Running Sandals

I got my Bite Running Sandals yesterday. I decided to try them out this morning on my eight mile run. Here's my review:

I had a hard time deciding which size to buy. I wear a 39 narrow in Birkenstocks, a 39 to 40 narrow in Dansko and a men's size 8 in running shoes. I don't wear anything else. After looking at a few sizing charts, and reading that the sandals run big, I decided to order a women's 8. That's pretty much a straight across size from the Birks. There weren't any width options given.

When the sandals came yesterday, I tried them on and felt a little concerned about the fit on my left foot. It was very snug across the toe box area - where the cuff is. I fiddled with the size adjustment straps, I stretched it out by pulling on it, and finally, I had Eric (wide feet) put them on and run around the block in them (hoping it would stretch a little more, besides, he was dying to try them, and no, we don't wear the same size, they were definitely not a good fit for him.) The right foot, of course, fit perfectly. They seemed to feel a little better after all that. I wore them around the house for a while, and on a short walk with the dog, and tried jogging up and down the street out front to see how they'd feel.

Still feeling a little nervous, I wore them out the door this morning, but put my regular running shoes on the front porch. I thought I'd see how they felt for about three miles, and then maybe I'd swing by the house and change into the shoes. They felt good walking to my start point, then felt strange but okay, when I started running. The fit was good, no slipping and sliding. I wore my toe-socks with them, but it still felt weird having the forefoot exposed. The biggest thing I noticed was that they are not cushy at all - they feel hard when you land. I could hear them more than I hear my shoes too - my steps were louder. I especially noticed the difference in feel when I was running down hill, but I really liked the way they felt going up hill. The other thing I noticed is that they didn't seem to "grip" the road the same way my shoes do.

It seemed like it took a long time to warm up today - probably more a function of running after the marathon than of the shoe. A couple of other things about today - it was cold, 40 degrees and I was wearing my winter stuff for the first time, and I was running alone. I think that made me notice everything a bit more than I would if I had company. Not only did I notice that my steps were loud, but I also noticed the swishing sound my running vest makes. I also noticed every ache and pain - which are easier to ignore with company!

I started to feel pretty good about four miles into the run. I was feeling a little funny right in the area where my left foot is developing a bunion - just a little pressure. I debated going back to the house and thought, nah, I'll just keep going. That bit of pressure didn't take long to turn into the bite of a blister. I kept thinking, only another half hour, now 20 minutes, now just a mile. Needless to say, when I pulled off the sandal, I had a bloody mess on top of my foot. Other than that little detail, I think they are pretty good. I felt okay wearing them for the first time in an 8 mile run, except for missing the cushioning. Also, my feet weren't cold at all. I would give them an overall rating of satisfactory, with the option of changing my opinion after I spend more time in them. For now, I think I will alternate them with my shoes - wearing the shoes for the longer runs, and the sandals for five-six miles or less. Seems like that will give my toes a break a few days a week.

Eric and Jenny discussed modifying my shoes the other day - cutting a slit or opening them up in the toe area. I think I'll have Eric give it a try on one of my older pairs and see if it makes a difference. Also, when we were at the Portland Expo, we talked to a Brooks rep we know that used to work in one of the local running stores. She gave me a specific name and store to visit to get some help with fitting. It's out of town a ways, but I'll probably give that a try too.

The other thing I'm considering is sending the sandals back and trying a men's version, which I assume will be a little wider in the cuff. I'm unsure about that because the right foot seems like a perfect fit. It's funny, all my problems crop up on my left side - left ITB, which aggravates left knee. Sometimes a bit of tendonitis on my left inside calf. Bunion on my left foot. The worst blisters are on my left foot, though my right foot does share that problem. Wonder what that means? Maybe I'm unbalanced!

Last two weeks of running:
Sunday: marathon
Monday-Thursday am: nothing, nada, zippo
Thursday pm: 3 miles
Friday: Pilates, no running
Saturday: 6.2 miles
Sunday: 5 miles
Monday: Pilates, no running
Tuesday: 8 miles

Thanks for stopping in! I've fallen way behind in my reading again, but will try to get back at it soon.