Danvers Rail Trail Marathon… or ‘Spring Forward’… or ‘Lazy Sunday’

First off, no, this was not an official race.  In fact, after slightly over five hours on my feet, it felt more like penance than accomplishment.

Nevertheless, this past Sunday I decided I’d take my long run to a network of paths and trails that I had yet to experience in the immediate area.  Living in Essex County in the northeast corner of Massachusetts offers runners and cyclists a plethora of conservation areas, state parks and forests, as well as quiet country roads.  Often times we find ourselves in a niche, experiencing the same locations weekend after weekend.  Though our ‘old reliable’ recreation areas might be infinitely better than what we might have if we lived in other parts of the commonwealth - or even other parts of the country – it is very important to get out and experience other areas that we may have only heard about.

For me this was the case when it came to the Danvers Rail Trail, as well as the Topsfield Linear Common - the two trails that were the setting for my run on Sunday.  Planning for the run I knew the distance I wanted to cover would absolutely be a marathon, but I felt like I knew so little about the details of both paths.  I knew in Topsfield I’d have ample opportunity to re-fuel with locations like Gil’s Grocery and Cumberland Farms literally steps from the path, and the detailed maps of the segments of the Danvers Rail Trail (links at the bottom of the article) were an excellent source of information regarding places to find restrooms along the southern span of the trail.  In addition to the information I found online, I had a very ‘Beatles’ moment when I received an unexpected email from trail running friend Karen, who had heard about my planned marathon the following day, and gave me some more information about what to expect along the route, as she had done parts of the trail earlier in the month.

Equipped with the knowledge from the preparation for the expedition and loaded down with a couple Odwalla Bars, a Nutella sandwich, and my two bottle hydration belt, I was ready for the journey!

As I stood at the northern terminus of the trail – currently at Washington Street in Topsfield – I basked in the warm midday sun enjoying the late Winter tease of the forthcoming Spring.  I only stood by for a few moments, and gave a little hoot and holler as the excursion began.

Looking North, potential expansion beyond?

Start of the Trail – Topsfield Linear Common – Heading South

The opening stretch of trail is fairly consistent with what one should expect for pretty much the entire stretch of trail in Topsfield – packed, crushed stone.  I cruised along this stretch of trail, trying to keep my heart rate below the border between my aerobic and anaerobic zones.  The first mile consisted of road crossings at Main St. and Route 1.  Both were actually fairly quick and easy.  Beyond the Route 1 crossing the hard-packed gravel extended south along the Topsfield Fairgrounds and one could clearly observe why this is called the ‘linear’ common.

This stretch of trail ends with another road crossing, this time MA-97, and I was pleasantly surprised with the extremely visible crosswalk and signage, and even more elated when the on-coming motorists actually observed them!

After crossing 97, the trail passes over the Ipswich River via a very nice bridge:

Taking a picture of a bridge, while standing on a bridge… This one’s for you Mr. Latour!

Over the Ipswich and further down the trail I heard my Garmin click off another mile, and I looked down to realize I was already up into the 10’s for my mile pace, which didn’t bode well for the rest of the run, but I took it all in stride and remembered it was more important to keep with the heart rate game plan.

After passing over MA-97 a second time, the trail enters a long section that runs along the Great Wenham Swamp.  This is a very neat section of trail because it offers views of the swamp on either side.  The birds and other critters that call the swamp home are only feet away, and at one point I felt like an intruders as the cacophony of creature sounds seemed to pay little attention to my presence. 

The surface of the trail changes here as well, as the packed gravel ends and a softer dirt surface begins.  The softer surface was actually nice for me because it felt more like trail I might find in Bradley Palmer or Willowdale and less like a bike path.

Beyond the Great Wenham Swamp, the trail becomes much more rugged with a flat, yet loose surface of small rocks and dirt.  Nothing too technical by any means, but probably more suited for bikes with knobby tires and a little suspension.  I continued to cruise along here, about 3.5 miles in, when I noticed one of the first ‘mile markers’ on the trail:

 These mile markers actually are ‘tenth-of-a-mile’ markers, and are found all the way from the Danvers-Wenham border, south to the end of the trail.

