Shoe Review: Topo Hydroventure waterproof trail shoe

I had never heard of Topo Athletic until coming across their posts on Instagram recently. They are a newer company based out of Massachusetts, "with a mission to develop footwear that honors the shape and biomechanics of the human foot". 

Always on the look out for the best trail running gear, I was intrigued by their design, as well as their claim to being waterproof.  Here, in the Pacific Northwest, that last part could be useful!

Having a shoe sent that you have only seen on the Internet can be like rolling the dice. I requested a ladies 10, though I normally wear a 10.5. I didn't see an option for my usual size. Surprisingly, they fit very well right out of the box! 

Brooks PureGrit2 trail shoe review

I got my first pair of trail shoes via Brooksrunning.com and have managed to put about 100 miles on them so far.

The PureGrit2 ($110) weighs 8.2 oz for ladies', and 10 oz for the men's shoes. This is considerably lighter than many trail shoes on the market, but slightly heavier than the original PureGrit.

And they feel light...weighing less than my usual road trainers by an ounce. (Weight makes a big difference, especially in racing if you encounter water, as anyone who has ever ran in very wet shoes knows!).

These are part of Brooks Pure line and are designed with a 4mm heel-toe drop. There is good arch support within them, but they still maintain a "natural" feel. The asymmetrical lacing feels comfortable, and once laced, I don't notice them again.

Compared with Brooks Cascadia8, these are a sleeker, nimbler model. The Cascadias feel more like a rugged hiking/running shoe with a wider toe box (too wide for my foot), but the PureGrits fit more closely with less sole and bulk to the upper.

How they performed
I was able to test the PureGrit2 shoes on a variety of trail surfaces: gravel, bark, grass, packed dirt and slick mud. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), I was unable to test them in loose sand, snow or icy surfaces.

 The hardest test for the shoes was certainly mud, but in my 7 mile run with mud I lost traction only twice- both times going downhill on a very slick slope, and only momentarily. Overall, they handled very well on each trail  they were worn.

The flexibility rivals my other speed shoes, but they are still sturdy and protective.  And as far as protection goes, there were no issues with rocks poking through to my feet. I suspect there is something (thin plastic maybe?) within the bottom of  the shoe to prevent this.

The PureGrit2s seem to almost repel mud.

Water penetrated my PureGrit2s when going through puddles, but the mesh upper fabric design allowed for it to drain quickly. My friend, who wore regular trainers on the same muddy run, had mud caked on her shoes when we finished.

A couple of cautions
The heel tab/achilles notch hits my foot a little higher than in some other shoes. Wearing longer socks will  keep them from rubbing sand or dirt into your foot. Gaiters are also recommended for especially gnarly trails.
If you are new to the 4mm platform, take your time adjusting to them.

Evaluation
The PureGrit2 are an excellent lightweight trail training and racing shoe. I would strongly recommend them to anyone, especially those interested in a trail shoe with lots of flexibility and a lower heel drop.

My "Dirty Secrets" for keeping shoes clean

WARNING: I can be a bit nutty about having my shoes clean. 

Recently a friend was asking how to clean her running shoes.  (Looks like I am not the only one who runs FASTER in shiny, fresh shoes!) 

Is there a right/wrong way to detail the trainers/racers?   I think so...

Running wouldn't be as fun for me without a little slog through the puddles, or gravel or mud. It makes me a little sad, though, to see my brand new shoes looking like they aren't new any more. So, over the last couple of years, I have established my own shoe cleaning routine to keep them looking new as long as possible.
Here is my process:

1. Outdoors, use a hose with a spray nozzle and remove as much dirt as possible, so that you are bringing in as little as possible (no one wants a sink or tub filled with dirt!). Using a stiff outdoor car washing brush can help loosen what is in the cracks.

2. Once they are clean enough to bring indoors, take them to a sink or tub (preferably one with detachable spray faucet). 

3. Remove the sock liners, and laces if laces are especially dirty. 

4. Spray entire shoe with a stain remover (I like Spray 'N' Wash). If you don't have it, you can use liquid laundry soap and dab it on. 

