New Hattoris... jury is still out...

If you read any of my other posts you will see that I mostly use really cheap, minimal running shoes.  A while back the "fam" bought me some 5-finger KSOs which I blew through in 150 miles, so they have had multiple layers of duct tape, which is not working well anymore.  I also use conveyor belt huaraches, flip flop flipuaraches, water socks... on and on...

Last week on a 6 mile, I got pretty bad 2nd metatarsal blisters from my pretty bad water socks, so I decided I needed to try something new...  I just signed up to run a 1/2 marathon on April Fool's day... yes, I really am running!... so it had to be done quickly!  I went to Road Runner Sports near I36 and 104th is Westminster, CO.  They have a resident barefooter, Javier, so he and I talked the same language!  One of the other salesman was also a friend that I did not know worked there!  We started talking about shoes... he started talking about how to avoid toe blisters when you push off... uh... that's a no-no for barefooters... Javier and I looked at each other... the friend sort of drifted away and let us talk shop...

Javier says he always runs in Saucony Hattoris, so I gave them a hard look.  They have little or no heal rise and while they have pretty deep tread, the overall thickness was not too bad.  I succumbed and got a great price with a VIP membership!  Ain't money fiun... still a shock after my free huaraches and $6 water socks... oh well...

The Sunday blisters felt pretty good in the Hattoris after a 3/4 mile loop when I got home, so in anticipation of snow Tuesday night, so I slipped out of work a little early and hit a sand/gravel lake trail for another 6 miles.  I was concerned in the store about a arch support in the Hattoris but did not notice them when I ran a few strides in the store.  Same on the trail... I never felt them!  My barefootin' has developed some great arches in these old feet in spite of the warnings that going bare would ruin my feet!  What happened to "Use it or loose it"????

The blisters were still feeling great at 4 miles, but an old cross-metatarsal pain I used to get speed walking came back... funny, that was the last time I wore running shoes... So, I abandoned the gravel at 4.5 miles, did some foot stretching and noticed that the blisters felt fine bare... so... I took off on a sidewalk near the lake and did a good feeling mile.  I got close to the 6 mile plan - 5.64 if you want to know... pretty slow for me now too... ain't sayin'...

So, the jurry is out on the Hattoris!  They felt good, and a first run of 6 miles in them may have been a bit optimistic... ya think?  They are so light and flexible that I just thought it would not be a problem!  Actually I may know what it is... my feet are wide and are used to the wide open space of flipuaraches - ya'know?  I was a little concerned about that in the store and was going to try a 12 but the 11s I bought had lots of toe length and I did not want them sticking out too far beyond my toes!  What's a barefooter to do???

Road Runner has a good return policy and I may have to try that out!  I will see if they break in.  I need to do 3x6 per week for quick prep for the 1/2 marathon, so... wish me luck!

If you feel like joining in supporting me for the run fund raiser, it is a Polycom event to build a children's play yard in Africa via Right to Play.  Check it out!   Throw money...   Barely Running

http://righttoplay.akaraisin.com/Common/Event/Home.aspx?seid=4038&mid=8

Update 3/13/2012
Well... the jury is close...  I think I like them!  with the 1/2 marathon on April Fool's Day, I have to get some training miles in...  I need to feel comfortable in these shoes!  I got in 3, 6 mile runs last week and did about 1 mile each time barefoot.  The Hattoris felt good!  So far this week I have been sick and the days are drifting by... hopefully I will be able to hit the trail tomorrow!