As I started passing more of these markers, the trail became less secluded, with the trees thinning out to reveal more and more houses.  Eventually I arrived at the first road crossing in Danvers at Wenham Street.  After crossing here I got a little mixed up because my natural instinct is to follow the trail and not the gravel.   

After crossing Wenham, you continue past the Agway and have to turn right and keep on the gravel.  At this turn, I kept going straight along the ‘trail’ into the woods.  After seeing one of the markers along the adjacent gravel path, I realized I was in the wrong spot and had to bushwhack and leap a rock-lined moat… no alligators detected… to get back on the trail.

From here the trail becomes much more suburban, with the scenery changing from swamp and forest to backyards and parking lots.  The surface also becomes more ‘gravel’ in composition.  In addition, there are a more frequent road crossings.  The only crossing that seemed slightly dangerous was the one at Burroughs St., where the crosswalk is not perpendicular to the sidewalk.  Rather, it is angled, and pedestrians should be extremely cautious of traffic here because it does take longer to get across and I found this was one of the few intersections where motorists were less likely to yield.   

After surviving the various road crossings I found the numbers on the mile markers were getting smaller and smaller until eventually I reached the southern end of the trail!

0.0??  Now what??

After a very brief moment of reflection, I realized that it had definitely been dryer and warmer than anticipated, and I was nearly finished with both bottles of water.  As I plodded north I took stock of the dusty trail that awaited me, as well as the ample areas of commerce where I might be able to fill my bottles:

Dusty Trails!

Well, it isn't exactly the Grand Canyon...

I considered hopping the trail to get down to Wal-Mart, as I was sure to find some suitable beverages.  Then I realized I’d probably need a pit stop as well, and didn’t exactly feel comfortable spending more time in Wal-Mart looking like I was on an expedition for low, low prices with all my gear, not to mention the appearance that I shouldn’t be there and the suspicion that would likely follow.

   

Moving further up the trail I saw the All-American symbol of the ‘Golden Arches’ and quickly realized that my need for a pit stop was growing more and more dire.

Another Bridge!

More Commerce!

After taking care of business in what was likely a better choice of commode when compared to what I’d find in Wal-Mart, I bought a large beverage and topped off my water bottles.  If you are keeping score at home, you are probably asking exactly what my beverage of choice was from a place like McDonald's, and the answer to that is a cocktail of Hi-C and Minute Maid Lemonade… I should have gone with the hemlock, I would have been better off!

‘Quenched'… more like a trip down the bad decision highway!

After climbing the steep grade back on to the trail, I resumed my northerly heading back to downtown Danvers. 

Scenes of Suburban Running!

Crossings!

Trail Right of Way through a Parking Lot

It is definitely weird at times heading down a narrow corridor of rail trail and seeing people’s backyards, but it also reminds me of how much of a benefit having access to a trail like this would be for an active person.   

I would also add that if you do decide to check out the Danvers Rail Trail, there is a very nice lot in this section that was specifically created for those utilizing trail.  It is located near the Hobart St. and Maple St. intersection.  Google Map ‘7 Hobart’ in Danvers and that will put you in the general vicinity.  On a beautiful Sunday afternoon there were plenty of open spots in the lot both times I ran by.  In addition to the ample parking, this is actually a really good spot to begin from because you are at the 'two mile' marker on the trail and can head south to the end of the trail for a couple miles, or go north for slightly more distance and come to where the mileage markers end near the Great Wenham Swamp.

Leaving Danvers Center, and heading toward St. John’s Prep once again, I finally clicked over to 10 miles on the day.  I realized that I was pretty close to broaching two hours and was not even close to being halfway done.  This certainly caused a bit of an initial low point because it made what was shaping up to be a long afternoon that much longer… although I suspect it could have also been a crash after sipping Hi-C and Lemonade for a couple miles!

