New kicks on the way

I just ordered my latest pair of perhaps the single best minimalist training shoe on the planet, the 2nd iteration of the Brooks Green Silence. I ran in the first release of this shoe back in 2010, but I was in about 1 full size too small, so my review of it was less than comfortable. Needless to say, I'm totally stoked about getting this shoe in, on and hitting the pavement.

I'll have a review of it as soon as I have a chance to run a few miles in it.

One thing I'll say also; the color scheme has come a long long way from the original Ronald McDonald clown-looking color scheme the shoe debuted in.

The ultragoodies are showing up under the Christmas tree

I just picked up a great deal on a new double-bottle waist pack from Ultimate Direction. I'm really excited to get this one in since I only have a couple of single bottle waist packs. For the 100k in February, having the double fluid capacity is going to be a big plus. I just really don't dig carrying handhelds, especially for 62 miles.

Once I've had a chance to run with it on a long run, I'll post a review.

My new dirt-kickers

The new Cascadia 6's are (apparently) a popular trail shoe, particularly in size 11.5/12. I say this because I can't find any! No worries. As the SweetH20 50k is now six weeks out, I have been in need of getting the new kicks in-house, broken in and ready to do some trail runnin' on April 16. Since I haven't been able to find any of the Cascadia's in my size, I had to go to the bullpen for the ole' reliable...

Mizuno Wave Ascend 5:

As you might remember me mentioning in previous posts, I have been running trails in MIzuno Wave Ascends for the past couple of years. I love this shoe. It's a solid, sure-footed climber that has proven to be very reliable for me. The only thing that may be lacking is the cushioning. It's there, but it's just not in abundance. The reviews I have read for the new Ascend 5 model seems to support the notion that the cushioning has been enhanced, so I'm hopeful. According the online retailer I purchased them from, I should be receiving them by midweek, and that will work great for my planned 12-14 miler next Saturday on the Pine Mountain Trail, which is the site for the North Face Endurance 50 miler in October. Nothing like putting some new kicks to an immediate and grueling test on those very, very technical trails. If it can hold up along PMT, I have absolutely NO worries that it will coast through the SweetH20 course in six weeks.

Along with a new supply of S-Caps, a couple of new pairs of SmartWool socks, and the handhelds I have from last season, I think I'm nearly ready for the race. I'm sure I'll end up tinkering with gear, nutrition and clothing as the date gets closer, and we'll have to wait and see how the weather is shaping up. 

From the SweetH20 race reports I've been reading, the big race-killer for many runners is the heat. Many of the more grueling climbs (Top of the World x2) are in tremendously exposed areas of the trail, and even 75 degree temps are simply merciless. Trying to post up a 35 degree incline over 1/2 mile will tax the cardiovascular system in 40 degrees. In 70+, it's a show-stopper. I need to plan ahead for this as a likely scenario that I'll have to deal with. I've been gifted with the ability to cope with the heat pretty well, I think. I love summer time runs during lunch here in Georgia, and that's typically in 95 degree range, so I've got a pretty rapid sweat rate (what a lovely thought, I know) I'm counting on this to help me pass some fallen runners on the climbs that define SweetH20 Park in April.

Let the midnight-til-3am-running-in-the-garage-in-pitch-darkness BEGIN !

I think I mentioned it a few weeks ago, but I finally ran (no pun intended) our treadmill into the ground. Actually, I know that I did. Time for a funeral, but I don't have a hole big enough to bury the thing in.

Guess I could cremate it? Anyway...

Over the course of my running life (6 years now) I logged over 1,000 miles on that treadmill. I know most of you guys don't like the treadmill, and I don't either. For the most part, that is. And admittedly, it doesn't get very cold here in Georgia. But I've gotten to the point where it is a bit harder to get up at 4:30am every morning and head outside into 20 degree weather for a 9 mile tempo run, and in those types of cases, make no mistake about it, I LOVE the treadmill.

Here's the thing, here's the reason for my love: Since I am one that is prone to decide at the last possible moment (go figure. Just ask my wife) that I want to go grab a 14 miler, the mill sitting in our garage gives me that ability. Did I mention that my run will likely BEGIN around midnight? Getting out in the neighborhood just isn't as appealing at that hour, so having the mill here gives me the flexibility I need, where I need it.

This past training cycle, I logged at least three 15 milers, two 16 milers and a whopping two 20 milers on the mill. Again, most (if not all) of them took place after midnight when the rest of the family were sound asleep. Besides that, it's a heck of alot warmer in the garage.

Having resurrected our previous treadmill from the absolute dead at least 4 times in the past 2 years, I knew it was time for some new technology. I did my homework, read the reviews, asked the questions. I know what I'm looking for, I just needed to find it. Mind you, I am what you might call "cheap", so you're not going to find a $1,200 treadmill in our garage. Not considering that I am absolutely going to run it until it won't work any longer.

The previous mill was a nice ProForm RT2.0, and it held up like a champ. We decided to go with another ProForm, and I found it at a great price as well. Can't beat that.

So, let's show some t'mill love around here, guys. After all, treadmills have feelings too.