i2runner

Nike Lunar Glide Review – Part2 Road Run

This is the second part of my Nike Lunar Glide Review where I will share my experience on actually using the shoes during my training. You can read the first part here. We weren’t able to run on them on the first meeting since it was raining really hard.

Smiling in the rain (thanks to thebullrunner.com for the pics!)

I’m glad I got the shoes more than a month before my target marathon race. So I was able to run my peak marathon training long runs 20 and 22miles (32 and 35Kms) wearing them. My runs with these shoes have totaled 123miles (198Kms) as of this writing. I’m pretty sure I’ve done the “break-in” period now.

My first run using them was a 20mile run in the rain, where I was able to run 9:01/mile (5:35/km) and was actually my target marathon pace. Nobody actually do their long runs at marathon pace, so this was a big surprise for me. It’s either my training was working, or it’s the shoes. I noticed the “bounce” that made me propel faster during the run, but after 15miles, my knees were actually feeling tired like being jarred. I could blame the shoes, but I’m still starting to “break-in” the shoes, and Jinoe actually laughed when I said I was running 20miles on them. The traction in the wet road was superb, much better than the lunar trainer where the treads are very large.

My first run with the Glide – 20mile Long Run.

However the next few days my Quads became tired and fatigued. So it seems that it was really me doing the run, and the shoes were just assisting me. 2 weeks later I ran 22miles (35Kms) on them, still on a hard pace for me, but I was able to hold on.

My dad then told me it was a bad move to do a really long run with new shoes. Why? Because the “break-in” period was actually our bodies, legs, and feet adjusting to the new shoes, not the other way around like most runners believe (including me).

Now that I’m tapering with reduction of weekly runs by 20 to 50%, my legs have recovered and I can’t complain anymore with these shoes. Except for the noise… Somehow, these shoes seem to be the noisiest running shoes I’ve ever worn. It’s probably related to the design of the outsole, and could probably quiet down when they get worn out a bit.

Unfortunately, with several test runs being postponed due to rainy weekends, I actually missed the official test run of Nike with the other bloggers when the weather was better. Among takbo.ph runners, Vener and Sam were there and here are their reviews as well:

Vener “RUN UNLTD”
Sam “TheRunningNinja”

So I missed the information on the science under the hood, but according to Vener, the midsole includes the same lunar lite foam but was cut in the middle (underneath the arch) order to fit a stiffer midsole: “The lunarglide+ is composed of two insoles that come in different structures and functions. The soft uppermost foam absorbs and equalize the force from the impact as the runner goes while the other one is wedged towards the inside of the shoe to help the runner stabilize his stride as he goes further in his run.” They call this the “Dynamic Support System”. I don’t think this idea is new, but the materials used are very lightweight and explains why the shoes were so light. So I was wrong about the rockets under the shoes. There really were no special springs there. I guess it was really my training that made me run faster, which is more satisfying to me.

To be honest with you, I don’t feel nor notice the difference in support from this Lunar Glide from the original Lunar Trainer, even during long runs. You probably need to be an over-pronator with a heavier built (to compress the foams), to appreciate the support here. So for lightweight over-pronating runners, I believe orthotics is still the solution, but that’s my opinion.

Meanwhile, I did experience pain in both of my calves when using this, probably due to change in running form because of lower heel and higher forefoot ride of these Lunar Glides, unlike the higher heel foams of the Trainers. Much like the pains one would expect to experience when switching immediately to racing flats or Newton shoes. But these are minor issues as long as one would train intelligently.

So in summary, here’s what I like and dislike about this new model:

Likes:

1. Lightweight – I’m really happy to realize these shoes were as light (or feels as light) as the old lunar trainers. I could maintain the same fast leg-turnover when running.
2. Looks – now I feel I look like a real runner wearing these shoes, not a dorky lunatic like before. Even when I tried wearing the shoes in my office, my workmates would drool at the looks of it.
3. Ride – Although stiffer than the trainer, I believe this firmer responsive ride should be applicable to faster racing times. I did, however, experience calf pains when switching to this shoes.
4. Traction – Grippy even when wet, even at 7minute mile pace (4:22/km), in the pouring rain.
5. Support – I haven’t appreciated this one, but as long as the design is like a dual density foam, I would agree with this.
6. Mileage - With improved blown rubber outsole coverage, I believe these shoes would outlast my Trainers’ 1,000km mileage. I’m targeting 1,000miles for my pair of Glides now

Dislikes:

1. Noise - This is probably due to the rubber outsole complex tread pattern. Minor issue but can be annoying during the long runs. Wet running does minimize the noise.
2. Price - It’s gonna be more expensive at Php5900+, but it could be worth it if you really run long with these shoes.

Nike’s going to release these shoes on the first week of July. Too bad it can’t be in time for Milo Marathon, but there are still a lot of Marathons coming this year.

Well that’s pretty much the end of my review, and thanks for reading. In conclusion I think Nike really made another awesome shoe, a great improvement from the previous version. I’m no longer disappointed they discontinued the Trainers – I’m already thinking of buying another pair 4 to 6months from now.

Special Reviews:
Review by Ben Jr, “Running Over Cancer”.