For the past year, the Brooks Glycerin has been one of my personal favorite shoes. I ran in the Brooks Glycerin 14 and am currently running in the Glycerin 15. Spoiler: The Brooks Glycerin is 15 is just as good, if not better, than the Brooks Glycerin 14.
A common question I recieve both at work and on this blog, is do you like the Brooks Glycerin or Brooks Ghost better?
My answer is: I wish I could take the fit of the Brooks Ghost (it’s wider) and have the cushion the Glycerin. Both have their positives and negatives and I like both shoes about the same.
In short, the Glycerin is the most cushioned shoe from Brooks. Whether you are running 100 miles or walking 1, it’s going to provide a soft and well cushioned ride.
Brooks is not paying me to review their shoes and I’m not a Brooks ambassador.
Fit:
One major update from the Brooks Glycerin 14 to the Glycerin 15 is the redesigned upper. There are less seams and it is a bit wider. Without the seams, the Glycerin fits many more people with bunions or people that have fuller toe boxes (like myself). The wider toebox update is welcomed from the Glyercin 14.
The redesigned upper is positive and you’ll have a lot more room for your toes to spread out. Fit wise, I wore a 10 wide in the Brooks Glycerin 14 and I still wear a 10 wide in the Brooks Glycerin 15. My feet have much more room and they are happier.
Ride:
The ride of the actual shoe is very similar to the previous model. To me, it feels almost identical in a good way. You don’t have to worry “the shoe update has changed” and it won’t work for you. It still has a very high cushioned and soft feel.
The Glycerin Line Itself: If you’ve never worn the Glycerin, it’s a very high cushioned, soft, shoe. There is a lot of cushioning throughout the shoe but it’s not heavy or bulky either. A major reason I like it, is the amount of forefront cushioning.
Brooks Glycerin 15 Conclusions
The Glycerin 15 is a solid update from the Glycerin 14. There isn’t anything too crazy changed, so you won’t feel as though it’s a brand new shoe. Let’s be honest, minimal changes in the running shoe world are a good thing. With the amount of cushion, it’s a personal favorite of mine.
I had one good week of running, and I feel darn good about it.
But I don’t want to jynx myself either. I don’t want to get overzealous. In June, I had a string of about 3 good weeks that I thought would turn into the epic comeback after a burnout.
But here we are two months later.
So with that, I’ll just say I had one good week of training. Not a comeback, but also my best week of training since June.
As I mentioned last week in my monthly recap, my goal is to run about 45 minutes or 5 miles most days with appropriate rest as well as a long run. I want to recreate a foundation and base to keep my body healthy. This will stay a trend until I feel good. We will see where next week takes me.
For me, this is also a critical time because I’m most susceptible to injury. I haven’t been consistently running mileage. I have been running enough, but it hasn’t been as consistent as training.
This critical time is when begin to pay more attention to recovery including stretching, foam rolling and more frequent deep tissue massages. Yes, pricey but less than a trip to get a Xray or even MRI. Plus, I haven’t spent much in running shoes or race entry fees, so it all evens out.
Monday:
45 minutes running
Tuesday:
45 minutes running/15 minutes core
Wednesday:
OFF
Thursday:
45 minutes running
Friday:
45 minutes running/15 minutes core
Saturday:
45 minutes running
Sunday:
Long Run: 55 minutes
Total: 30-33 miles
While boring, it’s all part of the process. I took quite a bit of time away from training, so it’s important to build back a strong foundation. I don’t want to commit to actually “training” until I have the time, but I do my schedule is going to begin to free up soon.
As someone who works in a running shoe store, I can tell you I’ve personally fit about 1000 people for running shoes, and I’ve watched hundreds more be fit too.
Searching for your own personal shoes can be tough. What do you look for? How do you know when they are “right”?
When searching for running shoes, I always advise people to get fitted at their local running store. Thinking out loud, people that work in a running store have seen dozens of brands, styles, and companies. Plus they know shoes well. That being said, you know your feet. You know what feels most comfortable.
Most people come in and have no idea what to look for in a running shoe.
The short answer: Does it feel good?
Yes, then it’s the right shoe for you.
No? Then it’s not the right shoe for you.
The Long Answer:
Here are some important details you should look for in shoes.
Size (Length):
I cannot emphasize this enough. Do not buy your shoes too small. During the day, your feet can swell and lengthen anywhere from a half-full size. This is magnified during running! Always make sure there is a thumb’s width of space between your biggest toe and the end of the shoe.
Yes, your feet lengthen over time and age so make sure you get your measured frequently. After putting your shoes on, make sure you can wiggle all of your toes. If you can’t the shoe is too tight or too narrow. This brings us to point number 2.
