Further Thoughts Regarding Asics Trail Shoes

Very quick thoughts on the two Asics trail shoes I own.

As preparations for an ultra-Ragnar race are underway (https://www.runragnar.com/event-detail/trail/los_coyotes_) with three friends for this holiday weekend, I am reminded again of the need to compare trail running shoes. 

Since my last post on the two different models of Asics trail shoes, I have had the pleasure of wearing each for over 300 miles and under different conditions.

ASICS Gel Venture Five

The Gel Venture 5 is likely to come out my favorite. These shoes shed mud almost immediately, are superbly comfortable and have decent grip in rocky terrain.

Asics Fuji Trabuco 4

My only gripe about the Fuji Trabuco 4 was that mud balled up on the heal much like when snow sticks to the bottom of telemark skis when they haven’t been properly waxed and spring conditions prevail, but I digress.  I’m sure there will be plenty to say about ski gear and conditions this winter. Perhaps as a result of their tread pattern.

Fuji Trabuco 4on the left and Gel Venture Five on the right

This weekend is 120 miles of shared “fun” commiseration and endurance at Los Coyotes Native American Reservation. Four of us will divide the task and spend 24 hours with probably no more than 3 hours sleep. We will run varied terrain and my intention is to wear both these shoes at least once. Yes, I plan on taking my mainstays also, Salomon Sense Pro and Salomon Speed Cross 3.  Yes, a gal can’t take enough shoes. What can I say?  At least I didn’t pack all of them (see post dated 8/9/16 ASICS Trail Shoe Review.

Can’t wait for the event and the chance to review a race at a new venue. 

Sports Bras-A Comparrison

Just like running shoes, they come in different styles and there are numerous manufacturers who make them. Some of whom understand the needs of the active woman and others who just want to duplicate the hard work and designs of others but provide cheap imitations.

Like running shoes, I probably own 30+ different sports bras. I have begun weeding them out and over the course of the last year have come to the conclusion that a bra that one has to yank and pull over one’s head to put on and then struggle to get off when sweaty is not something I want to deal with any longer and have begun the process of getting rid of them.

I have purchased several zip front models from Victoria Secret. The ones purchased each had an inner bra with clasp closure and an outer shell that zipped, making this type very easy to put on and remove even after lengthy workouts.

https://www.victoriassecret.com/victorias-secret-sport/shop-all/knockout-by-victoria-sport-front-close-sport-bra-victoria-sport?ProductID=306286&CatalogueType=OLS

I have six different ones and each is true to the size stated, comfortable and has held up very well to my rough treatment.  The zipper is strong and has a flap covering it at top and bottom which keeps the body from becoming chafed. The purchase price is a bit on the high end, however well worth every penny.

I have tried to find less expensive alternative models and have come upon something sold by New Chic

http://www.newchic.com/sports-bra-4418/p-1075211.html

 The unit is made by BVTT and sold for $14.43. This bra is made much like the Victoria Secret units, however the materials were not as high quality. The inner bra has a hook and eye type clip much like those sold by Victoria’s Secret and the outer shell, a zipper with anti-chafing flaps on top and bottom of the zipper. The fit was accurate and comfortable. I did like the lack of shoulder strap adjustments. It is nice for when wearing a running pack and would prevent rub from the pack on the shoulders since there are no metal or plastic adjustment guys.

I would have loved this sports bra. The price would make purchasing several for daily use a realistic idea had it not been for one major flaw. Upon my first zip up, the zipper split open. The teeth appear to be very small and will not grab the other half. I have tried numerous times both on and off the body and the zipper will not close.  The bra is useless except for my ability to take the photo and share this on my blog.

New Chic appears to be a Chinese company selling products at discounted rates. 

I have learned my lesson. Stick with what works, tried and true quality. I stand by Victoria Secret for their quality and will happily wear their product for my adventures be it a daily run or a 24-hour race. For the price of a little over double the cheap imitation, it’s well worth the investment to have the comfort, quality and reliability the Victoria’s Secret product provides.

Preparing for a Journey

Having a broken foot means you have a lot of time to sit. And I’ve had just that. I’ve gone through a lot of old photos and began writing a novel and am half way along with a rough draft.  I’ve cleaned my house, several times, much to the amazement of those around me and sorted through a lot of belongings and gotten rid of them, including an old truck.

Now,  going through a lot of old photographs from backpacking trips over the last few years, some of which have included a dear friend of mine, I find time to reflect on Jamie. We intersected when I was doing the John Muir trail a few years ago and she was doing the Pacific Crest Trail. We leap frogged for a few days and met up at Vermillion Valley Resort, and subsequently hiked a few more days together until parting ways. We quickly became friends and hiking partners. We have done Tahoe to Yosemite together and a couple years ago we did the High Sierra Trail together.

