If the shoe fits…
Friday, January 19th, 2007
You don’t have to wear it! Shoes are a big component of running success, and the suitability of a running shoe goes beyond fit (though that’s of course important!). I’ve had the same pair of shoes for almost a year and will definitely need to be getting a new pair soon for my marathon training.
I started thinking of shoes today when I ran across a link to these fascinating Mobius Strip shoes. What a completely fascinating design! They’re pretty unusual, but I kind of can’t wait to get my hands on (or my feet in) a pair. And they’re way better priced than a lot of comparable heels, so maybe I’ll actually spring for them. I used to be really intrigued by Mobius strips when I was younger–not because of their mathematical properties, but just because I thought they were cool. Apparently my interest holds, so maybe soon I’ll be sliding on a pair of these bad boys when I want to look mathematical (or generally cool).
I’d better get myself under control, though, because I definitely need to buy new running shoes before I need to buy Mobius strip shoes (not that I really need Mobius shoes at all… but they’re just so neat!). For a while, I had been thinking about the getting the shoes that go with the Nike + iPod sport kit. I thought the kit would be a good way to track my mileage and times. When I went to try on the special Nike shoes in a store, though, I was really disappointed. I just didn’t like the way any of them looked or felt. I don’t think I’ve ever had a good pair of Nike running shoes (I generally prefer Asics but have had some good experiences with New Balance as well).
Fortunately, after a little more investigation, I figured out that the sport kit and iPod software are totally separate from the shoes, so you can actually use them with any shoe! The Nike shoes are specifically designed to accommodate the mileage sensor component of the sport kit, but you can modify any shoe to use the sensor. That brightened my mood, so I’ve started searching for the perfect shoes to beat up during my marathon training. 
Running Times has a ton of running shoe reviews on the site. I used to wear the Asics Gel Nimbus, which Running Times likes a lot, so I’ll put that on my list to try out in the store. (I can’t order running shoes online–I always have to try them out in the store. Running clothes don’t have to be a perfect fit, but the shoes definitely do! You just never know how your feet will respond.) And I’ve never run in Fila, but I kind of like the look of these Fila Flow Veloces for some reason, so maybe I’ll give them a try as well.
Any runners out there with shoe recommendations? I’m setting a goal for myself to get a new pair of trainers by the end of January!
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One Comment
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January 20th, 2007
Those are really interesting looking shoes, but I think my days of high heels are past! Just looking at them makes my knees hurt.
I’m not a runner, but New Balance has the most comfortable sneaker that I have ever worn. Don’t know about their running shoes though. I am lucky enough to have the New Balance Outlet right near me in Skowhegan Maine.