RRR - Will get back with more details on the Nike shoes. I have basically tried all of them. Yes, the Speed Rival 6 has some decent width, with a decent toe box for a race shoe. I would not say “wide,” but good enough. The upper on one of my Rival pairs, though, seems to shrink a bit after a rainy run. Otherwise, they are a great shoe, with a good “roll,” good comfort, and nice responsiveness. I have the regular Streak on the way, due here today. The LT version is super light and feathery. A nice shoe, but you will feel the pavement more than you would with the others, especially the Zoom Fly...which is a real “roller-rama” of a shoe.
Will add more details as I remember them, but right now I am about to go through the roof. So happy I am almost forgetting that I am unemployed...here is why...
Was blessed with a heavenly 59 and cloudy this morning (plus some rain), and went hog wild. Just got back from 17.51 at 6:29.9 overall—on my hilliest route (over the “little mountain”). When done, my watch flashed two “New Records”—it is a new (used) watch. I have it about a month. Anyway, racked up a 38:03 for the 10k and a 1:22:41 for the half. The half time is very close to the “record” on my old watch, which I believe is 1:22:37. Last 10.51 was: 6:21, 6:27, 6:25, 6:31, 6:14, 6:18, 6:12, 6:06, 6:15, 5:55, 2:55.
Felt great the whole way. Felt mostly like easier running, and I had plenty left when done. Was “pleasantly worked.” Steady rain for about the last four miles.
Allen - You ask great quetsions. In general, my routes are rolling. There are a coupe of routes that are flatter that I use mostly for summer running or for when I am feeling “off” or tired, or if I need a break, mental or physical. I feel my hills most when the wind is out of the south, as the bigger ones mostly face south, and so in summer there really is a double challenge being presented. However, they are not the staggering climbs that one would find in the West. The notable ones are mostly fairly steep .5-mile climbs, and for the gradual climbs, my usual ones are 1.1-mile gradual and a 1.3 gradual. All I can say is that, while I am accustomed to them, they are annoying. My “little mountain” segment is 1.4 and it goes .2 rolling, .5 up (steep), .4 down (steep), and .3 up (less steep).
With the hot weather, I have not been bale to incorporate hill surges or strides yet. Just too hot for that right now. Still getting accustomed to the heat and humidity. I will add more details as they come to mind.
All the best to you...