Trying out my new running shoes...

Going out to break in my new Vibram Five Finger running shoes.

Quick Review:

Comfortable. Lightweight. Good feel.

Has just enough protection to take the bite out of stepping on sharp objects; pointy rocks, fallen branches, pieces of glass, etc. But flexible enough to feel like you’re almost barefoot.

Takes some getting used to just to get them on your feet, slipping your toes into each “finger”. They fit like driving gloves—a bit snug, but flexible enough that you can forget they are on your feet.

The shoes give you good feedback on your gait with the trade off that they are less forgiving of mistakes. It’s kind of like taking your car and lowing the suspension, stiffing the shocks, and using racing tires – you get a better feel of the road and, consequently, can respond to it better and (for most people) makes it more fun to drive. The downside of driving a race car is, your car no longer skids in the corners if you make a mistake—it snaps out of control. Potholes aren’t absorbed by the suspension—they’re transferred to the seat.

If you strike your heel (like I usually do), the jolt is no longer absorbed by the inch+ of cushion on your shoe and dispersed throughout—the strike is sent as a jolt up your leg into your hips. The upside is that you know—immediately—to plant your foot under you (not in font).

It forces you to be deliberate about your running gait with the idea that eventually the proper gait will become habit/natural for you.

I’ll go out on a limb and say they are not for everyone and are squarely aimed at the serious, and more technical, runner. But, like a sports car, there is a “fun” factor.

I think the biggest surprise to me is how thin the sole really is. You feel *everything* -- cracks in the sidewalk, small rocks, twigs. This also means I have to start with low mileage on these shoes—it’s not really a replacement for everyday running shoes at this point.

More to come....

Great Worm Migration of 2008

I was trying to sneak in a run this morning. It's been quite wet around here recently. Now we're in the middle of three days of non-stop rain due to the effects of Ike.

The gutters were full of worms, up and down the block. Amazing.

Busy Week

Last week was a recovery week on my training schedule. I follow a three week cycle. (Week 1) A "build" week, which is composed of running 5-6 times a week of moderate distances. (Week 2) A "distance" week, which is composed of running 4-5 times a week of varying distances, from 3 miles up to a longer and longer run on each cycle (currently 12 miles). (Week 3) A "rest/recovery" week, 3-4 runs this week, some cross training, lower milage, etc.

This past week was a "rest" week and 23 total miles. Saturday, however, was the Quarryman Challenge 10 Miler. This is probably one of the toughest 10 miles you'll find in the Chicagoland area. The elevation map doesn't do this race justice. I'll get a dedicated race report out soon.

This weeks goal is at least 6 runs with a total of 30 miles.

I have two races coming up over the next 7 days, neither of them will be maximum effort but more for fun. Thursday is the Chase Corporate Challenge 3.5 miler. And Monday is the Xtreme 12k in Portage, IN.

A jog in the Glen

Monday morning I stumble out of bed to meet a friend for a 9.5 mile loop around Waterfall Glen forest preserve. It was a perfect morning to run, clear, cool and no humidity to speak of.

I put on my running clothes, snarfed down half a Cliff Builder's bar, chugged a portion of Gatorade, grabbed my gym bag and headed out the door.

Whenever I run with anyone else I never want to be the one to slow the group down. While I prefer to run most of my runs solo, a weekly group run always pushes me past my comfort zone. Often times, I find that I have been sandbagging my solo runs as was the case today.

We agreed on a 9:45 pace that would be a standard long/tempo pace for me, and a slow recovery pace for her (this is someone who runs a sub 4-hour Boston Marathon).

Our first mile was intentially slow as we stretched out and warmed up. We were able to converse comfortably as we approached the first mile -- 9:37. Faster than our planned average pace.

We decided to slow it down a bit so we could negative split our miles. This was, after all, a tempo/recovery run. Mile two came in at 9:13 -- how did that happen??

Mile 3 : 9:26

Mile 4 : 9:45 (a mostly uphill mile)

Mile 5 : 9:16 (a mostly a downhill mile)

Mile 6 : 9:43 (a moderate rolling hills mile)

Mile 7 : 9:34

Mile 8 : 9:23

Finish: 9:05

It's amazing what a bit of company does...you forget about the minor aches and pains, the one shoe thats too tight, you forget about ever walking or making any other excuse to slow down.

You just run for the fun of running.

Runners World Quote of the Day:
"If you want to win a race you have to go a little beserk."

Bill Rodgers, four time Boston and New York City Marathon Champion