Asics GEL DS-Trainer 19 review

Recently I got a pair of the Asics GEL DS-Trainers 19  from  Asics. Here is my review of them after getting a few runs in them.


Review:

It is definitely more narrow than the 18's. I originally tried on the 19 in an 11.5 and the shoe absolutely did not fit my foot (I have kind of a rectangular foot with a wide flat arch). My arches spilled over and my pinky toes wanted to escape the shoe. I moved up a half size to a 12 and the shoes fit a lot better. The length of the shoe in the size 12 is great. I have enough room in the toe box and it does not feel to big on me. The cushioning on the shoe is nice and soft. It has a great first feel and easy to break in. People who like heel support will enjoy how that feels in the shoe.

I ran in it with two different socks (Nike Elite Cushioned socks and Icebreaker ski socks) and it affected how the shoes fit a little. The first couple of times I ran in them, I ran with the Nike socks. The shoes felt a little tight to walk around in, but I did not notice that when I ran. With the Icebreaker socks, which are thinner, the shoes felt looser and lighter, but still comfortable. The seamless soft upper is also something that is nice. It feels like there is a soft pad right above my toes.

The stability feels great. I can tell it is there without making the shoe feel too heavy. The new Dynamic DuoMax system works really well with the shoe.The shoes felt great while running. They are so lightweight that I hardly even notice them when I ran in them. It is definitely a shoe I can consistently enjoy. They say comfort equals better performance and I have gotten in some of my best runs of the winter in while running them.

I think one of the key selling points will be its weight. Those looking for mild stability at a lighter weight will enjoy the shoe (Ravenna 4 and New Balance 860v4 weigh 10.8 oz; Saucony guide 10oz). The narrowness of the shoe will be one of its best selling points, but it will also frustrate others. I definitely understand why they went in the narrower direction.

Overall

I love the way the shoe feels on my feet. It made me a little nervous that I tried on an 11.5 and it did not fit. Thankfully I could try on the size 12 and they fit great.

Does anybody else run in this shoe? What do you think of it?

#runchat 2/23 and a rough running week

I had a rough running week last week. I got one run in my new Asics Gel DS-Trainer 19 (review coming soon) and I had to shut it down. The temperature changes in Chicago really messed with my sinuses and knocked me on my butt. It is pretty ironic for someone that has been running all winter and I have to miss out on two of the nicest days of the year. It really sucked, but I had to listen to my body and let myself heal. I finally felt good enough to run yesterday and got a great run in!

My run today is one of the more adventurous runs I have been on this winter;ice everywhere! I am just thankful that I did not fall on my butt.

Runchat answers

P.S.- I currently run in the Brooks Ravenna 4, Saucony Guide 7, New Balance 860v4 and now the Asics Gel DS-Trainer 19.

Q1-Where do you do your shopping for running gear? Locally?Online? Chain stores? A mix?

A1-I mostly get my gear in person at a running store. Getting my gear online is something that I have never felt comfortable with because I can not try it on. It would be much easier to go into a store and try it on, rather than ordering it and realizing it does not fit.

Q2-What running gear have you purchased that you later discovered you didn't need?

A2-Honestly, I am pretty particular about what I buy. That means, if I buy it, I am going to use it. Money is not something that I can be free with.

Q3-What are 2-3 pieces of running gear you really would like to have? What do you need to replace soon?

I would not mind owning some compression gear (tights or socks) and some more running shorts. Running shorts use to scare me because of how short they were. Until someone suggested I really purchase running shorts, I never realized how comfortable they are.

With winter ending soon, I will need to replace my tights, my Ravenna 4's and shorts. The tights and the shorts both have holes in the crotch area; really annoying.

Q4-When packing for a race trip, what are the first items you put in your suitcase?

My shoes-Obvious answer for most important item.

Next up on the list is my Garmin now that I own one.

Whatever running clothes I plan on using. I try to bring something that dries quickly so I can use it more than once. Packing heavy is not something that I enjoy.

Q5-I never go for a run without my __________

My Garmin. I love using it!

