"Runner Conquers Weather!" (And reviews an Asics rain jacket)

     "Man Conquers Nature!" "Man Conquers Mt Everest!"  "Man Conquers Space!"
     Really? I don't think so, and that kind of arrogant claim bugs me to hear. Mt Everest is just fine thanks, and will be for the next thousands of years as it has been in the past, even with the growing truckloads of junk left behind with each new expedition. Some guy climbed it with a team of local guides/packmules and big-buck sponsors maybe, and that's a mighty big deal for sure, but no conquering over Nature happened. "Man Conquers Giant Bowl of Corn Flakes!" You bet. Conquering yourself is the greater victory, but that discussion is beyond the scope of this blog and my brain. But- conquering some self-imposed limitation is pretty cool, and I'm happy to write about that.

     I lived up in Wisconsin, way up dere ya hey, for 25 years and ran pretty steady most of those years. Hot and humid in the Summer and butt-clenching cold in the Winter, milder in Spring and Fall and beautiful throughout the seasons, each in its own way. None of it really kept me off the roads, same as down here in Indiana. Cold and snow- no problem.  Hot and sticky humid- bring it. Windy and rainy- la la la la la. Wind, ice and heat slow the pace but don't prevent the run. But one thing that nearly always has- cold rain. Ugh. A nice Summer or Spring shower is refreshing and makes for a great run and even a downpour can be fun in a way, but take away any warmth and I get miserable fast. I have stayed in many times rather than go out in the cold rain, and hated it when I did. Little tiny indoor tracks make me nutty very quickly. I don't mind using a treadmill and have had many very effective and enjoyable workouts on them, but I will always prefer to be outside for a run. Cold or rain is not a problem. Cold and rain and I'm the one conquered.

     Until this Winter that is. It's been an exceptionally mild Winter so far here in the Midwest, and the running has been great. There have hardly been any days where it just wasn't possible to get out, including on the trails, which sometimes I've had to avoid when the snow gets too deep and run on the plowed roads instead. So I guess I got spoiled and didn't want to stop when the cold rains did come, and out I went anyhow. And it wasn't awful. Not even very bad. In fact, I enjoyed it. Hey- this ain't so bad after all!

     Few things fuel enjoyable momentum like enthusiasm, and this new discovery was getting fun. Even better than when I realized at 47 that actually, I do like olives after all. I set out to find a good running rain jacket since the one I had was far from waterproof. A pricey lot they are too, ranging up to $300 and beyond if you're willing. I'm not. I settled for an Asics Storm Shelter jacket, which is rain and wind proof and more to my budget at $100, still a pretty good chunk of dough. It's not wispy light like a windbreaker, but it's not heavy at all either and provides moderate warmth along with protection from the nasty elements.

Ta Da!

     It has most of the features I want- some reflective detail, (Hey running apparel manufacturers- MORE REFLECTIVITY!!) zippered front pockets, not-too-tight collar and a comfortable unrestricted fit. After several rainy runs I can say it is in fact rainproof too, so- bada bing!  There are zippered vents under each arm you can use as you like, and the material has some way (magic?) to vent heat out also, so it stays comfortable. I've had this jacket out in temps ranging from mid 30's to mid 40's and it has been well suited in that range with just a SS tech T underneath. In all this is a nice treat and I'm very happy with it, though it is the limit of my experience with rain gear. I got the red one because I enjoy wearing color and it can't hurt being seen better by drivers too. It's neat also that just having the protection from the jacket is enough to keep me warm and enjoying the run without rainproof pants or hat also, so I'm all set.

     So, all conquering aside, I can now happily add cold rainy days to my running schedule, and that's a good thing.
          
   

< = >+>

     Less is more is sort of a buzz phrase these days for the minimalist 'movement' in the running shoe market, and < = > is the New Balance symbol for their Minimus line of running shoes. Somewhere this ad caught my eye. In the first place those shoes are wrong in too many ways to list and in the second place I have to wonder if the crazed designer and marketing team are intentionally trying to ride the sales wave while it's there. Or maybe it's coincidence.
     And what do I know- maybe they're totally hot shoes.
     Nah.

Shoe Review- Merrell Mix Master

     Next up in the shoe review series is the Merrell Mix Master, a new neutral trail shoe introduced just this past December, and one I was looking forward to soon after reading of it. It has many design features I thought would work very well for me, and you know what? They do!


