Goodbye Streak Lt 3, welcome Streak 6

On Saturday, 14 September, I accomplished a performance which had occupied the top of my to-do-list for too much time: running from home to the beach and covering a 15 km distance. The path is downhill (there is a difference of around 300 meters from the hill where I live to the seaside), so it is not an impossible task. Everything went fine: the weather was not too hot (around 25°), the wind was not too strong and the final time was more than satisfactory (1 hour, 9 minutes and 36 seconds, meaning 4'38" m/km). Actually, one thing went wrong: my old Nike Zoom Streak Lt 3 died. It was a symbolic event, as I used them to cover 1000 km and they decide to retire just after I finalised the purchase of my new Nike Streak 6, which arrived this morning...perfect timing indeed!
So here they are, my brand new Streak 6, bought at the great price of 50 € + 9 € delivery costs.

First impressions: compared to the Lt 3, they are a bit heavier (but still very light, under 200 g), more cushioned, even more breathable, higher and less tight. To better detect the differences, I wore a Streak 6 on my left foot and the old Lt 3 on the right one. I knew that the Lt 3 were "low", but I had never noticed how much! I really appreciated this feature, but lately my heels started complaining after each running session, even the short ones. I expect this not to happen anymore with the new Nike, due to the thickier midsole (something I don't like, though) and the 8 mm heel drop (vs the Lt 3's 4 mm). Also, the Lt 3 were extremely narrow, whereas the Streak 6 provide the foot with more space. I am curious to test the grip, which was excellent in the Lt 3, thanks to a very reactive sole. Last but not least, the color: I didn't mind the blue-orange-black combination of my Lt 3, but the dazzling white-yellow on the new Streak 6 looks really gorgeous. Alas, they will get dirty more quickly. And before I forget: running a prototype of these shoes, Eliud Kipchoge won the Berlin Marathon in 2015 (but he had serious problem with the insoles, a feature that was later improved when he won the London Marathon in 2016).

But what happened to my Lt 3? Well, honestly I hoped to enjoy a ride with them till the end of the spring 2020, but that was definitely wishful thinking. Experts suggest to hang them up after 400 miles, I overran this threshold by more than 250 miles, covering around 1100 km (660 miles) over 1 year. The results? The mesh on the side broke, the sole was completely worn-out on the outside-lower part and partly on the central-upper part, I found out a small hole on the internal cushion of the right shoe, which was getting dramatically bigger day after day. In a nutshell: for this kind of essential, ultra-light, A1 shoes, 1000 km are really too many. It was time to replace them.

Feedback after the first 5 km run in the afternoon: the new Streak 6 fits snugly, the contact of the upper sole with the ground is particularly "soft". They are indeed heavier, and I could feel the increased cushion around the ankle. Running at a 4 m/km pace, I confirm that this version is ideal for tempo runs, but I have the impression that they are comfortable enough for 10 km and half marathon distances, too. When I increased the speed, I felt a little pain on my little fingers, due to their contact with the mesh. I experienced the same with the Lt 3: sometimes my fingers were sored (even with blisters) after 5k tempo runs. Hopefully it won't happen too often with this model. 

Hurrah!

One year has passed since my best performance on the 10k distance (47'11", 13 September 2018, when I slightly improved my 2016 PB by a few seconds). During the last 3 years, I often asked myself: "should I give up my hopes to improve it?" or "am I too old to run faster than that?". So I decided to change strategy. Instead of running faster, I simply started covering longer distances keeping a "normal" pace (around 5 min / km). In July I was determined to improve my PB running at a 4:40 min / km pace, but after the 6th km I was systematically out of fuel. To hell, I thought! In August I enjoyed the spectacular landscape of the Sardinian west coast, running every day around 8 km in the pine-woods, along the lake and the sea. At the end of the month, my Nike Zoom Streak Lt 3 covered 200 km (112 below 5 min / km). By the way, after 1000 km they're still in a great shape! Moreover, I swam 10 km (around 500 m. every day) and did exercises for the upper part of my body 3 times a week.

This morning I didn't feel well. I thought I came down with the flu. And it started raining cats and dogs. No, this is not the day to improve my PB. But I was curious about the results of my new strategy. Around 18:00, in spite of a moderate wind blowing from north-east, I put on my Streak Lt 3 and hit the road. It was still hot, around 28°, yet not unpleasently sultry thanks to the September breeze. After the 2nd km, I had good vibrations: I felt powerful and light. The progress was promising: 5th km in 22:47, 7th km in 32:05. Not bad! Without major efforts, I could complete the 20th lap of the 500 m. circuit with a surprising 46:07 time, improving my last PB by one minute (average: 4:36 min / km)!

Possible reasons behind this performance:
- 202 km run in August: (around 50 km a week)
- 112 km run at a 5 min / km pace
- swimming: I read somehwere that it improves resistance
- more focus on quantity rather than on quality (meaning: running longer rather than faster).
- running 6 days a week, around 8 km a day, at least 10 km (or longer) twice a week

The cholesterol riddle

Back from the hospital, where I picked up the results of my last cholesterol blood test, I am confronted with a riddle. Compared with the values registered in September 2018, the total cholesterol level is up, so is the LDL one. Tryglicerides are still under control, whereas the HDL is down. This is not good news, but what's worst is the fact that I feel a bit lost when reading such values. Or maybe should I try to thnk more rationally? Let's try.