 Even though we hike at totally different speeds, we always met up at the end and enjoy camp together,We compare photographs and trail notes, sharing stories of the people we met, things we saw, and some of the things we didn’t see along with a hearty meal.

We are preparing for yet another adventure. Kings Canyon National Park to launch in a few weeks, my foot still in recovery, definately will be moving a lot slower than usual which is okay. Jamie thinks I’ll still beat her to camp, Its doubtful and it’s okay.  This is not a race. Jamie is flying in from out of state to do this and we are sure to have a grand time together. Going through my gear contemplating what to take and what not to take, I want this to be one of the lightest trips I’ve done. It needs to be. I will be slow moving with the injured foot and looking forward to every minute of it. Cant wait to share another journey with her.

 I purchased a new pair of light weight ankle high boots for this trip because my doctor wants my ankle protected from rolling over and causing further injury to my fifth metatarsal. the selection was the Keen Logan mid-WP boot at REI yesterday and had to order it in my size. It was on sale for $127. A complete review of this boot will be posted when I return. Usually I backpack in Salomon trail runners, however, that’s not going to be sufficient for this trip. There will also be a review of two separate pair of Asics trail running shoes that I have been wearing nonstop since came out of my walking cast. I have become quite fond of each model for different reasons and look forward to being able to actually run in them.

Counting down to another epic Journey, the days can’t pass fast enough.

In The Beginning

To understand my motivation for starting this blog you one would have to understand what it’s like to be sidelined with an injury.  My running 50-75 miles a week cut short to riding a stationary bike.  Approximately 50 races on my bucket list completed and a Ragnar Tahoe Ultra Race postponed and transferred to another venue.  I am now motivated to write as I spend a great deal of my time now sitting, healing.

How did this come to be?  A race.  But first a bit of history, I am not as young as I used to be none of us are) and took up ultra-running 5 years ago.  I had never run before, hated running with a passion in school and was known for commenting on how crazy anyone was for wanting to do anything more than a 5k.  I would never be one of those persons.  Not me.  

Then came “the bucket list”.

I have always been a backpacker, having explored Colorado, Arizona and California since I was nine years old thanks to my parents.  The John Muir Trail became a dream when I was faced with a very sudden undiagnosed neurological problem and the great possibility of being in a wheelchair in the near future.  Anyway, in an effort to stabilize my walking from a weeble to a wobble to someone who was able to handle paths with cliffs on one edge, I took up running. 

I went from my first race, walking a half marathon (more on that later) to running a 50k in just over one year. I just completed that same 50k, in June, placing 2^nd in my age group, the weekend before and for fun only, ran the Walt Stack Double Dipsea.  It was here that I met my fate.

Stinson Beach and Muir Woods were a wonderful backdrop for a race.  The trail incredibly beautiful and challenging. The Race was put on by outstanding people, couldn’t ask for more.  I felt great.  Just over a half marathon, this was no biggy.  It was on the way back from Mill Valley that I met with disaster. Mile 8.5.  The trail is one where you have to work your brain, concentrate on the obstacles and know where to land.  I did so all throughout without problem. Until it got easy.  It was when the trail smoothed out and had no obstacles, no stairs that I became complacent and dropped my focus.  I twisted my foot and immediately felt a pop.  The pain came as I passed an aide station and made the decision to power walk the pain away.  Unfortunately, it didn’t leave me.

The swelling was almost immediately after I passed my DNF option.  I have never had a non-finish and wasn’t about to experience that on this run. Getting into this was another bucket list item. So I pressed on and slowly began running again.  The pain increased and I was faced with my brain wanting to focus on it which was making things worse.  That went on for about a mile.

I knew something was not good with my foot, I thought it was possibly a bad ankle sprain. It felt like it was my ankle, the same one I broke in three places the first day of ski season several years ago while getting equipment down from our attic.  I kept focusing on the pain and the obvious swelling that was occurring in my Salomon shoes.

As I pressed on, I came upon a couple of runners ahead of me and came to the realization that if I focused on them, if I could pass them, I would have something else to focus on. I could leave the pain behind me on the trail.  So, I did.  I did this with each runner I subsequently came upon. It became a game of sorts.  “I can beat this one”.  I studied their gate, their body position and their overall running attitude and picked them off one by one. 

I made it out the last 5 miles plus this way and completed the Race feeling little pain.

I placed third in my age group and went home with a broken fifth metatarsal. 

And here I sit. 

What I learned from this was; 1) get yourself out by yourself when possible, 2) you can set the pain aside by focusing outside yourself and 3) the race will go down as my favorite because of what I learned.

I love running.