5. Using an old toothbrush, scrub any spots or in the cracks where it was missed before. Go over the entire upper and sole of the shoe. You may wish to scrub the sock liner and laces as well.

6. Rinse all shoe parts under a sink faucet, or spray nozzle, until water runs fairly clean.

7. Second wash: Place shoes, laces and sock liners in a sink, half filled with lukewarm water and about 1 small load's worth of laundry soap. Let soak for 20 minutes. Remove shoes and try re-scrubbing any stubborn spots left from earlier.

8. Drain dirty water from sink. (Don't let the laces go down the drain!)

9. Rinse with faucet until water is clean.

Drying

1. Using an old towel, loosen the tongue and put as much towel in the shoe as you can. 
2. Wrap the shoe in the towel and press firmly on the upper, to blot as much water as possible. (Blot the sock liners and laces as well.)
3. Set the shoes, tilted at an angle (to get as much airflow to the upper as possible), in front of a cool fan overnight. They should be dry by morning if you pressed out the water well.

A couple of things you shouldn't do

Don't use hot water
Don't place them in a dryer or in front of a heater.  (This will break down the glue and foam construction quickly and shorten the life of your shoes.)

Are you crazy about keeping your shoes clean? I clean mine before my races as a ritual and visualize my race while I am cleaning them!

Do you have any other tips for shoes? I'd love to hear them!

Running Store Revelations (or the treadmill never lies)...1600 & Fishing.

The treadmill never lies

Yesterday, while my boys went fishing, I went into the local running store and asked if they thought I had high arches (it kinda looks to me like I have them).

The gal there asked me to stand and bend at the knees with my feet shoulder-width apart. Upon her watching, she informed me, "Yes, and you're a neutral".

Whoa. Back up there, missy. "Are you sure?"

She rechecked. "Yes."

That's kinda funny, since I have been analyzed before as an over-pronator (most women are). "I have been running in stability shoes for two (almost 3) years, and you're telling me I am a neutral?"
She nodded her head.

"Really?" She nodded her head again.

I was in total doubt. I am a skeptic anyway...but this was pretty hard for me to believe.
"Sorry to push this, but I got analyzed before and I was wondering....Would you mind doing the treadmill video tape thing?"

"Sure."
She was confident. She cued up that puppy and let me run in my jeans for a bit longer than I did the last time 2+ years ago.

Then she played it back for me.

Sure enough. As she pointed out, I strike on the outsides of my feet and roll in, but only to the center (maybe a smidge more on the left foot, but not enough to warrant stability shoes.)

We talked some more..about what might happen if you are a neutral wearing stability shoes. Two things might crop up: ITBS and/or ankle issues. And it might explain the odd wear pattern on my shoes..to the outside on the right foot).

I purchased the sports bra I found on clearance and a few gels. I needed some time to take it all in. I left with my mom (who had the baby-- THANKS MOM!!!) and we talked. Then I doubled back and went for a pair of shoes (and ran into my friend Tami on the way back!...thanks for the fashion input!).

She was busy this time and I got a different clerk. We'll call him Specs. Specs was the guy who analyzed me in 2008. He didn't believe I was a neutral, so he made me do the standing test.

I mentioned to him I got injured about 5 weeks ago and had a marathon coming up. "I wouldn't do it," He said. I smiled.

"I am going to do it." (thinking..."If I can"...) "Airfare is paid for. I registered in October. And I have seen a doctor (kinda defensively)."

"You only live once." He said with a shrug.

He got me the shoes, I tried them on and ran in them. He recommended I take my time to get used to them (working them into my other shoes). I bought them.

While at the counter he asked, "What race is it?" I told him it was Boston.

"Oooooooooohhhhh. I haven't done that one."

"Why not?" I asked...curious to get into the brain of another runner.

"I really want to be in my best shape when I do," He replied.

I smiled again.

I took the shoes and left.

***
Being a neutral is like winning the lottery...Here I was running around in stability shoes, when I could have been wearing some nice Asics Piranhas the whole time!! The world of racing flats and discount deals is just beyond the door.