As I strode along I came to what appeared to be one of the many remnants from the railroad, in this case what I believe is concrete mile marker:

I found a second one just outside of downtown Topsfield

Another remnant of the old railroad is contained within a section that felt a lot more like some of the trails I am used to running in places like Bay Circuit and Willowdale, with lots of rocks and mud.  I can imagine the amount of TNT they must have used to clear the way here:

More Mud as the trail moves onward toward the swamp!

Back in the peacefulness of the woods that precedes the Great Wenham Swamp I started feeling that urge to slow down even more than I had been already.  My legs started to get heavy, plus my monitor was making more noise as I was going over my targeted ceiling heart rate for the run.  I tried not to think about how I was only just approaching the half marathon mark, and tried to use one of the mental ‘ultra’ tricks that seem to help in these situations.  I resolved the first goal would be to get back to the first crossing at Route 97… check.  Then from there it was all about making it to the Ipswich River and the next crossing of 97… check.  Then on past the Fairgrounds to the Route 1 crossing… check.  This worked like a charm to handle things mentally, but again my heart rate was spiking above the target and I was going crazy from the constant alerts and incessant chiming from the Garmin!

After a while I decided I wouldn’t turn off the heart rate monitor, but would instead raise the ceiling by 10 beats per minute.  No, it wasn’t part of the training plan, but it was for my mental health at that moment and seemed to take care of the constant alerts.

As I strode toward the Main St. crossing in Topsfield all I could think about was water and Gatorade, and joyously dumped the half bottles of high-fructose corn syrup madness I chose miles earlier.  I made a quick stop, refilled the bottles and finished up the last bit of the trail to the Washington St. terminus - completing the first 'out and back' of the day.  I checked my mileage, and I was at about 15.85 miles.  I decided to run along Washington St. for about .2 of a mile so I could arrive back at the path to run the remaining 10 miles of the journey as an exact five miles out, 5 miles back segment. 

This segment began again with another mentally challenging moment or two for me because my legs were sore at this point and all I could think about was the miles and nearly two hours I had remaining.  At the thought of it all, I could have very well have called it a day then and there.  Nevertheless, I knew I wanted the marathon distance for the day and did the best I could to simply continue south for another out and back one step at a time.

The second large mistake of the afternoon came shortly thereafter, as I had an Ensure meal replacement shake with me, which had been an awesome choice during Stone Cat.  Thinking nothing of it, I drank the Ensure as I started the next out and back, and it took about .3 of a mile for me to regret every last drop.  I should have known better!  It was like a chemistry experiment in my stomach with the Hi-C, lemonade, Gatorade, water, and now chocolate meal replacement shake!

I lost count of how many times I yet again thought about turning around and calling for a ride home.  If the upset stomach wasn't enough, over this mile I also started feeling the blisters I had developed in three different locations on my feet.

‘Turn back, the rail signs are red, my son!’

Between Route 97 crossings I again tried to corral my mind with more positive thoughts, and realized just how busy the trail had been all afternoon. 

I saw lots of people out walking and cycling in the great weather, and it was nice to see that all the time, money and effort that has, no doubt, been put in by many, many people to make this trail a reality is absolutely paying dividends.  The various organizations in Topsfield, Wenham, and Danvers should certainly be commended, and I hope members of the surrounding communities are appreciative of this wonderful space and are active in the stewardship of these paths and trails.

I slogged on, feeling like I had pulled myself out of the mental hole, and made my way to where the ‘tenth of a mile’ markers began after the swamp.  Psychologically this was an additional lift because I figured, at the very least, I could start clicking off tenths of a mile with every marker… having been by this point reduced to a steady run-walk strategy.  I figured running and walking alternating tenths of a mile was doable and at least made me feel like I was making progress. 

Just about the time I hit 20 miles I felt one of the blisters on my left foot give way like a compromised dam, bursting and shooting pain through the length of my leg.  I sort of figured this was coming, as it took about three miles for the Ensure to settle in my stomach, and I had been feeling slightly better.

Blisters aside, the five mile ‘out’ leg brought me all the way back to St. John’s Prep., and I got a lift when I looked down and saw 21.2 miles were in the bank.  It was all gravy from here!  Well, maybe not gravy... maybe a little something more settling to my stomach!   

