Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Boston, here we come!!
Wahoo!! Got my acceptance notice into the Boston Marathon yesterday. 6 months of training begins October 17th. The ultimate goal is to run a sub-3:00 on one of the greatest courses in the world!!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Newton MV2 Review
Update 9/26/11: Final update. Ran my first race in the MV2 at the Miracle Miles 15K in Orlando. The short version is I posted a new PR of 1:00:29, the MV2 felt really good and performed well.
I finally got the hotspot issue taken care of. Instead of the Yankz laces, I put the original laces back on. I loosened up the toe box area and that took care of the problem. Out of curiosity, I ran without socks during training and felt really good. I tested it to the max by running the 15K race sockless which I have never done. Overall, I had no problems. I did have a couple spots where the upper poked my foot and left a bit of a mark. The only time I felt anything on the bottom of my foot was right at the end (maybe my stride changed or something). Considering all the sweat, my feet were pretty much unscathed after. For kicks and grins, I just ordered a pair of Injinji lightweight socks and will see how those do.
It was a hot morning so I was soaked at the end. I was surprised how much water/sweat the shoes held. When I took them off, I couldn't believe how much heavier they felt. I weighed them when I got home and they were almost 2oz. heavier per shoe. That is quite a lot.
So, in conclusion...
Likes: 6oz. feels light, comfortable, responsive, FAST!!
Things I would change: Find a material that doesn't soak up water/sweat (my Mizuno Wave Universe 2 flats used recycled plastic for the upper I believe). Couple of ways I think the shoe could be made lighter...Remove all or some of the rubber on the heel. With a proper midfoot strike, the only wear is on the outside edge which is a small area. Get rid of the rubbery Newton logo on the sides and either use a different material or somehow "paint" the logo on. If there is no structural reason for it, remove the soft/leathery material at the toe of the shoe. I don't see a need for it and it soaks up water.
I will definitely use the MV2 for all races up to half-marathon. I will need to do some of my 2 hour runs in them and decide if I want to use in full marathon. I don't really see any reason at this time why I won't be able to use in marathon.
Update 9/15/11: After about 50 miles and another 90 minute run, the MV2 is doing well. I have been going back and forth with my Distance Racers trying to compare the feel and performance.
The hotspots are getting better. My stride definitely feels better in the MV2. Sad to say, but the Distance feels almost a bit clunky in comparison. Lug wear has been minimal. As I expected, the ridges are completely gone on the front of the lugs but hardly any wear beyond that. I really don't expect much more wear because the front of the lugs are flush to the toe area not allowing them to wear beyond the foam they lay up against. The MV2 is pretty comfortable to run in, I would say that the Distance is a bit easier on the feet. I have been wearing the Distance about 3 years now and think my feet just need to get used to the MV2.
Trying to gauge performance differences has been difficult as there are so many variables that can have an effect. I did have one of my best ever 90 minute runs earlier in the week with the MV2.
The best test I have been able to do is doing the same track time trials a week a part, first one in the MV2 and the other in the Distance. The TT consistes of 1 mile warmup, 200m TT, 1 mile Jog, 1000m TT, 1 mile cooldown. The MV2 proved to be faster with what felt like the same effort in both distances. In the 200m, The MV2 was only faster by .16 seconds. Not much, but enough to lose a race by. I will call the 200m a statistical tie. The 1000m was a different story. Last week in the MV2, I ran 1000m in 3:06. In the Distance, ran 3:12. That is a huge difference! With so many possible variables, take this info for what it is. Was wierd during the 1000m TT wearing the Distance, but part way through, I could feel the weight of the shoes on my feet. Maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me.
So far, I am pretty happy with the MV2. Definitely the best racing flat I have used.
9/6/11: Much to my delight, I received my pair of MV2s Friday evening. Took them out for a short track workout that included an 800m time trial. Also had them out for an hour workout and 90 minute run. With about 25 miles on them, these are my initial observations
Besides being 3oz. lighter than my Distance Racers (my size 9.5 weigh 6.0oz.), the first thing you notice is the creamsickle orange. Not exactly my first choice of color. Seems like de ja vu to the old Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniforms. Thankfully, I don't generally look down at my feet while running and have always bought Newtons for their performance. A different color would maybe make for a better choice. Red is my personal favorite.
Taking the advice from Newton, I went up a 1/2 size to keep the fit what I am used to. The MV2 easily slides on your foot and fits great. I have a perfect thumbs width of room at the toes. For me, the toe box is plenty roomy. Newton could put the upper of the MV2 on the rest of their shoes and I would be happy. With being used to being almost zero drop with my racers, I did not insert the 3mm heel thingies included. I also use the Yankz shoe laces which allow me to never have to tie and provide the same fit and feel every time I put them on.
