The shoe feels similar to the New Balance MT 101.  The one piece rubber bottom gives the shoe a feeling of rigidity and less flexibility than the New Balance MT 101.  Even with the slightly less flexibility the shoe lets the runner feel the trail very well.  For overall fit I like the slipper feel of the MT 101, but the X Country's fit was secure and comfortable.  The X Country's traction was superior to the MT 101, no contest.

I really enjoyed my runs in the La Sportiva X County Trail shoes.  The only time I wasn't thrilled with the shoe was when I was on paved portions of the run.  This is a trail shoe with lugs for trail running.  Hard packed trail and pavement let you feel every lug.  If your running a race on trails and only trails this shoe is a great choice, for mixed trails and pavement runs I would choose a different shoe.  This shoe is a specialist, like they say on the La Sportiva website "IDEAL TERRAIN:  fell running and trail running in wet and muddy conditions."  Check out the video with my first impression of the La Sportiva X Country.

A pair of La Sportiva X Country were provided to enable this review.

For the Hat Run (Ultra 50k in Maryland), I was planning to use a pair of road shoes (Brooks Beast) because I wasn’t comfortable running in the New Balance Trails I purchased. Not for any good reason, just eased away to make sure I didn’t have any arch issues. Before the start of the race, The North Face was a sponsor and started telling me about their shoe line. Due to my shape of my foot and unusual shoe size, (and with my luck they had my size for their demo) they let me try a pair of The North Face Double-Track. I did a 180º right before the start of the race and gave the new shoes a try without ever running in them previously.

North Face Double-Track
Category: Trail/Stability

Weight: 11.3 oz

Upper Material: sandwich mesh, synthetic leather

Waterproofing: Gore-Tex XCR

Sole: Tenacoius Grip

Footbed: Ortholite Northotic

Arch Support: medium

Details for make of shoe: North Face Website

*Suggested retail = $110

Fit

The shoe caught me off guard because when I put it on it felt like glove but provided more support more than expected.  Without having a wider option the mesh allowed my foot to fit without feeling restricted.  In other shoes must get a wider version (Brooks 4E, New Balance 2E) but the Double-track was one size fits all.  Without putting my orthotic in the shoe, my heel hit the back of the shoe and felt great.  When I stepped down, immediately the fore foot flexed with my step and I felt like I needed no break-in period.  Since I require major support, when my heel strike hit, I didn’t feel a lot of give preventing more issues to my pronation problems.   Once running on the trail for the race, I did use my orthotic on top of the inner sole, slight slippage in the heel (nothing major.)   When running down sharp hills, the shoe grabbed the ground and I was able to have great traction on the tough terrain.

Structure

North Face offers two key things in the shoe that are very relevant for me.  First X-Dome which protects from pronation and second Snake plate design that allows for flexibility in the forefoot.   This structure worked for me better than expected.  I admit, I didn’t think the heel/arch support would hold up but I was wrong. Even on the tough terrain, my foot remained balanced and was able to have a good heel strike up and down the hills.  The shoes seem to have close to a straight last which also helped from allowing my arches to collapse.  Due to the snake design, I felt like there was enough padding and grip so when I was going rough gravel, tree roots or branches, my foot wouldn’t slip. On the other hand, when running on flats (road parts of the race), I felt the impact immediately on my forefoot and had to easy off of the speed.  Yes, I know it is a trail shoe so the impact was expected.

Styling

I admit, I love the way the shoes look. Compared to others and the black, green and gray hid the fact that my feet are huge (in my mind at least .)  With being a little lighter than most MC road shoes and a sleek design, I really like how they looked when running in them.  The outer part of the shoe mesh has a snakeskin look and match the environment I was running through.