Size (Width):
The width of a shoe is one of the most underlooked aspects of a shoe. Most running specialty stores carry at least wide if not double wide! Do not be scared to go into a wider shoe. If you are getting holes on the side of your shoe from your pinkie toe, this could be a sign the shoe is too narrow. Having extra room is always better than not enough. I never knew I needed a wide until working at the store. Now, I love it.
Heel:
In any running shoe, your heel should feel both snug and secure. It should never feel tight. If you feel as though you are “slipping,” lace your shoe to the final eyelet. This will you’re your heel more into place. Some shoes are cut lower than others but make sure you’re comfortable in the cut of the back too.
The heel should never feel tight, but there can be a little bit of movement. If the heel feels uncomfortable in the store, then it won’t feel good while running.
Feel:
You can be fit into the appropriate shoe but it doesn’t feel good, it doesn’t. How a shoe feels to you is one of the most important aspects of the shoe. You want a shoe that feels natural. You don’t want a shoe that “you’ll have to get used too”. Don’t get a shoe to alter to your stride because that can create many more issues. Running Stores recommend taking the shoe for a quick run in the store. That initial few steps often can tell you an immediate yes or no. Also, most running stores have an exchange policy to work with you.
With so many different shoes out there, it can be hard to figure out which one is “best for you”. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer but only what feels good and keeps you injury free.
In the Spring, I ran in the Brooks Ghost 9, and it was one of my favorite shoes of 2017. I ended up running the entire 300-400 miles, and it was replaced in my rotation with other models including the Glycerin 14 and Launch 4.
To be honest, the Brooks Ghost 10 was one of my most anticipated updated shoes! Brooks is not paying to me review their shoes.
Working in the running store, I can tell you the Brooks Ghost is one of the most consistent shoes on the market. If you like the 1…you’ll probably like the 2 and the 5 and the 10. I like the Ghost 9, and I also like the Ghost 10.
Most of the update from the 9 to 10 is in the midsole. The Ghost 10 introduces a new two-piece midsole design. It makes it more fluid for running and able to accommodate many different foot strikes evenly (IE: whether you run heel to toe, on your toes on somewhere in the middle).
The updated Ghost 10 also has less seems with minimal stitching and overlays. For someone with wider feet, like myself, nothing rubs. If you have bunions or a wider forefront, you’ll probably appreciate this as well.
Fit:
The Ghost has a narrow heel and wide toe box which is the ideal shape for many people’s feet. It hugs the arches appropriately and for the most part, fits true to size. It’s been hard finding shoes that do fit true to size recently, plus everyone’s foot shape is slightly different (including your left and right foot).
Finding a shoe that accommodates both feet can be a challenge. The Ghost has plenty of space. I wore a regular size 10 in the Ghost 9 and wear a regular size 10 in the Ghost 10.
Ride:
With the included new two piece and fluid midsole, the shoe is much more responsive to where you need the cushion. For many people, they benefit from a much softer heel. For myself, I benefit from a much softer and well-cushioned forefront.
How can the shoe be so adaptive to so many foot types? Brooks uses a unique Cushion Material called “BioMoGo DNA foam.” It’s essential, like memory foam. It molds to your feet and cushions you where you need it. Out of any brand, the cushioning is the most adaptable to your stride. It’s soft, light weight and well cushioned.
It’s soft, light weight and well cushioned. I’ve run speed workouts but also long runs in the Ghost. Ideally, I like to do my easy runs and long runs in the shoe though. Since I’m not running a lot, I do the majority of it in the Brooks Ghost 10 right now.
In summary, I like the Brooks Ghost and think it’s a great shoe. The updates from the Ghost 9 to the Ghost 10 have only enhanced the fit.
Current Rotation:
Brooks Ghost 10 (any run)
Brooks Glycerin 15 (Review to come! any run) Hoka Bondi 5
Since posting on Instagram about running on the anti-gravity treadmill, better known as the Alter-G, many people have asked to write about my experience on there!
The Alter-G is a great tool that I am fortunate to have access too. You can see a full list of Alter-Gs near you or in your area. If you’re Philadelphia or Southern New Jersey local, the one I’ve been using is it at RunningCo. Of Haddonfield.
Alter G is not paying me or sponsoring this post is anyway.
Like many runners, when I have the time I like to run outside. I’m no stranger to the Alter-G and have used it recovering from a few injuries. Injury recovery is probably the most well-known reason to use it, but it’s not the reason I’m using it now.