Let's start with the HDL values, which should be affected by the running mileage. All over the last 4 years, I have experienced that the longer the distance of "quality running" (meaning: running with a  ≥ 5 min/km pace), the higher the HDL tends to become. In 2018 I didn't run so intesively: only 617 km, a poor performance which is for sure not able to produce any considerable change.
And what about the diet? Although I tried to avoid junk food, I was not entirely coherent, as I indulged sometimes in too many beers and unhealthy food. Working and travelling abroad (even if not extensively) did not help. Moreover, I stopped taking the (miracolous?) "red rice pills", a natural statin I took for 3 months before my 2018 blood test (which showed very good results).

Are these considerations reliable enough to plan the next stretegy and solve the cholesterol riddle? I am not sure, but my resolutions for the next months of the year are clear: to run more (and faster), to adjust my diet and to check my blood again in 12 months. If nothing changes, that means that my 250 total cholestorol value is "natural": the diet and running alone cannot change it, so the only way to reduce it is to keep on running, take care of my food intake and start taking red rice (or similar drugs) again. 

Birthday Run

March is the month of the big test: to monitor my "running conditions". Since I've turned 40, at the beginning of spring I use to run 10 km, trying to keep a 5 minutes/km pace (or below). On Saturday I passed the test, completing the performance in 49 minutes and 15 seconds. Not bad, but I feel I can do better. However, I am not sure if I can improve my personal record and break the 47 minutes wall. I will keep you updated, of course!

10 km PB improved after 2 years

My best performance in the 10 km distance dated back September 2016, when the watch stopped at 47 minutes and 17 seconds. In the last two years I've been busy with several projects around the world, which did not allow me to train regularly. Finally, after an overwhelming assignement in North Africa, I had the chance to fully enjoy 2 summer months of freedom and I decided to make the best of them. I started to train every day from August the 1st till today, alternating one day of running and one day of exercises (crunches, pull ups and push ups). Constant training pays: after one month and a half I resumed my old good shape, even if I am still far from my 5 km PB (21:21) - my best timing this year in the 5km is 22'51''. In the mean time, I improved my personal best in the 10 km distance: benifiting from today's perfect weather conditions (25°, no wind, cloudy with scattered drizzles) and from my new super-light Nike Zoom Streak lt 3, I completed the distance in 47' 11'', that is 6 second faster than my previous best performance. The improvement is not that significant (the pace is the same: 4'43''/km), however it is encouraging to know that I can run faster than 2 years ago, although I am 2 years older! Now, my aim is to break the 47 minutes wall and I am pretty confident I can make it. 

First pair of "technical" shoes

As I repeated many times in this blog, I am not a Nike fan. I don't have anything against their shoes, the fact is that this company represents to me the typcal drawbacks of capitalistic society: conformism, desire to show off, bad taste. However, I swallowed my pride due to "technical" reasons (which I will explain here below) and eventually bought a pair of Nike Zoom Streak LT 3. Actually 2 pairs. Being an old model, it is impossible to find it in shops. I ordered a 9.5 US pair from Ireland (white and yellow) and after testing them I decided to send them back: unfortunately my second finger is a few millimeters longer than my allux, and in this kind of ultra-light shoes such problem might become quite annoying in the long run. While waiting for the refund, I ordered another pair from an Italian shop, this time size 10. I received them on 30 July and tried them on: perfect!
Now some comments about the shoes, after a first 2-km run:
PRO
- Extremely light, I ran like the wind
- Effective grip
- Comfortable
- Nice color
- Reasonable price (69 euro)
CONS
- I guess that they won't last more than 6 months. The material is really too thin!
- The sole is very comfortable but very soft as well. I wonder how long it will last...
- Strange feeling during the first run. I realised that part of the internal sole doesn't lay on the ground! After 2 km, I got used to it.
- I detected imperfections in the stitching
- Made in China, hopefully not in a sweatshop

These Nike Streak are my first "technical" running shoes. I pondered many months before purchasing them, and all in all I am satisfied, as I have what I was looking for. I got some information before taking my decision: they were used by professional runners and received a positive feedback, though some runners complain about their "short life". I can feel a real difference between them and my old Reebok shoes, that in comparison seem heavy, less accurate and less stable, mainly during the fast sprints. Moreover, I wanted to try running shoes with a "contact" to the ground. These Streak LT3 are really "flat" and ensures you a good stability while running.
I will keep you posted about the future performances with my new shoes, hoping to break new records soon!

One year after: cholesterol down

More than one year has passed since the day of my last blood check. Many things have changed during this period: I spent 13 month in Paris, now I am back home. During my staying in France I was not able to check my values (I obtained my health card just before I left the country!), so I was curious to know what happened to my cholesterol levels. At the beginning of this week I went to the hospital and this morning I picked up the results...surprise: both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol values are within the normal range. What can be the cause of this (positive) change? I'll list them here below:
- during my staying in France, I stopped eating pasta every day. They say that a large amount of carboidrates might be responsible for high cholesterol values;
- although I stopped running regularly, I was always on the road: walking, running (to catch the metro!), and jogging when I had the time;
- I avoided drinking alcohol and eating junk food, even if I did not have a full control over my meals;
- one month before taking the blood test, I started running again (4 times a week);
- last but not least, I started taking rice red pills, a natural statine highly reccommended to fight cholesterol.

Here you can see the results, compared with the previous values.