***
Training stuff:
I think I am still recovering from the 20 miler...or my calf was still sore from weights Saturday (quite possible), when I headed out in the rain today. I haven't done any speed work since the disastrous tempo that took me out for three weeks with a mysterious ankle injury.

Another blogger, Danny, (thank you) suggested that I do a few 1600's (but not too many) between now and the race.

I'll be honest here. I have not felt like my legs were ready for that yet. But I know my time left is very short. I decided to keep it near 6:18 each (if it could be possible to go that pace)I also decided to stop at two, just to make sure I could LIVE to run another day (if injury issues cropped up).

I wore the new Brooks and after 5 miles of warm up, I hit the first 1600. Really- I wasn't sure if I could even go under 7 minutes- but I misjudged where the mile marker was (it's been 6+ weeks!) and when I saw it, I had to hold on. I finished in 6:07. The about 1600 recovery, but I was still tired. This one was an easier effort and a slower 6:25. It's very hard to judge my fitness from just these two....But I feel better for trying.

I definitely want to get to my race in one piece, so I am not going to go crazy with this stuff at 20 days out. Just trying to regain fitness I lost. And tomorrow I may be able to run (at an easy pace). Each run is a GIFT.
Hope you all have a great week!!!
***
Fishing pics:

Thanks to my dad and Jon for taking the boys on a fun excursion (in Eugene)!

They had a good time- even though the fish were very tricky =D Monday.

On Holiday...

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Look at me SMILE!

I LOVE to be on HOLIDAY!!!

Don't you?

Yes, darling. I am taking the day off (well, no running anyway). It was a spontaneous thing.

Just sounded FUN!

Now that I am done being sarcastic ...or just dreaming that I would ever do an impromptu rest day, let me fill you in on a little info.

I haven't missed a long run for anything other than a race or recovery from a race in 15 months.

The last time was for injury. I am feeling like a fool and taking today off. I might take tomorrow off too.

If I can handle it.

I have achilles tendinitis,

I think.

Or something similar.

***

Where am I?

My right foot is sore just below the ankle on the right side only. Not too bad- except when I stop and try to start again. No cooling down allowed! I've been icing and stretching and taking ibuprofen around the clock.

I am in a scheduled cutback week- a cutback from 68, 69, 70 mile weeks. I was supposed to run about 55 miles this week. I have 29 :( .

How did I get here?

It didn't start off too bad yesterday, until I did that tempo portion and had to make an emergency pit stop at mile 6.1. Really didn't want to stop. I was on a roll! When I started again, it was like the heel locked up. I got it going again pretty well and finished the 7 miles in 46:30 (6:39 pace, with the watched stopped for the stop). After the tempo was done I still had about 4 miles to get home and I hobble-jogged.

Looking at the last few weeks, I was overconfident in my mileage increases. I was overconfident in my speed work. I was overconfident my ability to handle hills two days in a row.

See a trend?

Not so confident now. Yeah, I finished the tempo in my goal time. Actually, well ahead of my goal time, but I spent the rest of my run thinking, "You IDIOT."

Where I am going:

I am sticking to my vows and trying to stay rational. I am TRYING to tell myself that taking a couple of days off will be just fine right now and that I can pick it up Monday without lost fitness, speed, etc...

I don't sound convinced, do I?

I have been foam rolling, sleeping extra, lifting weights, riding the trainer bike (just a little), eating. Trying to be nice to others.

My mind is processing thoughts:

What if I already hit my peak mileage at 9 weeks out?

What if I can't do any more speed work?

What if it gets worse?

Could it be the shoes? No...probably not.

If I take off a day or two or three, am I going to lose all that I have gained?

Maybe God is trying to get my attention.... Probably. Maybe He's trying to tell me that Boston really is NOT that important. Other things are.

And THIS is why He did not make me a four minute miler. I struggle to think of anything besides running!!

Sorry to whine! I think I just need some rational people to tell me some rational things.

***

Now, time to put on my Audry Hepburn sunglasses and enjoy my holiday (at the looney bin)!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend :)