me running…
I think running break was too long… if Hoka shoes now have narrow front. I had (still have one pair) 3 pairs Hokas before I bought Carbon X2 model. As per usual size is big considering other marathon shoes. Checked those in France in shop… all good – New ones again.
Last week my Wife went to ‘Amphibian King’ to buy running shoes. She loved hers New Balances 1080 (she bought those about 7 years ago – version 4) and guess what she bought another pair of NW 1080, just version 11 this time. I was with her in the shop and I was remembering times when I was going to similar shops to look for shoes or any other running gear…
at least when it comes to racing shoes.
I have tried many brands. Started with three pairs from NB after that tried Asics, Mizuno, Inov8, Saucony. And can say that last two brands are good for trail runs but when I’m talking about New Balance’s all the way. I really like that most of NB shoes are light with kind of tight fit on the foot, especially the front part. So, at the moment can say that I did the full circle starting with NB 890, Minimus and 1400 running through couple shoe brands and back to NB 1490 now. Decided to buy again NB when I have run the midnight track marathon with my worn 1400. These are in very bad state but still was able to pull quite a good result. Was delighted. If could do so good in worn shoes that means brand is good for me. Bought 1490 and that proved to be a good move. Got 3:17 and 3:14 in the b2b marathons followed by 12 hours next weekend which I won… I think it is good recommendation? Don’t you think?
And what is yours favourite running shoes brand?
Ok, haven’t run in them yet so I won’t be judging the runs but can say that Peregrine 4.0 are very comfortable on the feet, wide on the toes (exactly what I need) and are keeping my feet in the same place. Besides that, it seems that under sole treads are quite deep what should give me more grip. Strange thing I have noticed is that in the sole I can see funny mesh, looks little bit like kevlar but… Have check that and it is not, but now have a little bit concern cause have found review that these shoes maybe have a problem with grip on the wet rock… If so, I will need to avoid these.
Anyway, test to come.
So, I was quite suprised when my Wife told me that my birthday present will be actually pair of Hoka Stinson Lite. Shoes, which suppose to be very fast and still give you much cushioning when running. Had to wait for my delivery little bit longer but it was worth it. Shoes are huge (I’m at least 6 cm taller) and little bit heavy but when running you won’t fill that. Shoes are coming with two insoles, higher one for regular foot and lower for wider toes (I need to use the lower one). As well Hoka’s are coming with regular laces and fast tight one. At the moment I’m using the fast ones and these do the trick, easy to tight, easy to untight. Working well…
It takes so time to adjust to weight of the shoes but after couple of km you are ok. You can manage. There is one more thing which can be slightly problem for runners – slightly higher arch, but can adjust to that as well, no problem. Checking the weight of the shoes you would say that there is no way you can run fast in these, but it is working. I actually think that I will be able to get my new PB in them quite soon after I will recover from IBS…
For now, great shoes…
Again trip was made to Amphibian King shop. This time was it the Ashtown one. Fairly small but still same professional advice. After informing about my knee issue and shoes which I was using in the past I was given choice of Puma’s, Asics Gel DS Racer 10, NB 1600 (was told that in Europe that is a new one but in US version 2 is already on the market) and Brooks. Brooks were really nice but unfortunately biggest size they had was 45 which is about 1/3 size to small. Have tried Puma’s but the problem is the same as with regular Puma’s – very tight place for toes. And having jinxed toes I need to have proper room for these (Puma’s not delivering that)… So, the dilema was between NB and Asics. Must tell that NB were lighter and I trusting the brand but this time NB lost. Both shoes have nice cushioning but NB 1600 are really flat on the top of the sole and it wasn’t giving me enought support in the front. And for that one reason I have choosen the Asics for the first time in my life…
From tomorrow I will be testing Asics… most runners favourite brand.
Last time when I went with them to Three Rock I was just sliding all the time. Even that I was still able to run I couldn’t cause my legs were ‘going other way’. So, when I saw in the ’52 Degrees North’ sale with trail shoes I just thought maybe I can try. Have found Inov8 pair which were ok. Price was great (over 35% below previous price), size looks to be to big but when I put these on my feet felt good. Just need to test them. And today is the day (actually tonight) to try Inov-8 TrailRoc 245…
I was really disappointed that it has happened. Never thought that somebody can steal my used shoes. Especially in that gym. Of course I was as well mad at myself for leaving these behind. Now, I have just one good pair of shoes to run. Will need to check in France if I would be able to find new pair in good price…
I will start with confesion. Again wasn’t able to keep my pace as I wanted. I can see that biggest problem is to pace myself when the route is not flat and has any different obsticles. And as mention before forest with demanding surface and few ups and downs on each loop (actually discovered that it was almost 500 meter incline). There was one more thing about that marathon really important. That was the first officially messuered marathon in county Monaghan. So I was the part of history. Everyone is hopeful that this marathon will become an annual event. Most of the runners were treating that race as preparation for Dublin City Marathon and some of them got actually quite good results, some subs 3 hours, some runners PB. That means one – course wasn’t that bad (still most of us were complaining about the shoes choice for the run).
OK. Something about day itself. Was very cold, as on the pictures some runners were dressed in the long sleeves and jogging trousers. I had gloves and the warm sleeves (plus bandana as usual). But when we run in the forest it got warmer, so after first loop we were stripping down. I have got rid of gloves, other removes long layers and we run another laps. Have started run with Cezary and the idea was we will try to keep as close as we can to 5:12 min/km but unfortunatelly cause of surface and poor GPS signal we were running sligthly faster (probably about 2,5 minutes per 10 km). Anyway, after 1.5 loop Cezary gave me signal that he will start running his own pace and told me to keep my own. At this stage I knew that watch is no use to me (actually at the end of the run it was showing just 41.3 km), tree line was really dence and because of that GPS signal very week. So, decided to listen to my body and when can run with someone who can pace me. That’s how I end up running for over two laps with Barry and Rolando. Knew that they are running much faster than I should but I was feeling good so haven’t slowed down. That gave me very suprising time – 3:25. I was happy that in such a unpleasant environment I was able to get good time (I think if I knew the splits I could get PB there) but knew that Don won’t be. But again there was suprise waiting for me – Don was glad and congratulated me.
1st, hopefuly not last, Monaghan marathon done… Couple days after but knees are still sore and next marathon in two days…
And some videos:
Problem with Hoka’s is that there is not many shops in Ireland with them in stock. Actually there is none and if shop has any it is not the model I was looking for and not the size. Cause Hoka’s are not cheap I don’t want to risk it and buy without trying them. There is another thing needs to be added to that. Maybe, simply, I won’t like the feel of them. Anyway, anybody I have asked is saying that they are really great for runs. That you can cover good distance at once with them and that these are really great for recovery runs…
You can hear just positives and only negative opinion is their look. But if that the only issue, bring it on… Unfortunately, I will need to wait till weekend in France to try them 🙁