Here's where I ran in Dallas over the weekend. Mom and dad live close to this subdivision.
The streets are mostly empty.
There is also a creek-side trail that dots the landscape.
This made for an easy 6 mile run. I was so happy to have my Altra Lone Peak 5s with me as opposed to my New Balance 880s. In fact, I honestly don't think I can ever go back to the typical running shoe with an elevated heel, a padded arch, and a narrow toe box. Last week, when I was working outdoors on the farm in the mud, I wore an old pair of NB 880s and I could hardly walk in them. Your arch doesn't function in the manner it was designed for. And when you elevate the heel, this alters the forces on your knees, hips, and pelvis. Furthermore, arch supports block the natural spring-like flattening of the foot. On the other hand, zero drop shoes with a wide toe box and no arch support allow your toes to spread apart (as they were meant to do) and provide balance. They also let your arch flatten and your foot pronate.
Now that I've transitioned into a wider and thinner-soled shoe, I don't think I can ever go back to shoes with stiff, rocker-shaped soles. I've also found that thinner-soled shoes offer a better sensory feel of the ground beneath your feet. This helps to stabilize you and improve your running efficiency.
All of these thoughts went through my mind today during my 5-mile run. No shoe is perfect for everyone, but for me, a lower drop -- or even no drop -- shoe is the only way to go.