The Puma Faas 300 Running Shoes Arrived!

Christmas 2011 was a mad blur.  We rushed to have the new apartment in Toronto set up enough so that we could enjoy our first Christmas in the new place.  We had a family get-together to enjoy on Boxing Day.  We celebrated New Year's Eve with friends in St. Catharine at his son's wedding.  Oh, and we unpacked boxes and boxes and boxes...we were the 'Recycling Royals' over the Christmas break.

But even with all that activity, the real excitement for me was placing  my order online with Puma for new running shoes.  Two pairs actually, the Faas 300 and 250 models.  Both are lighter and even flashier than the Puma Faas 500 model I spent much of last year running in. Sally asked me if they were bright enough:  "they are never bright enough" I joked.  She's thrilled the first pair arrived since I've bugged her nearly day with the question, "has the package from Puma arrived yet?"  And yes, the bright red pair of extremely well-worn Puma Faas 500 running shoes have finally and deservingly been retired.

"I just love 'em!".   Here we are 'opening my present' shortly after the box from Puma arrived:



I've already been out in them for a couple of runs.  More about that later.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

The Puma Faas 500 running shoes that get better with age

I know all the conventions for replacing running shoes:

• Replace after 500 miles
• Replace when the tread gets worn out
• Replace when the mid-sole breaks down

Even after all of that, these Puma 500 Faas running shoes that I got in spring 2011 seem to get better with age.  They took me through the Scotiabank Toronto 1/2 Marathon in October and I figured that was it.  Then in December at the Reggae Marathon in Jamaica I hauled them out again fully expecting to leave them behind.  Heck, I even wore them into the ocean after the Reggae Marathon!  Still not done.

Since then I've finally put socks on in deference to the cold temperatures in Toronto and am still running in them.  And the really cool thing is that I'm still running comfortably and injury-free! 

While these Pumas keep on running, it helps that I'm running in the natural-style, landing lightly on my forefoot with shorter strides.  It's not barefoot running and these are not super-minimalist shoes but I guess that has something to do with it.

And while I'd love to keep running in these bright red Pumas, their days are numbered.  In fact I'm expecting delivery of 2 new Faas running shoes, the Faas 300 and 250 any day now.  Here's a sneak peak at the 300's I'm looking forward to trying out really soon:  

In the meantime, here's another look at the running shoes that keep getting better with age:

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

2012 New Year's Resolutions: all about the running!

It's all about the running in 2012.

For the first time in all the years I've been running I feel like a 'runner'.  I know how that sounds given how much running I've done.  And like all good things, it took an injury in 2009 combined with a tough Reggae Marathon that December to force the change.

Looking forward to 2012 I mentioned to Sally on the weekend that I'm actually neutral toward the new year.  Most years I've written down resolutions and things I want to do and that's been great.  For this year though I didn't feel the need to start the year with a tight list.  I can hear my Dad's words ringing in my ear, "Planning?...I just go with the flow".  You know I'll never be able to truly embrace that fully but maybe, just maybe being more flexible will be a good thing.  So for 2012, it's all about the running and some of the things I want to explore:

• I want to keep running for as long as I can.  That means marathons and certainly ultra marathons are not on the plan.  I know Sally will appreciate that.  Instead I plan more 1/2 marathons and 10K races in 2012.  Easier to train for, just as challenging and they don't leave me drained.  For 2012 I am thinking of the Goodlife Fitness 1/2 Marathon in the spring, the Scotiabank 1/2 Marathon in the fall and the 10K at the Reggae Marathon December 1 in Jamaica.
• I like running to raise money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.  With all our family members who have succumbed to strokes and heart disease, I'll keep fund raising as long as I can put one foot in front of the other.  So far in 3 years of fund raising, I've topped $10,000.  I plan to continue in 2012.  Details of the Run for Heart Campaign will be out later in 2012.
• Running has brought our family together and that's been a nice surprise.  Court and I ran the 1/2 Marathon at Reggae Marathon in 2009, Andrew, Court and I (along with Amy) ran the Scotiabank 1/2 Marathon last fall and Andrew, Court, Sulleh ran in the Reggae Marathon last December.  I hope to keep running with them in 2012 and beyond.
• Now that Sally and I in our new apartment in Toronto, I've got to find a place to hang my wet running gear. It's a BIG apartment but her patience will only go so far.  I'm open to suggestions.

So that's it for 2012.  I figure that should be enough to keep me busy.

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Merry Christmas from ThatRunninGuy

I have a lot to be thankful for in 2011.  While it was a year of ups and downs, on the whole it was a year of working successfully through transitions.  The trip to Negril, Jamaica in early December to run in my 3rd Reggae Marathon event capped it off nicely:

• I've got a great wife and I'm very, very thankful for that.  She supports not only me but our four sons in virtually everything we do.  I wouldn't be here without her.
• And speaking of the sons:  Andrew, Court, Holden and Michael who as they grow into fine young adults continue to delight and surprise.  I had the chance to run with them in two events in 2011 (the Scotiabank Toronto 1/2 Marathon and the Reggae Marathon) and even though they ran ahead of me, I was totally thrilled.
• We celebrated the life of Sally's Mom who passed away at age 91 in November.  She was both motivation and inspiration for me.  She will not be forgotten.
• Sally and I made the successful transition from Wasaga Beach back to Toronto in mid-December.  After nearly 6 years of 2 city living, we decided to simplify.  The transition to life in the Kingsway went very smoothly...even Tia has handled it well.
• Work was also something to celebrate in 2011.  Being able to use my years of experience in marketing and advertising in social media is something I am truly thankful for.

As I look ahead to 2012 I can only imagine what's in store.  And since I am an incurable optimist, I am looking forward to great things.

Merry Christmas!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy