The first run in any shoe is a bit like a first date…testing the waters, taking it slow, wondering if this might be the “one”. After you find your sole mate, the idea of switching shoes becomes scary and even a new model doesn’t mean you are going to have the same love for the fit, feel and comfort.
When I started running, any old shoe would do…but as I began to increase my distance, I found that a love affair developed with a shoe the more miles that I piled on the more it formed to my foot. Until the day where it just wasn’t getting the job done and was leaving my knees aching. With all this talk of barefoot running, you might believe that you could just run a shoe in to the ground. This is not the case. Because these more built up shoes are designed to work in certain ways, as they break down they change your gait and viola pain. In fact, my biggest problem is letting go of a shoe because I become attached to it after so many miles!
Currently I am in love with my Mizuno running shoes. I have run in a few different styles, but right now feel nothing but joy when sliding on my Nexus Mizuno’s. I’d love to just run out to the store each time I want to purchase a new pair, but as it happens when you’re a size 11 shoe they just aren’t in stock. This has been a problem lately as I really want to try the Nike Free’s and wanted to support my local stores, but no go. 
Where is your favorite place to buy shoes? For me ordering online is often cheaper, so I go to ZBsports for super discounted running shoes from Mizuno, New Balance, Brooks, Saucony and other brands and part of my order goes to charity! But when they don’t carry my desired shoe it’s time to start considering RoadRunnerSports and Zappos for my running shoes with free shipping. In fact with free returns, that’s exactly who I used to order my new Nike Free 5.0’s. I wish I could have started with the 7.0, as the idea is to step down from 7.0, 5.0, 3.0, barefoot…but that’s ok.
During my time with the Mizuno’s I’ve had some flings with a few different pairs of Brooks Adrenaline shoes as my alternate shoe…but the love for my Mizuno’s always brings me back to them for the long run. Why on Earth does all of this matter? The right shoe makes your body feel better after running, the right shoe keeps you injury free and let’s be honest the right shoe gets you just little bit excited!!
My bag of shoes for donation to Soles4Souls is full, meaning my running shoes are down to 1 pair which is NO GOOD (hence ah hem the 2 shoes noted above were just ordered). You need at least 2 pairs if you are running almost every day. Shoes need to breathe between runs for the cushion to come back.
Do you have a love affair with your running shoes? Or can you run in anything?
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Gratitude Journal
March 08
I am grateful for hubby waking up early to take me to the airport
I am grateful for a coordinator that is so organized
I am grateful for my own organization of past projects
I am grateful for accumulated knowledge
I am grateful for efficient meetings
27 comments:
I do now have a love affair with my running shoes. Right now I'm running in Vibram FiveFingers. I plan to try barefoot once it warms up a bit more here (since running during the day is difficult due to work commitments).
That said, I was running in just about anything before. Now, my feet just flat out feel sloppy in regular shoes. I haven't tried a run in my old running shoes, but I've put them on and don't care for them anymore.
I will say too, I drive around an hour to get to a running store that carries the Vibrams. Not too many places in my area of Michigan that carries them, so I drive up to Lapeer, Michigan to get them. Up until then, it used to be a local running shop close to where I work.
I definitely have a love affir with my current Saucony Progrid Stabil CS's... I'm on my 6th pair bu the usual 10.5 is suddenly too big! *commence freak-out* I'm waiting for a 10 to come in as well as another 10.5 to see if it's a fluke. Argh.
My feet are very particular...
I love Front Runner running store in Columbus. They are a little expensive. So when I find a shoe I know I like and I'll buy again....I go on www.froogle.com to look for the best deal. Right now I love my Asics Foundations. I'm on my 2nd pair. I can't just run in anything due to my flat feet and plantar fasciitis.
I really like my saucony triumph 5s. And they don't make them anymore. and the 6s aren't as good. i wish shoe manufacturers would just leave well enough alone sometimes...
this is such a timely post, I just switched to Nike Zoom after running in Asics for five years. I went to fleet feet, and after they filmed me running on the treadmill, it showed the Asics were terrible! Then I found out my left foot is now a size 11! needless to say, I have to be careful about what I run in.