At this point I was still VERY much in that ‘more of a walk, less of a run’ mode, and I felt each running bout over the last 5 miles were futile attempts at keeping each mile in the 12 minute pace range.

This seemed like a place fit for a trail animal, hopefully no one is home!

As the final five miles passed by, I got to see the light once again change the scenery - which I find to be one of the perks of endurance racing.  What started as a landscape flooded with bright light became a scene of fading light and shadows from the setting sun. 

My last pass of the Topsfield Fairgrounds came just as the sun dipped below the horizon, which made my 26.2 miles feel that much longer than it had already been!

As I arrived at the end of the trail at Washington St., I stopped the watch and felt very satisfied that I was done.  I was not happy with the time, I was not happy that my plan to stick with my heart rate training was basically in the can at 16 miles, but I was satisfied that I had spent the afternoon on my feet for over 5 hours, which is a huge plus for my ultra training plans this Spring.

I also found that where my new training shoes – Saucony Triumph 8’s – caused significant blisters, I didn’t feel any tightness or discomfort in my lower abs, hip or IT Band, which have been regular old nagging pains for me lately - Another VERY good sign!

The irony here is that I have reached a point in my athletic life where I am allowing myself to get depressed over running a marathon!  Especially when running a half marathon a few years ago nearly put me in traction!  I am not fast and I am absolutely carrying some extra pounds right now, but I can cover distances that many consider to be impossible.  I need to remember this every single time I get down on myself about a long run!

It was fantastic running this ‘new to me’ trail, and I look forward to sharing the Topsfield Linear Common, as well as the Danvers Rail Trail with family and friends over the next few months and years.  I encourage everyone to check both out!  For more information click the links below.

Topsfield Linear Common: http://www.topsfieldtrail.org/

Danvers Rail Trail: http://www.danversrailtrail.org/

Detailed Segment Maps: http://www.danversrailtrail.org/trailmaps.htm

TARC Spring Thaw 6 Hour Trail Run is coming up next weekend, and hopefully I can follow up this five hour effort with a six hour triumph in the land of the Yeti!

Until next time, happy trails!

Guinea Pig - Maffetone Method

Following my conquest of running my first 50 Miler this past November I have been here, there, and everywhere with my thoughts about what to do next.  50 didn't exactly put me in the frame of mind where I was chomping at the bit to do 100, in fact, it gave me slightly more perspective - pushed along with the sage words of friends who have run 100s - to consider spending more time focusing on 50 milers and 100k trail races this year.

So when the calendar rolled over to 2012 I decided to sign up for the TARC Thaw Six-Hour trail race coming up this March.  The Race Director and Creator of this event is my trail running buddy, Trail Pixie.  I wanted to definitely be a part of this event, because it is a TARC event on some sweet trails, and will be among lots of really great people.  Who could ask for more?  Beyond this, though, I have been at a loss for events that I truly want to tackle.

Sure, there is Pineland Farms, and I am thinking about running another timed ultra in the summer, but nothing is really jumping out as something I need to do.

So with no immediate racing plans or desires, plus the sheer fact that since Stone Cat I have put on 15 pounds, I have turned my attention to training.  Specifically, I am looking at doing a complete system re-boot for my body and am giving Dr. Phil Maffetone's method of building endurance a shot.

Maffetone utilizes an athlete's heart rate to determine one's 'Maximum Aerobic Function' or MAF.  Once this MAF is determined, the athlete can utilize a Heart Rate Monitor to track his or her progress when it comes to building one's aerobic system.

For instance, instead of using 220 beats per minute minus one's age to determine a max heart rate, and then subsequently 'training zones' determined by percentages of the Max HR, Maffetone uses a 180 bpm minus one's age (with some slight adjustments) to determine the Max Aerobic Function Heart Rate.  Think of this as the border between two different states.  Above this heart rate is the anaerobic state, where the systems of the body utilize sugars primarily to fuel the muscles during exercise.  At and below this MAF heart rate, the systems utilize fat primarily for energy.  From this MAF heart rate, one can go down 10 bpm to create an aerobic training zone.  If efforts are kept within this zone, the aerobic system can be developed and improved.

