not great. Two stars.

Finally, I read about these at the geekdad website. I've had them for a about a month. They're from Kur

u and I've loved them. They fit great. They're comfortable. The sole seems to give support - and they feel great even after long runs (10-20 miles). The only downside is the looks - but they do have other styles. Five stars.

Light Blogging

End of the year blogging. I'm really not doing much - 2-4 runs/week and only 12-15 miles this week and maybe 16-20 miles/week for the next 2 months. I'm thinking the following runs next year:

1. O'Niantic 5k [March] - a decent shot at an age group place. This would be my 3rd year in a row.
2. Providence 1/2 [early May]- or another spring 1/2 following an easy 10 week plan - nothing too intense.
3. Twilight Trail Run - late May tradition. I actually hope for rain.
4. Bottone Mile - Track mile in July.
5. Misq. Beach Run [late August] - worth it just to knock-off work early and spend one more afternoon at the beach with the kids.
6. CVS 5K [Sept.] - have to do a team race at some point.
7. Niantic half [late Sept.] - can conflict with CVS - but I enjoyed it this last year.
8. Memorial Strides 10K [Oct.] - want to nail a 10K.
9. Tarzan Brown [early Nov.] - Tradition.
10. Lil' Rhody [late Nov.] - would like to nail this one also.

There are other possibilities - but I'd like to PR at a 10K and a half this year - two very doable goals. And I'd like to kill the lil'Rhody - I'm overdue. No marathon this year. As much as I loved training and doing Philly - it does distract from all the other fall or spring races. Maybe 2011.

What else is going on? With my mileage down, I've been [obviously] thinking about my goals and my shoes. This year I went to a rotation between the ASICS 2140 and the Brooks Adrenline 9. The Asics shoe feels more cushioned, less stiff than the Brooks - but it feels like the Brooks positions the gate a little better. In fact, I went with the Brooks for the marathon and a majority of my long runs because I feel it handles the legs a little better - even if the ASICS has better cushioning. The other thing worth mentioning is I bought a 10.5 size for both - the ASICS feels a little too large, while the Brooks feels a little too small. Finally, the Brooks gets the overall nod for adding the BioMogo to the shoe - this helps the shoe breakdown in the landfill and it's a little lighter.

Anyway - enough rambling - time to watch the Oregon-Oregon State "track meet" football game.