I Can Feel It...

It's been 5 months now...

After the Goofy Challenge I played nice and went to the Doctor to finally solve the knee problem that has been nagging me for almost 2 years now. He told me to get an MRI. Another one. Why do they have to be so expensive?! I kept putting it off "until I could afford it".

I have not run since.

Meanwhile, I have felt the deterioration of everything I have worked for in the last 4 years. Endurance, cardio and lung capacity... Weight has started to creep back up. Clothes feel tighter... and all the while my knee feels just as screwed up as it did in January.

So this is definitely not one of those "rest and let it heal" injuries. If I remain standing up too long, it hurts. If I run in anything but "The Beasties" it hurts. If I run in "The Beasties" it hurts somewhat less but it still bothers me. Last week I finally tried running again. I barely made it a mile before I called it quits. 

This blog has never been about quitting. I always look at the positive angle, even in moments like this. If I sound a bit depressed, it's because I can't run like I want to run. I want to run. 5 years ago I would have laughed in your face if you told me I was depressed because I was sitting on a couch not doing anything. Yes. I'm complaining about not being able to run. How times change... and while I can't say that I'm in a good place right now, the fact that my "issues" have to do me wanting to lead a more active lifestyle then I can't help but think that's a good thing.

If I were happy or content with my current situation, that would be sad. That would be very sad.

So I'm gonna continue to try running. I'm also gonna try some cycling and cross-training to see how that feels. While some might think it unwise to run injured, I think it's important that I do run, even if it is at a lesser capacity than before. If I'm to get that MRI (and I am gonna do it, I promise) then it might as well show the full extent of what's wrong and that's not gonna happen sitting around the house. 

I'm also gonna be reviewing a product I've had my eye on for a while and now seems to be the perfect time to try it and report it to you guys.

So while The Fat Runner has been down for some time, he is most definitely not out and if he is gonna be down, then he is gonna go down fighting.

Brooks Beast 2014 - A Review

Don't you just love it when you have a legitimate excuse to go shopping for something you want? With my recent pair of Junkies reaching the end of their running career and in the interest of protecting my knee from what's left of Half Marathon training as well as the actual Philadelphia Half Marathon, it was time to visit my local running store and grab a new pair of shoes.

This time though -with an important race in the horizon- I wasn't gonna pull any punches. Last time I got a pair of Brooks Addiction (The Junkies) as they are a bit cheaper. They work well but nothing comes close to my shoe of choice, the Brooks Beast. And what do you know, Brooks has redesigned the shoe for 2014 and since I have never really reviewed these before, what better time than now?

Here is the 2012 model compared to the new one:

2012

 

2014

Historically, Motion Control shoes has not been the most cutting edge category when it comes to aesthetics. To be honest, most look horrible, while the "coolest" ones can earn the designation of "boring" but Brooks has been working on that. The 2012 model was pretty decent and the improvements made to the new one are quite welcome. Gone are the glossier pieces, replaced by flat, textured fabrics. Think alcantara or suede. 

The bottom of the shoe is almost identical to the previous version and that's a good thing. There was no reason to change what really works and I can attest from experience this is one tough sole that will stand up to plenty of miles and abuse.

From the back, you can see that this shoe clearly caters to heavy pronators, with a very pronounced lean to the inside as compensation. Neutral shoe, this is not.

The fit is excellent in my case. Snug but with plenty of room in the toe box to stretch and move the little piggies. They do feel different around the foot compared to the previous version. Like they are lighter (even thought they aren't. They are, in fact  .1oz heavier) or like there is less shoe around your foot. But any concerns that might arise from that fact will quickly fade once you start running. Brooks claims even more cushioning than ever on this edition and putting them to the test seems to confirm this. Compared to the previous edition, they feel more nimble and agile. Compared to my current set of Junkies there is no contest. The Beast remains the Motion Control shoe to beat in my humble opinion. While it is pretty obvious to anyone who reads this blog regularly that I'm a Brooks nerd, I have tried other brands of shoes, especialy Motion Control shoes. However I keep coming back to the Beasties. For me, they just work and if you are a heavier runner looking for cushioning, and pronation support, this is the pair to get or at the very least, it should be on your short list.

By the way, I'm no way endorsed or affiliated with Brooks. I bought these puppies at my local running shop with my hard-earned (and not-so disposable) income. Though with all the shoes I have bought from them over the last two years, maybe they should. LOL