My new shoe - Adidas Response Control 7

I bought the shoe based on my doc's recommendation. I knew my shoe was ageing, but didn't want to spend good amount of money on a shoe without doing a proper study. And the doc, Dr. Rajat Chauhan, being a runner himself, I just didn't think twice before buying it from a shop in the same mall where the doctors office is located. Price tag was Rs.5200/= with a Rs.500/= coupon which I used to buy a running shirt. The Doc also had  a Nike shoe recommendation, Nike Trux, but there were no Nike stores in the mall and Nike shoes are expensive in general.

Familiarizing with it

I wore the shoe at home to familiarize with it before I used it(this is a recommedned practise by Galloway). Though it was tempting to run with it for my run , I kept the inaugaral ceremoney for the next run and potentially use it for the long run before the Bangalore Ultra.

The difference from my previous Nike Air was very apparent - I could feel that I was wearing a shoe! That was not the case with my earlier shoe. Also the shoe rubs against the tendon when you sit. Ventilation for the feet also is not-so-good as the Nike-Air one. Unfortunately, there aren't many varieties of shoe that is available in Bangalore for the runners. May be I will get used to it, I am no big runner either to worry too much about the shoe.

I went around driving with the shoe as well. Usually I don't wear a shoe while driving, but I didn't see anything different with the shoe. But while walking around I felt my left leg was a bit loose. My left leg is a bit smaller than the right one, so I usually make sure that my right leg fits. I also realized that this was the next size of what I was wearing earlier, a US 10.5 instead of a 10. I should have tried size 10 as well.

First run(5K)

I ran around my apartment, asphalt and a little bit of cement track, didn't venture out for fear of shoe problems:) Run was pretty good with the shoe, but I could feel the shoe in my left leg, it felt like the  inner side of the front sole was rubbing against the shoe. It may be due to the fact that the shoe is not as fit on my left leg as my right one because of the slight difference in size. Cushionining on the heel felt good, not sure it is a good thing or bad thing.  But overall it felt good to go for the long run during the weekend.

Jumping Rope

Shoe looked pretty good for jumping rope - the front sole landing was very good with the shoe, but the noise was a bit louder than my previous Nike Air one. Though I was jumping rope after a long layoff, a 10 minute workout didn't have any impact on the foot. Usually you could feel a tinge on the front sole on the first day of jump rope.

Long run(~24K)

This was a road and trail training track run usually organized  by Runners For Life, for the fortnightly run.  Overall the experience was pretty good, the only hitch was my left leg where the shoe is a bit loose. I could feel the shoe rubbing against the inside of the front sole though I got used to it or I was trying to complete my run desparately.  But everything looked good after the run though there is a slight soreness at the same spot. It was otherwise pretty nice running with it, the heel landing felt pretty good. Since part of the trail was a mud track, the shoe is all muddy - not sure if I should wash it before the Ultra run.

Short runs

Now the shoe seems pretty fit, I am not thinking about it anymore while running. The left leg soreness was mainly due to the fact that I wasn't landing on my heel always which caused some friction. Either I have corrected it or I am used to the shoe. But there is a tight calf muscle on the right leg which doesn't hurt, but can be felt with the hand which I am not sure if is attributable to the shoe or not.

25K Bangalore Ultra

This was a true trail run with all kinds of surfaces - sturdy mud surface, loose mud, single-lane trail where you need to watch your step and also a bit of asphalt, they say "It's Tough. Are You?". After the 5K and till the first loop(12.5), I could feel the shoe on my left leg, especially the same area around inside of the front sole rubbing against the shoe. Later, I had other problems to worry about. I am guessing it may well be due to my landing which tends to be on the toe instead of the heel. So it was a good feedback for me that my landing wasn't right. Otherwise, the shoe didn't come in the way and may have helped my problematic knee because of the cushioning. I think I should have picked up a size lower one, though the right leg fits pretty snugly, the left leg being smaller(and more powerful, I am a left leggie btw) the fit isn't that great. I am also not sure if these shoes are designed for trail running either.

Summary

Overall pretty good experience with the shoe, no major issues, but my earlier Nike Air one was more comfortable, but this one seems pretty good value for money(Rs. 5200/=) and with a good cushioning at the heels it should help ease my woes about my knee. But the final verdict has to wait a while till I use the shoe for a while and I am tracking my miles on it as well.