Brooks Green Silence Review

This post is just for you Susan

To sum up my thoughts in one sentence: I LOVE THESE SHOES.

“Make an eco-statement with the Green Silence racing flat. Each and every part in this fast, groundbreaking shoe has a sustainable element, including soy-based inks and recycled materials. And in this case, “green” goes hand-in-hand with the great performance you expect from Brooks. The Green Silence helps you take responsibility, and first place—with good karma to spare.”

I’ve been running in Brooks shoes for the past three years or so and I have never once had a problem with them. I started off in the Brooks Trance, then went to the Adrenaline, then went to the Ravenna (which I am currently wearing).

Most of my mileage is done in the Brooks Ravenna, but about 25-30% of my runs are done in my Vibrams. While I love barefoot running, I feel like it’s going to take me quite awhile to transition to running in them full time. During this period, I want to make sure I have a good pair of shoes that will put up with me.

Up to this point, I’ve run in the new shoes three times, but so far, I’ve been very impressed.

Appearance:

• The first thing that stood out to me about the Green Silence was that it lacked a “tongue.” Instead, the upper overlaps from one side to the other to cover the top of your foot, and the laces are slightly off-center. This made lacing a bit tricky at first, but I think I now have the hang of it.
• I own the green and black model (which I think look really good), but they also make a red and yellow model. I don’t want to look like Ronald McDonald, so I’m not sure I would buy those

Fit:

• Like the Ravenna, the Green Silence have a fairly roomy toe box. I normally wear a 12.5, but I bought these in a 12 and they fit perfectly.
• These shoes have a very low feel, but since I’m trying to adjust to a mid-foot strike, this is ideal.
• Weight = 6.9 oz.
• These are stiffer than my Vibrams, but much more flexible than the Ravenna.
• I’d say the cushioning is average.
• Very comfortable (nu rubbing).

Performance:

• I’ve done three runs: Two easy runs and one interval workout. They’re light enough to feel really fast for speed workouts, yet I think they will provide me with enough support for a long run. I plan on testing them out this weekend

“Eco” Friendly:

• BioMoGo, the world’s first-ever biodegradable midsole for running shoes.
• 75% of the shoe’s materials are post-consumer recycled.
• Biodegradable insole and collar foams.
• Laces, gillies, and reinforced webbing are 100% post-consumer recycled.
• Water-based adhesives are used throughout.
• All dyes and colorants are non-toxic.
• Packaging is 100% post-consumer recycled.

Summary:

• Lightweight.
• Low heel.
• Beautiful to look at.
• “Eco” Friendly.
• Brooks, you are awesome.

Have you tried the Green Silence?

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Looking for a good hill workout?

Even if you’re not training for a race, mixing up your weekly runs is a great way to make you a stronger, more efficient runner.

Adding a weekly hill workout is a great way to “mix-it-up.” Runners usually have a love-hate relationship with hills (I know I do). It’s one of those things that you dread, but love after you’ve completed it.

Here is one of my “go to” treadmill hill workouts:

Matt’s Hill Workout of Champions

• Warm up: 20 minutes at an easy pace.
• Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 4% incline
• Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
• Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 5% incline
• Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
• Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 6% incline
• Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
• Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 7% incline
• Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
• Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast at 6% incline
• Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
• Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 5% incline
• Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
• Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 4% incline
• Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
• Cool down: 20 minutes at an easy pace.

Total Distance: 9.68 miles

PM Cycling: 45 minutes

I LOVE THAT WORKOUT.

Like I said before, hill workouts are something that I normally dread.

Why?

Because they are freaking hard and painful.

While I was running today, thoughts kept running through my head.

If I’m actually looking forward to a workout, it seems SO MUCH EASIER. The time literally flies by and I have a great time doing it. On the other hand, if I am dreading a workout, you better believe it’s going to be a long, torturous morning.

Luckily, today flew by! Literally, I was flying

Do you dread hills?

Tagged as: Cycling, Product Review, Running, Shoes