Showing posts with label shoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shoes. Show all posts

Saturday, November 02, 2024

Running Journal - 2024-11-02 (Off day)

ASICS Gel-Kayano 31, Style: Steel Grey/Piedmont Grey (#197298495509)

Off day. Ran errands. Purchased a new pair of running shoes at Fleet Feet in Menlo Park, California: ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 #197298495509 Style: STEEL GREY/PIEDMONT GREY.

My current shoes--New Balance 860v14 Fresh Foam X--have 382.3 of 400 mi (~95%). They're OK, but I noticed they feel a bit too "low" in the front for my right foot. So trying ASICS for my next pair. I'm going to wear the New Balance for a few more runs and then donate them.

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Running Journal - 2024-06-29 (Off Day & New Shoes)

 New Balance - Fresh Foam X 860v14 (Grey Matter with Black and Ginger Lemon)

Time:
5:30 p.m. (0 minutes) 
Resting heart rate: 63
Weight (running clothes): 85.18 kg (187.80 lb)
Body Mass Index (BMI; note criticisms of BMI): 24.8 (Overweight = 25–29.9)
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 2,038 cal/day
Distance (running): --
Cumulative distance (2024; ignores XT days): 804.67 km (500.00 mi)
Calories burned: 0 kcal
Average heart rate: N/A bpm
Max heart rate: N/A bpm
Weather at start: sunny 🌤️ 27° C (80.6° F), Humidity 43% Wind: 11 km/h
Terrain: 0 ft elevation gain
Avg Pace:
-- /mile
Best pace:
-- /mile
Stinkiness air level (0=No smell; 10=☣️): 0/10 (not stinky)
Comments: Off day. New shoes: New Balance - Fresh Foam X 860v14 (Grey Matter with Black and Ginger Lemon). Purchased at Fleet Feet - Menlo Park, where an assistant scanned my feet with a Volumental scanner. It turned out I need a bit wider shoe, so have a 2E now. Tried 4 pairs. The assistant mentioned my feet point inward and after doing a knee-flex bounce test (stand on one foot and slightly squat down so the knee flexes), noticed the knee moves inward. He thought that might explain some chafing/callous on my toes. I.e., pronating inward. Immediately felt so much better than my old pair of HOKA Challenger ATR 7. The assistant explained the shoe I was using was meant more for trail running (hello 💡 That explains why on sale at REI). Sunday is magic mile time trials, for total of 6 miles.
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Bit tired
Foods eaten today: Kashi GO Original Cereal with nonfat milk, Trader Joe's Organic French Roast Cold Brew Coffee (4 oz), Gatorade Gatorlyte Electrolyte Beverage - Lemon Lime (20 oz), Roma restaurant Menlo Park - Burrata appetizer (x0.5) & Gnocchi Pesto & pint of Menabrea beer, Qamaria Coffee - Mufawaar (Medium Roast Coffee with Cardamom & Cream) & rose Milk Cake (x0.5), lemonade (8 oz)

Sunday, March 03, 2024

Running Journal - 2024-03-03

HOKA Challenger 7 (ceramic / vibrant orange)
HOKA Challenger 7 (ceramic / vibrant orange)