#Runchat 2/16/14

Q1: What aspects of recovery confuse you? Ice baths? Food? How long to rest?

I could always learn a little more about how food can help recovery and running. I am not one to change my diet during training for a race but I know that it can be beneficial. It is definitely something that I need to look into more.

Q2: What's the first thing you do to begin recovering after a long run or race?

Before I discovered the addaday type c roller, I just ate the food given to me after a race and stretched. Now after long runs, I use my type c roller. It is my favorite recovery tool and it keeps my legs feeling great. It comes highly recommended it.

Q3: How much strength training, stretching or massage do you do?

Right now, I can not do much strength training because I am participating in research study on hip strengthening. I am in the control group and got orders to not to any hip strengthening workouts for eight weeks! It is killing me right now. Typically, I like to cross train three to four times a week. I usually just do legs and abs. Upper body workouts will also be added into the mix shortly.

I use my addaday roller every single day. I like to roll out before a run and before I got to bed. It is a tool that comes highly recommended. Personally, I like it better than the stick or a foam roller because I feel like I get more out of it.

Q4: How long do you take between training cycles before you jump back into training?

This is a question that I definitely could use more knowledge on. Typically, it usually is a week for me. How much time should I take off? Should I be doing recovery runs? I guess I could have put this as my answer for question one.

Q5: What are your favorite recovery foods/drinks? Share your secret ingredients!

I just drink chocolate milk or have something with peanut butter in it.

#runchat 2/2

Q1-@RockMyRun is creating a new #RunChat mix. What's your favorite workout song right now?

Workout songs that I am loving right now are Take Back the Night by Justin Timberlake and Coming of Age by Foster the People. Foster the People is one of my favorite groups and I can not wait for their new cd to come out. I loving having songs I can sing along to on a run. 
From time to time, I definitely get caught singing out loud.

Playlist from my run on Monday:
Rick Ross-stay schemin
Fun.-be calm
Fun.-all the pretty girls
Daft punk-get lucky
Matt & Kim-Yea Yeah
The Mowgli's- the great divide
Fitz and the Tantrums-L.O.V
Matt & Kim-let's go
Fitz and the Tantrums- out of my league
Kanye & Jay Z- Paris
Lucky Boys Confusion- Breaking Rules

Q2- On a scale of 1-10 (1 being awful, 10 being awesome), how was your January? Any adjustments to 2014 goals? #RunChat

I would rate it an eight. I ran a total 121.52 and felt strong. There were some minor shin splints issues, but they did not prevent me from running. Some co-workers and I also completed Active's 30-day push-up challenge. It felt good to do upper body work consistently. It is something that I hope I stick with on a consistent basis.No new adjustments, yet. I wanted to run a total of a 1,000 miles and it looks like I am track to do that right now.

Q3-Switching gears, if you could pick just one race distance to do for every event, what would it be? Why?It would definitely be half-marathons. It is not an easy distance, but I think it is definitely a race I could master. I have had fun running marathons, but I do not know if it is a distance that can really be mastered.

Q4-If you had an hour with anyone in the running world to go running with, who would you chose? What would be the No. 1 question?I just finished Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, so my answer is Louis Zamperini. I would ask him How did he get through what he did? It would have been so easy for him to just throw in the towel and just give up on life. His story is an example of toughness and perseverance. It would be great to run with an Olympian and WWII vet. It is a book that I highly suggest to all who like to read. He is currently 97!

Q5- The best thing about running is ________

That it is so relaxing. It always calms me down and I feel so much better after doing it. I have also met a lot of god people through running.

1/19/14 #runchat

Q1: In honor of all the #megsmiles runs this week, tell us your No. 1 running safety tip.

A1-Reflective clothing. I have seen a lot of runners who run at night in dark clothing and it just makes me shake my head. It is important to be seen by others while you run.

Q2-Thanks to @RunSmartOnline for sponsoring this #RunChat. What's your favorite cross training workout? Why do you like it?