Merrell Mix Master- black and blech.

     I don't know a lot about Merrell, my experience with them is limited to a pair of their Trail Gloves introduced early last year, which I also like. Both shoes are very well made and the fit is fairly similar as well. Pretty standard length, close fit in the heel, fairly full midfoot that wraps the arch area snugly and a wide forefoot. This is a good design that provides a secure overall fit that keeps the foot stable in the shoe when going downhill, yet still allows plenty of room for natural foot movement within the shoe while landing. This can be a tricky fit to achieve, and Merrell seems to have it nailed. In fact I was a little worried my usual size 10 might be a little big, but now that they have settled in I feel the fit is about perfect.


The forefoot feels wider than it appears here. Magic! 

     My size 10 weigh in at 8.45 ounces which is great as it is, but they feel even lighter when running. It's neat how some shoes do that, so even better. The 16mm heel and 12mm forefoot make for another 4mm drop shoe, one of a growing number among varying manufacturers. It's my sweet spot and must be for others as well. The midsole is firm but offers enough cushioning to easily handle all the trail conditions I have seen so far. A big test for me is how rocks feel both under the forefoot and landing on one with the heel, especially when going downhill. While you can feel the surface beneath your foot, other than really sharp pointy rocks that would be a problem for any shoe the Mix Masters take them well in-stride. (Oops) There is a rock shield in the forefoot for added protection, yet the sole is very flexible as well and the overall ride is very smooth as a result.


How they look to the trail. The forefoot rock plate is visible as the orange dots.

     Traction is another big test for me as I need to really trust my grip on the ground in all reasonable conditions. Otherwise my gait stiffens and trouble soon ensues. The Mix Master has terrific gripulation on par with the Saucony Peregrine, which I consider flawless in that regard. I have run uphill and down in loose gravel, mud, wet rocks and wood, and just today in the snow and have never slipped once, so yay! In fact I looked at my tracks in the snow and noticed the lugged treads have a sort of swirling pattern that flows from heel to toe. Then I realized I was getting all "A Beautiful Mind" and staring at my tracks, but I thought it was interesting.


Traction galore!

     Overall I really like these shoes and they are even improving with wear after about 35 miles. They are well made and I anticipate they should last at least comparably to most shoes and likely longer than most. I wouldn't use them for long road runs even though they are touted as such, (thus the 'Mix Master' name) but that's maybe just me. I was hoping these would fall between the Peregrine and NB110 for weight and protection and that's just about right. Not sure yet if they will replace the Peregrine as my ready-for-all-conditions/distances daily shoe but that is my plan for now, and I'll update this with further experience.  So far the only negatives are the color, not being a fan of weird green, and the name, which makes them sound like a kitchen appliance. In short, no complaints so far.

     The Merrell Mix Master trail shoe retails for $110. 

Frosty Trails 5 Mile race report

     The Frosty Trails 5 Mile was held at Brown County State Park this past Saturday and was my first race of 2012. At first I thought a hard run mid-January sounded extra cruel- this is, after all, the season of hibernation, stagnation and vegetation. I am at my annual worst weight and have only been doing easy paced running, but after reflecting on that I realized this is the perfect time for a race!

     Hosted by Bill Bartley of  Indiana Running Company and with an appearance by the Mag 7 van and always-friendly Kelly Smith, the race was headquartered from the Lower Shelter where check-in was fast, easy and sociable. There was a big fire in the hearth, large pots of chili already starting to smell great, and tasteful music mixed with the wood smoke in the air. I had plenty of time before the race start and really enjoyed visiting with several runners I haven't seen for awhile. See, I used to do A LOT of the Mag 7 races, but not so much last year. So it was great to see that gang again and I hope to do more of that series this season.

     Have I said it was cold? The early a.m. low was 7 here at the house that morning and by the time I had made the hour drive over the the park it was climbing toward 20 according to the car thermometer. After having being spoiled by a very mild Winter so far this felt worse than it was. It could be worse. Much worse.
                           
     Long sleeve tech shirt with long sleeve half-zip top, my fav Asics Thermopolis tights, hat and gloves were my ensemble for the day. I wear the cheapo brown cotton gloves you get bundled in packs of three down to the farmer's implement store, and have never had a pair of actual running gloves. I'd hate to pay that much for something I will be wiping my nose on and perhaps leaving behind as I have done once. This was last year,  after a strange tug-of-war with a race volunteer over a paper cup of Gatorade which he was weirdly reluctant to let go of. My gloves got soaked with the stuff and became very sticky and extra gross, so after spying a trash can a few miles later they never made it to the finish line that day.

     I had wanted to wear the Merrell Mix Master trail shoes but figuring the snow and several days of freezing temps would probably make for some slick conditions I opted for the Saucony Peregrines, traction master supreme. The Merrell's also have great traction but are not race tested and I wanted to play it safe. The Peregrines, see my review here,  were perfect and I ran without undue worry of footing, a good feeling to have. I also tried some Smartwool socks for the first time in a race, a little bit thicker than I like but not bad at all, and very warm. Warm feet = happy heart.

     There were about 40-50 of us there as we headed out on the trails at the start. The course was well marked and the woods were very scenic, though I mostly focused on the ground in front of me and on making my way in the crowd. I hadn't planned to charge out hard at all, just wanted to push a little harder than usual and go for a good run in the woods with some good like minded people. I'm not overly competitive with others as a rule, but I do prefer to pass rather than be passed and was happy to be moving forward pretty steadily. The crowd thinned as we each found our pace and soon I was in mental zoneland. I'm not one to do calculations of split times and related pace regulation and follow a pre-race scheduled chart of times to mark along the way. In fact I totally suck at all of that and prefer to look at the trees and hear the birds and let my mind wander as it will. The topic this time was mostly "running is life: cliche or applicable creed?" I decided it was bona fide since; the more you put in the more you get out, it's better with a challenge, unseen twists in your path are always ahead, sometimes you can coast downhill, sometimes it hurts, it mostly makes you happy, it gets better as you go. And more I can't remember.

     The course was interesting and not as hilly as I would have guessed, and I was happy to have more juice than I thought i would during the climbing, a general weakness of mine. It took us out of the woods and onto a road for the last 3/4 mile or so and most of that was downhill. This was great, a time when I love to try and charge to the finish anyhow, and the downhill made that even better. I crossed the line and stopped the Garmin, realizing later it had not stopped. Again. I've done this before, hit the button at the finish and then realized later it was still running, sometimes seeing the drive home included on the map when I download it later. Oops. I figured 46:23 was probably about right.

     I talked some with racers who had finished around me, went up to the shelter for some great chili, visited with friends in the parking lot, and finally headed back home, generally happy with this first race of the still new year. Thanks to everyone involved for putting this well-run race on for us to enjoy.

Next race- DINO Eagle Creek 15K, unless another one is around a twist in my path...

Coming Attractions

     I've decided to refinance the house, which I'll probably write about at some point, and have taken some time off work to get it ready for the refi appraisal. As a result, I have less time to write than usual, but I want to stay in touch here and not let this sit idle.  So, here's a few things I have planned for future topics-

     More shoe reviews: I now have two runs and 14 miles in the Merrell Mix Master and am liking them, but I want to get at least 20 miles in any shoe before I review it. Also upcoming will be my take on the Saucony Mirage and Fastwitch 5, Altra Instinct and Lone Peak, Adidas Hagio (on my feet right now!), Brooks trio of their Pure Project line, New Balance MT110 and two of their Minimus shoes, Newtons, and many many more! 

     Also to come: my running history Part 2, as well as my progression with form change and the Great Shoe Search involved with that,  a commentary about running on Moon Rd. out here in the sticks, and also one on why I love trail running. And at some point I'd like to write about running form and its relationship with injury cause and prevention. 

     All this and more, so be sure to stay tuned!

Shoe Review- Saucony Peregrine

     I thought I should start my running shoe review series with the shoe I have probably put the most miles in this year, though the Altra Instinct is a very close second. A review of the Instinct (and Lone Peak) will be forthcoming.

Peregrine, all dolled up for photo shoot.

     The Saucony Progrid Peregrine is a neutral trail shoe built as a new model in February 2010. Following on the heels (my bad) of the wildly popular Kinvara, the Peregrine is loosely a trail version of that shoe. With a 4mm drop from heel to toe, relatively light weight of just under 10 ounces (for my size 10 pair) and a fair amount of firmer-than-soft cushioning the Peregrine makes a fine choice as a daily trainer for runs of any distance. A deeply lugged outsole provides flawless traction in all conditions I have encountered, including mud, wet wood, mossy rocks and snow, and other than perhaps ice I can't imagine traction ever being a concern with this shoe.

And after many miles in the real world. Those lugs offer superlative traction.

     The fit is pretty typically Saucony, and by that I mean average length, a fairly snug heel and form-fitting midfoot, and (for my foot) barely wide enough forefoot. In fact the forefoot of the Peregrine is narrow even by Saucony standards and was initially a problem significant enough that I nearly ruled the shoe out.Wanting to try and make these otherwise promising shoes work I swapped the insoles from an old pair of unused shoes and cut the forefoot off to allow more room for my foot, and that worked great. As the shoes loosened up with use I was able to replace the original insoles and they now have a comfortable fit overall.

##Update##  I recently got a second pair of Peregrines on super cheapo close-out and after a short debate got the same size as this review pair. I was a little worried about a repeat of the narrow-ish forefoot problem I describe here but didn't want to go up to a too-large size either. Thing is, this new pair-they fit great right out of the box. The forefoot is plenty wide and the shoes are ridiculously comfortable. After a muddy trail run just now they aren't new any more, but they sure do fit and ride well and I'm very happy with them. I've heard of variances in color and fit with different pairs of the same model shoe but this is the first I've noticed it. But- is the narrow pair or this pair the 'normal' example of the Peregrine?
##UpdatedUpdate##I can now say with confidence the wider forefoot is the norm, and my first pair were an exception. So all I said about it being narrow- just ignore that.

Insole I cut to provide more forefoot room until the shoe loosened up enough.

     The Peregrine rides very well with enough cushion to be comfortable for the longest runs I can manage. Comfortable enough also for a short run on pavement, they worked well on snow-covered roads last Winter. I have put many trail miles on my pair while alternating pretty equally with the Instinct since late last Winter, through the Summer right up until now, nearly a year's use. The 4mm drop is a real sweet spot for me and along with the forefoot rockplate, I have found the firm cushioning to be just the right amount to strike a good balance between protection, comfort and conservative weight/height.

     Until recently light weight trail shoes were a contradiction, but now there are an ever-increasing number to choose from as manufacturers feed the desires of their market. As a trail runner with a self-imposed 10oz weight limit it's great to see so many choices. The Peregrine, despite its narrow forefoot, has worked very well for me but before I replace these with a new pair I'm waiting to try some other new models- Merrell Mix Master on the way as I write, Saucony is apparently making a direct trail version of the Kinvara, Asics has the Fuji Racer,  Brooks recently busted out with the Pure Grit, and I'm so far really enjoying my New Balance MT110's also.

     The Peregrine retails for $90. Saucony will update with the Peregrine 2 in March.

2011 Race Schedule

     This here is what I raced last year, the good and the bad. Less than the previous couple of years, especially less 5 and 10Ks, and not a single PR. Some of these I will repeat this year.  I'd like to do more of the DINO and Mag 7 series and plan to add more trail races in general. 2012 schedule is still being formed.

2011 Race Schedule-


March-
  5- Girls Club 10K- 46:59
12- DINO Eagle Creek 15K- 1:17
20- Atlanta Ga Half- 1:48:37

April-
  2- IU Mini- 1:48:20
16- YMCA 5 & 10K- 5K- 23:02 10K- 49:10

May -
  7- Indy Mini- 1:54:19
21- Run With The Foxes- 10K 1:12:32
28- Bayshore Marathon- DNS- allergies from Hell

June-
  4- DINO Brown County 15K- 1:29:06
11- Carmel Half- 1:51:00

July-
23/24 Red Eye Relay- 19.5 miles in 3 untimed legs

August-
  6- Eagle Creek Trail Half- 2:29:21 (13.72)
20- Madison Wi Half- 1:48
28- Bloomington Half- 1:52:48

September-
17- Hocking Hills Ohio Indian Run 40K- 4:28-  My report can be found Here.

October-
  9- Chicago Marathon- 4:16:40
22- Knobstone Trail Half- 2:13

November-
5-Indy Monumental Half- 1:46:06