Performance

For a trail shoe it held up better than I expected (compared to the support of a road MC shoe.)  During the race we ran through everything, brush, streams, rocks, etc.   I had almost no issues but slight slippage in the heel.  The fact that I have some of the worst foot structure for running and was able to run strong through the 31 miles, the shoes did great.  Another nice positive between the socks I was wearing and the shoes, after running knee deep in a creek, they dried out very fast.  I never once changed socks or shoes through the race.   I did have a little tough time keeping the laces tied so, next time I will need to look at alternative lacing solutions to keep the snug fit throughout the run.

Summary

These shoes are officially added to my arsenal.  I am scheduled for another ultra race (50 miler) in June and I plan on using the North Face Double-Track for that run.  I will limit the miles in these shoes on the road and make sure every step is on a trail.  Over all more than happy with the outcome of the shoes and the race, nothing is more surprising than running in a new pair of shoes in an ultra race and having pure success.

About the Reviewer

Brodie W:  I just run, I run a lot!  I am a high mileage runner that runs over 170 miles per month and averages sub 8 min mile pace on the road.  I have tried many shoes and limit my shoes to motion control/stability options which support my extreme pronation issue with my flat arch and I require custom orthotics.  I don’t have issues with weight maintaining around 170 lb.   Over all, I am a heel to inner roll foot striker but my arches collapse when I run.  I have been a long distance runner for over 11 years and have completed 6 marathons, 1 ultra, 1 Olympic triathlon, and many other shorter races.

Pre Hat Dinner Gang

This year's HAT was very special.  The buzz we created last year translated into even more participation this year.  I was really excited to see my running friends again.  There were so many invitations for different meet-ups that unfortunately, it wasn't possible to make them all.  Last year Jeanne B., Colleen, Matt F., Andy O., Steve S., all ran this trail race together.  This year our core crew grew to Brodie W., Jenny J., Andy O., Jeanne B., Bobby O., Paulie G., Greg S., Peter L., Steve S. (third place finisher overall), Preston G., Jon S., Stein L., and Ally S.  That doesn't even include some of my favorite BRRC people like Juda M., Bart R., Luke B., Elisa W., Mark W., Darryn W., Andrea W., Ann F., Lois S., Curt S., Dechen S., and I am sure I am missing others.  I think you get the point.  I was running with a large group of friends and it made this event feel like a fun outing rather than a race.  I was calm and happy pre-race instead of nervous and anxious.  After all, I knew the course and I knew the runners.

HAT Elevation and Course Map

Speaking of the course the HAT 50k is a tough and challenging course located in the Susquehanna State Park in Maryland.  "The course is mostly single track trail with a mix of open fields, dirt road and some paved road. The course features nearly 9,800 feet of climbing. There is a starting loop of 3.6 miles followed by two identical loops of 13.7 miles. There are 4 stream crossings that can be challenging depending on the water level – there is always the chance of getting wet feet." (See image above) The course itself is unforgiving with constant climbs and descents on uneven trails, you have to be focused at all times.  I would remind myself with a mantra "no lazy steps," the fatigue would set in and I would have to remind myself again after a stumble or a bad foot plant "no lazy steps."  We were lucky this year and blessed with almost perfect running conditions.  The skies were clear and the temps didn't get much over 50º F.  I ran the course more conservatively than last year.  By the end of last year's HAT my quads were blown and my calves were rusty and splintered into aching little punks.  I was determined to feel less broken at the end of the HAT this year.  I did a pretty good job of managing the race this year, experience helps.  I was able to take 43 minutes off my finish time from last year but, still would have liked taking at least 15 more minutes off.  In a race this long it should be easy to continue to cut time off.  There's always next year.  Here are the 2011 Results.  I placed in the top half and that ain't too shabby.  Out of the 515 registered runners, 95 didn't show up, 58 DNF'd (did not finish) 362 actually crossed the finish line. I was #158 over all and 57th in my age group.

