New Balance MT110 Review

I really really love the latest trail shoe from New Balance.... the MT110. I've grown quite comfortable with a fairly low profile, minimal shoe both on the road and trails and the feel of the 110 by far is my favorite. I've gone from the NB 100's, to the 101's (used the 101's in 2 of my MMTR's and the Umstead 100)and now the 110. The MT110 is built on the same last, I believe, as the Minimus line with a 4mm drop from heel to forefoot. Although the shoe generally has the same feel as the earlier versions, this was the most comfortable. I've only taken one run in them, a hard 20 miler this past weekend. I wasn't on overly technical trails but I think they will do really well. The outsole seems a little stiffer and maybe more protection yet I can still feel that connection to the earth below my foot (sorry if that sounded a little corny but the more you run in low profile shoes the more you get accustomed to that "feel").

I didn't wear any socks and absolutely no problems other then my feet were a little cold early in the run on a cold morning. I'm going to give them a try at the Mount Mitchell Challenge in 2 weeks with Dry Max- Maximum Protection socks and see how it goes.

This past week I felt a bit burned out so was really pleased with the 20 mile run I did on a windy Saturday in the MT110's. It is one of my favorite Jack Daniels Q1 workouts. This is how it played out:
2 mile easy warm-up
2 miles hard @ 6:40/mi
1 mile easy
2 miles hard @ 6:34/mi
7 miles easy @ 7:48/mi
3 miles hard @ 6:50/mi
3 miles easy
Total= 20 miles continuous running in 2:31:16 (7:35/mi)

My son Kane at 15,496' elevation outside of Quito, Ecuador

2012 Plans

I'm beginning to do some planning for 2012 but first a few photos from the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012.

12/31/11 at the "Over the Top" run with the IMTR group

With the boys being silly at Elk Garden post OTT Run

Looking a little sleepy w/ Sara after a nice Vegan meal (running with Eric Grossman and the IMTR's will do that to you)

With Anton in Carrboro, NC


After not getting into Umstead 100 this year I decided to change things up a bit. Since late December I have been doing more marathon training than ultra training. Averaging mid 80's most weeks with more quality runs and fewer really long runs. I realized after the New River 50k that I might have one more decent marathon in me having gone through the marathon mark in about 3:12-3:14 very comfortably and continuing on for 5 more miles. So the plan is to run the Mount Mitchell Challenge in 2 weeks then taper for a late March marathon at either Tobacco Road in Cary or Wrightsville Beach (same weekend).

During the first two weeks of July I'm entered in the Tour de Virginia, a 560 mile stage race the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. 14 Stages, 14 Days, 137,000' of climbing, 560 Miles. 6 runners have entered thus far and should be an exciting adventure.

I hope to run the Iron Mountain 50 and a 3rd Mountain Masochist in the fall. I'm sure I will find the starting line at a few more races but nothing set and on the calendar yet.

A few more photos from late 2011...

Treadmill was unavailable this day

First trail run for Patrick (w/ Dad)at Hanging Rock

LSU - Arkansas game in Baton Rouge