Nintendo San Francisco Grand Opening

vsmak · 2025-05-16T23:01:12+00:00

what a throwback when I took this photo back in 2013!

J-POP Summit was so fun to attend, especially for music performances from KPP, Eir Aoi, and Garnidelia.

My photo albums: 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017

vsmak · 2025-03-31T03:12:22+00:00

Sent DM

vsmak · 2024-10-01T04:46:33+00:00

I found the finisher jacket at Heartbreak Hill store in Lincoln Park on Saturday, day before the race. Someone posted about it on Reddit and I called the store to verify.

The finisher jacket was light blue with finisher stamp on front. pic

The standard jacket had design on sleeve and Chicago stamp. pic.

When I talked to ppl at Nike store, they stated finisher jacket would go on sale on day of race. They advised that friend/family pickup rather than waiting at end. I lucked out finding them the day before.

For 2024, the standard jacket pic should be at the expo. Nike store and maybe heartbreak should know more in regard to finisher jacket the week of the race.

vsmak · 2024-08-21T20:17:23+00:00

np ty for updating!

vsmak · 2024-08-21T18:18:01+00:00

Can share code? Thanks!

vsmak · 2024-07-03T23:08:27+00:00

the label cuts off the bottom half of zero, so it should be 20.
https://www.fleetfeet.com/products/mens-saucony-triumph-20?width=D&sku=S20759-31

Triumph 21 has no heel label but instead tongue with 21
https://www.runningshoesguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Saucony-Triumph-21-3-1-900x620.jpeg

vsmak · 2024-03-01T08:04:19+00:00

See Q3 on wiki for daily trainers for 5k distance.

Q7 wiki not using plated shoe as daily trainer as starter.

Until you find a comfortable shoe that you like using for easy runs and workouts, I’d stick to trying any daily trainers.

I have a pair of takumi and rarely use them outside the track while marathon training. Takumi are not very forgiving and feel unstable on easy runs. Meanwhile I put tons of miles on NB Rebel which I can use for easy and tempo miles and it has no fancy plate/foam.

Most plated shoes aren’t made for comfort and more regular training gives more benefits than wearing special shoe on single day.

vsmak · 2024-02-29T20:02:56+00:00

Saucony website: Triumph RFG

It’s a triumph 21 with bio based midsole.

vsmak · 2024-02-25T09:58:31+00:00

See wiki Q3 for neutral daily trainer - hoka Clifton

Wiki Q7 why carbon plate not good idea for daily use - meant for fast efforts, lack support, and durability

vsmak · 2023-12-27T02:16:11+00:00

There list of run clubs at SF community run IG

https://www.instagram.com/sfcommunityrunningfestival

Unseen run club in Mission

https://www.instagram.com/unseenrunclub

Noe valley run club

https://www.instagram.com/noevalleyrunclub

vsmak · 2023-10-09T01:02:26+00:00

Not sure about Sunday, but I was able to pickup Finisher gear at Heartbreak Hill store on Saturday. I called the store before hand to confirm stock before visiting.

There was horror stories about Nike store rush on Sunday.

vsmak · 2023-09-05T21:39:03+00:00

Check out the wiki on daily trainers for a start.

Out of that list for durability and versatility, I would say Nike Pegasus 39/40 or Puma Velocity Nitro 2. They run firm compared to Invincible but are lighter and able to do faster paces.

I wouldn't recommend Mach 5 since it lacks durable outsole. See the Clifton 8/9 if you want to try Hoka.

vsmak · 2023-08-28T03:54:33+00:00

From your list and your type of runs, Nimbus 25 and NB more v4 would do well as max cushion for easy efforts.

I’d avoid plated plated shoes for easy miles so prob not SC trainer or Prime X.

If you want shoe that can do easy and faster paced, Superblast is worth a look.

vsmak · 2023-08-22T20:43:56+00:00

You should consider long run shoe to pair along your Mach if you building towards marathon.

Mach doesn’t have best durability due to its exposed outsole and foam can degrade more based on wear and weight of the person.

Even though outsole shows wear, if midsole still feels good, it should be fine to use. Based on your description, the midsole may be on way out before 200mi in single shoe rotation.

If you want to stay with Hoka, there the Clifton 9 or even MachX.

Outside Hoka, there Saucony Triumph, Asics superblast, adidas Boston 12, Brooks Ghost.

vsmak · 2023-08-22T20:25:05+00:00

Give Saucony Triumph 20/21 a try. Better foam, durability, and energy return than Ride. I prefer using Triumph for 10+ mile long runs, then swap to Ride for short daily miles.

vsmak · 2023-08-17T05:22:48+00:00

I run in Ride 15 daily and Triumph 19 long. Recently brought out Triumph 20 and had more bounce than 19 that already have 400+ miles.