This race really has become about something more than running for me.  It has become a place of camaraderie.  Friendships are grown and strengthened at this race.  The course is hard and that is a source of pride for all those that run it.  You get the feeling if you can complete the HAT you can take on anything.  This year the race directors gave everyone a signed copy of the book "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall.  Chris ran the race with us too.  We got a chance to hang out with him before the race and from the limited interactions I had with him, he was a super nice humble guy.  If you think there is pressure running a big race, imagine what it's like when your a running celeb.  It can't be easy to perform with everybody there knowing who you are and having the weight of there judgment on your back.  My kudos to Chris, I would have just gone south and hung out with the Tarahumara.  I have done tough running challenges and the HAT is a tough day of running for all levels of runners guaranteed.  Hopefully I will see you there next year.

GEAR:

This year I ran in the New Balance MT101 trail shoes.  They are a light flexible and feel extremely nimble over the technical terrain of the HAT course.  They handled rocks, roots, mud, packed dirt and paved roads.  I brought along a second pair of shoes because I was worried the minimal running shoe (New Balance MT101) might be an issue after multiple miles.  I never had to switch out shoes, the MT101s were able to keep me feeling good all the way to the finish.  I did make one modification/addition to the shoe.  The low collar of the shoe doesn't protect against trail debris so I purchased a pair of Dirty Girl Gaiters and added a Velcro strip to the back of the shoe to secure the gaiter.  This worked great and kept the debris out without adding much weight to the shoe at all.  The gaiters are quite soft and comfortable.  They will be going on all my trail shoes here on out.  Balega socks were my pick for this race.  Packing two pairs and switching out at the 17th mile worked out well for me.  After the stream crossings a dry pair of socks were heavenly.  I ran with trekking poles during the GORE-TEX® TransRockies Run and fell in love with them for trail running.  I find that they help with fast descents and keep your back straight on the uphill climbs.  I use Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles. Out of the 400+ participants I was the only one to use poles.  It was a great conversation starter.  The poles are super light at .5 lb each and collapse down to 25 inches.  I have tried several Hydration packs including; Nathan, Osprey, and Camelbak.  For running the best pack I have tried is the Salomon XT Advanced Skin 5 S-LAB.  The pack fits great and rides snugly.  This pack is designed specifically for trail running and has great features like:

• 2 chest pockets (one is zippered and removable)
• 2 front chest pouches, just the right size for bottles or other items
• 2 zipped belt pockets
• 1 main zippered compartment on back
• Exclusive Salomon bladder by Source is included (1.5L)
  • Taste-Free™ System
  • Bacteria-Free™ System
  • Crush & Leak Proof Durabag® Technology
  • High Flow Z-Valve™
  • Dirt-Shield™ Cover
  • Easy Fill, Clean and Drain Widepack™ Closure
  • 5mm closed cell PE insulation keeps water cool
  • Cool tube Cover
• Sensifit construction reduces abrasion and gives a precise and secure fit
• Ultra breathable stretch material to comfortably and securely hold bladder and essential items
• Adjustable load lifter distributes the load in the pack
• The twin link system secures anywhere on the system for a personalized fit
• 4ºD pole holder is instinctive to use. Quick and easy access to your hiking poles while running
• Safety whistle attached
• Comes with safety blanket
• Weight: 640g (1lb 6oz)
• Pack Volume: 5L
• Dimensions: 37 x 20 x 6 cm

For nutrition I used Honey Stinger Ginsting Gels and packets of Justin's Peanut Butter and Honey.  For the most part, I drank water from my pack, at the aid stations I would down some Gatorade and flat Coca-Cola (one of my favorite treats on long trail runs).  I was very well equipped for this race and had no issues with gear or nutrition. (except the one time when I choked on the peanut butter.)

I really do love this race, it has become my focus for winter training and a fantastic kick off to Spring.  This past year the HAT 50k sold out in two weeks!  If you want to run it in 2012, be ready to sign up the day it opens for registration.

Check out this related post with a review of the New Balance Minimus Trail Shoe by Professor Of Minimal Shoe Advocacy (PoMSA) Pete Larson

NIKE LUNAR ECLIPSE

Sunday I will be running the NYC Marathon for the first time.  I gotta admit I am pretty excited about it.  Since training and running the GORE-TEX TransRockies Run, I have been feeling great and have gained some speed too.  I have high hopes for a great race in NYC.  On my last run before NYC I had a good one. I just relaxed and went for a 7 mile loop.  Everything is feeling good.  I have my weapon of choice picked out the Nike Lunar Eclipse.   After my knee gave me a little trouble on Monday in the Nike Pre, it was virtually gone in the Eclipse.  The shoes feel great.  I am focusing on staying relaxed for NYC and trying to enjoy the event without clouding it with expectations.  I want to continue to run faster and would love to beat my Baltimore marathon time of 3:45:32 two weeks ago but, more than that I want to enjoy running an event as big and celebrated as the NYC Marathon. I can always focus on the Phoenix Marathon in January for a new PR.

Speaking of the TransRockies run Juda and I got some coverage in the Washington Running Report, check it out…

Believe in the run.

Believe in the Run.

After crossing the Stream during the BRRC Sweet Air Trail Race Sunday

I am definately getting stronger on my back to back runs.  It is reassuring to feel the progress. Here is a recap of the week:

Tuesday July 6: A hot and humid 7 miles – Air quality alert was RED for Baltimore, temps to hit 105º but it felt hotter due to the humidity.

Thursday July 8: 6 miles with stairs – This was a tough one. Very hot very humid (sound familiar?) I got up extra early and went downtown to hit a great set of stairs that climb Federal Hill near the Baltimore Harbor. Once up the stairs you can loop the park and hit the stairs again and again. It is almost a perfect quarter mile, so at least 4 good stair climbs a mile. (see the picture of the stairs bellow)

Saturday July 10: 12.28 miles Group run with the Baltimore Road Runners Club – Nice run made even better when it started to rain. It is a lot of fun running with the BRRC, some good people show up for these runs at all levels.

Sunday July 11: 16 miles, 6.5 miles in a BRRC trail race then 9.5 miles on my own – I had a great running day. Starting with the BRRC Sweet Air Trail race. I took off nice and easy and just got stronger as the race continued. I don’t normally pick people off but today I was in a grove and doing some passing.  I don’t know what it was about today, I was running strong.  Several BRRC and Dailymile people were in attendance.

Review of the BRRC Sweet Air Trail Race

This was probably my favorite trail race ever.  The trail was beautiful, there were two stream crossings, mud, technical rocky areas, soft shaded stretches and steep climbs.  The people there were all supportive and there to have fun.  The cost of the race was $2 for BRRC members $5 for non-members.  You can’t beat that.

Don’t forget.  I am raising funds for the Baltimore Child Abuse Center, please give.

Thursday's stairs

BRRC meet up on Saturday

Brian L. Stephanie M. Brodie W. and Me

So about two months ago I was messaging back and forth with Stephanie M. on dailymile.  We were thinking it would be fun to run a race together, Stephanie mentioned The North Face Challenge in DC.  I wrote her back and let her know that I was registered.  She said I was nuts and she registered too.  We were kinda nuts we only had about six weeks to get ready for a trail marathon.  If you know anything about road running vs trail running, you know trail running is harder.  I emailed Brodie and roped him into the madness too.  We are running enablers, its a good thing.

June 5th came fast and the next thing I know I am waking up at 5 a.m. getting my gear together and rushing out the door to go pick up Brodie.  I left something in the house so I ran back to the house, as I was running I stepped on the hose and slightly turned my left ankle (FORESHADOW ALERT).  I hopped back in the car and picked up Brodie stopped at Starbucks and got my pre-run ritual meal: tall coffee, slice of banana walnut bread, and a black cherry yogurt.  Brodie knew some back roads and we were to the shuttle bus before we knew it.  We met Linda on the bus and she hung out with us until the start of the race.

