This week has been a blur of final fall leaf cleanups, getting the septic tank its quinquennial suck-out, dealing with an unrelated plumbing issue in the basement shitter, and dealing with Lola (the dog), who, after four years, has decided that shitting on the floor of my office is easier than going outside.
Why is there always so much literal shit in my life?
In better, un-fecal related news, I’ve still managed to get out for my lumbers but missed Tuesday morning, and now I feel behind in my miles for the week even though as I type this, I sit at 22.97 miles with 2 days left to get at least 25 but hopefully 30.
THINGS I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT BUT WILL TALK ABOUT ANYWAY
Back in the spring, I switched from too narrow Hoka hiking shoes to the Hoka Speedgoat 5 trail running shoes for my lumbers, and I was amazed at how much I loved them. I felt fast for a fat guy, and they felt great on my feet.
Until they didn’t.
Enter the Battle of max cushioned trail running shoes used for lumbering: the Hoka Speedgoat 5 vs. the New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3!!
I incorrectly (of course) blamed my plantar fascia pain on the Speedgoat’s different heel stack but continued on using them anyway over two pairs until I came out the other side with a little less pain in my heel but a newly developed corn on my pinky toe.
I increased my carbon footprint by ordering and sending back multiple trail shoes before I found one that I was happy enough with, the ultra-plush New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3.
They are like walking on air, but despite their amazing comfort, I found them almost too plush, and I kept on using my second pair of Speedgoat 5s right up until I visited with The Queen of Sole; she looked at them and royally declared that despite them being a wide model, the foot box was still way too narrow for my toes, thus my corn, and that the heel cup (AKA heel counter) lacks any support whatsoever, thus putting increased stress on my plantar fascia.
So, I was sort of right in blaming the Speedgoats for my pain.
As previously discussed here, the Queen fitted me with semi-custom inserts, and I slipped them into Fresh Foam X More Trail v3; now I have nearly all but forgotten about the Speedgoats.
Fresh Foam + lace locks, + wayward stick.
The shoe that I thought had too much cushioning (and it probably does for serious trail runners on rocky, technical terrain) felt like a different shoe with the inserts, and as I continue to wear them, they have broken in perfectly, and I no longer feel as disconnected from the trail.
Keep in mind, I do very little actual running in these and am not sure how stable they are, but for hiking at a pace of 3.5 to 4+ MPH on moderated single track, double track, XC skill trails, and footpaths, they have been perfect.
As a result of switching shoes, adding legit inserts, and doing the stretches that The Queen of Sole recommended, my feet have been feeling better than they have in over a year.
Based on some of the reviews I’ve read, I am not alone in thinking the Fresh Foam is too much cushion, but I stand by giving them time to break in. My only worry now is that New Balance will change them in the future, and the merry-go-round of UPS deliveries and returns will start again.
Also, if Hoka widens the Speedgoat and firms up the heel counter, I will be back to them in a second; I’ve never worn a shoe that begs to be run in, even when the person wearing them doesn’t run and probably looks like a flailing shit show whilst doing so.
For a legit trail runners review of the Fresh Foams check out the always awesome Ginger Runner on YouTube.
Later.
NOTE: While I am admittedly not a runner, I have lumbered over 850 miles between two pairs of Speedgoat 5s and the Fresh Foam X More Trail v3, so I’m not dropping Bro-Science on you or trying to get you to buy anything; these were bought and paid for by me, and I don’t make a dime by you clicking any links or anything. Purchase what you want, gahddamnit.
THE SOILED SOUNDS TRACK OF THE POST
My last Track of The Post was a bit heavy with teen angst, so this one is going to be a bit more lighthearted for the weekend.
The song Rose Garden has been covered by many musicians and was only vaguely on my radar from occasionally hearing it on piped-in office music when I was younger or maybe overhearing my dad watching the horrifically bad show Hee-Haw, when I was a kid.
Then, a few years ago or so, Morrissey started incorporating the song into his live shows and it appeared on the deluxe version of Low In High School. Somehow, I begrudgingly grew to like the song and often can’t get it out of my head; it’s one of my go-to songs to sing in the shower.
Tonight, I will have a pint (or 5) in the general direction of Lynn Anderson, Moz, this bedazzled country goodness, and a song that Anderson was urged not to record because the lyrics “didn’t translate well for a female singer.” Cheers! Who knows, I might even find a big ol’ pink cowboy hat to wear while doing so.