New running shoes (ghost 17)

 

I got a new pair of running shoes. The Brooks Ghost 17. This is only the second pair of shoes I've bought this year, so I feel a little out of step...

 

After running in Brook Glycerin's the past couple years, I went back to the Ghost for some reason. I haven't worn them since version 14 (I think). I absolutely loved the first two pair of Glycerin 20s I had, but the third one I bought earlier this year didn't seem to fit quite as well; and I wasn't overly sold on the newest version (22) from the reviews I'd read.

 

Theses Ghosts are not like the other Ghosts I'd had though! There is less of a heel-toe drop, with way more mid-foot cushion. I like the cushion feel... which is very similar to the Glycerin in stack height...

 

However, part of the reason I moved away from Ghosts was because of the narrow toe box... And that hasn't changed! Grr. I would love these if my feet didn't feel so cramped (and it's not like I have wide feet). I originally bought a pair of 8 1/2 - which is what my Glycerins are - but they were so tight (though not necessarily too short). So I also ordered a pair of size 9 (my last few pair of Ghosts were 9s). However, other than being longer, they are just as tight, and don't feel any better.

 

I've run in the 8 1/2 twice, and am debating whether to try running in the 9 just for kicks. The nice thing about Brooks is they have a great return policy (you can return for full money back even after wearing them outside, for up to 90 days). I hate to get the 9 dirty, though, if it doesn't feel any better than the 8 1/2. I will definitely return one or the other of them (likely the 9).

 

I hate that they make the toe box so narrow. It's the same with Hoka. I suppose I could try getting a wide, but, again, I don't necessarily have wide feet, and I don't really want my foot swimming around in the shoe. I may have to try a different brand next time. Until then... 

 

I will likely be wearing these Ghost 17s for the remainder of half marathons this year and into next. I will find a wider toe box shoe before the next full marathon.

New shoes

Not much happening on this day-after-easter, but I do need to make note that I recently purchased a new pair of running shoes: these Brooks Glycerin 20s. Of course when I bought them off the Brooks website they were 31% off ($109), and now I see they are $10 less. Still, it's better than the $160 for this year's model (21).

I actually bought a pair of size 9s a couple weeks ago and they were simply too big. So last week I opted for the 8 1/2 and they fit perfect. My first run was 5 miles last Thursday followed by 12 miles on Saturday and I had no problems.

Last year I bought two pair of Glycerin 19s (one in size 8 1/2 and one in size 9) and they were completely different than this pair. I'd read where they completely changed the 19. It wasn't as cushion-y as they normally are, and they returned to the original max cushion last year with the 20s and again this year. (Yes, I tend to buy the previous year's version every year, because they're cheaper).

So, this is really my first pair of actual "max cushion" shoes. I'm still not sure how I feel about them. Jane really likes them (this is what she is currently wearing). While they fit my feet really well, I worry it might be too much cushion over 26 miles. I will wear them for my 20 mile run this weekend and if that goes okay I will likely use them for the marathon at the end of the month. Otherwise I can always wear the Ghosts I wore for my last marathon. Personally I have no need or desire for an actual pair of "racing shoes" (plus I ain't spending several hundred dollars on them!).

And... that's about all I've got for this Monday...

New shoes

If you can believe it... I got a new pair of shoes! These Brooks Cascadia 16 Trail Running shoes. Jane also got a pair (in hot pink - it was all they had). 

I've never had trail running shoes, but these were on sale at 46% off ($70) and we thought they might help in snow as well. We shouldn't put many miles on them so hopefully they will last us a good while.

Of course, it was a snowy day when we ordered them, and now there isn't any. I'm sure that will change again. And, who knows, we may even do another trail run one of these days.

I ordered the size 9 first and they were too big. So I sent them back and got an 8 1/2. I don't know that they're the most comfortable running shoe I've ever worn, but they do have a nice wide toe box. I'm sure that's why the 8 1/2 fit so well.

I've yet to wear mine but I may take a walk in them today. And there is more snow forecast for this week. I still have my old shoes with the screws in them, but am hoping these will work a little better. We'll see.

New shoes. new balance 880v12

 

Yes, I got yet another pair of shoes. What else do I have to do with my time.

A couple weeks ago I bought a pair of New Balance 880v12 in size 9. I really wanted to like them, but they were just ridiculously too big. So a day before the return date expired I took them back and exchanged them for a size 8 1/2. 

I swear, when I bought the 9s the salesgirl must have given me an 8 and a 9. I could barely get my foot in what she said was an 8 1/2. Yet when I bought this current pair, the 8 1/2 fit fine.

Anyway, I absolutely hate black running shoes (for me). They just feel clunkier or something. It was apparently all they had.

So, now I have the following shoes to choose from:

• Brooks Ghost 13 (8 1/2)
• Brooks Ghost 14 (9)
• Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 (8 1/2)
• New Balance 880v12 (8 1/2)

I have run in these new 880s once, and they felt okay. They seem kind of like the Hoka Clifton in softness, but are much wider and my feet feel good in them. They do seem a little on the heavy side though at 10.5 ounces (I'd have gotten another Clifton but they're just too damn narrow).

