Nike Free Run+ 3 Vs Nike Free 3.0 V4

I have had a lot of questions regarding the differences between two of Nike's new awesome shoes.  Here are my thoughts.

1. The uppers are different.  The Run+ 3 has a tongue and while being a little heavier in the upper it is probably slightly more breathable with more mesh and less synthetic material.  The 3.0 V4 will give you more of a sock like feel and is slightly softer inside.  The Run+ 3 has the lace lockdown system while the 3.0 V4 does not.  I haven't found this to be especially important though.

2. The sole is the key difference between the two shoes.  The original line of thinking for the Frees was that barefoot running is a 0 and running in a traditional trainer is a 10.  The Free Run+ 3 is a relative of the original Free 5.0 and the Free 3.0 is slightly more towards a barefoot shoe.  It has an overall lower profile and you can feel the ground more.  This new 3.0 is probably the most popular shoe in the minimalist category.  It is far from a barefoot shoe though.

2a. Also, there are a few more differences on the soles.  Both of these shoes are the first in the Free line to incorporate diagonal grooves in the arch area of the foot instead of the typical grid like pattern.  These are another factor that push the 3.0 V4 more into the minimalist category  The 3.0 V4 does have more of those grooves as well as a larger groove that runs most of the length of the shoe.

3. Heel drop: 4mm for the 3.0 V4 and 6mm for the Run+ 3.

4. Nike+: The Free Run+ 3 is Nike+ compatible but the 3.0 V4 is not.  This is due to the lower profile in the 3.0.

What do I recommend? Both!  I really enjoy both of these shoes.  Of course, the Run+ 3 is closer to a typical trainer so if you are just starting the minimal route it might be wise to get one of these.  If you have already tried out the 5.0/Run+ line and want more minimalist then maybe the 3.0 V4 is your best bet.  Like anything else, I urge moderation and patience when beginning a minimalist regiment.  It is stress on your body that it is not used to.

 Run+ 3

 3.0 V4

2012 Boston Marathon Thoughts

This year's Boston marathon had it's surprises like usual.  Last year's champ, Geoffrey Mutai dropped out and a former NCAA runner from Louisville, Wesley Korir, won.  Korir is a tough runner and it wasn't surprising to see him come out on top in these less than ideal conditions.  Another tough runner appears to be Jason Hartmann of the USA.  Hartmann finished 4th, the same position as Ryan Hall, in a similarly talented field.  Hartmann did finish about 10 minutes slower, however.  It is nice to see a runner who isn't extraordinarily skinny out there running fast.  As a runner with a bigger bone structure I can relate to that!  Hartmann is said to weigh 160 pounds.  I am not sure how much the weather truly affected the race.  Obviously it did but was that as important of a factor as the attitudes of the competitors.  I mean, that joker-tri athlete Glen Randall led for awhile.  I don't think Ryan Hall would have allowed such a thing and if Hall went, so would have Gebre and Geoffrey.  The weather had more of a mental impact then a physical one in my opinion.  I would like to give a shout out to the top 2 South Dakota finishers.  First was last year's Brookings half marathon champion, Thomas Madut.  Madut formerly ran for Sioux Falls Lincoln and Dakota Wesleyan University.  Thomas ran 2:35.  Second was Corey Selland, a current graduate student at SDSU and employee at Bartling's shoes.  Great job guys!