Gear Review: Saucony Freedom ISO

First off, I'd like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Dane at Run In, here in Greenville, SC.  Dane introduced me to the Saucony Freedom ISO, and I couldn't be more pleased with them.

Also, please note that I am in no way affiliated with Saucony, nor do I receive any type of compensation for mentioning their products.  I am just a guy who has been incredibly happy running in Sauconys.

Now, for the review...I feel like this post needs to be started off with a "WOW!!!  This really is a fantastic shoe!!!!"  However, before I really dive into my thoughts about these shoes, I think some brief information about my running is important.

2016 Running Stats To Date:
Total Miles - 1,128 miles
Weekly Average - 22.12 miles per week
5 highest mileage run weeks - 39.6, 38.2, 36.4, 34.1, and 32.0 miles
Current primary training and racing shoe - Saucony Kinvara 7

Historically, I have run in whatever model of Saucony Kinvara is the newest.  I feel like it is a fantastic all-around shoe.  I weight around 165 pounds and I tend to run slightly on the outside of my foot (this is happening much less as my mechanics are improving significantly during the off-season).  I tend to get around 230-260 miles out of my Kinvaras.  I suspect I will get a tad more as my mechanics improve as I'm wearing shoes more evenly now.

First up, some general pictures - quick note - I am THAT lazy Triathlete that hates to tie his shoes.  Any running shoes I have will quickly get elastic laces!

seriously dig the color on these!

4mm heel to toe offset

again...sick colors!

Weight:
According to Saucony, the shoes weigh 9 ounces.  I believe that is based off a size 10, and I'm going to assume that is also without laces.  Wearing a size 10.5 and with laces in, it weighed in at just over 10 ounces.

10.12 ounces in size 10.5 freedom ISO - 36 miles run in them

 Compared to my size 10.5 kinvara it is 2 ounces heavier.

8 ounces flat - 17 miles run in them

Now, some side by side comparisons...

note the wear on my kinvara on the right

So, what are my thoughts?  I'll break it down into 3 sections...The Lower, The Upper, and The Overall.

The Lower:
The full midsole of EVERUN technology is amazing.  The shoes feel incredibly springy for having such awesome cushioning.  I would say the cushioning feels "dense" in a good way.  It doesn't feel like a big marshmallow.  Even though there is a moderate level of cushioning, it still feels very connected to the ground.

The Upper:
The upper on the Freedom ISO is amazing!  I have done a number of my runs without socks, and it feels absolutely smooth as can be.  They did an amazing job with the upper.  It actually feels "sock-like".

The Overall:
I really like these shoes.  I'm not planning to leave my Kinvaras anytime soon, but the more miles I put on the Freedoms, the more in love with them I fall.

If you are looking for a good all-around running shoe, I would absolutely look into the Saucony Freedom ISO.

Happy Training!

Beers, my bride, and 33 years of lessons

Today is my birthday.  Normally, I'm not a big "birthday" kind of person...but today was something different.


Today started with a nice and smooth 70 minute run on the treadmill.  It was a totally endurance focused, lacking any hard efforts.  I pounded back a quick recovery drink, showered, and jumped in the jeep with my bride to head off to Asheville.  We were brewery bound!

This was our second trip in "Red".  Saying today was "amazing" would be a massive understatement.

We arrived at New Belgium Asheville a little bit early.  Our early arrival was perfect.  It let us walk around and check out the area. 

entrance sign

this was built in celebration of their 25th anniversay

this woman...my everything

let's do this!

BUT FIRST...we played a little corn hole while we waited for the tour to start.  Somebody lost...and wasn't too happy about it...

ughhhhhhh....

The tour was absolutely amazing.  So many different beers to taste, and such an amazing facililty!

first stop

solid options

New Belgium, North Carolina

Belgium

Linday at the "bull shit bar"...because...well...look in the background!

mmmmmmm.....beeerrrrrrr......pretty sweet Squatch Bikes and Brew hat, right?

The tour was absolutely amazing and FREE!!!  Information about the the tours can be found here.   If you go, make sure to take some time to hang out in the Liquid Center and pick up some swag from the shop!  

After the tour, it was time for some food!  We headed down to Wicked Weed Brewing to grab some grub, and another beer.

<3

stop taking pictures, Thomas!!!!!!

The trip finished with an awesome 90 minute ride back home jamming out to some amazing music!  We car danced like nobody was watching.  Fortunately, lots of people were watching!  We had a number of cars look at us and "car dance" as they passed us.  Seeing smiling people really made some things sink in...maybe more on that in a future blog.

My birthday ended better than I could have hoped, quietly relaxing on the sofa with my girl and my boys.

Tuesday is sleepy, Lindsay might be hungover!

Prix is sleepy, I am definitely hungover...and full of carrot cake!

Tomorrow officially is the start of something big.  I can't help but think that 33 is going to be amazing and I can't wait to share this journey!  I'm not exactly sure what 33 has in store for me, but it's going to be awesome!

2017 Race Schedule

So, I had grand intentions of writing a race report from Challenge Aruba (3rd overall amateur, 2nd overall male amateur, and 1st in the 30-34 male age group) and building this thing out, but realized at this point, it was best to just start getting stuff up! 

I figured my 2017 race schedule was a good place to start.

May 21, 2017 Mountains to Mainstreet Half Distance Triathlon
This will be the second annual edition of this race.  It's so awesome to have such an amazing race in our backyard!  This race starts in Seneca at Lake Keowee, bikes to Travelers Rest, and finishing in Greenville.  It makes for an interesting setup, and getting all of your gear after, but it is 100% worth it!
Swim - open water, Lake Keowee, most likely wetsuit legal.
Bike - 58 miles with approximately 4000 feet of elevation gain
Run - net downhill run starting in Travelers Rest and finishing in the heart of Downtown Greenville!

August 5, 2017 Lake Logan Half Distance Triathlon
This race is absolutely amazing.  Not only is it incredibly beautiful, but it is also incredibly challenging.
Swim - open water lake swim that is almost certainly wetsuit legal
Bike - 56 beautiful miles through the hills of Western North Carolina
Run - a 2 loop course that goes up, then down, back up, and back down.  The second loop of the run can really bite you!

August 30 - September 3, 2017 TriMarni Advanced Camp
The primary focus of this camp is preparation for Ironman Chattanooga.   It will be 4.5 days and include approximately 3:45 worth of swimming, 14.5 hours worth of biking, and 4:15 worth of running (give or take).  The goal of this camp is to really create a lot of fatigue and boost fitness for my late season full Ironman.

September 24, 2017 Ironman Chattanooga My very first full!
Yea, after 16 or so 70.3 races, I finally pulled the trigger on a full.  The long term goal is to qualify for Kona.  I have no idea how long it will take.  Thankfully, I enjoy training, and thus will enjoy the process of trying to get myself to Kona.
Swim - down river swim, not wetsuit last year due to heat (id love for it to not be wetsuit legal)
Bike - 116 mile bike with around 4,000 feet of climbing.
Run - 2.5 loop run with some good  hills on the second half of each loop (from what i hear)

There may be some other races mixed in, and I'll update with those races, race reports, and general training updates.

I THINK the primary focus of this blog will be to follow me through training, racing, and eating my way to Kona and beyond..

Only time will tell!