I love the shoes I'm in at the time. I change brands and models just about every time. It depends on what is up with that years model. Asics Nimbus were my go to until last yr. They did something weird with the design and I was afraid it would rub. I was in love with Nike Zooms Vomeros but they've discontinued it. Plus Nikes break down to fast. Then it was Mizunos but I was never in love. I just bought some Newtons. Too early to tell but the little running I have done in they seem to be a good fit.
I try to buy local. We don't have a huge running community here. I want the stores to stick around.
I love adidas but I now see that I need to find a better running shoe. I always go straight to there shoes. lol I love all shoes, so addiction right there.
I run in Mizunos too. Inspire as they help my flat arch and overpronation. I usually buy from our local running store called Gary Gribbles because I had trouble finding the right one. Now that I have it online might be cheaper.
I've heard that switching shoes during shorter and longer runs help, do you do that at all?
I have yet to have found the perfect running shoe, so my love affair is on hold.
Can't wait to hear how your first date with the Nike Frees goes....and if it will blossom into a relationship haha
I am glad to see you get your first pair of Free shoes. I just sent mine back to Nike for evaluation. You may remember I told you they gave me a black toenail. As it turns out, it was the insole that caused the problem. The insole of the right shoe was sliding back, leaving my toes hanging over the edge. I will let you know how that goes.
Other than this incident I love the Nike Free 3.0 shoes.
Shoes are SO important. Running in the wrong ones seem to be the cause of my stress fracture. :( I ditched the old ones and switched to Mizunos.
Oh, and I didn't ever comment on it but I loved the podcast. Great job!
You are going to have to do a review on the Nike Free's - I am a Nike girl!
I wear almost any Nike I can get my hands on, and I am rotating 5 pairs right now from the Lunar glides to the Volmeros (sp?). Love, love, love my Nike's!
I also love the shoes I am in right now...but, I have the same problem. I wear 10.5 so alot of times stores don't have them in my size, or the color I want in the particular shoe. I have found that Endless.com is a great place to go to find the shoe I need, it is normally $10 or so cheaper than the store, and they have free next day shipping! Great for someone who HATES to wait!
I kinda do have a love affair with my Brooks Trance running shoes. I switched to them a couple years ago when my knees started bothering me (was wearing Asics)... but I am starting to wonder if i need to try something different again. I usually get my running shoes at my Local Running Store - Scheels, or the Dick Beardsley's Running Co. if they are on sale there!
I actually went to a shoe clinic demo the other day and will be posting the video. I learned some really neat stuff. I currently rotate through 6 pairs of shoes and usually retire them at 400 miles.
i just completely changed from Asics Kayanos to the Nike Lunarglides and am running 10x better. I was really scared to change but am glad I did. If I get wind they are changing the Nikes, I am stocking up.
I am still looking for the right pair that doesn't give me a blister on the bottom of my little toe:(
I love my Asics. It's hard to change if you know something works for you. And I'm like you, I get mine online. Road Runner Sports is my place of choice but I'll do Zappos if I'm in a bind. I have several pairs to donate. I just need to find a local place to do it.
I am so picky about my shoes. After having had a bad pair of shoes, it shows you how important it is to have one that works for you!
i ONLY run in my brooks glycerins!! they are the BEST! I use other sneaks for my weight trianing and more for cross training purposes :)
I've been bouncing between just about every brand out there for a couple years. My latest Pearl Izumis have been great, so I may have found the right brand. We shall see.
I have always worn Saucony running shoes. They fit my wide feet. But, it may be time to change because the latest model, Triumph 6, is not so good. Like Lisa said, manufacturers should leave well enough alone!
I have 2 pair I am alternating between...Brooks Adrenaline and a pair of Nikes. I have a ridiculously narrow heel (my foot is practically a hoof)and those Nikes tend to have narrow heel cups. 'Course the last guy who evaled my foot told me I did not have a "narrow foot", but a "low volume foot". Ummmm....yeah.
I love, love, love Mizunos. However, I have been in Asics for a little over a year now and should just give up my love affair since they were really just hurting me in the end. I'm in 2150s now and they are a little heavier and bulkier, but I am old and need them.
I definitely have to wear New Balance, because of the wider width. Anything that's not wide like that gives me blisters. I also happen to love the New Balance laces, that never come untied!
Hey,
Really very nice post im serching such post from time.I like to use Running Shoes from Adidas,Asics,Newton and Nike brands.
Thanks.
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