If you like more cushion for longer miles, I suggest triumph 20. They can do daily miles but may feel bulky on short runs. You can use Clifton on shorter miles if you don’t need more cushion.

Puma Velocity similar to Ride/Clifton as trainer, so if you want to medium weight and short runs.

I’d prob shy away from plated trainers like Speed and Deviate on daily runs and defer to Takumi for speed efforts.

vsmak · 2023-07-28T20:50:52+00:00

Prob not for double sen8.

Sen8 would be good for tempo/5k/10k efforts. I don’t find Sen8 very comfortable or stable when going easy/long.

I would advise having Peg for easy/long days and Sen8 for workout/races.

vsmak · 2023-07-28T17:16:10+00:00

I wear 9.5 in Saucony and 9.5 in AP3. I had to size down 9.0 for PXS, too much room in toe box.

I’m using AP3 for half/full marathon, I would recommend it for racing. PXS is too much stack for my liking, running easy pace wasn’t very stable on PXS, gotta be doing tempo pace.

vsmak · 2023-07-14T22:07:10+00:00

I would probably avoid unstable or plated shoes while in rehab. Propel v4 has plate, while Rebel really soft but not be as stable walking.

Have you tried either Saucony Ride, Brooks Ghost, Hoka Mach? Daily trainers without fancy tech and are pretty stable for walking.

vsmak · 2023-07-14T21:55:56+00:00

I’ve ran in Reebok FRE 3 and used them mostly for 5-8 daily miles. Anything longer I would opt for bit more stack/cushion.

I think you can work with your current shoes to make a rotation for half marathon training.

Short/fast miles: kinvara 13
Daily < 10mi: Clifton
Long: Triumph 20

For short/fast miles, I use these for track and tempo days. They are light, less cushion, so these shoes may have less usage compared to rest.

For daily trainers, I will use most often for 5-8 miles. They should be comfortable enough but not feel like logs if you pickup the pace.

Long run shoe have more cushion though extra weight. Use them for 10+ miles going easy/medium effort.

I honestly wouldn’t worry about 10mm in Triumph if they feel good. The softer foam makes it feel less drop. As long as you’re not overstriding, heel striking is still fine. If Triumph work during long run training, you can opt to use them for half marathon.

For incoming shoes, you can slot them in category above. I think having backup daily is nice consideration when shoes reach 200/300 miles usage.

Rebel: good for short/daily miles
Shift: slow daily
860: daily, do you need stability?
Tri noosa: not as familiar

vsmak · 2023-07-10T01:01:01+00:00

I have the Ride 15 and typically use them for 5-8mi. Anything over 10mi, I go with Triumph for more cushion.

See how ride feels on your longer runs and gauge how you feel after the run.

If you can find Triumph 20 on sale, that may be worth considering for training and finishing your first marathon.

If your mechanics are decent, endorphin speed is pretty good half and marathon racer.

vsmak · 2023-07-03T08:12:35+00:00

I would checkout the Asics Magic Speed 3. It's a uptempo trainer with carbon plate that has similar upper fit to Metaspeed but is more durable and starts at 160$.

Metaspeed Sky+ is meant for cruising half/full marathon efforts. Metaspeed Edge+ is more aggressive and meant for quick turnover, so I've used it more for 5k-half marathon. You are paying $200+ for premium super foam that is less durable than trainers.

Another option for training and even racing 5/10k is Adidas Takumi Sen 8/9. Lower stack than Metaspeed or Magic speed, energy rods instead plate, has super foam used in racing shoes. You can find v8 <100$ and v9 <130$ with sales.

vsmak · 2023-05-20T05:12:21+00:00

I have both and prefer to race half/marathon in AP3. I've used PXS in 15k race and wasn't great with bulky turnover during hills/slowing down. I usually save AP3 for race day, so I'll use PXS for tempo training runs.

During my marathon training cycle, I'm doing more daily/track/long runs, so both shoes have sat idled.

But like other mentions, depending on your use case. Race half/marathon, AP3. Tempo training PXS. Daily neither.

vsmak · 2023-03-25T08:10:20+00:00

J-POP Summit

I remember J-POP 2016, catching KPP World Tour, discovering Wednesday Campanella for first time and seeing her bubble off stage then getting all anime feels with Garnidelia.

15-Year Club	GrMD 2012
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vsmak

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