Who reviews a shoe after they've already put 200km on it and used it for a marathon? I do. Sorry guys, it's been an epic few weeks.
I've already talked about how much I like my local running shop. They're like the fancy wine shop of running shops, except much less snooty. They know about shoes that I didn't even know existed, because these are arcane shoe models that are nowhere to be found in the blogiverse. It is less of a pain to go there and dither than to buy the wrong cheap size of a shoe model that doesn't work for me, online.
Their incredible shop assistant once helped me try on eight pairs of shoes.
They have shop doggies. (I am a sucker for smart doggies.)
And they have a rainbow of compression sleeves.
What more can I ask?
Anyway, the New Balance RC1400.
I walked in one day and said, "I've been running in the Saucony Fastwitch, but I need something a little more cushioned for the full marathon I'll be doing in two months. Oh, and I like being able to feel the ground."
The owner thought for a bit, measured my feet and brought out three or four pairs; after about 20 minutes of dithering I settled on these.
These are great shoes - light but cushioned enough for long distances (minimalists be warned, you can definitely feel a bit of a heel drop - it took me some time to get used to). I still prefer my Minimus and Fastwitch for speed work, but these served me well on long runs once I got used to feeling a bit more heel drop. They are incredibly soft and comfortable (did I mention I ran 42km in them with no blisters or chafing or...basically, I barely noticed I was wearing things on my feet, and I immensely dislike having things on my feet). I could run sockless in them, tri-style.
I am not one to bother about what my shoes *look like*, so long as they *work for me*. But these are good-lookin' trainers. As you can see.
Only one quibble - I don't know if it's ordinary wear and tear and humidity, or my bad habit of running on wet trails/ in the rain, but the plasticky overlays on the upper are starting to peel off. Well, as long as they still work...
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Speaking of rain, I went to London for work last week. Like I said, it's been an epic two weeks - first I went to Australia to run a marathon with Holly, or more accurately a long, long way behind her; then I came back to work for a week; then I went to London for a work trip/ conference. More on that trip later, but my sister and I had a somewhat more exciting run on Hampstead Heath than planned.
When we started it was cool and a little overcast. We then proceeded to get completely lost. Whereupon it started to rain. Of course the moment we were done the sun came out and the birds started singing.
---
And now it's time to hurl myself into emergency tri-training mode.
COLD STORAGE INTERNATIONAL TRI: SEPTEMBER 28!!!
Tri training is so hard. Mentally. As in, I have to decide whether to swim, bike or run on any given day, instead of doing what I always do: roll out of bed and go for a run.
But I don't want to be the resident Metasport embarrassment - the one who hasn't improved on a tri in two years, the one who has to breaststroke half the swim, the one who falls off her bike while doing a U-turn... you see what I mean? I have my work cut out for me. I'll try not to be such a gumby this time round.
---
I've already talked about how much I like my local running shop. They're like the fancy wine shop of running shops, except much less snooty. They know about shoes that I didn't even know existed, because these are arcane shoe models that are nowhere to be found in the blogiverse. It is less of a pain to go there and dither than to buy the wrong cheap size of a shoe model that doesn't work for me, online.
Their incredible shop assistant once helped me try on eight pairs of shoes.
They have shop doggies. (I am a sucker for smart doggies.)
And they have a rainbow of compression sleeves.
 |
| you sexy thing, you. all shop pics from TRG Facebook page. |
What more can I ask?
Anyway, the New Balance RC1400.
I walked in one day and said, "I've been running in the Saucony Fastwitch, but I need something a little more cushioned for the full marathon I'll be doing in two months. Oh, and I like being able to feel the ground."
The owner thought for a bit, measured my feet and brought out three or four pairs; after about 20 minutes of dithering I settled on these.
 |
| obviously too pristine to be my shoes now |
I am not one to bother about what my shoes *look like*, so long as they *work for me*. But these are good-lookin' trainers. As you can see.
Only one quibble - I don't know if it's ordinary wear and tear and humidity, or my bad habit of running on wet trails/ in the rain, but the plasticky overlays on the upper are starting to peel off. Well, as long as they still work...
---
Speaking of rain, I went to London for work last week. Like I said, it's been an epic two weeks - first I went to Australia to run a marathon with Holly, or more accurately a long, long way behind her; then I came back to work for a week; then I went to London for a work trip/ conference. More on that trip later, but my sister and I had a somewhat more exciting run on Hampstead Heath than planned.
When we started it was cool and a little overcast. We then proceeded to get completely lost. Whereupon it started to rain. Of course the moment we were done the sun came out and the birds started singing.
 |
| did not look nearly half as cocky afterwards |
And now it's time to hurl myself into emergency tri-training mode.
COLD STORAGE INTERNATIONAL TRI: SEPTEMBER 28!!!
Tri training is so hard. Mentally. As in, I have to decide whether to swim, bike or run on any given day, instead of doing what I always do: roll out of bed and go for a run.
But I don't want to be the resident Metasport embarrassment - the one who hasn't improved on a tri in two years, the one who has to breaststroke half the swim, the one who falls off her bike while doing a U-turn... you see what I mean? I have my work cut out for me. I'll try not to be such a gumby this time round.
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Ahahaha-I, for one, will be much MORE entertained by a gumby triathlete than a normal triathlete. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThat really is a fine-looking shoe. Where's the giveaway?!?!
Triathlon gumby, at your service ;)
DeleteAs for the giveaways, you can call the fine folks at New Balance yourself! :)
Don't get Grace started on a giveaway. Her journalistic ethics will cause her an epileptic seizure at the phrase "give away".
ReplyDeleteI'm due over to visit your buddy Willie this week. I swore off Anti-Stink-Laundry Detergent for $100 per bottle years ago, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and some of my gear is getting DESPERATE...
Ew, don't leave it in the hamper so long! (Although, after a particularly tough track workout tonight, I could smell myself. Gross.)
DeleteI don't think Wille knows he has a fan club.
Nah, it's not that they sit around for that long. I'm a pretty aggressive laundry-doer. It's more that the "Stink Threshold" or "Length of Wearing Before Stinking Occurs" has lowered considerably in the last 2 months...
DeleteLength of wearing before stinking occurs? (I can't wear a thing to run more than once. No can do.)
DeleteAny shop that has a resident dog would be my shop of choice too. But even more so if they provide good service.
ReplyDeleteOh, the service is marvellous! I'll try to take a photo of said shop doggies for you the next time I go.
Delete-Grace
Thanks for visiting my blog. I think you are my new favorite :)
ReplyDeleteYou sound a lot like me. I hate that turn around on the bike..I'm always scared to death to fall off.
I would love a running store that had store dogs. I would totally go there every time. Love those shoes, they are super cute, and much better that they are working for you.
Aw bless, thanks Michael! :)
DeleteOver at Fit and Feminist, the bike thing is something Caitlin is struggling with too: http://fitandfeminist.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/i-fell-off-my-bike-and-bruised-everything-including-my-ego/ ...I still don't even dare try clipless pedals.
-Grace