Thursday, February 26, 2009

Random Running Thoughts

Sarah and I were out the door at 4:00 this morning for our usual run. Lethargy best explains how I felt for my 5 miles. Sarah, being her usual self, was energetic and she must have put in a mile more than I as she constantly zig-zags in front me, nose to the ground.

Yesterday morning, I was at the dentist and when I was done and ready to drive home, I felt like kicking myself in the butt. You see, driving from the house to the dentist is perhaps 5 road miles. But, I could have picked up a trail 1/2 mile from the house, ran about 3 miles on trails, and would have exited a trail about 1/2 mile from the dentist. I should have ran there. As the visit involved oral surgery, I probably would have walked home on the trails. A lost opportunity, to say the least.

March 1st is almost here and that means more and more spring-like weather. And soon, the trails will soften up and all the green will appear. I especially loving running in the spring. Where I do my trail running, there's a creek that the state stocks each spring with trout. I think the first day of trout season is April 4th. I love seeing all the anglers lining the banks of the creek. It's a sure sign that spring is fully upon us. Also takes me back to my youth in Vermont where the first day of trout season was almost as important as the last day of school.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

New Balance Running Shoe Update

A few weeks ago, I tried the NB 1011 as a replacement for the NB851 and after about 50 miles, the verdict is in. They felt like I had duct taped two pine boards to my feet and went running.

So I switched back to an old pair of 851s and my feet said thank you!!!!! Unfortunately, old meant 400 miles on them and I knew it was just a matter of time, and injury, before I would have to totally disuse them. Solution?????

Last September, I bought a pair of NB 768s, not so much as a running shoe replacement, but as a comfortable walking around shoe. I decided to try them running. They've felt great. Fit is near perfect, they are flexible and responsive, and for my running style, I get what seems to be enough cushioning. Mind you, I only have a few miles on them. But I'm hoping they will continue to feel just fine.

A word on my running style and bio-mechanics. I'm 6'4" and weigh 185. But I'm relatively light on my feet and am not a hard heel striker. I wear a 12EE and my feet are probably the flattest in the word.

Again, I'm hoping for the best.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Farewell New Balance 851, I Knew Thee Well

I bought my first pair of New Balance 851 shoes, size 12EE, back in 1997 (or thereabouts). From that first pair, I have not run in any other shoe model until two days ago, when I switched to the New Balance 1011.

When NB originally stopped regular production of the 851s back in the late 90s, they still did a production run for Road Runner Sports. So every 8-10 months, I'd buy 6 to 8 pairs and go through them before another bulk order. But 2 weeks ago, I checked and there were no 851s in my size in stock.
My heart sunk, tears formed, and I felt a twinge of panic. My last pair of 851s had nearly 400 miles on them. What was I to do? I needed the EE width and who other than NB could deliver the fit and comfort I demanded.
After some research, I settled on ordering a pair of 1011s and they arrived Wednesday. So far, after three runs, they seem fine, although psychologically, my feet feel as though they have become permanently molded to the shape of the851.
Maybe I need counseling...get myself psychologized. Make that maybe I need a shower more as I only got back from my second run of the day 20 minutes ago.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Running Memory

For the last week, we've had mostly nuisance weather, beginning last Wednesday when an inch of snow turned into ice that remained on the roads for several days. And then yesterday afternoon, 6 inches of new snow fell and that has mostly been left unplowed on the streets I run on.

I went for my first winter trail run back in late December of 1963. I was in the 8th grade and our junior high basketball coach decided that it would be good training to take us running in the woods. No trail running shoes back then, just winter hunting boots with heavy wool socks and I probably wore my red-plaid wool hunting jacket. And not much in the way of trails, either. Mostly old logging roads that hadn't been used in years or the occasional deer trail winding through the hardwood forests surrounding our town. And hills!!!!!

I'd love to say that that run inspired me to become an Olympic-level cross-country runner or an NCAA Division 1 10K record holder. Neither happened, and outside of further running in a gym as part of formal basketball practice, I didn't go out for the exclusive purpose of running until the summer of 1964. Only this time, I was able to shed the hunting boots for a pair of Converse canvas high-top basketball shoes. Where was Bill Bowerman when your feet needed him back in the early 60's?