Pearl Izumi Road N1 Review

In preparation to my 2014 Road/Tri season I had the opportunity  to put hundreds of miles in the EM Road N1 and the EM Trail N1  shoes throughout the last couple of months. This particular line of shoes has taken my running to a whole new level from running a new PR at a local 5K to helping achieve my dream of qualifying for Boston and also qualifying for the 70.3 World Championships in Mont Tremblant, Canada. Below is my little recap of  

PROS

• Great neutral training option for biomechanically efficient runners
• Wider-Form fitting toe box (Awesome!! Especially for those with a wider forefoot such as myself)
• Level 1 most minimal midsole (1mm Toe to Heal offset)
• Very comfortable shoe, 19mm of thickness for that “Cushiony” feel
• At 8 ounces (for Size 9) , it is extremely light-weight, yet cushioned enough for marathons.

CONS

• Color options may not be for everyone
• Very similar to the PI Road N2
• May be to minimal for some people (Great thing PI has Higher offset shoes in the EM line)

The very first time I laced up the EM road N1 it was very different feeling and yes I mean different as in weird. At first they felt very harsh and firm, not as comfortable as I initially thought. As I needed to give these shoes a chance I decided I needed to put in a little more miles in them. By putting the miles on the pavement the shoe started to grow on me. It surely became my go to shoe for my off-season (Oct-Dec) as the miles came the responsiveness and comfort came as well. It seems that being the type of runner that switches and races with different shoe year to year it takes time for the foot to get accustomed to what it has on. So I’m really glad I put the time and effort in giving this shoe a chance to impress me rather than give it a bad review on its very first test ride. After putting in hundreds of miles on pavement I can honestly say that the N1 is a FANTASTIC all around shoe. I ended up using the N1 as my training shoe and my racing shoe without any problems.

You can see scuffs and wear from the lateral heel to the mid-foot, The cool part of this EVA foam is that it’ll give you some indications of your wear pattern and tell you what type of runner you are. I typically run with my forefoot and only you some heel whenever I’m fatigued during those longer mile runs. As per the durability of the shoe, which is always on everybody’s mind, the shoe last quite a while for being so light and minimal. I was able to get over 200miles on them before the material started getting really soft for my build. For lighter runners this shoe can more than likely hit the 250 range!

All in all I give the Pearl Izumi N1 two thumbs up, I highly suggest this shoe for triathlons and marathons as I have found success in both types of races maybe you can to! Head on over to VRC and try on a pair!

Races raced with the Pearl Izumi N1

Houston Marathon

                                                                  2:56:45 (Boston Qualified)

Oceanside 70.3

                                                                  4:40:26 (1:29:04 Run split)

Christmas in July 5k -Mission, TX

Today was the first running event that I’ve attempted to do since Ironman CDA, which was June 23rd 2013. So a month has passed since I last "ran", two months have passed since if done "speed". So I didn’t have any idea what I was getting myself into. I had a specific goal of breaking 19min (6:07 min/mi). But I didn’t think it was realistic. When the race was about to begin I lined up right next to the only triathlete in the crowd who is my great friend EJ Gonzalez. He's known for pulling off some ridiculous run splits on any distance. So being the young kid filled with piss and vinegar and decided last minute to see if I can hold on to his pace, knowing if I were to go out to fast I would surely not meet my goal of 19min and probably run the chance of blowing a gasket. So the gun goes off and we take off. At this point im not trying to be a hero. I’m just trying to hang on and endure the pain that im putting my body through. Mile 1- Goes by and it clocks at 5:23, surely way to fast. Mile 2 goes by clocks in at 5:36 (By this point I wanted to walk), Mile 2.5 comes around and at this point is where you start giving that extra kick to the finish and give it all you got. I didn’t have a kick. I didn’t have any more gas. My legs were starting to get heavy. I was in pain and my face showed it. My breathing got heavier and heavier. But I couldn’t stop. I will not stop. I saw a very familiar face in the distance. My very close friend German Madrazo came riding along side me and told me " Don’t give up, Push, Push!" and that’s all I needed. I pushed through all the pain I was in and clocked in 3.1miles in 17min and 21 sec (5:36 min avg) , which is my new 5K PR! At first I was disappointed in my time cause I started to slow down towards the end...

But, I started to be an optimist. I started running 3 yrs. ago not being about to run a 5k under 30min. and now 3yrs into it I’ve nearly cut that in half? I’m excited to see what 2013-2014 has to offer for me. My personnel goal will to one day get a PRO license and show everybody that with hard work and determination that anything is possible. All things are possible if you believe.

Faith. God. Believe.

A while back I was going through a slump which almost broke me down to the point of no return. Negative thoughts, hate for the sport, and hate for myself. I tried to drown out everything by putting in 4 consecutive weeks of 18hr+ training weeks on top of my studies with no avail. I turned to my faith, and God put people there to cheer me up, and reassure me that things will get better. They told me to LIVE my life and dont worry about anybody else but myself. I was able to get back on the right track after a couple of months.   While I worked on myself for a little while I met someone. Someone who understands me. Someone who sincerley cares about me. I love to think that god works in mysterious ways and puts people in our paths to bring out the good in ourselves. Im looking forward to getting to know her, and hopefully if all goes we will  become something more. Only time will tell.

until next time.........

A trip to Atlanta!

Recently went to Atlanta, Georgia for a photography convention with my photo family. Spent 5days over there spending a good amount of time drinking and not exercising. BUT I did exercise..... My mind by going to one of the biggest aquariums in the United States!








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Getting back into the swing of things

I have been MIA for a while now but I assure you I have been doing my best to try and gain my fitness back. From running in a couple of 5K's and 10K's I've been keeping active. This week along Ive completed multiple mile stones. From completed my first 50 and 53miler since my accident and swimming pain free since my last 70.3 (late October). This is going to be a great season, I know it is. Going to experience a lot of new things I only wish I could back home. Road Racing, Criteriums, Time Trialing, Triathlons, Duathlons and many more. Who knows I might actually borrow Mtb and test out the Xterra circuit. Only time will tell.

Stick and stones may break my bones but falling on roads definitely do.

Got so pretty terrible news yesterday. I officially have a fracture on my scapula (back of shoulder). The Dr. Told me how in the works did I break that bone since its one of the hardest bones to break in the human body. Well I seem to out done myself this time.

Broken shoulder, Broken Cervelo, Broken heart

This is the 2nd night of many painful night. Wounds still stinging, legs still inflamed and side of head still swollen due to the blunt force from when I hit the ground. Head scan came out clear no brain trauma. X-rays of shoulder/humerus came out clear......or so I thought. I got a call from the Dr that helped me sunday morning saying they read X-rays wrong I have a fractured shoulder have to go in to see specialist so they can see what they can do for me. I guess it rest rest rest for the next 6-8weeks. I can only let my body heal my fracture and its wounds. Only time will tell when I'll be fixed and able to ride my non existent bike. Going to have to build my Velo (Mia) all over again......

Location:El Encino Dr,Palmhurst,United States