The problem with this training method is that at first you realize how under-developed your aerobic system is, and running slower is necessary to keep the heart rate in range.

I was very excited because I had finally got my pace per mile for 10k below 7:00 per mile for the first time in years, but after seeing my heart rate for this pace, I was well above my aerobic zone, and deep into my anaerobic zone.  I am a little uneasy with the idea of not doing any anaerobic work during my experiment with Maffetone's method, but supposedly I'll be trained enough within my aerobic zone to be running faster than I am now.

As a matter of perspective, tonight I did a road 12.5 at my aerobic zone and it took almost 122 minutes (9:45 pace), meanwhile, I brought my half marathon PR down to 1:42 just a few weeks ago, and even with the extra weight I ran a 16 miler in about 2:10 (8:20 pace) about three weeks ago.  I did wear my HR monitor on that run, and my average HR was 159, and I was maxing out in the low 170's over the last five miles.  Also from 7 miles on my average HR per mile split was in the low to mid 160's.  Comparatively, my MAF zone is 142 to 152, and tonight I kept all splits in that zone, averaging 149 bpm.

I plan on sticking with the program for at least six months and will see where it takes me.  I am frustrated with the slower pace, but allegedly Maffetone has a history of elite clients using his program and finding success.  I also have heard good things from other trail running folks that used Maffetone in their training for 100s, so there is a bit of a track record.

Here's hoping all have a fabulous 2012, dream big my friends!

Happy Trails!

Pondering the Stone Cat, and 'Frozen Dessert' at Maudslay State Park

Six days to the Stone Cat Trail 50 Miler for me and as the saying goes, the hay is in the barn.

Actually, I think after running the TARC 50k a few weeks ago, that was when the hay was really baled and loaded into the loft, but following my run this past weekend, I feel a sense of completion, as well as the slight sense of promise, since I am basically on the way to the start line at the Doyon School in Ipswich next weekend for the first time in three attempts (note... this is my first attempt at the 50, the previous two years I intended to run the marathon edition of Stone Cat... or the JV race as the ultra runners call it.). 

I am comforted by good health and fresh legs.  I ventured out to Maudsley State Park in Newburyport yesterday and cranked out about 13.5 miles at a nice pace and felt strong enough at the end to really pick up the pace over the last 5 to 6 kilometers.  The conditions were also less than ideal, as the second I got out of the car for what I had hoped would be a nice easy two hours, the cold rain and wind from the approaching nor’easter stung my face.

All things considered, the weather was not too much of a factor.   I knew what I was getting myself into and planned accordingly, bringing a rain jacket and layering up.  I still got back to the car soaked and shivering, but that was mostly a product of the rain changing to snow at about an hour and fifteen minutes. 

I was also encouraged because Maudslay is a really unique place to run trails.  If I had to rate it on a scale of one to five regarding the technicality of the terrain, I’d give it about 2 ”rocks’n’roots”.  What makes Maudslay tougher is the amount of undulating terrain.  There are definitely flat sections, and some of the gradual descents can be really fun, fast scooting, but if you make sure you turn around and make these sections ascents as well, it all adds up when you spend a few hours in the park.  My Garmin said I got about 1,000 ft. or gain/loss over the duration of my run, which was a little surprising, but definitely encouraging.

Here are some of the scenes from Maudslay:

Maudslay State Park - Newburyport, MA

Vista looking west across the Merrimack River

Classic New England Autumn scene

Newburyport H.S. uses Maudsley as their home XC course...

Some rocks and roots, but pleasant sections of pine needles and WOOD CHIPS!

Tried taking a nice shot of the church across the river, but the rain changing to snow and the gusty wind from the Nor'easter was having none of that!