Resting heart rate: 79 bpm (5 minutes after exercise)
Weight (after run; clothed): 84.82 kg (187.00 lb)
Body Mass Index (BMI; note criticisms of BMI): 24.7 (Overweight = 25–29.9)
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 2,033 cal/day
Distance (running): 6.44 km (4.00 mi)
Cumulative distance (2024; ignores XT days): 187.04 km (116.22 mi)
Calories burned: 494 kcal
Average heart rate: 112 bpm     
Max heart rate: 134 bpm
Time:
12:09-1:03 p.m. (54 minutes)
Weather: overcast ☁️ 13° C (55.4° F), Humidity 64% Wind: 0 km/h
Terrain: 174 ft elevation gain
Avg Pace:
13'24" /mile
Best pace:
N/A /mile
Stinkiness air level (0=No smell; 10=☣️): 3/10 (slightly stinky)
Comments: New shoes: the HOKA Challenger 7 (in ceramic / vibrant orange) shown above. Found them on clearance at REI on Saturday--right size and width, and liked the flashy colors. I'm a little confused by the color Ceramic--it seems like it must represent the turquoise or other blues; seems like a strange naming choice to me. In any case, learned the company Hoka One One (stylized as HOKA) was founded in France, then was headquartered in Richmond, California (not far from me) until it was acquired by the same company who owns Tuva & UGG, and now HOKA is headquartered in Goleta, California (down by Santa Barbara). "[HOKA is] named after the Māori language phrase meaning "to fly"." Its logo has a flying bird. Today's run was shorter than most weekday maintenance runs, only 4 miles. We took it a bit slow. I did not get to sleep until after midnight, even though I felt tired last night. Overtraining (?) Felt a bit tired this morning. Woke up around 7:00 a.m. and then lightly dozed until getting out of bed around 10:00 a.m. Lazy day. The run was uneventful. Weather was a bit warmer so we took off our outer light jackets and tied around the waist. Got back before the intermittent light rains began. With the purchase of the shoes my running outfit starts to take shape. Other than running, today was busy resetting the household: laundry, weekly plant & appliance maintenance, etc. Treated ourselves to a dessert drink and did some light grocery shopping at a nearby Japanese grocery. Five weeks in the books! 21 weeks to go.
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Bit tired/drained
Foods eaten today: Kashi GO Honey Almond Flax Crunch with nonfat milk, Kirkland Signature Colombian Cold Brew Coffee - 11 fl oz (x0.5), banana (x0.5), Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel Drink Mix - Berry - 20 oz (x0.5), Happy Lemon Banana Matcha Smoothie, Sen Dai Sushi - Tofu Curry Special (x0.5) & Miso Soup (x0.5), Safeway veggie sushi, Girl Scout Adventurefuls cookies (x3)

Monday, May 26, 2014

Shoes

Oxblood bluchers/balmorals:
  • Cole Haan Caldwell
  • Cole Haan Air Carter Split
  • Bostonian Andover
  • Bostonian Akron
  • Alden
    • Style #9015, "Dark Burgundy Shell Cordovan" (Last: Hampton; seems pretty true to standard sizing)
    • How to properly try on Alden shoes (video)
  • Johnston & Murphy
    • Vintage
SIZES
  • Extra Narrow (A+)
  • Narrow (C, B)
  • Medium (D, M)
  • Wide (E,W)
  • Extra Wide (EE+)
COLORS
  • Cordovan
  • Oxblood
  • Burgundy
  • Horween Leather Company colors
BELT TO MATCH
  • Horween Color #8 (see link as above)
  • Style Forum thread
    • "You can get a sufficiently good match with any calfskin burgundy / merlot / cordovan / wine (all different names for basically the same color) belt and don't need to go to the additional expense of a shell cordovan belt."
  • Reddit thread
  • Chromexcel definition
  • Vendors

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Before you learn to run...

...you have to learn how to walk. : o |

After struggling with the laces supplied with my Xero Shoes, on the advice of ultra runner Randy Kreill, I purchased some 5/32" paracord (and shoe goo, as well). I tied my shoes using his latest suggestions.

The tying went smoothly. The paracord has the inner core, a few inches of which I removed prior to tying the end knot (per Xero Shoes co-founder Steven Sashen).

When I went for a walk, it felt OK at first, but after a few minutes, I felt my foot sliding to the inside and my second toe (next to my big toe) rubbing against the endknot thong...I cut the walk short, attempting to avoid any blisters. : o |

So, tomorrow night, I'll probably try re-tying them again...this seems like the most important part, getting things dialed in regarding finding the sweet spot.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Xero Shoes Review, Part the Third

Untied and re-fixed the knot under my shoes (via). Really flamed the end of the strings, then pressed them as flat as I could. At first, I tried the idea of "shredding" the ends and pressing them flat. However, this ended up pulling through the hole. So, I reverted back to the figure eight.

