Trail Shoe Trial

After the crazy, forgetfulness that has been this week (and I even had Monday off!), I opted for a slower pace this morning.  Instead of getting up early to pound the pavement, I got in a few extra minutes of sleep and took the pup for a walk.  I did not wear a watch or an ipod or anything else that required charging.  I simply put on my mismatched running attire, threw my hair into a sloppy ponytail (more of a bunny tail really), and grabbed the leash, my house key, and a plastic poo bag.  The Chancellor, understanding what was about to take place, began his full body wiggle in excitement.

I also decided I'd better try out my new trail shoes.  I recently purchased a pair of Montrail Masochists and I had yet to wear them. It is sort of important that I do, since this Saturday I will be running the Bartlett Park 50k near Memphis, and I am intending to wear them during that race.

I'm not completely sold on the idea of a trail shoe.  My own trail running experiences have led me to believe that regular running shoes work just fine for me.  I should add here that my trail running experience is EXTREMELY limited.  I can count my total trail races on one hand, and I barely need two hands to count the times I've run on trails period.

All of the more experienced trail runners I know wear trail shoes of various sorts and believe that they are needed when hitting the trails.  When I decided to train and run Mountain Mist in 2008 (a race I decided NOT to run after training on the actual route), I bought a pair of Asics trail shoes because I was told I should, but I never really liked them.  I sprained an already weak ankle multiple times, causing frustration and unwanted time off, but I kept wearing them anyway.

The obvious solution may have been to choose another pair of trail shoes.  And I did try some on eventually.  They all felt bulky, heavy and hard, and I did not like any of them.  So when I decided I wanted to try a 50 mile trail run, I started training in my regular running shoes to see how that worked.  So far, so good.

Reading "Born to Run" did not help the trail shoe defense much either.  I understand the concept of one's feet feeling the ground (while somewhat protected, of course) and knowing what to do, how to balance, shift, settle, move.  I often wonder if the constant ankle spraining is not a result of too much between my foot and the terrain. That does not mean I want to hit the trails barefoot tomorrow, and it does not mean I think supportive shoes are unimportant.  I'm not sure, however, that I need extra shoe simply because the terrain has changed.

But I bought some anyway.  I guess I'm not totally convinced that I know what I think I know.  And the new Asics Cumulus (my normal running shoe of choice) is pink.  Ugh.  I was hoping for another blue and green pair like the ones I have now...that are in serious need of replacement.

So the Montrail Masochists felt a little awkward when I wore them this morning, but not overly so.  I ran some at the end of the walk, and it felt more natural than I thought it would.  They are a little lighter than the other trail shoes I've tried and not as stiff.  I may try them out again this afternoon and maybe tomorrow morning.  I realize this is probably not the best protocol when trying out new shoes but it is the best I've got for now. 

Chance, meanwhile, thought it was all a little over the top and suggested padded paws as the best footwear for running.