A2-My favorite cross training workouts to do involve squats and lunges. Those are my favorite because when I do them, I can feel the difference in my running. They also make my knee's feel better; who does not enjoy that? Lower body workouts have always been a little easier for me to do. 

Q3-On the flip side of Q2, what's your least favorite cross training workout? Why?

A3-Anything involving the upper body. It is not that I do not want to be bulky, I have just never enjoyed lifting. I am trying to be better about it by starting the year off with the 30 day push-up challenge I have been doing (currently at 20 for the day). So far it is going well and I see myself continuing to do upper body work. 

Q4: What was your worst injury that you hope never hits you again? How did you treat it?

A4-I have been lucky enough to not really have any serious injuries(knock on wood). The worse thing I have had to deal with, probably happened the week after the marathon; I bruised my knee cap. When I bumped my knee at work, I thought nothing of it. A few hours after it happened, I had an extremely difficult time straightening my leg out on the train. I did not run for six weeks and limped around for eight weeks. I took for granted how good it feels to straighten your knee and feel no pain.

Q5: What PR would you really like to destroy this year? What's your goal? 

A5-I would love to get a sub 1:40 half-marathon time. Last year I simply just wanted to get a time under two hours and I did that. The easy goal to set is to try and beat that half time this year. 

Q6-When looking for a new race, what's your go-to source for recommendations?

A6-I usually just use friends. Only recently have I started typing something like 2014 races into a google search box. I like hearing from friends that have run races to hear if they enjoyed it or not and what the course is like. 

Songs on the run

So, this year, I will post more of my running playlists. Feel free to send me yours as well. I love getting new music recommendations. Running and music are two of my biggest joys. I can't wait for the many concerts I will attend this year.

Here is my list in reverse order:

FTP-Houdini

The killers-read my mind

Sleigh Bells-Riot Rhythm

Fitz and the tantrums-6 Am

The Mowgli's-Time

Royal Teeth-Wild

Walk The Moon-Tete-A-Tete

FOB-My songs know what you did in the dark

Sleigh Bells-Comeback Kid

Walk The Moon-quesadilla

The Hush sound-Sweet tangerine

The Mowglis-San Francisco

Kanye & Jay Z-Paris


Push-up challenge

I almost forgot to mention my push-up challenge. I can not believe I have made it this far and I am still enjoying it. It is a fun challenge if you have others motivating you and you do not want to let others down. Push-ups are definitely something that I will keep doing.

1/12/13 #runchat answers

Q1-In honor of tonight's awards show(Golden Globes) what's your favorite running-related movie or running scene?


A1-I'm not much of a movie person, but one scene that involves running comes from American Pie. If you have seen the movie, you know what scene I am referring to. For those who have not seen the movie, it is the scene where Nadia comes over to Jim's house to "study".They meet up and then Jim runs over to meet up with a couple of the other guys to watch her on the web cam. Mutt by Blink-182 is playing in the backround while he runs over to the house. The combination of the awkwardness of the scene, the movie, the song and how funny it is, has always made it a memorable one for me.


Q2-What color or design should they create that you'd wear (ProCompression)?


A2-I am a pretty simple guy when it comes to color. If I had to pick a design that is kind of flashy, I would go with sock that is black and gold. I would chose black and gold because I am a Mizzou guy and always love to represent.


Q3-What piece of running gear you plan add (or replace or get more of) in 2014? Why?


A3-Replace-I plan on replacing my Brooks Ravenna shoes at some point. The new pair came out recently and I love it. I look forwad to running in it on a consistent basis. I plan on adding some compression gear to help aid with recovery. It has never been a part of my recovery routine, but it is something I need to give a shot.


Q4-What's your favorite early year race? Why should others do it?


A4-No early year races for me. The F^3 looks fun because I like running in the cold and it seems like it would be a fun race.


Q5-At what temperature will you not run outside?


A5-Ha. I guess the answer came last week when we had temps of -15 F in Chicago. It will take a lot for me to not run outside and that just seemed silly to run outside. Multiple people told me not to run and I decided to listen to them for once. Haha.


Q6-Treadmill runs are _____________?