Swimming performance

If you live in an island, the summer season is ideal not only for running, but also for swimming! Here is the review of the swimming performances detected by my Garmin Vivoactive 4S over the last 3 years.

 

I mostly swam in open water, occasionally in swimming pools. Therefore, the distances in the chart are approximation, as my smartwatch doesn't accurately measure distances when swimming in the sea. 

First ASICS shoes

Maybe due to its Latin acronym (ASICS stands for Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, or "sound soul in a sound body") I always thought that this company was created and based in Italy, but I was wrong: it's Japanese. After a heel injury which forced me to stop running for a couple of weeks, I made up my mind and opted for a running shoe specifically deisgned for overpronators like me. I didn't want to spend lots of money but at the same time I intended to purchase a quality product which protected me from similar problems. The choice fell on the ASICS Gel-roadmile 1, bought at Decathlon store at a (more or less) honest price of 99 € (I say "more or less" because one week after my purchase I saw an ad of the Roadmile 2 sold at 89 € - but maybe the first version is better!). Anyway, they were on sale and their full price was (allegedly) 129 €. 

Although my current shape doesn't allow me to test them properly, I feel that they are the right choice. A special "gel" support on the back of the sole should protect my heel during long runs [update: the softness is provided rather by the foam of the sole, the gel contribution is minimal or zero - according to Solereview], while the plush upper ensures comfort. The sole is wide and reminds the one you can find on the Skeckers. It is not the lighter shoe in the market (275 g.) nor the faster, but for it is more responsive, comfortable and protective than the Adidas Supernova, which I am going to use only when riding my bycicle from now on (after more than 800 km). I am not a big fan of the blue-yellow combination, but all in all I expect to spend pleasant hours wearing them during slow or medium pace sessions. 

On a YouTube video, I found out that these shoes belong to the ASICS "support segment", which includes similar models such as GT 2000-12 (this model doesn't have the inner wedge), Gel Ziruss 7, Gel Glorify 5 and Gel Kinjo. All these versions ensure stability and control through a wider base, higher side walls and additional stiff elements on the midsole (however, these features make the shoes less dynamic). Further reviews  confirm the quality of these models and the customers' satisfaction.

Update after 50 km: really, no comparison with the cheap Adidas Supernova, which did not provide any responsiveness. These Asics are really soft and comfortable, not that heavy and most of all responsive. When I increase speed and run with the forefoot, I can feel a return of energy, unlike the Adidas, which gave me the impression to absorb the efforts due to a very rigid sole. With the Asics, I feel like bouncing whenever I sprint, and when running on low paces I perceive the softness of the shoes (these days I have been running with a slight pain on my heel, consequence of a tallonitis in a process of recovery).