First, let me apologize for not pounding out the posts like usual. Following the Walt Disney World Marathon and a vacation immediately after, I’ve been playing catchup at work and at home. It’s actually been nice being away from the computer for a change.

I’m worn out – physically and mentally. I know I’m not the most active distance runner. Last year I only ran 2 halfs and 1 full marathon (I guess I can throw in the Walt Disney Marathon in January since it was only 35 days after the Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon). I’m not a Maniac nor do I consider myself a “seasoned” runner either, but I’m beat.

A couple of warning signs that reared their ugly head:

• Bursitis – During Walt Disney, it popped up in my hip again. Funny thing is, there were no warning signs. I hadn’t felt anything in any of my training runs leading up to the event nor did it bother me in the Las Vegas event. The last time I had to deal with it, I rested for a month and that was that.
• Arches – The one thing that has been nagging me are my arches. Even before the Las Vegas Marathon I was trying to find ways to elevate the discomfort I was feeling. I have custom orthodics but I actually ran Las Vegas in my Sof Sole Custom Insoles. That change didn’t help so I’m hoping rest will.
• Brain Fatigue – As mentioned in a couple of previous posts, I haven’t been totally there upstairs as of late (relating to running). I haven’t been as gung-ho as I usually am. Running hasn’t been as joyful as it usually is and I’m hoping this break will full charge that battery.

With all that said, I know that urges are still there. In fact, the Tuesday following the Walt Disney Marathon, I participated in a 5K on Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island in the Bahamas – yes, my wife and I went on a Disney Cruise following the marathon). Even though my calves were in knots, how many times am I going to get to run an event in the Bahamas? The first mile hurt like hell but the overall run felt really, really good and I’m glad I did it.

So that’s the story and I’m sticking to it. It’s been 2 weeks off so far and I’m probably going to throw in 1-2 more. I’m trying to add a race every year and have a tentative schedule already planned out for this year and I’ll share that soon. Until then, RMFR!!!

I was recently asked to try some products for Sof Sole and write a review. With this being my first real product review, I wanted to be meticulous and put these products thru real world tests that I determine relevant to everyday runners, not just elite athletes.

Sof Sole Performance Socks

Coolmax Runner
I love running socks. It’s actually become an obsession with me. Never in my life would I ever have considered paying $4-$5 for one pair of socks until I started running – these are a perfect example why. The Coolmax Runner socks are a medium weight sock. You can feel it as soon as you put them on. Immediately I knew these would be perfect for trail running. My feet really take a pounding on the desert rocks and sand. The extra cushioning I felt with these socks on the trail were a great relief. I love the mesh venting on the top of the sock as well. My feet never felt hot and over the course of several runs, they’ve held up extremely well.

Coolmax Lite
The first time I slipped on the Coolmax Lite socks, I’ll have to admit, I was a bit concerned. I tend to go through lightweight socks like my daughter goes through chocolate bars. After wearing them for the first time, my crusty heels (I blame my mother) start sawing thru the fabric and within 2-3 wears, I’ve got a hole. So, I earmarked one pair of these lightweight socks to literally run thru the ringer. After half a dozen runs, I’m happy to report they still look like new. The banded instep (very popular in running socks I’ve noticed) did not irritate my arch like many other pairs have in the past. The mesh venting again is great. When you put the socks on, try walking around in them before you put your shoes on. You can actually feel the air breathing through the sock. My only knock on this sock was that one pair was really tight on the opening (way more than the other two pairs) where I actually had a hard time getting the socks on over my heel and ankle. I’m assuming it’s just a random flaw as the other pairs were fine but I felt I needed to mention it.

The real test for me and socks is the dreaded washing of the socks. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve purchased what I thought to be a great running sock only to be disappointed. After a couple of washes, they shrink enough that I can’t wear them for running anymore. Once the top of the sock comes down to were it lies just above the back of my shoe, it’s done. Because we all know what it’s like when you’re on a run and your sock starts to suck down into your shoe and blisters soon follow.

I’ve washed all six pairs of socks over ten times – socks I have worn and ones I have not. I haven’t noticed any shrinkage at all. In fact, if it weren’t for the socks I wore trail running and the red sandstone dust, you’d think the socks were brand new. “Socks of to you Sof Sole – you’ve sold me on your socks for good.”

Sof Sole Performance Insoles

The Sof Sole Custom Insole
A couple of years back, I really battled with bursitis in my hip. My wife, tired of my constant complaining, hooked me up with a podiatrist and I got custom insoles. I haven’t had any issues since and owe my wife a lifetime of gratitude – although I’m sure my lack of complaining is an award in itself. I’ve tried a couple of off-the-shelf insoles before and to be honest, haven’t been too impressed. So when I received the Sof Sole Custome Insoles, I didn’t think much of them – that was until I read the directions.

“Pre-heat your oven to 225ºF. Place insoles into your oven for two minutes. Remove the insoles from the oven and place insoles immediately inside both shoes. Immediately place your feet inside your shoes. Stand on the insoles for two minutes.”

Crazy right? After going through these instructions of trust (I imagined my feet being incinerated inside my Pearl Isumi syncroFloat III’s), the insoles molded to the bottom of my feet. For lack of an intellectual term, it was neat. It was really eerie how well it worked – my wife retreated to the bedroom to escape my constant babbling of how good my feet felt. Now, I haven’t run without my custom orthodics since I received them but I had to try these. My orthodics have always seemed bulky to me and has eliminated any “extra” room I’ve ever had in my running shoes. The minute I slipped my feet into the shoes with the Sof Sole inserts in place, it felt as though my shoes had room for another foot. They were very comfortable out on the roads as well. I over pronate and I was worried that I would develop some issues with continued use. I’ve run with the Sof Sole inserts now 10 times and I haven’t noticed any ill effects running with them.

I’m convinced these insoles are great for anybody that doesn’t need custom orthodics. I am going back to my orthodics in my running shoes (for my own piece of mind) but I am going to continue to use the Sof Sole Custom Insoles in my trail shoes. My trail shoes are stiff and have lots of support. I don’t need my orthodics for them and the Sof Sole insoles are so comfortable. It’s a match made in heaven for my feet, softening the torture they take out on the trails.