Brooks Pureflow 2

The Brooks Ghost 6 doesn't really give me good mileage.  I finally switched to forefoot landing with the hope of no injury from running and my running shoes can last longer.

This time, I decided to try out minimalist shoes, Brooks Pureflow 2.  Due to the old model, I got the shoes for RM170, which is quite a discount from what I normally pay for new a pair of shoes.  However, since the outsole is thinner, I don't expect it to last longer than my previous shoes.  But, my target is to get it works for 170km, which will be similar to or better than what I am paying for previously.  I'll see.

These are the specification of the shoes:-

Specifications

Weight: 8.8 oz.

Profile (Heel): 28 mm

Profile (Forefoot): 24.5 mm

Drop from heel to forefoot: 3.5 mm

Ghost 6

Another pair of Brooks that I bought.  The wear and tear of my running shoes is exceptionally fast.  It all occurs at one small corner at the back of the outer side of my heel.  From the day that I recorded my shoes mileage, it appears that I need a new pair of shoes for every ~300km.  While I am having lower back pain after running recently, I started to wonder if that is due to my running shoes again.  So, I bought a new pair of shoes again.

Since there's no different between Asics and Brooks in terms of usage and comfort, I go back to Brooks due to the price and probably a little bit lasting.

This time, I wanted to try out Ghost 6 although I was feeling OK with my Ravenna earlier.

This time, I really wanted to quantify how fast the wear of my shoes.  For the Ghost 6 that I bought, the heel outsole is measuring 5mm.  I will see how long it last against mileage.

Following are the specification on Brooks Ghost 6 from Runner's World:-

Specifications

Weight: 10.4 oz.

Profile (Heel): 34.6 mm

Profile (Forefoot): 24.1 mm

Drop from heel to forefoot: 10.5 mm

At some point, I will try out shoes with a lower drop from heel to forefoot.

Hope this shoes can last longer.

Concluding 2012... Starting 2013

Looking back at 2012, this is the year that I seriously engage in running.  To keep me going, I started to participate in running events, logging my run online, reading running blog and started my own blog, looking for running friends, etc.  Quite a good year for me.

My first running event was Malakoff 7km fun run in March 2012.  I was struggling to finish the 7km at that point of time with ~40 minutes to complete 7km.  I wasn't that particular about the running time at that event as my main goal was to be able to complete the run.  Looking back now, I was doing quite good (or I haven't been improving that much).  Besides, I joined a hiking competition and ECO night run before my actual target of half marathon in APBIM at the end of the year.  Total of 4 runs including 1 half marathon.

To be able to track my training more systematically, I started to log my running training using runningahead beginning of Jun 2012. The main reason for choosing runningahead is the capability to associate running shoes used during each run.  With this, I hope to be able to choose a longer lasting running shoes to save a few bucks moving forward.  Following is the monthly summary from runningahead.

From the table, a faster pace in Oct was due to shorter distant of each run that I engaged in.  By analyzing the pace on the same course, I can see that my pace has improved from 10% to 25% since early June to end of December.

To track my time more accurately, I bought Garmin Forerunner 210 in November.  So, the time recorded after APBIM 2012 is more accurate and definitely more consistent.

From the running shoes usage tracking, my running shoes can last me around 300km run.  Not a good number due to my "heavy heel strike".  I have bought 3 pairs of running shoes for the whole 2012.  I will work on this more this year.

Starting a new year, I had a short run in the morning.  I recorded a pace of 5'22" for 5km of track run.  This is one of the best record that I have so far.  This is definitely a good start of the year!  Moving on for the year, my target is to participate in 2 half marathon and a few more shorter run (3 or 4) between the half marathon.

New Pair of Shoes

Since I monitor my shoes wear off after every run, I can foresee that I will need another pair of shoes in 3~4 weeks time.  So, I have decided to get myself another pair of shoes.

I want to try out another brand to see if the new brand will last longer (although I know I have to work on the the way that I run).  I decided to go for Asics based on my friend's recommendation AND the fact that I had 25% discount coupon for Asics' shoes.

My search in Shoes Finder by RunnersWorld suggests me to get either Asics Cumulus or Asics Gel-1170.  After investigating more of my shoes wear off pattern, I think I am more suitable with Asics Cumulus.

At the store, the shoes attendant also suggested me to get Asics Cumulus rather than Gel-1170 by looking at the way I walk.  She said that although my arch looks normal but my walking style is biased toward high arch type of foot.  She initially suggested Asics Gel-Landreth 7 but the boss (I guess) suggested me to take Asics Cumulus after checking how often that I run each week.  The reason he gave is that Cumulus has been around for more than 10 years for runner while Landreth is only around for a few years.  So, Cumulus is more acceptable to runners from the track record.  After trying both the Cumulus and Landreth, I go for Cumulus.

Now, I have two pairs of running shoes that I can change around.

I worked on my weekday tempo run with Cumulus.  Feel good about it.  This could be because of new pair of shoes.

My decision of my next shoes will based on the results after 2 month of wearing... ... ...

Normal but exciting run

Not having any abnormal running activities this week, but I had two very satisfying run this weekend.

On Saturday, I can resume my "hike+run" at Air Hitam Dam as what I like. Running 4 rounds without much problem. I guess I ran slightly faster this time. Maybe, the tempo run training during the weekday helps. 

Again, on Sunday, I ran for 11km at the back of the airport without much problem even with empty stomach. I tried to speed up at the end of 2km but I guess I can only make it for 1km.

As for the weekday tempo run, I didn't do it quite as long as I wanted too. Probably it is due to tiredness and I only run for 4km with faster speed for less than 2km. My target is to have at least 2km of speed work for the tempo run.

As I monitor the wear off of my shoes closely after each run, it seems to me that the outer heel of my left side of the shoes had worn half way. That's the bad way that I ran.  I need to improve it (but I don't know how yet).  I don't think the shoes will last for my Penang Bridge run and I will definitely need another pair of shoes soon.  I will be trying out shoes from other brand to see if the shoes can last longer.  Here are the potential choices from runnersworld shoes finder tool.

I will see how it goes and what will I get...

My new Brooks Ravenna 3

Feel great after my 1st run with Brooks Ravenna3 (RM285). I had my Brooks Cantrell2 since early Nov 2011. I had been running > 10km per week since then. The heel of Cantrell2 worn off at outer side (after ~480km). For the last three weeks, I felt knee discomfort after the run and was planning to see doctor if symptom continues after getting a new pair of shoes.

I guess I survive. No feeling of discomfort after the run with my new Ravenna3.

I will need to improve my strength and keep up with the target of increasing 0.5 round bi-weekly!