Standing up and getting the first feel of the new lug system was a little different. The lugs feel a bit more pronounced and stiffer. They do not have the small space behind the lugs that allow them to compress like all other Newtons. You can compress the lugs a tiny bit into the foam if you press hard. Another big difference is the toes feel like they barely touch the ground at toe off. The lugs seem to provide more of a lever effect than rebounding. It is a bit different and trying to figure out which I like better. The new lug system includes 3 thin lugs in the middle with more of a pad-like lug on either side. The new system does feel more stable. The lugs are also ribbed for better traction which really won't matter once worn down.
The first thing I noticed when running was how quiet footstrikes are. With my other Newtons, I get a loud tap, tap, tap as I run. The MV2s are pretty much dead quiet. Now, when I come up behind somebody in a race, it will be like the "Silent Assassin" and they won't know what is happening until I am gone!
The feel of the lugs definitely don't have that springy feel I am used to. I don't know if it is the reduced weight or the way the new lugs lever, but the MV2 feels like it has the same pop as my racers. Running is easy at any speed. My stride does feel smoother. Again, that may be due to the reduced weight. After only 12 miles, the lugs show slight wear on the ridges of the middle three which is pretty normal. I will probably start with my Shoe Goo applications in a few miles to maintain them.
So far, the MV2 feels great. The only minor issue has been that I get a bit of a hot spot on the ball of both feet after a while. Not a big deal and will probably go away after a few more miles.
Overall, compared to other racing flats I have used (Mizuno Wave Universe 2, ASICS Hyperspeed 2 and Nike Waffle Racer), the MV2 by far has the best fit and feel. Performance wise, I can't tell yet if they are more efficent or faster than my racers. As long as they are as comfortable/durable and with the lower price tag then they will be worth it.
So far, the only thing I would change about the MV2 is the color and maybe see if there are some ways to shave even more weight off. A couple suggestions are to remove the soft leather off the front of the shoe and make the whole thing mesh. Also, get rid of the plastic/rubber newton logo on the sides and somehow "paint" them on instead. These ideas might knock off another ounce.
I plan to use my MV2s this week for most of my training runs and will add more comments later. Look forward to getting in a 90 minute run and see how they feel. So far, I don't see any reason why I couldn't use these everyday and for any distance. Hopefully, that doesn't change as I go longer.
I finally got the hotspot issue taken care of. Instead of the Yankz laces, I put the original laces back on. I loosened up the toe box area and that took care of the problem. Out of curiosity, I ran without socks during training and felt really good. I tested it to the max by running the 15K race sockless which I have never done. Overall, I had no problems. I did have a couple spots where the upper poked my foot and left a bit of a mark. The only time I felt anything on the bottom of my foot was right at the end (maybe my stride changed or something). Considering all the sweat, my feet were pretty much unscathed after. For kicks and grins, I just ordered a pair of Injinji lightweight socks and will see how those do.
It was a hot morning so I was soaked at the end. I was surprised how much water/sweat the shoes held. When I took them off, I couldn't believe how much heavier they felt. I weighed them when I got home and they were almost 2oz. heavier per shoe. That is quite a lot.
So, in conclusion...
Likes: 6oz. feels light, comfortable, responsive, FAST!!
Things I would change: Find a material that doesn't soak up water/sweat (my Mizuno Wave Universe 2 flats used recycled plastic for the upper I believe). Couple of ways I think the shoe could be made lighter...Remove all or some of the rubber on the heel. With a proper midfoot strike, the only wear is on the outside edge which is a small area. Get rid of the rubbery Newton logo on the sides and either use a different material or somehow "paint" the logo on. If there is no structural reason for it, remove the soft/leathery material at the toe of the shoe. I don't see a need for it and it soaks up water.
I will definitely use the MV2 for all races up to half-marathon. I will need to do some of my 2 hour runs in them and decide if I want to use in full marathon. I don't really see any reason at this time why I won't be able to use in marathon.
Update 9/15/11: After about 50 miles and another 90 minute run, the MV2 is doing well. I have been going back and forth with my Distance Racers trying to compare the feel and performance.
The hotspots are getting better. My stride definitely feels better in the MV2. Sad to say, but the Distance feels almost a bit clunky in comparison. Lug wear has been minimal. As I expected, the ridges are completely gone on the front of the lugs but hardly any wear beyond that. I really don't expect much more wear because the front of the lugs are flush to the toe area not allowing them to wear beyond the foam they lay up against. The MV2 is pretty comfortable to run in, I would say that the Distance is a bit easier on the feet. I have been wearing the Distance about 3 years now and think my feet just need to get used to the MV2.
