Wheeler Farm Loops

I hope you don't mind but I have a couple of questions for you, Jake. What sort of pace do you do these 12 - 15 milers in the morning? Do you find on your evening runs that you're slightly glycogen depleted? On a different topic altogether - trainers/running shoes. I've been looking at these Kinvaras; are they okay as a daily trainer and is there enough cushoning? I'm a neutral mid-footish striker. I need a trainer and something for quicker stuff -tempos/intervals. What would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

Right now, easy pace - usually starting around 8:30/mile and I get a bit quicker as the run goes on, sometimes down to ~7:00/mi, but not even that fast always.

I'm usually more glycogen depleted in the morning b/c I don't eat anything before running. I eat all day while at work so I'm carb-loaded in the afternoons :-)

I prefer the Mirage over the Kinvara - its still really light, but a little more cushion and support. I'm a very neutral-to-forefoot runner too, but I can't handle the minimalist shoes on a daily basis. I would say I wear the Kinvara for about 20-30% of my runs. Most of my miles are on the Mirages. For tempo runs I'll usually drop down to the Fastwitch, which is the shoe I've worn in the past couple marathons.

did you read this article on running marathons and the heart? who knows what to believe these days. kind of like margarine vs butter.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16048121

Who would have thought that Galen had a shoe fetish? Nice links. Have fun in Jackson!

Aren't the Kinvara's lighter/less supportive than Fastwitch?

I'll bet there are quite a few runners who have a shoe fetish. As for me I have my one pair of reliable and comfy neon Fastwitch, which I run and even work in every day. Talk about getting your money's worth... And I always get crap or compliments all the time for it. People either love em or hate em color wise.

Scott - there are always "risks" when you push the body hard. To me, they are always well worth it.

Jon - Yeah, the FTs have a light stability post. That's what makes them such a great racing / fast workout shoe - they are really light, but have some stiffness, so less energy is wasted. The Kinvara are very flexible and squishy. Good for training and easy runs, but I would never wear them in a race.

The weight is almost identical - Kinvara 7.7 oz, Fastwitch 7.8 oz. Although the new FT6s (which aren't out yet but they gave Andrea a pair) are a full ounce lighter - they basically just redesigned the upper and got rid of any excess material... really sweet shoes... I'm hoping they can get me a pair before TOU.