Last week the big snow storm with over 30 inches of the white stuff was the big news, this week the weather was just the opposite. I don’t know if we hit any records or not, but being able to run in shorts and a long sleeve tech shirt was sure nice. The snow pack has melted down and the roofs are pretty much clear, so the warmer temps got rid of most of the blizzard that wandered through.
Although as I write this, the temps are back to a bit more seasonable with low’s 20*F and a breeze. Definitely needed to wear my winter gear for Bennie’s walk this morning.
Well enough about the crazy weather, what happened this week for me and running.
Last week we stopped at the New Balance Factory Outlet and I picked up a pair of EE width running shoes. It is pretty amazing to me what an ext 1/8″ or 1/4″ width mean to my bunion and how good it feels when I get to running. I didn’t realize how cramped my feet were in D-width shoes, until I got into the EE’s.
Also, I have gone back to a style of running shoe that I wore, before I started reading “Born to Run” and all the blogs devoted to minimalist running back then. It wasn’t really by choice, it was more that is what felt best on my feet that afternoon – the New Balance 860 v6 in a EE. A very traditional motion control trainer, that comes in just under 11.0 oz.
I have already run over 40 miles in them since I got them, with an 8.0 miler in the books too. So far I am pleasantly surprised at how well I am running in them.
Well enough that when we went to Oxford yesterday, I stopped at the New Balance outlet down there and ended up picking up another pair of 860’s only version 5 (which is a bit lighter). I got the 860’s despite trying on Vazee’s (different styles), 880’s and a few other styles. The 860’s just seem to fit my feet best, even though I ain’t too crazy about gray as the primary color.
Now when I put on my D-width shoes to walk in them, I can feel the sidewalls pressing against the outside of my foot and pushing my little toe inwards. Not the feeling that I want in my shoes – now that I know the difference.
Now to get the socks right and all will be good with my feet.
Running
I did make it to 40 miles for the week and even had a 8.0 mile run in the fog. So I was happy with how the feet felt. The only thing with a constant diet of 12mm drop shoes is that my hamstrings need to be strengthened.
I have had some snappier runs and don’t feel overly beat-up with the shoe style change. I have been moving in the motion control direction for about 6 months, so it wasn’t as drastic a change for me, as it would have been last year at this time.
Overall, I was very happy with the week and the best part was that the snowblower stayed in the garage. Although I did have to laugh on Saturday when I shoveled out the garage side door, my Garmin selected swimming as the activity I had done. Let’s see lots of upper body work, but no floating.
Spring is coming, but we still have March to get through.
Harold Being Harold 
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