Sorry, but 24 hours later I'm still very excited about this workout...so I just have to share.  But, first I love Eric's system.  The strengthening exercises, the tests, the variety of the running workouts...I'm excited just thinking about impact this system has had on my athletic performance.  (I actually think it has helped with my golf swing, but that's another story.)  The workout yesterday was phase 1 week 10 day 4.  I simply love this workout.  I know this word is overused these days, but this workout was just awesome.  Started at the Washington Navy Yard and did the warm up along Pennsylvania Ave to Capitol Hill.  Ran five intervals up and down the pathways on the Hill.  The distance up at a strong pace for me results in two minutes, perfect.  Follow that up with 5 intervals of one minute in speed zone 6-7 running on the street between the Capitol and the Supreme Court...I could have repeated that workout 10 more time I felt so good!!!  It was actually hard to calm myself down for the cool down run back to the Navy Yard.  I just wanted to keep going!!!  So, now the challenge of running this morning, a short recovery run...really, when I feel like going on forever!!!  Eric, you are the man!!!

Finally finished up my previous training plan and started Eric's plan in Cool Impossible (great book by the way...has pulled together all this experience I have floating around in my head).  Did the week one day four workout in Ocean City MD yesterday running on the beach.  I know I was supposed to be focusing on cadence, but my mind wondered to analyzing  tracks in the wet sand (I can nail a 90 cadence in my sleep).  Many people were bare footing it, but just as many in shoes.  It was interesting to see the various stride lengths and variations in shoe imprints.  Many deep heel imprints with little evidence on toe off as seen in the bare foot imprints.  When I turned around to head back to our hotel I was pleased/relieved to see a nicely formed imprint of the forward part of my shoe tread and a light heel pattern.  So, the next time your at the beach try out a little wet sand running to assess your foot strike.

Loving my B2R's more than ever.

I'll reiterate the construction of these shoes is superior.  No de-bonding.  No stitching issues.  The upper material is very resilient and comfortable on the foot.

The soles are wearing well.  The center and right images below show the wear.  A little wear on the outside of the forefoot and moderate wear in the center of the forefoot.  So, I'm thinking these soles will go maybe 800-1000 miles.  We shall see...

I also took Eric's advice and ran the last 125 miles with no socks, and I'm happy to report my normally very sensitive feet have had little issue.  Had a small blister pop up on my left heel during a 10 mile run.  This was a 90+ degree day, lots of sweat (a perfect day for blisters...heat, friction, moisture).  On subsequent runs I just tied my shoe a little tighter and no recurrence.  On the same run my right foot formed a slight linear blister on my arch at the interface between the insert and shoe upper.  I've been running without the inserts and the feel is just fine.

I believe I'll be ordering a half size smaller for my next pair.  I normally go for a half size big, but I now appreciate Eric's comments on snug fit.

Next update at around 400 miles...

So, I've taken my B2R's over 100 cumulative miles now and I do love these shoes.  My runs in them have been constrained to under 7 miles at a time.  Although I'm beginning to slowly up the miles and have done two 10 mile runs and I've had no issues.  I'm building up to my annual Thanksgiving Day 40 miler in FLA, which I plan to run in my B2R's this year.  The shoe upper look new, showing no wear.  The only noticeable wear is on the fore foot tread, smack dap behind the toe split across the seam, which I believe is a good/normal wear location.

I've run in all the possible combinations (socks / no socks, B2R insert / no insert, taped toes / no tape).  I've settled on socks with the B2R inserts and taped second toe right foot (I've had issue with this toe since birth...not a big deal).

The construction of the upper is excellent.  The shoes are great without socks, but I'm playing it conservative (my heels are a little susceptible to blistering).

Removing the inserts increases feel and I lean toward removing them, but I've recently read Natural Running by Abshire/Metzler and they discuss assessing your foot mechanics looking at wear on shoe tread as well as the insert.  So, I'm giving that a try with my B2R's.  Regardless, the feel of these shoes is great.

I have come to really appreciate the split toe.  It's hard to describe the feeling, but I believe there is something beneficial just prior to toe lift off.  Maybe it enhances lateral flexibility across the toes allowing them to splay.  I don't know.  All I know is that it feels good compared to standard shoes.

These are truly awesome running shoes.  More to come at 200 miles...