Trying to gauge performance differences has been difficult as there are so many variables that can have an effect. I did have one of my best ever 90 minute runs earlier in the week with the MV2.
The best test I have been able to do is doing the same track time trials a week a part, first one in the MV2 and the other in the Distance. The TT consistes of 1 mile warmup, 200m TT, 1 mile Jog, 1000m TT, 1 mile cooldown. The MV2 proved to be faster with what felt like the same effort in both distances. In the 200m, The MV2 was only faster by .16 seconds. Not much, but enough to lose a race by. I will call the 200m a statistical tie. The 1000m was a different story. Last week in the MV2, I ran 1000m in 3:06. In the Distance, ran 3:12. That is a huge difference! With so many possible variables, take this info for what it is. Was wierd during the 1000m TT wearing the Distance, but part way through, I could feel the weight of the shoes on my feet. Maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me.
So far, I am pretty happy with the MV2. Definitely the best racing flat I have used.
9/6/11: Much to my delight, I received my pair of MV2s Friday evening. Took them out for a short track workout that included an 800m time trial. Also had them out for an hour workout and 90 minute run. With about 25 miles on them, these are my initial observations
Besides being 3oz. lighter than my Distance Racers (my size 9.5 weigh 6.0oz.), the first thing you notice is the creamsickle orange. Not exactly my first choice of color. Seems like de ja vu to the old Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniforms. Thankfully, I don't generally look down at my feet while running and have always bought Newtons for their performance. A different color would maybe make for a better choice. Red is my personal favorite.
Taking the advice from Newton, I went up a 1/2 size to keep the fit what I am used to. The MV2 easily slides on your foot and fits great. I have a perfect thumbs width of room at the toes. For me, the toe box is plenty roomy. Newton could put the upper of the MV2 on the rest of their shoes and I would be happy. With being used to being almost zero drop with my racers, I did not insert the 3mm heel thingies included. I also use the Yankz shoe laces which allow me to never have to tie and provide the same fit and feel every time I put them on.
Standing up and getting the first feel of the new lug system was a little different. The lugs feel a bit more pronounced and stiffer. They do not have the small space behind the lugs that allow them to compress like all other Newtons. You can compress the lugs a tiny bit into the foam if you press hard. Another big difference is the toes feel like they barely touch the ground at toe off. The lugs seem to provide more of a lever effect than rebounding. It is a bit different and trying to figure out which I like better. The new lug system includes 3 thin lugs in the middle with more of a pad-like lug on either side. The new system does feel more stable. The lugs are also ribbed for better traction which really won't matter once worn down.
The first thing I noticed when running was how quiet footstrikes are. With my other Newtons, I get a loud tap, tap, tap as I run. The MV2s are pretty much dead quiet. Now, when I come up behind somebody in a race, it will be like the "Silent Assassin" and they won't know what is happening until I am gone!
The feel of the lugs definitely don't have that springy feel I am used to. I don't know if it is the reduced weight or the way the new lugs lever, but the MV2 feels like it has the same pop as my racers. Running is easy at any speed. My stride does feel smoother. Again, that may be due to the reduced weight. After only 12 miles, the lugs show slight wear on the ridges of the middle three which is pretty normal. I will probably start with my Shoe Goo applications in a few miles to maintain them.
So far, the MV2 feels great. The only minor issue has been that I get a bit of a hot spot on the ball of both feet after a while. Not a big deal and will probably go away after a few more miles.
Overall, compared to other racing flats I have used (Mizuno Wave Universe 2, ASICS Hyperspeed 2 and Nike Waffle Racer), the MV2 by far has the best fit and feel. Performance wise, I can't tell yet if they are more efficent or faster than my racers. As long as they are as comfortable/durable and with the lower price tag then they will be worth it.
So far, the only thing I would change about the MV2 is the color and maybe see if there are some ways to shave even more weight off. A couple suggestions are to remove the soft leather off the front of the shoe and make the whole thing mesh. Also, get rid of the plastic/rubber newton logo on the sides and somehow "paint" them on instead. These ideas might knock off another ounce.
I plan to use my MV2s this week for most of my training runs and will add more comments later. Look forward to getting in a 90 minute run and see how they feel. So far, I don't see any reason why I couldn't use these everyday and for any distance. Hopefully, that doesn't change as I go longer.
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