As I’ve mentioned, I’m busy for a few weeks and running outside is not always an option unless I want to run in midday in 90 degrees. Since I don’t, my choices are run on a regular treadmill, run on the Alter-G or don’t run. Because I also don’t know what each day is going to bring, my training could also be all over the place. One week, I could have time for 70 miles. The next week, only 20. Drastic changes in mileage would create an injury. So, I settled on running on the Alter-G. I’ll still get a workout in and retain muscle memory. However, I won’t put as much stress as my body.
As I mentioned, many people use the Alter-G to run while recovering from an injury. There are a few great articles and case studies of how elite runners have trained on the Alter-G during recovery. Many professional runners also use the Alter-G to keep stress off their bodies, so they are less injury prone.
You can run anywhere between 20% body weight and 100% body weight.
Here are just a few benefits with the anti-gravity treadmill for runners:
Physical therapy following an injury to a lower extremity (like the feet or legs)
Prolong your running career by building leg strength without the full impact on your body
Maintain and develop cardiovascular fitness while injured or away from sports.
Run longer and recover faster with less pain
Gradually progress and easily adjust the intensity of your workout
Change your running form without becoming more injury prone.
So What Exactly Happens?
You put on a pair of specialty pants, step into the Alter-G and allow it to calibrate to your body weight. From there you can adjust to how much weight you would like to run at. You can run anywhere from 20% body weight to 100%.
Right now, I feel between 60-70% is a good number for me. After the machine calibrates, you just run. You can do anything that you do on a normal treadmill including hills or speed. I have seen several local elite runners do workouts on it and some people (like myself) just prefer to Netflix and run.
So Why Have I Chosen to Go This Route This Summer?
It’s not a secret I’m injury prone. Due to my form, I stress my metatarsals more than the average person. When my training becomes inconsistent, I get injured. As I mentioned, since I am busy this summer, I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to consistently run.
That isn’t because I don’t want to run but because I don’t have the time. For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been out of the house from 6 am-7 pm. Sometimes I have a couple of empty hours in the middle of the day, but at that point, it’s 90+ degrees. I would prefer to run inside anyways. Thinking out loud, it just makes the most sense right now to use the Alter-G and not overly stress my body.
Incase you missed Monday’s training log, I posted a short video about going through the process. (And yes, I do make random comments like that frequently)…
As most people know, I took a 6-week break after the Atlantic City Half Marathon. It’s been the topic of discussion on this blog because it’s the only thing I’ve done running related. I was not injured, but both physically and mentally exhausted.
I asked myself: at what point do I just mentally rest and refocus?
On the drive home from the race, I knew I was at that point. Thinking out loud, I never anticipated taking as much time off from running as I did but my body did not recover well from a season of hard training or even the race itself. One week turned to two, then three to six. As I continued to rest, I was still burnt out and in no mood to run.
After a while, the running bug bit me again and I decided I wanted (key word: wanted) to get back into running again. Along with beginning to run again, I decided to get my blood analyzed again with Insidetracker.
Recently, InsideTracker has been a popular topic amongst running blogs. As someone who graduated with a health degree, I do believe blood tests and results should be more accessible to those who would like the information. Another aspect people don’t realize, is you can send your Insidetracker results to your doctor as well. Instead of making multiple appointments, you can come in with bloodwork results in hand.
It is not a replacement for a doctor, and they don’t claim to be. The biomarkers tested are endurance athlete focused. For the average person, results might seem extremely high in a routine blood test. Endurance athletes typically have skewed results. Depending on your lifestyle, individual blood results can always be skewed. For instance, people in upstate NY might have a Vitamin D deficiency, where those living in Florida might not have that issue. Physical Environment plays a key role in results.
InsideTracker gives simple recommendations that anyone can benefit from. If a result needs medical attention, they tell you and highly recommend you see a doctor.
It was my third time getting Insidetracker done. Each time, I chose to pay extra and get the entire process done at my home. First, I’m not the best with needles. Second, driving into Philadelphia during rush hour, after fasting for 12 hours isn’t a situation I’m comfortable with. It’s the best situation for me!
Just as the previous sessions, the process went smoothly. After a few days, I received my results which confirmed everything I felt.
My blood indicated I was both physically and mentally fatigued.
There were a few things that popped up that directly matched how I was feeling. It was “nice” that my blood confirmed I was mentally and physically fatigued. (So I didn’t feel like it was “all in my head”)
All three of my AST/ALT/GGT liver enzymes were elevated.
So what does this mean?
One enzyme elevated could mean you were tired but the fact that all three were up meant by muscles were extremely fatigued. My blood essentially showed that no wonder I was exhausted. It was overtrained and fatigued. Before getting the blood work done, I had thought that it was possible I was overtrained, but I didn’t think results would be as high as they were.’
