New running shoes

I bought some shoes. Yes, four pair. Let me introduce you. Left to right:

• Brooks Ghost 14 (size 9)
• New Balance 880v12 (size 8 1/2)
• Brooks Glycerin 19 (size 9)
• Brooks Glycerin 19 (size 8 1/2)

My feet are... sensitive. I wish there was a size 8 3/4, because 8 1/2s are just a tad snug, and 9s are a tad long. So, I kind of go back and forth. I know... imagine that... I'm difficult.

I wore Ghost 14 size 9 for last year's marathon. I've worn Ghost size 8 1/2 for years and all of a sudden they don't work anymore. My toes are too cramped. However, the 9, while feeling much better room-wise, just doesn't hit my arch right or something. I think that's what caused my foot problem last year. But... I wear them for work, and can run in them. I got this pair 40% off and like the looks of them, so what the heck. 

The New Balance are just like the ones I've been wearing so far this year. At first I wasn't sure about them (my current pair), but the more I've run in them, the more I like them! They are wider than the Brooks shoes, and my feet really like that. It also means the 8 1/2s fit better. So I got this pair (last year's model) at 40% off. I may run this year's marathon in these.

I'd never worn Glycerins before, but have wanted to. Jane got a pair and really likes them (she says hers have more cushion than the Ghost). I have the same issue these as with the Ghost in that I'm right between an 8 1/2 and a 9, so when I was able to get these at 50% off, I just bought both. So far I've not been too impressed, but I'm hoping that as I wear them they may soften up. We'll see.

So, I really hope these four pair last not only this year, but maybe into next year too. It's hard to tell. I probably get 3-4 months out of a pair of shoes for running, but I also like to alternate from time to time. One always says, "If the shoe fits..." I'm not sure what they say if it doesn't fit just quite right though. Buy more shoes, maybe?

Meh. 

[Btw, I'm not a fan of any color other than the Ghosts. But when buying cheap, you take what's available.]

New shoes

I got a new pair of running shoes. These Brooks Ghost 14s. Bought them at Three Rivers Running for $140.

I also went up a half size to a 9. I probably wouldn't have, but the first shoes the salesman brought out were 9 1/2 and they felt really good. When he went to see if they had any other colors he realized it was the wrong size. He thought I should have gotten the 9 1/2, but I just wasn't comfortable jumping up that far in size. I didn't even try on an 8 1/2 because he was sure they would be too small. I think this is my fifth pair of Ghosts and the others were all 8 1/2, but what do I know. 

I'm not a big fan of the color, but Brooks is notorious for having sucky colors. They will suffice.

Originally I had bought a pair of New Balance Fresh Foam 1080s. I really wanted to like them, and kind of started to get used to the sock-like fit, but they were just too squishy. There was too much cushion, and I'm not a momma bear. I wore them a couple days at work before taking them back and trading for the Ghosts. 

I was hoping to try something different this year, instead of my usual Ghosts and Hoka Cliftons, but I will likely add a new pair of Clifton 8s at some point this spring or summer too. I've been alternating the Ghost 12 and Clifton 7s since last fall and while they both have some limitations, they're good enough for my slow miles. I may as well stick with what's worked.

***

“It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” -Romans 14:11

 

New shoes (hoka clifton 7)

I finally broke down and got a pair of Hoka One One Clifton 7 running shoes. I ordered them online from Zappos.com. I had seen them on sale at different places for awhile, but they seemed to be running out of sizes and colors, so... this is what I got. They were $105 instead of $130. Although, wouldn't you know, now I see I could get them for $90. Oh well. 

I've had so many people tell me they love running in Hokas. Jane had a pair once - several iterations ago - and they gave her problems. I will give them a shot. I had a pair of Bondi's several years ago and they were too thick/high. These seemed alright the one time I tried them on.

It will likely be awhile before I wear them. I may even save them for next year. I just broke out my last pair of Ghosts that I bought last year. I only wore them once and am still using the Ghosts I ran last year's marathon in. We'll see. It never hurts to always have a brand new pair of running shoes still in the box in the closet. At least for me. :)

***

Psalm 39:4

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
    Remind me that my days are numbered—
    how fleeting my life is."

 

1st run in the black brooks ghost 12

I broke in my Brooks Ghost 12 black running shoes yesterday. I bought them at a deep discount late last year. I actually ordered a different color, but this is what they sent me. I DO NOT like black running shoes. I don't know what it is, but I just can't stand them. And, as silly as it seems, I'm thinking of changing to a different shoe after this one - because of the color! Brooks makes the ugliest shoes out there.

Anyway, Jane and I ran together yesterday and did a slow 3 mile run followed by a 3 mile walk. That was a good way to break in a new pair of shoes.

I guess I only got them out because my other ones were still a bit damp and dirty from my Friday run in the rain and mud. I will likely still use them some. I guess. I'm not sure.

I think I'm going to try a pair of Hoka's this year too. I've only had one pair of them (the Bondi). I believe I can still get a Clifton 7 on sale somewhere online. I will probably try those. I'd get another pair of Brooks Ghosts if they would get some different colors, but at this point it's becoming a principle sort of thing. I know.

***

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10

 

New running socks and shorts

For yesterday's 13 mile jaunt I went against conventional wisdom (for me) and ran in a brand new pair of socks and running shorts. I know, right? What was I thinking? Well, I survived and lived to tell about it.

Last week I came to the conclusion I needed some new socks for long runs. I have 2 pair of Balega 'no-show' socks which work great. However, I discovered after the 15-mile run the week before that the tongue on my shoes had worn a sore on the front of both ankles. So, I decided I needed a little longer sock.

I ordered these quarter-cut Balega socks from Running Warehouse ($14). They worked out swell, and were actually cheaper than I'd seen in stores. I really like them and wish I had more.

Since I was ordered something from RW, I also decided to get a pair of shorter shorts to run in. I sweat A LOT when I run, and my shorts tend to get drenched and then stick to my legs. Most of my current stock of shorts are 7" and I have one pair that has a 5" inseam. I didn't think I was quite ready for a 2.5" inseam, so I opted for these Asics 3.5" shorts. They are quite short compared to what I'm used to (imagine a "farmer tan" on your legs) but were much cooler to run in. I actually do kind of wish I'd gone with the 3" split-leg now, but these will suffice.

I stumbled onto the shorts from this really good article on the 10 Best Running Shorts for Men. There was some great advice and I found it quite helpful.

So, that's the story of my latest running oriented purchases.

On a random side-note... I also discovered yesterday that while training for this marathon, in addition to the half-marathon Jane and I ran earlier this year, I will actually run 11 total half-marathons this summer - not to mention several 11 and 12-mile runs. That just kind of blew my mind a little.

Dress shoes

One topic that came up during my job interview last week was... dress shoes. It wasn't because I would need to wear them at work, but somehow we got on the subject. At one point, the guy interviewing me pulled his shoes out of his gym bag and had me feel how light they were (he was wearing running shoes at the time). He said he buys Bostonian Flexlite for all his dress/casual shoes and loves them. I swear I thought he said he buys a new pair every three months or so.

So I looked them up. I presently have a pair of black lace shoes I've had for - egad - more than twenty years. They still work for what I need them for but someday I will need some new ones. It would also probably be a good idea to get a pair of casual slip-ons. So here are some options:

Bostonian Men's Tifton Step Slip-On Loafer

Bostonian Men's Wenham Dress Lace Up

Bostonian Men's Bardwell Walk Oxford

Bostonian Men's Ipswich Lace-Up Oxford Shoe