Zack Perry

Over the last year and a half I’ve become such a huge fan of La Sportiva trail running shoes. The Skyline and Crosslite models are lights out in comparison to the competition. Their shoes possess durability, a good balance of weight, and smart traction designs. So why would I even consider anything else?

Got me other than the fact a shoe, yes a trail shoe, could weight 6 oz. Well, the New Balance MT100 tempted my whistle. I purchased a pair the other day to test out. I knew it would be this weekend before I could hit the trails so I went out Friday night for a quick spin. As I ran, my opinions were all over the place. The shoe was almost in comparison to a true racing flat but a lot less cushion in certain places, like the forefoot area. But over the course of 5 miles I became one with the shoe. I even out ran some of the Halloween critical mass participants.

Sunday morning I found myself in a good spot. Not too hung over from a night of festivities and finding a hour back of sleep. I awoke at 630, quickly dressed and drove out to Pelos Forest Preserve to get in some solid training. And to put my new trail shoes to the test. The trails were slightly damp with covered the stacks of fall leaves beginning to rise from the ground. Pelos is slightly hilly but nothing drastic so I figured I’d have to go easy a bit not being able to see the true ground.

Within a couple of miles my legs begin to loosen up finally and I begin to find my rhythm. Such a beautiful morning and feeling I tell ya. It’s those moments were you want to humbly thank God for making you a runner and being able to play a part in the environment He has created. Celebration of a beautiful gift.

I quickly found myself wanting to explode parts of the trail system but I knew I should maintain and set in for the 2 hours I was scheduled to run. The MT100’s didn’t quite meet my expectation for these sort of conditions. The traction on the sole is definitely geared towards more dryer conditions as the sole nubs go from really small at the top of the shoe to medium at the back of the shoe. I had several spin outs going up little up hills with soft, slightly wet ground. Cornering also proved to be tough in these shoes as well coming off a down hill section.

The cushion, I mentioned earlier, also proved a bit uncomfortable at times. About 1:10 into my run I needed to cross a section of road maybe 2/10 long. Running on that pavement for that short of time was really uncomfortable. NB really should address this to improve the support. Then again at 1:25 going over some small sharp rocks I could feel some uncomfortable pushes back against my feet.

By then end of my 2hrs my feet felt overall ok. No blisters or major aches. Even with my hamstring tightening up my left foot remained solid and loose. Overall, I think the NB MT100 are good shoes. I think if they would insert a bit more cushion in the forefoot area, increase the length of the traction nubs a bit, and use a water resistant material I think the shoe would be a lights out competitor to the La Sportiva shoes.

Zack Perry Design, Running MT100, New Balance, Running, trails

Small improvement for Brooks. Increase the length of your velcro in the back pouch area of your shorts. I’m constantly loosing gels and having to cut my runs short. ugggs.

Zack Perry Uncategorized brooks, food, Running

I honestly couldn’t believe I made it through a weekend of semi long runs. Coming off my 40 days I decided to take 4 days off from running in preparation for the long training days that leading me up to the Lookout Mountain 100k. I couldn’t help but let the demons run loose in my head about how I’m probably not ready for this and that I should quit. But those quickly went away as I began to embrace the surroundings and simply enjoy my runs. I absolutely love to run. It kills me that my body is beginning to age along with years of bad habits in nutrition, stretching, and proper training.

This is my year of change. I’ve realized that if I truly want to be an ultramarathoner I’ve got to realize there are things I’ve got to do if I want to push my body beyond what it can do. So this week plugs into my new running mantra. With these thoughts and a few days rest I began my training this weekend.

Saturday the weather was miserable. 40s and steady rain. With a big bowl of cereal in my system I left out around 930am to route through the city. Typically I don’t have set routes. It’s more mental in watching my Garmin to check distances, times, and pace. So at any given point I can tell if I need to get going or begin to make my way back towards home. I was really hoping to hit the trails up this weekend but with so much rain over the last week I decide to stay away and hit the streets of Chicago.

The start of my run began running towards downtown hitting Lincoln Ave all the way to Diversey were I quickly discovered how awful I felt, maybe it was couple of High Life’s maybe it was Burrito House at 130am :). I kept the suffering going and decided it was time to stop and eat a bit as I was around the 50 min mark. One great thing about running in Chicago is Lake Front Trail where you can always find a water fountain. It’s clean and drinkable water and has avoided me from carrying a water bottle. Within 5 or 10 minutes I began to pep up and my legs started to stabilize. Thank goodness because my hamstring was starting to bother me which always freaks me out. Two months ago I was out running the Lake and hit the 11 mile mark and felt some sort of weird twitch in my hamstring that turned into having to take a week off from training so anytime I begin to feel weird I start freaking out.