Basically all I can do now is prepare, pack, and mentally focus for Saturday.  I look at the training page I have hanging on my wall and I have doubts that I have collectively done too little, but I know that I have really focused on time on feet, and made sure that the limited amount of miles I have run are either quality speed training, or runs of multiple hours - where the focus is time on feet and mileage.  It certainly hasn't been the best training plan in the world, and is really about as minimalist as one should be doing for such a long race… maybe too little?  There are definitely things I should have done better – like dropping weight and doing more back-to-back long runs, but, as I alluded to above, I am healthy, and happy that I am not injured because I felt obligated to get some prescribed weekly mileage through junk miles.  This has always been a recipe for disaster for me since starting my life over as a runner.

The bottom line is that I will be there, and I can’t wait to see my trail running friends, AND I hope and pray that I share many of the 50 Stone Cat miles with them!

Next weekend will be yet another adventure into the crucible, where I try to find out what I am really made of.  It is also another opportunity to once again prove to myself that anything is possible.  I have also heard from those that have done it, that it is a distance that begins to change your outlook on life.  Not quite the same as 100 miles, but certainly one that reveals more than 50k.

As just a final thought, this morning I received a timely and needed boost from fellow ultra & trail runner, Brenda Morris.  I congratulated her on a great finish at today's Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. and I asked her how she felt about her race.  She replied, "I'm always happy with my runs, fast or slow I'm very fortunate to be able to run for those who are unable".

Indeed.

Saturday I definitely run to prove it to myself, but I also run because I can, and these last few months have been filled with reminders that we are never guaranteed anything in this life, and each day should be a moment to live!

Happy trails my friends!

SHOE REVIEWS: Brooks Cascadia 6, New Balance MT 101, and New Balance 690

As a college runner I had my 'go to' shoes that were amazingly reliable.  I knew what worked for me, and typically when a shoe was discontinued, I was able to find the next model, which typically was a basic update of the previous version.  I didn't jump from brand to brand.  Then again, my success with shoes may be because I weighed 35 pounds less than I do now, and I was much faster, which means less force on every foot strike and less contact with the ground.


Since resuming life as a runner, I feel like I have yet to find that same comfort and peace with a single brand or model.  My intent is not to launch into a diatribe on the changes to the running shoe industry over the last 10 to 15 years, but I do feel compelled to use this space to share a little of my experience with some of the models and brands I have been wear testing on my own dime.


Below are brief overviews of the three pairs of shoes that I plan on logging the most mileage with over the next few months.


Brooks Cascadia 6
http://www.brooksrunning.com/Cascadia-6
MSRP: $110
Current Mileage:  111

I purchased the Brooks Cascadias after doing some research online and talking with a few friends who were proponents of the brand and model after years of reliable running in these trail shoes.  My goal was to find a shoe that had a similar feeling to the minimalist style of footwear that seem to be working for me lately, but also contain a fair amount of cushion and protection, primarily since my focus for training this Fall has been for ultramarathon trail races of 50k to 50 miles.


Almost all of the mileage on these shoes so far have been on trails over varying types of terrain.  I have also logged a few multi-hour, 20+ mile training runs with these. 


Of all that I was looking for in these shoes, one my first thoughts have to do with how well these shoes handle water crossings!


I was very impressed with how the shoes seemed to drain quickly, and tended to breath enough to let my damp socks dry during a run where we had to cross a few sections of trail where the water was ankle deep for about 200 meters.  Out of the impromptu foot soak, I found the tech socks I was wearing were not inhibited from wicking away the moisture - other trail shoes I have owned have held in the water and basted my feet for the remaining miles - and after a couple of miles my feet still felt a little damp, but certainly not soaked.


The 12mm heel-to-toe drop was definitely one of the selling points for me, and I am stoked that the ride I get from the Brooks Cascadia 6's have felt very similar to other minimalist trail models I have used.  I will definitely agree that I don't 'feel' the trail as well as I do in slimmer, faster models, but I do feel like I am able to maintain a mid-foot strike consistently through long runs with the Cascadias.


