Salomon Speedcross 2 - Slippers with Teeth

Using the excuse of my Inov-8 Mudclaws cutting my heels to pieces I decided to invest in a pair of Salomon Speedcross 2s. As you may know I'm a big fan of Salomons having used their Raids and XA Pros for many years. Until now however, they have not ventured beyond trail shoes. The Speedcross have a much more agressive tread somewhere between Adidas Swoops and Mudclaws.

Finding my size (12.5 UK) was difficult but managed to find a pair from Wiggle at £10 off street prices. Ordered them on Thursday and they were waiting for me when I got back from Manchester on Friday. The fit has the classic Salomon cupping of the heel but the forefoot is a lot more snug than the XA-Pros, presumably to stop the shoe slidding around as it grips the ground. Admittedly I was a tad worried they might be too tight but after wearing them around the house in the evening I then put them on in the morning and they felt fantastic. Salomons really suit my feet.

So, Phoebe dog and I (matching dog and shoes) took then out for a test run over the Chilterns. Lots of slimy chalky mud. My test of good kit is that you forget you're wearing them while they're doing their job and these passed with flying colours. They've managed to keep the cushioning of the XA-Pros while giving them the required grip. If I'm honest the grip is not quite as good as the awesome Mudclaw grip but the fit (like a pair of slippers) and a excellent grip make them an amazing shoe. I can't wait to give them a longer run.

Meanwhile, I've also got some Salomon XT-Wings on order. What the hell. I've only got one vice, running.

There but for the grace......

At the risk of this blog turning into a depressing series of health scares and whinges I feel the need to write about a recent event. My mate Chris (my wife's cousin's husband) has just had a heart attack at the age of 49. Like me, Chris has the misfortune of inheriting some bad genes and despite a healthy lifestyle (not unlike mine although maybe not such a saturated fat facist) he went for a run on Saturday morning and came back with a heart attack. He was whipped into hospital where they put a stent in the offending artery and stuck him on statins and aspirin for the rest of his life. To my knowledge Chris has had no warning signs that there was a problem.

This was a reminder of the lessons learned when my dad died of a massive heart attack whilst out walking in the Peak District (near to where I'll be running in the Grindleford Gallop in 3 weeks time). Don't take life for granted for one second. It is far too precious to waste.

This put my intended run on Sunday in a completely new light. What if I'm on the verge of an attack? How would I know? Should I go? Of course I went. Better to drop dead out on a run pumped up with endorphins than in an office or railway station. My dad had the right idea. He was just about 40 years too early.

So off I went on a hilly on/off road 18 miler around the Chilterns. Had a nice time but was a little weary towards the end. Drank 1.2 litres of isotonic but lost 6lbs in weight. No chest pains though.

So, the next time you don't feel like going out on a run remember, that's one less chance if you don't go. You'll never get it back. And, who knows, maybe that run will add a few more days to your life. Touch wood.

Get well soon Chris.

Keep on running.