I will probably run this year's marathon in one of the Ghosts... Unless I start to really like the 880s. We'll see.

Saturday I am set to run 19 miles, and will likely use the Ghost 14. I will run the Fort4Fitness half marathon, and am still trying to figure out when/how to do the other 6 miles.

Whatever. I know it's all stupid. Everything is stupid. None of it matters. Yet it's all I've got. Shoes and stupid miles. Fuck everything else.

***

 

 

A changing of the shoes

Out with the old, in with the new. Shoes, that is.

I've bought three new pairs of running shoes so far this year. Two will end up getting me through the summer/fall, and Saucony can suck it (more on that later)!

I have retired the Hoka Clifton 7 I trained for and ran last year's marathon in (and went through the winter with), as well as a pair of Brooks Ghost 13s that I've also since retired from work (after being trainers last summer/fall). The black Brooks Ghost 12s were broke in last summer/fall and went through the winter/spring too. 

Pictured here are the new shoes. 

1. The top Brooks Ghost 14 (also pictured in the top photo) were bought earlier this year at the store. The only shoes I paid full price for. They are a size 9 (half size bigger than all the others) and I didn't think I would like them. Of course, they have turned out to be my favorite pair and I have been doing all my long runs in them. I will likely switch to buying all size 9 running shoes (at least Brooks shoes) from here on out!
2. The middle is a Brooks Ghost 13 - size 8 1/2 - which I bought online for just over 1/2 price ($75). I got them because they were on sale, but also because I didn't think I'd be able to run in the size 9. It's funny because now I notice how scrunched my toes are in an 8 1/2. I will still use these to train with this summer/fall and likely into the winter.
3. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 2... well... this was the most recent purchase. I got them for half price ($80), and was hoping these would be my racing shoes. I'd wanted to get a different brand/type of shoe because I like to alternate and switch things up. These were supposed to be faster shoes and they don't have quite as much drop as the Ghosts. I'd tried on a pair of Endorphin Pro, which are performance shoes, and the Speed 2 was supposed to be just like the Pro but with just a little more heel cushion (and a little cheaper). So, I ordered them online without trying them on. I could kick myself now. They are THE WORST RUNNING SHOES I HAVE EVER HAD! Actually, I can barely walk in them. They're not just cushioned, by mushy. It's like walking on springs. I can actually see my foot bounce in and then out with each step. They are way too soft and bouncy and not only hurt my legs to run in, but I'm afraid of turning an ankle because there is so little support. And the worst thing... Saucony doesn't allow you to return shoes once you've worn them! Geez, Brooks gives you 90 days - even if you've worn them outside! So I'm not happy with this waste of money. I suppose I may try to wear them to work or something. I'm glad they were half off, but I feel like an idiot for buying them. Never again!

Anyway, my plan is to use the Ghost 13 and 14 as trainers, which will likely get me through the winter, I will end up buying another pair of size 9 Ghosts to run this year's marathon in (in November). I like to have a pair with less than 50 miles on them for race day.

I know some people think that's a lot of money to spend on shoes, but this is really about the only thing I spend it on. Everybody has their thing. This is mine.

***

Proverbs 4:26

"Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure."

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

 

Running in shoes with screws

Some might think it a screwy idea... but putting screws in my shoes worked out pretty well for an icy run yesterday afternoon.

It was an ugly nasty day of freezing rain and sleet in temps just below freezing. By the time I left work at noon I was slip-sliding down the sidewalk on the trek to my car, and the streets were pretty slick too.

I didn't get out for my daily run until around 3:30, and by that time I knew I would need some assistance.

I'd read about putting screws in your shoes, but had never tried it. I recently bought a 15-pack of #6x3/8" sheet metal screws for just such a time. I dug out an old pair of Hoka's (that I used to mow in) and inserted the screws as pictured above. I used my cordless drill on some and just a screwdriver on others. I read where you should put them mostly around the outside so you don't puncture any padding (or feel them). I wanted the extra traction mostly on my heels because I tend to either land flat-footed or on my heels. I didn't want a foot slipping out from under me! As I started putting in the screws I realized I should have gotten more, but that was all I had.

Neither rain nor sleet was going to stop me now, so I headed out the door. The sleet pellets on the sidewalk actually helped, but it was still pretty slick in regular shoes. I also did run over a sheet of ice in a couple spots on the trail, and had no trouble at all! I ran 3.1 miles at a 10-minute pace and walked another 2 and, while it was maybe a little slower than usual (just to be on the safe side), the ice didn't deter me at all. I was pleasantly surprised.

So, while I wouldn't want to run on screwy shoes all the time (they sound like tap shoes on dry pavement), it worked out just fine! If anything, I may get another 15-pack and add some more to each shoe. Otherwise, I was happy. On this day, it was screws that helped me make it through the day!!

***

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” -1 Corinthians 10:13