Stephanie pickin' up packets

Stephanie picked up my packet for me the night before so I was eagerly awaiting her arrival.  From a distance I saw her orange dailymile t-shirt.  We had a Hallmark moment as we opened arm hugged.  It was the first time we met, but just like when I met Steve S. and Andy O. it was like we already knew each other and were old friends.  It was hot out there and I was already sweating.  Another dailymiler Brian L. showed up too. Now we were all together, Brodie, Stephanie, Linda, Brian, and me all just waiting for the start of the race.  It came fast enough.

All five of us started the run together and the terrain was deceptively easy for the first couple of miles.  I came to run with Stephanie so I made sure I didn’t lose her in the crowd.  The trail got harder and hotter.  I was dripping with sweat, I couldn’t be any wetter.  Stephanie was wearing a little green sparkle skirt that made a lot of people smile and comment.  For most of the first 13.1 miles I kept hearing “I love your skirt” when I wasn’t hearing that I was hearing Stephanie cheering on other runners.  I found out that she was a cheerleader in high school and college.

Spotting Mark at the 1/2 way

Stephanie had planned on only running 13.1 miles of the event.  When we made it close to the half way point we spotted Jason P. from dailymile and then Stephanie’s husband Mark.  We said a quick hello and made it to the aid station where we filled up on water and nutrition.  Did I mention it was super hot and humid.  I went through 64 oz. of water in 13.1 miles.  We saw Greg S. from dailymile at the aid station, he was pacing a friend doing the 50 miles.  I said my goodbyes to Stephanie and got back on the trails.

I felt good at this point and started to pick up the pace.  It was fun I was passing a lot of people.  I knew I still had a long way to go so I tried to keep myself from getting carried away.  By the time I started to really feel the distance I was pretty over heated.  Having the Camelbak with 64 oz. of water turned out to be a life saver as I gulped enduralytes, Stinger gels, Clif Bloks and loads of water.  It was seven miles between the aid stations and in 90º weather and 90% humidity that would have been a long wait for water.

I started getting really fatigued around mile 17, maybe that is why on a steep downhill I wasn’t careful.  Next thing I knew my head hit the ground and I did a summersault.  I had turned that same left ankle as I had running back into the house.  I hit hard my upper arm is deeply bruised, my knees have small cuts and my wedding band cut into my hand and was bleeding.  I got up and knew I was screwed, it was tough to walk let alone run.  I was not going to DNF (did not finish) this race.  I started walking and started going to a dark place in my head.  I really started to beat myself up.  I thought I had lost it and was thinking I was weak.  At this point I was about 7-8 miles out, at the pace I was walking (about 18 minute miles) this could be awhile.  People I passed were starting to pass me, this SUCKED!  I needed to start running.  My first couple of tries were on the shorter side.  As I kept going the runs got longer.  I was bargaining with myself, thinking just run to that next uphill or run to the next spot of shade.  Every time I had to stop running I would start to beat myself up again.  I spotted a few other dailymile people on the trails, Brian F. and Matt the “No Meat Athlete” it lifted my spirit.  The last aid station had Coca-Cola it was cold and delicious and I drank a lot of it.  Coca-Cola fueled the last two miles I was done with this race and just bit down and ran as hard as I could.  I knew Brodie, Brian, and Stephanie would be waiting at the finish.  So would beer and ace bandages.  I was right about the beer, no luck on the ace bandage. Stephanie captured my finish on video.

TNF Finish from Thomas Neuberger on Vimeo.

Overall, even with the extreme heat, humidity, busted up ankle I had a great day.  I hung out with my dailymile friends, completed my 9th marathon, pretty good stuff.  Oh yeah did I mention I met Dean Karnazes?

Dean Karnazes & Me

I can’t express how much the site dailymile has improved my running experiences and my life.  If you are not on it you should be what are you waiting for?  Thanks again to Brodie and Stephanie without you it would not have been the same.  See you at the next adventure.  I forgot to mention this was Brodie’s last run before a hernia operation and he actually ran 30 miles.

Results: 27.8 miles 6:22:52 – 67th place overall, in my age group 18th place, out of men 45th Considering I did it with a bum ankle, not to shabby.  I will take it.   -Believe in the Run

Check out these shots of the ankle a day after the race:

Stephanie and Brodie

Juda & Thomas (me)

2010 Mt. Penn MudFest

Juda charging a downhill

Through the Trees

Post Race with Darryn

Cindy and Juda

Finisher Pint Glass

Cindy getting the fire going

My TransRockies teammate Juda McGannon put a post up on Facebook a few months ago about a race that was taking place on her birthday.  The Mt. Penn MudFest.  The name was intriguing enough, upon reading the description I was sold.  The guy that puts these races together has a pretty good sense of humor.

Cindy and I decided to make a weekend camping trip out of the race.  We had the grandparents watch Theo while we took the Westy to PA.  Camping makes the run feel so much more like an adventure.  We stayed at the French Creek State Park a short distance from the race.

After getting my Starbucks pre race meal in Cindy and I headed to the packet pick up. The gathering mass was an eclectic group.  This was a different crowd then what you typically see at a road race.  Crazy group of folks some in costume.

The Mt. Penn Mudfest race was pretty technical, jagged rocks, mud, three stream crossings and a whole lotta up and down on steep inclines.  I would start closer to the front if I were to do this race again.  Once the race started you were locked into single track pretty quickly, so if you were in a pace slower than you would want you are trapped there until the trail opens up again.  This was not a course to run barefoot or in Vibrams Five fingers, the rocks were sharp and gnarly enough to cause discomfort through my Adidas Adizeros.  I can’t imagine what they would do to you in less of a shoe or no shoe.  When there was only about 2.5 miles to go there was an alternative beverage aid station that handed out beer and margaritas.  I chugged down a 6 oz. beer and picked up the pace for the rest of the race.  The finish opened up to a grass field and I had plenty left in my legs, so I pushed strong across the field and finished with confidence.  The race had 750 runners and 713 finishers.  This was my third organized run/race in three weeks, HAT 50k, Whitehall 15k, and the Mt. Penn MudFest 15k.  I am feeling great, and loving the run more than ever.  A big part of the race experience these days is the social aspect.  Between dailymile.com and the Baltimore Road Runners Club (BRRC,) I am getting to know a lot of runners.  When I go to the races I now have friends running them with me and celebrating at the finish.

- believe in the run

HAT 50k ReDux from Thomas Neuberger on Vimeo.

For a really detailed great review of the race read Jeanne's post
Here is Steve Speirs' recap
Andy O'brien's HAT 50k post

Here are my thoughts a day after the run:

Crazy hard! My favorite part of the race other than finishing it was meeting and hanging out with Andy and Steve. This was a tough hilly course (9,800 feet of elevation) and it took everything I could give it. at one point I even ran .2 miles in the wrong direction whoops! The ultra marathon has such a different vibe from every other run I have ever done. There is a lot of camaraderie at the HAT. There were so many steep inclines and declines in the race, it really sapped your legs. While it did get hot, I don't think it effected my performance. I drank a ton of water. We were able to stop at the pavillion a little more than half way through. I took advantage of this and changed my socks, shirt, applied more body glide, and got something to eat before heading back out for the second long loop.

On the second loop I filled my water bottle with ice water, I think it saved my life and gave me the strength to finish. I ended up making friends with a woman that I ran the last 5 miles with. We really helped each other finish the race. We ended up finishing side by side with the same time. We high fived and gave each other a hug. It was a great way to finish. Andy, Steve, Jeanne, Jeanne's BFF Coleen, Matt, Adam, and some BRRC members hung out after the finish line. We had beers, hot dogs, and french fries to celebrate. It was so much fun to hang out with the DMers after the race.

I will probably run another 50k someday, but I don't think it will be the HAT, it was tough! It made me rethink my TransRockies run this August, but only for a little bit. If they had an emoticon for Brutal or kicked my ass, I would use that. -believe in the run

Thomas and Jeanne before the HAT 50k from Andy O'Brien on Vimeo.