After my previous try, I discovered the thick knot under my foot had formed a blister between my big toe and the adjacent toe. In response, I didn't go walking in them on Tuesday. Tonight, after retying and flattening the knot, my right foot felt much better--probably the "sweet spot" the founders speak of. My left foot, however, felt too tight. I stopped about halfway through my walk and loosened things a bit, but it still felt too tight.

At home, I retied everything again on the left foot. Better, but...not sure. I ran up and down the driveway a few times, until my right huaracha fell off. : o |

I'm thinking I need new laces, since I cut off too much cord on the right side. And I'm beginning to appreciate the tying style of the ultra-runner (Randy Kreill) who wears huarachas:


  • At the 0:38 second mark, he shows how he uses a slip knot, which seems like a good idea. He only uses it the inside hole.
  • He pulls the cord around the back of the sandal to mark off how much he needs. 
  • He also starts with his toes far forward, not pulling it too tight across the top of his foot.
  • Laces on top should be loose enough to get a finger up in there
Here's his new tying style:
  • Slip on/off much easier
  • Shoe goo (CVS) to extend string life...main knot, under sole knot
  • Punches dozens of holes into the soles ... something about being better over rocks? : o |
  • Forces you to pick up your foot every time you touch down...front will curl and give you immediate feedback to pick it up
  • Really just floating on your foot...don't feel any tension between your toes...like someone is rolling down a thin strip of rubber padding everywhere you run : o )
  • Nylon Paracord, 5/32

Monday, June 10, 2013

Xero Shoes Review, Day Two

Took out my Xero Shoes for a second night of walking.

I tied my pair with the Xero Basic style. 

I can feel the knot under each of my sandals and it feels uncomfortable. So, I may still need to dial-in my tension to hit the sweet spot. The FAQ asks, "Can you feel that knot at the bottom?" and answers in the negative.

Reading through the forums reminded me of heating the knot and flattening it with a pair of pliers. Will try that in the next day or two.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Fashion

Shoes, shoes, shoes. Tonight I'm looking for dress shoes.

On Valentine's Day Dawn and I visited the Arden Fair Mall and looked at rubies and amethyst for her and dress shoes for me. I found several brands at Macy's that had the look I liked:
I'm a smart guy, so when it comes to shoes I think, ok, I'll look it up on the intertubes and find out better prices and brands, and make an informed decision.

My first stop was a Forbes article listing the world's top shoe companies and conversations with image consultants suggesting good pairs of high-end dress shoes start at $350. This is (in their judgment) the cream of the crop: New & Lingwood, Crockett & Jones, J.M. Weston, Jeffery West, John Lobb, Tanino Crisci, Edward Green, and Alden.

Things I learned:
  • Most high-end dress shoe lines seem to come from Britain, Italy, or America
  • J.M. Weston's web site includes a video on polishing and glazing shoe leather
  • Don't buy brown shoes, instead buy oxblood (charming, isn't it?), burgundy, cognac, or honey colors. As the Frank Zappa song goes, "Brown shoes don't make it."
I also learned from price-comparisons on the internet that the prices for brands at Macy's seemed competitive (+/- $10).

Fashion 4 Nerds suggests shoes from Aldo.

I learned from Wikipedia that three general categories of shoes exist:
  1. Balmorals (laces hold together slit in upper)
  2. Blüchers (laces hold together leather flaps attached to upper)
  3. Monk-straps (buckle/strap instead of laces)
There are also three types of tips to dress shoes:
  1. Plain-toes (no cap)
  2. Cap-toes (extra layer that caps the toe area)
  3. Wing-tips (extra layer that caps the toe area and extends along sides of shoes)
Zappos.com seems to house an extensive collection. These people from Wisconsin suggest Allen Edmonds.

My last stop this evening was the Style Forum, where they post pictures of colors of various shoe lines, including several from above.

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