With everything smoothing out and my pace starting to click negative splits I felt super positive ending day 1 of training with 1:35 and 11 miles. The concept of long slow running is hard for me to get. Being a person who enjoys pushing it super hard I’ve had a difficult time understanding “SLOW DOWN” “IT’S OK TO RUN 8MIN MILES.” I probably could have done a better job recovering for the afternoon but instead chose to run errands, go to watch the Michigan State game with a friend, and end up at the Dave Bazan concert last night.

I had plan to run this AM, but after a late night, waking up at 945, and barely making it to church on time I figured it was my intended rest. After some afternoon school work finally decided to lace up the running shoes and hit the road. Today I went more East to Clybourn then began to make my way back towards downtown. I’ve been trying to avoid downtown running as much as possible. People don’t get running in this area and love to be in your way. I ended up making my way back to the Lake Front Trail, popping a quick gel, and taking over a water fountain for a few minutes. Overall, I felt okay. I could tell my body was on the edge today as my hamstring was super tight and my groin would experience a ache every 10 to 15 minutes. Ended up doing about the same mileage in a bit shorter time as my last 4 miles were extremely smooth and relatively fast clicking in a 7 minute pace.

This week will give me a day or two of rest. Tuesday I’m taking a mental day of rest from work and hope to hit the trails in the am and knock out 12 to 15 miles. So yes I can say I’m feeling super positive going into this week’s training. Hopefully plenty of rest, being smart, and awesome runs.

Zack Perry Running Running, training

What an amazing weekend of running. Reflecting back I’ve pounded a bit too hard instead of doing what I should be doing, relaxing after a hard day of racing. I’ve found I can’t do it these days. When you really enjoy running how can you control yourself???

I’ve become so reliant on my running these days to A. think about God and be focused in praying B. work through stressor in my head and C. to just move…why would I want to sit still. I spent Friday night trying to prove myself worthy of being one of the top runners in Memphis. Having a great track workout early in the week I was picturing the pace, movements, feelings, etc. I’d find myself going through for the Firecracker 5k. But my addiction got me into trouble. Needing to be out east Fri AM I decided I should go spin my legs easy for a couple of miles out on the trails. Going super easy felt great considering it was already approaching 90 degrees. I hydrated and found myself actually feeling good for the evening’s race.

So with a solid warm up I lined up at 7pm for the start of the 5k, talked smacks with fellow racers, and put the metal to the floor at the sound of gun. To be honest, I’m starting to dislike 5k’s as I dream of true endurance tests of 50k’s or greater BUT I do like to go fast there is no doubt about that so local 5k’s need to be taken in stride as I prepare for greater races this fall. This is a straight forward course with minimal turns and false flats. From the gun the race was fast as our lead group took off and literally within 1/2 a mile was disintegrating including me. 5:15 was my first mile and with a string of 7 runners in front of me I knew the lead guys were blazing a 5ish mile. 2nd mile, which is always my weakness, proved unfavorable coming in close to 6. Finally, the home stretch was in sight and I rolled in around 17:53. Exhaustion hit my body immediately. The heat and never getting into a groove resulted in a disappointed Zack as my goal was to crack a 17:15.

BUT that’s ok……

Quickly I began to look forward to a fresh Saturday. One were I would wipe away the disappointed from Friday night and start over. Morning runs amaze my mind these days. I’ve practically stopped running with my iPod so I can stop avoiding things in my mind and heart. Being a music person its been super hard to get away from the iPod but I realize I need the peace and simpleness of running to bring greater perspective. It’s me, my head, and my shoes. I’ve found myself really aware these days, paying attention a great deal more to my thoughts, surroundings, and the mystic nature of God. Running to me is sometimes beyond zen. The discipline of what it takes to be a runner is inspiring. Most people approach running as “a way to exercise” missing out on the history and enlightenment. It’s not just exercise it’s a chance to embrace and use your body in the environmental system. I’ve become a big fan of saying we were designed to run these days.

As quickly as I say that I have to apply my filter. While designed to run we are, we are also designed to age. And with age comes injury and the more in tune we need to be with our bodies. Running 12 miles on Saturday proved to be extremely rewarding as I ran with some great folks who are amazing runners. After 7 miles I felt amazing and pushed myself a bit harder than I should but I felt like kicking it. Later on I began to feel a bit of ache in my groin, that I’m still trying to fully recover from. Ice, rest, etc. became the mission for the rest of the day for Sunday was another 12′ver with my buddy Nathan.

Waking on Sunday and feeling ok I decided I wanted to run. I was excited to just be awake, to run with Nathan, to prepare my mind for thoughts and worship later in the day, and to meet my friends Pepper and Anna for lunch. Nathan and I started off with gray skies and the ever threat of rain. The trails were extremely tacky but thankfully were not soaked from the previous nights rain. We jammed 12 miles and had an outstanding training day. As I got in my car to go home I immediately felt my groin flaring up bad. It seems once again I can’t sometimes control myself with running.

Thank goodness I’m going into a recovery week! Let’s hope this ache is short lived. I can’t afford another setback this year.

Zack Perry Running Life, Running, shelby farms