I don’t have a liver disease, but all three remained elevated due to the stress training caused to my body over the past year. Like most things, it takes time to recover!
How Have I Been Fixing the Problem?
Are having elevated enzymes, the worst thing in the world? No. In fact, it justifies why I felt the way I did.
After getting the test, I waited another two weeks and decided to slowly start running again.
I’m not running every day and I’m not running nearly the volume I was previously. Right now, I can truly say I enjoy each run. I don’t run for pace, time or speed (unless it’s a race), but just run. As I mentioned on Monday, I’ve ultimately decided to use the summer as down time too.
With my schedule, running is taking a backseat. It’s allowing my body to relax even more. I’m doing many of my runs mid day on the antigravity treadmill at work. My options are outdoors in 85 degrees, indoors on a treadmill, or indoors on the antigravity treadmill. If I’m not training hard for anything, why stress my body hard during this period?
Rome wasn’t built in a day and your body doesn’t heal overnight. Using the summer to run casually, will allow my body to continue to physically and mentally recover.
I’m also taking both a probiotic and liver enzyme which I feel has been working well for me. It’s only been 4 weeks since starting to take the enzyme but once I go through the entire bottle I’ll discuss it more.
Finally, the last piece of the puzzle is I am also striving to eat proper recovery foods. As my husband trains for another marathon, we’ve made it a focus to work on both proper recovery foods for both of us. Neither of us has a terrible diet, but we do treat ourselves a few times a week or go out to eat more than the average couple. For now, we limited eating out (our budget has also thanked us) and focused on cooking more foods together.
Nutrition wise, another aspect I appreciate about InsideTracker is they give personal food recommendations for your own needs. A few recommendations including peanut butter, wheat germ, and eel. (I don‘t know if I’ve mentioned but I really enjoy eel, octopus, and squid ;).
Eel tubes
I’ve been incorporating several of these foods into my diet and I’ve felt better and stronger because of it.
I do plan to get my blood tested again sometime in late July or August to see how I’ve progressed. I’m happy to have gotten the test done. It’s a good feeling when both your mental and physical mindset line up. When I scheduled InsideTracker, I wasn’t sure what it would show but I’m relieved that it provided answers and is allowing me to recover even more.
I would consider this time for myself, the off season. Or maybe even the off year. Relaxing, recovering well and building for a better training cycle is going to allow me to PR at a later time when I’m ready to train again.
Over the past few years, the Saucony Triumph ISO has become one of the staple shoes from Saucony.
The Triumph is a neutral, high cushioned shoe with an 8 mm drop.It’s great for training, racing, roads or trails. It’s not heavy or clunky but maximizes on cushion. It’s a shoe you can run pretty much anywhere!
Over the past few years I’ve run in both the Saucony Triumph ISO and Saucony Triumph ISO 2.As well as the Zealot 1 and Zealot 2 and most recently the Freedom.There aren’t many Saucony shoes I haven’t run in right now! My personal favorite are the original Saucony Triumph as well as the Freedom but none of the models are shoes I wouldn’t run in again.
Saucony Triumph ISO 3 Fit:
In most Saucony shoes, I wear between a size 10-10.5 and wide. In the Triumph, ISO 3, I wear a size 10 wide and it fits well.
Like the previous few models, the Saucony Triumph uses the ISO fit. The tongue is attached and it’s seamless so it doesn’t rub. It has a small update which holds the foot more in place than previous models.
A common complaint with the shoe is the “back is lower” and people are afraid their heel might slide out.Even though the back is lower, your foot remains secure in place throughout the ride. I’ve never had a slipping issue and I’ve run through multiple mud puddles.
The upper of the Saucony Triumph ISO 3 is what had major updates. A lot of excess material was removed making the overlay less bulky. While the update isn’t life changing, it’s a small appreciated fit update.
Saucony Triumph Ride:
The Saucony Triumph continues to use Everrun cushioning. Everrun cushioning is becoming the standard material for Saucony. Evverun is more durable than EVA foam and doesn’t stiffen up in the cold. According to Saucony, the everrun material also gives an increased energy return.
What does this supposedly mean?
You feel better when you run outside in the cold weather, plus the shoe lasts longer.This year, I haven’t personally spent time in a climate that would benefit from this but I’ve heard many people at work and online say it’s true.
Final Thoughts:
I like the Saucony Triumph ISO 3. It’s a great trainer and you are able to run long runs or race.
Is it my favorite shoe? I personally like the Saucony Freedom better but I do like running in the Triumph as well.
