Thanks RunKeeper, I will stick to my free tracking, but I do appreciate the offer and the encouragement!
To be fair, I had a few fast races this month and I have been trying to do my “sprints” or “tempo runs.”
Today was cold, I do not like to run on a treadmill so it will have to be in the low 20’s for that travesty to happen. I waited as long as I could, schedule wise, to run today. This February weather for me, I was not mentally or physically prepared, but I have 2 new shoes to try out.
Today I tried the new Hokas. I have been running in the throwback Clifton 1 one, it has been the savior of my hammer toe, documented here. The Hoka Clifton 5 were less hideous than the shoes I already owned and were on sale for a mere $99! They boasted a knit finish/body/heel? I chose a less garish color and waited for their slow delivery.
I ran a slow first mile pretty much uphill ( my house is sadly at the bottom of a half-mile hill.) I then began my “sprint” work out. I have decided to try to run quarter miles as fast as I can, pausing between each to blow my nose (it was freezing) and regain my composure. I did this for a mile and then ran the last mile at my ideal 5k pace. It was a challenging run and I definitely felt stronger on my last mile. This could be a combination of my longer, 6 mile runs and the tempo runs.
As for the shoes, I think they are very comfortable when standing, I did not care for them on my run. I think the toe box is narrower than in the Clifton One 1 (so many ones!) I found my 3rd and 4th toes were getting numbness/tingling. I also felt like my heel was slipping. The material is stiffer than the Clifton 1 Ones and wasn’t as forgiving on my hammer toe. I prefer the lighter mesh on my old Hokas, they also seem to be lighter but that may be due to the frigid temperatures numbing my appendages.
I will try to run in them again but I think I will try putting new insoles into my old Hokas. Tune in next time when I cave to husband pressure and try the Saucony Kinvera 10, a running shoe that is the perfect crayola color of seafoam green!
Back to my Runkeeper kudos, I am slightly obsessive about tracking my runs. I don’t throw out any data unless it is something really disruptive like bringing in my neighbors trashcan and forgetting that I started my run. I have two more “major” races this year. My local run club has updated the grand prix standings and I still seem to be holding on to my coveted 40-49 plaque! I am hoping that my fastest pace in a month with translate to a new PR!
