Merrell Trail Glove Review at the 13th annual Red River Run (RRR)

So Saturday was my first 10K and the first time I wore my Merrell's running.  If you have been reading this, then you know that I have been having some injury issues.  I decided to us e the RRR as my recovery race and also to test out the new kicks.  I must first say that the RRR was great!  Kegs and pasta salad at the end, mmmm.

On to the shoes.  I have been wearing the Trail Gloves around for a couple of weeks, to the gym, the store etc.  I have only been walking and standing in them to give them a chance to break in a bit.  I read other reviews about them, one guy said injinji's were a nice addition the first time out, another said no socks...I went with the injinji's as I had not run a lick in 12 days.  The feel of the shoes are great.  They are nothing like my KSO's, and nothing like my old Asics or Nike Free's, they are a new and very original feel.

I did a few repeat sprints on the levee before the race and was amazed at how the shoes just let you run in the best form you have mastered.  Some footwear takes away from your form, these just allow you to run.  That being said, they are still shoes...I ran for a few minutes to warm up then headed to the start line.

I started out at a 7:30 pace and decided, after a 1/2 mile, to see if I could hold it.  Around mile 5 I decided I couldn't hold the pace any longer and had to slow down to about a 7:45 to finish in 47:12.60, not a bad time overall and a really good time considering my runs are all at 9ish and I had not run at all in 12 days.  I came in 38th overall and 6th in my age group.  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) my age group in Alexandria, LA is extremely competitive.

The only issue I had with these shoes was a small hotspot on the front/side of my big toe.  I am sure this will go away as soon as I run in them more and my feet get used to them.  That being said, I think of that issue as a major downfall, I shouldn't have to "get used to" my "barefoot" shoes, should I?  Overall they are a great shoe and I think that I sold a pair to a new friend at the race.  He is doing ultras and needs a shoe for them...I recommend Merrell Trail Gloves, KSO's or Hurraches...in reverse order probably, as my top 3 choices for long distance minimalist running options.

Thanks for reading and remember to "like", "share" and "follow" my page for updates...thanks! and wish me luck!

buzz2978's Activities | RunKeeper

buzz2978's Activities | RunKeeper

Partial Recovery...

So I got home from work today and Amy was gone with Reagan.  I quickly deduced this when her car was in the driveway and her Vibrams were gone...smart fellow that I am, I figured she was walking the dog.  I quickly changed my uniform for a pair of shorts and a top, tossed my boots in the corner and took off in the opposite direction of where I hoped she had gone.

I was right, about a mile into the run, I found the two of them walking up the hill towards the house.  I stopped and walked the rest of the way with them, remarking how good my Achilles and legs in general, were feeling.  So tomorrow is the 13th annual Red River Run in Alexandria, LA.  I had planned on running it barefoot and still may.  However, I am thinking it will be a great time to test out my Merrell Trail Gloves after wearing them in the gym for 2 weeks.

So the shoe review and a race update will be in store for the 2 or 3 people that actually read this.  Go ahead and click "Like" on Facebook and follow if you are interested in updates.  I am going to reward the people that start following me early, before I become famous.  So if you are interested in getting all sorts of cool stuff in the future, including but not limited to stuff, then go ahead and get in now...

wish me luck, i'm going to need it!

Recovery Race?

So I have been down without running...I have a serious hip/knee/leg issue on the right side and I have the Achilles thing on the left.  I went to the doctor and they told me no more running, they sound like a broken record.  I have not run for over 7 days at this point and plan on staying off of my feet until Thursday at least.  The biggest question right now is...can I use my upcoming race on Saturday as a "recovery race"?  I am running the Red River run in Alexandria, LA...barefoot...and am thinking that a nice easy 6 miles would be okay...slow without shoes and try to just take it easy and have fun...we'll see what happens on Thursday when I go for a quick 2 mile run...stay tuned...

Sidelined By Injury!

So it has been almost 2 weeks since I ran the Austin 1/2 Marathon in my Vibrams and I am having a bit of an issue with my left Achilles tendon and my right knee and IT band.  It started the week after the race with a sore ache in the right leg from the hip down to the ankle all along the IT.  I nursed it a little bit with warm baths and Tiger Balm thinking I could "run it off".  I did about 7 miles in the woods behind our house, alone, nice and slow on the trails, also thinking this would allow me to have a good time, no one to push me etc... I came home from that run with a serious ache in the right leg and a new pain the the left Achilles.

I ran that Saturday, then again on Monday.  I did 6 1/2 miles after work trying to concentrate on my form and allowing my ankles to pronate fully and really trying to lift my feet.  Around mile 4 I felt a tightness in the Achilles and some serious pain in the left knee.

My choices were:
A.  Continue to run to my Jeep about 2 miles away.
B.  Turn around and go the 4-5 miles home on foot... or
C.  Walk the remaining 2-3 miles and be walking in the dark with no phone, wallet or dinner in the next hour.

I chose A. and though I would just slow it down and still be able to walk it off later on.  Man was i wrong!  My pace went from low 8's to high-mid 9's and I thought my legs were going to fall off at times.  I obviously made it to the Jeep and eventually home to a bath, dinner and lots of ointment.

I have not ran more that 10 feet (jogged to the mailbox) since Monday.  The 10-20 feet to the mailbox were not pleasant, hence why it was only 10-20 feet instead of the 200 to the mail...I have 3 races this month, 2 already paid for that I am running and people expecting me to volunteer at the other.  My friend, who is a PT, gave me some advice, which I am following...NO RUNNING!!! ice and heat and ice and heat and stretch and ice and heat and stretch...I think I am supposed to use a foam roller at specific times as well...I do all of these things and the Achilles pain has subsided (except for the ill advised jog to the mail) and the knee only hurts when I am awake...

I promised not to run at least until Wednesday...I may just wait until the race on Saturday...we'll see.  Either way both the 5K on Saturday the 12th and the 10K on the 26th  will both be ran barefoot.  I was going to writ e review of my new Merrell Trail Gloves this Sunday, however, with no running in my near future, it will wait until the end of the month...thanks for reading.  Click the "like" button, share with your friends and follow me for new updates as they happen...