The only trouble I have had to date has been some nasty blistering issues during a 50k I recently ran.  Around 23 miles I felt hot spots developing around my heel on the outside of each foot, where the hard plastic heel cup had been causing some serious friction and, subsequently, large blisters.  It got so bad that I decided to swap the Cascadias for another shoe to finish the race.  I am not sure if it was the shoe or the socks I was wearing on the day, but I am going to keep an eye on this during the 50 miler.


Overall, I am happy with the Cascadias, and hope they hold up for the long run... literally.


New Balance MT 101
http://www.newbalance.com/products/MT101
MSRP:  $75.00
Mileage:  75

I have owned the MT 101's for months now, and even though these have been out for some time, I feel it is necessary to bring up these because they have been a great shoe for me.  They have been my "happy-medium" shoe when it comes to wanting to go barefoot, but wanting to have some semblance of protection out on the trail.


I have used these primarily for shorter, faster trail runs and races, but have found that I can take them out for longer runs when my calves have been properly acclimated to handle more of a naturally fore and mid-foot strike over greater distance.  The minimalist vibe is definitely still alive with these, as they have a very basic upper, with a 10 mm heel-toe drop.


Upon my first run in these, I clearly felt the differences with the 101's when compared to the 100's, and wasn't sure I'd like them as much as I loved their forerunners.   After more mileage with these, I have come to appreciate these differences.  I  especially love the extra room in the toe box when I take these out for longer runs, as it accommodates any foot swell that might happen over the miles.   


What stayed the same was also appreciated, as the thin upper and the seemingly perfect amount of cushioning, with the Rock-Stop plate in the forefront allow for a fair amount of protection from rocks and roots, but also have allowed me to feel the trail a great deal more as was my experience with the 100's. 


Very simply these are light and fast.  This translates to a feeling of more responsiveness with the trail, and this makes it easier to find strategic foot strikes around trail debris, instead of crashing through it, which I had been prone to do with clunkier shoes - especially when running on tired legs.  With this said, certainly the lack of toe protection with the 101's require a trail runner be more vigilant in that sense!


Back to the minimalist composition of these shoes - these were the shoes I used for the last 10k of the 50k mentioned above when I was having blister issues.  As I had hoped, the lack of a solid plastic heel cup was heaven, and I was definitely able to finish the race because of the gentle cradle of the EVA foam in the area of my blisters.


Ideally I'd like to get strong enough to wear these for an entire ultramarathon.   Being a firm believer that one should train in the gear they intend to race with, I worry, though, that the volume of mileage I'd need to put on the shoes in training would overwhelm the prescribed mileage per pair.  I am not entirely sure these could handle upwards of 400 or 500 miles in training, and I just don't have the means right now to be dropping cash on shoes twice as often as I might in another pair.


All things considered, these shoes have been great for me and I definitely recommend these for trail runs on all sorts of terrain.  They are perfect as a trail racing flat, but I have had success completing runs up to about 20 miles in these.  I have also found they aren't too bad on the roads, too, if you are a couple miles away from the trailhead.


New Balance 690
http://www.shopnewbalance.com/men/shoes/running/training/M690BR1
MSRP: $75
Mileage: 13

I recently bought these shoes as a replacement road training shoe and had a few initial thoughts following the first run in these.


I took these out for a half marathon distance run last night and found they were good on the roads.  They seemed to provide the right amount of cushioning, and, as you can see from the bottom of the shoe, provide nothing incredibly fancy with motion control devices or anything of that nature. 


They were really responsive and I felt like when I needed to pick up the pace, even when I was tired, the light weight of these shoes (about 10 or 11 ozs.) made this a little easier.


Though the MSRP is around $75, These were really affordable pick ups for me as they were on sale at a local department store, which is typically not a place I find good training shoes, yet I hope the 690's turn out to provide some decent mileage for the value.


I haven't been able to find much information on the heel-toe offset on this shoe, but it looks roughly in the 15 to 20 mm range, and I am definitely going to keep this in mind as I log more miles.  It'll be interesting to see how these compare to my brief experience with the Saucony Kinvara model.


More to come on these, as well as the others above, as I go tumbling toward the Stone Cat Trail 50 Miler in only 16 days!