Category: Uncategorized

Week 11: 9 – 15 March

Run: 5hrs 23mins (39.3mi) / Gym 8mins / Crosstrain: 0min

I am desperate for some new shoes. My go-to has been Newton Fates for as long as I can remember – the perfect shoe for me – great style and colours (usually) and really comfortable mesh uppers with plenty room in the toe box. However, they have been out of stock for months. Its also not an easy ordering process as the European distributer in Germany don’t ship to the non-EU UK. And the US online store doesn’t either. So I have to email Newton in Colorado when I spot the shoe in stock on the online store, and they send a pair or two out. My Fate X shoes have now done well over 1,000 miles and I’m desperate to update them before the inevitable niggles start.

I can’t wait any longer, so after a bit of research and AI consultancy, I go for Topo – a brand I am familiar with through my Topo Pursuit trail shoes, which have always been comfortable. I plumb for the Cyclone 3 and look forward to the new-shoe feel on my first run with them.

They turn out to be a great option, and I’m pleased. They look pretty light-weight – its a moulded foam mid sole with thin rubber outsole, so I worry if they may come apart on the odd pit of forest track I run on. They are comfortable, although a touch high on the ankle, which means I’m conscious of my foot placement and even the road camber to ensure it doesn’t rub. After so long in Newtons, it felt like a big change. Hopefully the more variety I introduce, the more I can adapt and become less prone to injury. We will see.

Week 3: 12 – 18 Jan

Run: 6hrs 21 mins (46.2mi) / Gym 0mins / Crosstrain: 0min

Normally this would be the start of a 2 week taper before a long event, but I felt like I was still chasing the miles, after a few problems in recent weeks. I therefore set out with the plan to have build some decent miles this week, whilst also trying to catch up on some rest, before dropping the load next week. Monday morning started with the loop, and was fine. Top of the foot still tender but ok. Tuesday was a restful morning, aiming to run in the evening as usual, but perhaps not the full 10miles. Evening plans changed, but I managed to squeeze in a 5.7mile route. Daughters birthday on Wednesday meant seeing her before school, and out for dinner in the evening – this was already accounted for though, and was a useful midweek break to avoid any stress as I built the miles back up. Thursday was an early morning loop, then Friday saw the arrival of my new shoes NNormal Kjerag Trail.

They were a struggle to get on, but once on, I yanked the tongue up (it is fixed to the midsole on both sides, so needed to ensure no wrinkles). The toe box was roomy – fingers crossed. I finished the 10k with some soreness on the inside of my big toe. After wearing Newtons for the last 8 years, I wasn’t surprised that something had caught.

With race day next Sunday, I was looking to alternate shoes each run. I ended up walking the dog in the NNormals, as well as wearing them around the house. Saturday am was 10miles in my Newtons, followed by almost 9miles on Sunday in the NNormals. They felt good. I was weary of the big toe issue, and varied my push-off a little to try and give some variation before problem developed.

So a week light on variation, but felt good to get the miles covered and new shoes Christened. Next week will be lie-ins and shorter sharper runs, early in the week with just a few loosens later. Looking forward to St Ives…