I had such big plans to write a weekly blog about my personal running journey. My thought was that by sharing what I’m training for and even what I’m running in, it might help guide someone who is doing similar types of runs. It might also provide some insight into what goes on behind the scenes at a local running shop and what goes into our store selections. However, like all well-thought-out plans, it has not gone the way I had hoped. I have done a lousy job of staying on top of writing and now I am woefully behind.
So, here is a quick running update. I have been averaging 50 weekly miles on a few types of terrain. I do 2 runs a week on the track, 2 on the trail, and 2 on the road. It’s a nice, well-rounded mix that has kept me healthy, and the variance in surfaces has helped keep me somewhat fresh. I am slowly building up to a steady 70-80 weekly miles this summer and plan to maintain that through the beginning of the fall. I have a long race in September, so I am trying to slow down my runs and just focus on getting solid time on my feet. For the most part, I have been quite happy with my shoe rotation. I have 7-8 shoes I use regularly that have been working for me.
The only shoe I can’t seem to find is a good LSD (Long Slow Distance) shoe. What I tend to do is push the pace too much on my easy days and not get the benefit of recovery miles. It’s quite silly to have so many shoes at my disposal but none that match my needs. So, here is what I am in search of, and if you have a suggestion for me, hit me up! I need a high-cushion shoe that is not too soft but also gives me some energy return when I am feeling beat up. It has to be wide enough to accommodate my BFF (big fat foot) and any post-hard day run swelling. It needs to be in a mid-range drop as well. I have tried shoes like the NB 1080, Brooks Glycerin, NB SuperComp Trainer, and recently the Hoka Skyward X. The closest I have found is the Skyward X, but it’s just a tad too narrow for me. I want to be able to put on an audiobook and run without feeling the ground while putzing along at a slow, boring pace.
Other than that, life at the shop is great. The water main repair work outside the shop is almost complete, and we are in the middle of prebook season. This past week, we got to see the Spring 2025 shoes from Altra, Hoka, and Mizuno. It’s always exciting to see what is coming out next year, but it, of course, makes me wish to try these shoes now (hello Bondi 9). Thanks for reading, and I hope to have some more regular posts soon!
