Thursday, February 10, 2011

Decisions


Streak II

I'm leaning toward the green for New Orleans, simply because the fit is a little better than the pink (women's 12), but all things being equal I think I'd rock the pink considering it's the Mardi Gras Marathon.

So anyway, this post is nothing more than a shameless plug for Pearl Izumi's new Streak II, which is either already available or will be within the next week or so. I've had the good fortune to run in these for a few months now, and can safely say they're the best road flats I've ever worn, which is not necessarily saying a great deal as I've only ever owned two different pairs (beyond the Streak), but still...

Anyway, they weigh in at about 7.7 oz in the 9.5, which while not in the uber-light category is still a distinctly light feeling shoe. Wear testing suggests they're good for at least 300 miles, which is a large number for a road flat. The extra ounce or two in the Streak II versus the hardly-there flats (4 to 6 ounces) comes in the form of a little extra cushioning in the midsole and a little added structure to the upper. For me, this makes the Streak an ideal shoe to race the marathon distance in. The legs are always the first thing to break down in a marathon, so hopefully the extra cushion will allow the legs to hold up a little better to the relentless pounding of 26.2 miles on asphalt.

With all that said, no shoe in the world is going to prevent a full-on bonk if I go out too hard, so I sure hope I've guessed my pacing right.
Posted by at
Labels:

17 comments:

  1. nmpFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Run smart! Hopefully you get good weather for running a fast time.

    Happened to just notice you added dirty 30 to your race schedule. Good stuff - I think you will enjoy it. I think I will be doing that as well, although I may do Jemez instead.

    ReplyDelete
  2. NickFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Nick - Dirty 30 is sold out, I believe. You may need to send an impassioned plea to the race director if you want to run. Jemez is a great alternative - or heck, just do both.

    ReplyDelete
  3. mtnrunner2February 10, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    The "pink" looks fast, and as we know, bright colors work best.

    Then again, you strike me as pretty green in your views...

    I've never run in PI shoes. Is that heel soft? I'm guessing at 7+ oz. that's the case, but my feet hate to be told what to do...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Andy HenshawFebruary 10, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    Good luck Nick! Score one for trail runners in New Orleans

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jon AllenFebruary 10, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Pink, man- awesome. Good luck- have confidence in your training and pace plan.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    Yes! one foot of each color.
    Girona.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Nick...pink. Have a great run.

    Peter

    ReplyDelete
  8. SlushFebruary 11, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Of course green is one of the official mardi gras colors (along with purple and gold, I believe), but you know, do what you gotta do. Good luck and "lassiz bon temps roullez" or whatever they say down there! Oh and try go go to these places for good cheap-ish food: The Alabi Bar on Iberville for burgers and interesting locals, Coop's Place on Decatur St for local fare and surly locals, and Port of Call on Esplanade for stupid huge burgers and baked potatoes and drunk locals.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jeff ValliereFebruary 11, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    The Streak II is awesome!! I got a pair last month and agree that they are amazing, certainly the best feeling road shoe I have ever slipped on my feet. Go with the mens shoe. I tried a womens shoe once (got a good deal at REI way back) and it felt good initially, but really started to cause some arch pain. I mentioned this to Jeremy Rodgers and said wearing a womens shoe is a big no no. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  10. brownieFebruary 11, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    I believe those shoes will give you super powers. You should go out at 2:20 pace.

    They only last for 300 miles?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Alex GillespieFebruary 11, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Go Nick. Nail it in New Orleans

    ReplyDelete
  12. BrianFebruary 11, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    Hey Nick, missed you on Thursday. Taper smaper. Best of luck in the Big Easy, hoping your race fits that theme.

    On the shoes, I'd go with pink, but my fashion sense has been questioned.

    ReplyDelete
  13. NickFebruary 11, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    Thanks, all!

    Mtn runner - yeah the heel has a good amount of give - definitely a softer EVA compound.

    Jeff - good to know, I had no idea.

    Brownie - 300 miles ain't bad for a road flat.

    Brian/Slush. Yeah I was sorely tempted to head out to Towers last night and jog it, but avoided all temptation by staying away. Have fun in Moab if I don't see you guys next week.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AlexFebruary 12, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Have an awesome race tomorrow Nick! We'll be cheering for you and your brightly colored shoes. All those hard runs on 6 degree mornings are about to pay off big.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jon AllenFebruary 13, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    2:36:11 (sub 6 pace) and top 10 finish- pretty dang good job.

    ReplyDelete
  16. GZFebruary 13, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    Well done man!

    ReplyDelete
  17. buku cara cepat hamilSeptember 21, 2013 at 1:12 AM

    Pink is more cool and eye catching, will be the center of attention anyway

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)