Asic Gel-Kahana Review-Part 2

I've been out on three runs, totaling 14 miles in my new Asic Gel-Kahanas. I had forgotten a runner needs to break in regular running shoes. Those 14 miles have been sloow but cushy. Okay, so here's what I've learned from my Kahanas so far:

DON'T:

• expect these to be a barefoot-friendly shoe. Not. At. All. I forgot my socks on my second run and once I put the insoles back in the shoes I thought I'd be fine. Two huge blisters on the arches of both feet showed me these shoes prefer a sock.

Blisters suck

• assume that because the trend is toward making lighter running shoes that these will be too. They are pretty heavy, compared with the minimalist runners I've been using for the past 3 years. I keep telling myself that these will be great once I have actual technical terrain I have to cover but on the roads these feel like clunky and heavy.
• expect to run with the same gait as with minimalist runners. I've kicked myself in the leg more times than I can count wearing these shoes. Apparently I have a narrow gait, which is good information to know, now if I could just widen my stance a bit maybe I can save my calves.

DO:

• expect these shoes to go the distance. They hold up really well to different terrain, and I've run on everything; dirt road, muddy hills, indoor cushioned track, concrete, pavement, crushed gravel, snow, and ice. Nothing has been an issue, these running shoes can take whatever a runner throws at them and grip it all nicely.

Serious Treads!

• assume there will be some "break in" time. That of course depends on the runner and the type of shoe they typically run in.
• enjoy the cushion! It has been really refreshing not to stub a toe or get a stabbing shot of pain when I step on something really sharp. I've realized I don't need to pay as much attention to where I'm stepping with these shoes since they just roll over everything. 

So in the end I would give these running shoes a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I'm taking a full point off for the weight, they are pretty heavy, and a half point for not being barefoot friendly. Removing the insole helps but doesn't completely cure the seam issue along the sides of the shoes.

What do you think? Have you tried these shoes and loved them? Hate them? Let me know!

Enjoy your Saint Paddy's Day weekend everyone. I'll have a Moose 25km Run Race Report for you all next week-my favorite race in Eastern Passage/Cow Bay NS!

Shoe Review! Asic Gel-Kahana 6

Okay, look. I didn't plan on new running shoes until at least July or even August I swear (!) but...last week I was getting ready for a run and I noticed that my New Balance 1010s had started to have an issue. The fabric on one side of my left shoe started to pull away from the plastic side of the shoe.

It got to the point where I had to tie my laces a bit tighter to compensate for the growing gap on the side of my shoe. My new tight laces were now too tight and I was finding myself fighting a constant battle between a numb foot and a shoe that was too loose. So I went on Facebook, straight to the New Balance Canada's page and saw that another consumer had posted about a defect in a different model but had success with their customer service line. Duh! So I called and explained what had happened and to my surprise they said they would replace the shoes if I sent the defective pair in to them. Sweet! Then reality hit and I realized I didn't have a back up pair to wear. Not that I wanted to continue to wear my increasingly annoying 1010s either though.
So that's how I came to be face to face with a wall of running shoes on a Sunday, my 6 year old daughter preoccupying herself with the kids section a few feet away. Shoe after shoe I looked for the tell-tale signs of a trail shoe (big lugs) but found only road shoes that look like they would be a one-way ticket to the hospital on the slick rocks I'll be running. Finally I found the one pair of trail running shoes they had, luckily in my size to boot.
My initial impression of the Asic Gel-Kahana 6 is that it like slipping your foot into a pillow. The shoe hugs your foot without making it feel constricted, even the tongue is padded a little bit. The sole has sizable lugs, I think it'll handle mud and slick rocks pretty well. One thing was missing though, the feel of the ground beneath me. It feels really strange to go from feeling every rock to feeling just a big cushion underfoot. I realize I might damage any credibility I might have as a minimalist runner by wearing these but I can't say I don't appreciate the extra cushion.
Well, tomorrow is another Monday and another training run scheduled. I'll let you know how they handle the roads/trails.

http://www.amazon.com/ASICS-Womens-Gel-Kahana-Trail-Running/dp/B006H1CJVE

Is the introduction of bigger prize purses at trail races a positive or negative thing overall?

Not to toot my own horn, but when I was awarded Trail Runner of the Year last year by the local trail running club, it was NOT because I was a fast runner or especially skilled at handling tough terrain, nope, none of that. Wait...how did that toot my own horn? Anyways, the reason I was given this award was because of my attitude which, apparently embodies the essence of being a trail runner; getting out there, reaching for new goals but also just enjoying the experience, the nature and the other runners. Yup, I'm S.L.O.W...but once I'm out on the trails that doesn't matter to me as much as it usually does on the roads. I like to run trails fast but I know I'm not at the level of most of the other trail runners I've run with, and that is okay. I've had alot of trail runners pass me and, unlike road races, they always have encouraging words, a high five or even advice to help me through a rough patch. If trail races offered more cash to the winners I doubt they would take the time to say "hey" to us slow pokes.
I see trail running as the great equalizer; trail runners all love getting into the woods, running wild and free through single track, scrambling up steep hill sides and bombing down muddy slopes. Whether you do it fast or slow we're all out there with our childish enthusiasm loving every minute of it. To dangle big cash incentives as a carrot at the end of the tree branch takes something away from the purity of the sport, the reasons alot of us got into trail running.
For me, I'll answer the question trailrunnermag.com posed with this: Introducing bigger prize purses at trail races is a negative thing overall. Not only will it take away from the spirit of running trail races but it would discourage alot of us from even participating in trail races. For alot of trail runners we're not there for the competition with other runners, we're out there to push and challenge our own limits and boundaries. It's about the race between the runner we are and the trail runner we hope to be.

Picking a Distance

Last week a got an email I've anticipated receiving each year for the past two years-Team CBC was letting me know they'd be open for team registration in a couple of weeks! Yay! Okay, let me back up a bit. Team CBC is a running team put together by the kind folks at CBC Halifax to run the various distances at the annual Halifax Bluenose Marathon in May.

It was the first running team I ever joined and its always been a wonderful experience. Not only do they host weekly team runs, give team members lots of free swag, host a bunch of free workshops and free cross training sessions at the local YMCA but they've also paid my registration for the Bluenose for the past two years! Of course I'll be joining again this year, but the next question is, What DISTANCE do I run?! The Wasskally Wrabbit 50k Trail race will be two weeks before the Bluenose this year. Last year they were only a week apart so I felt confident in choosing the 10k at the Bluenose, and everyone around me agreed, running a 10k race a week after a 50k seemed reasonable..well as reasonable as that whole sentence can sound to a normal person. When I got to the 50k trail race last year and was milling around the other runners someone brought up the Bluenose and then, of course, what distance everyone was doing. To my utter shock, they were all doing the full marathon. Yes, a 50k (or even an 80k for some) one weekend, just to turn around and run a 42k the next, and then some were even going to head up the coast and run a leg of the Cabot Trail Relay (not for the weak, you MUST maintain a 6:30 pace per km or better for each leg-no pressure or anything!).
This year thought I thought I'd up the ante a bit and figured if my husband would do the half marathon then I would run that with him. The other night I mentioned I wasn't sure which distance I'd run (meaning the 10k or the half) and he looked surprised, saying he thought I would do the full marathon. I did a double take..nope..that look said he was serious. Then I thought to myself..Could I really do it? Run a full marathon two weeks after a 50k? I'm still wondering.
My training has been pretty good. I like to think I've trained smarter and harder this year. I've averaged 50km or so each week, sometimes getting up to 66km. Starting this week I really amp up my long runs and I'm feeling good about that. I haven't pushed through illness like I did last year, I've taken time off when I feel I need it, then found the runs even better when I get back on track. My pace has improved a bit, not as much as I would like, so I'm keeping my speed workouts and hill runs going throughout my plan, unlike last year when I did them separately and dropped both altogether a few weeks before the 50k race. So do I have what it takes to finish a 42km race two weeks after a 50? I've read that if you're not planning on racing the second long distance race that anyone with 50k training could complete a 42 a few weeks after, so in theory it sounds fine, but I also don't want to be the last finisher of the 10 year anniversary of the Bluenose Marathon! Ahh, the inner debate continues..but hey..if you're reading this let me know what you think!

Using Social Media during a Run

I've used the old Nike iPod with foot sensor years ago and found attaching that much technology to myself before a run not only time consuming-where the heck did I leave that darn foot pod thingy?! to outright impossible-where does one attach the foot pod to a Vibram five finger shoe? So I ditched that whole thing, although I did like the online community, the cute avatar and seeing my progress build so a few months ago picked up the free Nike+ app for my cellphone. I used it for tracking distance but never really explored the social media features that come with it until a few weeks ago when I saw my brother tracking his runs on Facebook. As someone who works closely with emerging technologies it can be kind of hard to get excited about new technologies that simply capitalize on existing functionality to leverage a new app for my phone. That said...the Nike+ app feature that allows your friends (or anyone if you wish) to cheer you on during a run is one pretty darn cool feature. The customization options of this app is also very attractive to people (like me) who don't necessarily want everyone to know where I ran, how far or how fast but appreciate being cheered on nonetheless. From a sociological perspective I would think a study on the effects on a runner's pace or run duration as a result of their friends/family cheers might be an interesting study as more runners use this app. I say that because I've noticed I tend to stick with a tougher pace longer (or even pick my pace up a notch) than I might have without the little cheer that interrupts my music at random intervals as I run.That alone is pretty awesome and has helped me really nail a few tough speed and hill workouts these past couple of weeks. Nice job Nike!

Deciding on Matt or Karl's advice

I think alot of runners get to a point where simply finishing a race is just not enough for them anymore. Maybe they've been at this for a few months or maybe even (like in my case) years, but one day it just hits you. Gee it would be nice not to be last all the time! Personally I would rather spend 6 hours out on the trails than 8 during a 50 km. So, how does one get faster at running long distance? Run more? Run less but with more focused intensity? Both? Running legend Karl Meltzer has said in a few different interviews that he would recommend just running more, for long periods of time. Matt Fitzgerald seems to advocate a minimalist-with high intensity-approach. Is there a middle of the road?
In search for that happy medium I've been researching triathlon training plans with a focus on the run portion. No, I don't actually plan to run a full Ironman, but the high intensity approach seems to work for those who are biking 100+ kms then jumping off to run a full marathon, so would this approach work for 50 km trail running? I like the idea of all the cross training (biking and swimming) that would be built right into these plans, I think it would help reduce injury and keep the mind fresh over the long haul. Currently I just try and carve out a few hours each week to get some random strength training in and a scheduled 45 minute spin class every Monday. Oh the decisions!
I have to say, it's not like I'm looking for a shortcut to my training. Currently I'm training, either running or cross training for a total of 9 hours each week (give or take an hour or so). The triathlon plans I've looked at (the minimalist ones anyhow) have their athletes training for about 10 hours a week, so there's not much difference, only I'd be spending more time in the pool or on the bike when currently I'd be running.
I think my endurance is also something to consider, I know I can spend a day (8 hours) outside running-not at top speed mind you-but running/walking nonetheless. If I couldn't do that then I would stick with my ultra runner plan.
So I guess it comes down to my fear of missing some crucial training element by switching to a tri plan rather than sticking with my ultra runner plan. Can I get faster by running more focused, high intensity runs? Can I get myself to the middle of the pack instead of the rear in these trail races? I'll let you know :-)

A Day of Interesting Studies

My mother would probably say that the universe is trying to tell me something when I have days like this. She's probably right (as she usually is). This past weekend I found out my FIL's diabetes has developed to the point where he now needs to take daily insulin. His passive attitude over the whole thing is what really frustrates my husband and I. In the past 5 years I've watched various men in my professional and personal life go through living hell when their diabetes takes this turn. One continued to do nothing to change his lifestyle when he was put on insulin for his diabetes and is now adjusting to life as an amputee, having one of his feet cut off due to poor circulation. A second slipped into a coma-while driving in morning rush hour traffic-and crashed his car. Luckily he survived (no one else was hurt thank goodness) and has taken drastic nutritional adjustments to deal with his insulin-dependent diabetes status. And then, of course, there is my own inactive, but workaholic father who just last month underwent his second eye laser treatment to try and save his eyesight in both eyes. All three of these men are examples of what can happen when you don't pay attention to your health.
So last night I got an email from the Heart and Stroke Foundation giving me a preview of the new commercial they are to air on tv. They state that in Canada, over half of elderly adults will send their last 10 years in a state of illness or injury. The video (link below) shows us we have a choice. We can be victims to our own poor health and frailty, resulting in a very sad last 10 years, or we can take control of our health, and by simply getting out and eating healthy you can enjoy your last 10. The choice truly is up to us. The most poignant image on the video for me was the side by side of the pill case and the fishing tackle box. I recalled a few weeks ago my FIL proudly showing me how organized his pills were in a huge pill container, and he was someone, who during his fight with cancer a few years ago (he is now in remission) desired nothing more than to go fishing with his grand kids  I was close to tears. Very powerful stuff Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Today I've had a few minutes to do some online reading and have encountered a bunch of interesting studies on ultra-runners (Yup-the gig is up, we're "different" from non-runners and can withstand pain better), how middle-aged fitness results in lower instances of dementia later in life (so now I can say running not only keeps my muscles healthy but my brain too) and finally an "in your face!" article that dispels the myth that running over time results in higher instances of hip replacements. Now if they could just do a study on the long term effects of running on the knee bones/instances of knee replacements in runners vs. non-runners, I would probably take out an ad in the newspaper to advertise to everyone who constantly makes that judgement on runners ruining their knees. So what do all of these studies have in common? Get up, and move, move often and not only will you live longer, you'll do it with all your marbles in tact and with stronger hip bones. Make YOUR Health Last.

http://youtu.be/Qo6QNU8kHxI