It happens every year. I need a little motivation to start the new year. I’m not into New Year’s resolutions. They’re too easy to break and no matter what happens it seems you just set yourself up for failure if you’re unable to meet your own expectations. So, I’ve started a new tradition…buy new running shoes. There’s nothing like the smell, feel and unscarred sole of new shoes. They just scream “run in me.”

For the couple of years I was a minimalist. I ran in my Vibram Five Fingers and then into three pairs of Nike Free’s. Through the mileage in those shoes (or lack of), I have taught myself to run correctly and avoid the dreaded “heel strike.” Correcting my stride has paid off in spades and now I’m looking for a more cushioned ride. I’ve been having issues with my arches which in turn made running less enjoyable. The solution? The Saucony Triumph 9.

My sons and I went to visit my go to running store – the Red Rock Running Company. This was the first running store I bought my first “official” running shoes from and I won’t by a shoe anywhere else. No matter who is working at the store, their knowledge and love for running always put me in the right shoe at the right price. I also love the fact that they encourage you to take the shoes on a test drive. With a large parking lot and alley that runs behind the store, you’re allowed to head out the door and actually run in the shoes before making a decision.

I brought my current two pairs of running shoes for analysis and spent the first ten minutes retelling my running history, issues I was having and where I wanted to be. Not having any preconceived notions of what I wanted, I was brought three options – to start. It was sort of like the story of the three little bears. The first model has way too tight. I like my shoes to have a roomy toebox. The second pair was alright but it just didn’t feel quite right. The last pair was juuuuuusssssst right. I found my perfect match in the Saucony Triumph 9. While it’s a little more shoe than I’ve been accustomed to, the heal drop is only 8 mm and it has more cushioned feel underfoot. It’s also very light, weighing in just under 11 ounces. When you’re as big as me, every ounce counts.

While I may be departing my minimalist ways, these running shoes are what I need for the next chapter of my running career. Following my first training run in them, I can’t be happier with my purchase and I’m already looking forward to my second pair that are ironically the same colors as ORB. I guess it was destiny.

RMFR

Hit the ground running in 2011 with the Red Rock Running Company. I received this email and wanted to pass it along to all that were interested. It’s limited to the first 15 people so don’t delay. The first training seminar is this Saturday January 8th.

To help with your New Year’s fitness resolution, they are giving a FREE pair of shoes to anyone who signs up for their Running 101: Fit To Run Program.

Who is this program for?

• The new runner
• The runner who had always wanted a written program.
• People who are motivated but just need to know what to do and when.
• Someone who has a busy schedule and needs to have a program designed with that in mind.
• In short…they provide the workouts, you supply the sweat.

9 week running/training goals:

• Run 3 miles without stopping
• Finish a 5K road race
• Have an understanding of running as a way to be fit and healthy
• How to use running as a weight management tool
• Be conditioned to move to the next level of running fitness and challenges.

(more…)

I have finally found my shoe. Last March I held my own version of March Madness in finding my next running shoe. Ever since I started running, I’ve run in a different shoe each time. After 400 miles, I’d come to find things that I didn’t like or things I wanted in a shoe. This ritual continued at least twice a year at the Red Rock Running Company. I’d find 3 or 4 shoes I wanted to try – take them for a spin – and choose my running companion for the next 400 miles. I was close once…until the update came out and I totally hated it.

I’m proud to announce the Pearl Izumi has won me over with the syncroFloat II and now it successor, the syncroFloat III. Now, instead of spending a good 30 minutes picking out shoes, I can ask for what I want and be done in a couple of minutes. We’ll call it love at first site.

Today was a great day. Anytime you go get a new pair of running shoes is a great day. I now know the obsession some women have with shoes. I was down right giddy driving to Red Rock Running Company (RRRC). I haven’t committed to one shoe/brand since I’ve been running. This is like a kid walking into a candy store and getting to sample each tasty morsel before leaving with a bag under their arm.

The thing I love about RRRC is that they “insist” you leave the store and run in them first. There’s no rules. No minimum. “Go hit the road, come back and then let us know if you like them or not. Don’t like that pair…then go hit the road in this pair”. This goes on until you’ve found “the ones”. Think about it…can you waltz into a restaurant sample all the dishes and then place you’re order? Don’t think so. Even when you’re buying a car the salesperson rides with you. This is all solo. I freakin’ love it!!!

Yes, there was a winner in today’s matchups and in honor of the “Greatest Sporting Event Ever”, today’s running blog presents my version of March Madness.

Going into todays tournament, the New Balance 800 was the #1 seed. I have been playing around with a midfoot stride and this shoe is geared for just that.

The #2 seed was the Asics Gel Phoenix. I had a pair of Asics when I first started running and the Gel Phoenix has great cushioning. It was affectionately dubbed “the Spiderman shoe” by my boyz.

Coming in at the #3 seed was another New Balance shoe, the New Balance 1063. Like the Gel Phoenix, this shoe has a very nice cushioning ride.

The dark horse in this field was the Pearl Izumi SyncroFloatIII. Hadn’t read anything about it, but I trust RRRC and their opinions so I decided to let it into this elite field.

GAME SUMMARIES

The first game was a no-brainer. Since RRRC didn’t have the New Balance 800 in stock, the Syncro Float won by forfeit. I have to find that shoe and give it a spin.

In the second contest of the day, both shoes were neck in neck. The Gel Phoenix just edged the 1063 in an instant classic.

So the championship came down to the Syncro Float and the Gel Phoenix. The Syncro Float kind of freaked me at first glance. It reminded me somewhat of the old Chuck Taylor’s in appearance – minus the high top. The best thing about this shoe is that it fit my arch like a glove. With the Gel Phoenix, I felt pressure on my arch – plus the tongue seemed like it was lapping at my shin. In a major upset, the Pearl Izumi Syncro Float came out victories – one for the ages kids.

Happy Shoe Shopping!!!

RMFR

I’ve been a little behind in reading my running magazines. I finally opened up the March 2009 Running Times this week and I wish I would have read it last month!!! Brian Metzler’s article, “Run Softly, Naturally” may have just made my running life a whole lot easier.

I’m a big guy and I’ve really struggled with shin splits and pain in my knees and ankles. I’ve always attributed these pains with my “shoe alarm clock” going off and getting to Red Rock Running Company as soon as possible. After reading this article, I’m taking a different direction.

Basically, the article talks about changing your stride so you hit the ground with your midfoot instead of your heal. This isn’t a new fad and has actually been studied with a bunch of books on the topic. In fact, there are a bunch of new shoes on the market with smaller heel crash pads to encourage midfoot strides (yes, I will be going to RRRC to check them out soon).

Now, I haven’t mastered this new stride. In fact, I only tried it for the first time on Saturday on my 9-mile run, but it made a big enough difference for me to investigate further. After my run, I felt no shin pain and the brutal down hills had to effect on my knees or ankles. My biggest surprise came on Sunday when I still felt no pain. Yes, this is a big deal for me.

It will take a while to get used to. The shorter stride requires a quicker stride rate – and when your going down hill, you think you’re going to start levitating. I had to stop a couple of times just to slow down. I found going uphill is the easiest way to practice since your strides are easier to keep short. The focus needs to be where you actually put your foot down. Try to concentrate on striking the ground underneath your hips. I noticed that if I stretched my toes skyward, it help bring my foot down near the balls of my feet, letting my heal settle correctly.

This is going to take a lot of research, practice and some proper footwear, but I think I’ve found a way to make running that much more enjoyable.

RMFR