Shoesday! for runners

Amy Cissell
February 22, 2011
Run Away!, Shoe Me!
580

It has been almost a year since I’ve purchased a new pair of running shoes. Last March, I did a 14 mile run (I was marathon training) and damaged my foot. I’d been getting nasty blood blisters on the last couple runs, and was convinced it was my socks.

So, I got new socks.

It didn’t help.

So, I got new shoes.

That didn’t really help, either.

So, I went to a podiatrist, and, well, you know the rest of that story…(and if you don’t, just look at all the Damian posts).

Those new shoes I got last March are still with me. In fact, they only have about 100 miles on them. (I’ve only run 100 miles in the last 11 months. That makes me sad.) However, they do have lots of untracked miles, too. All the walking I did in an effort to stay in some kind of shape before the surgery. All the walking I did to try to get back into some kind of shape after the surgery. Not to mention that they are my go-to every day shoes right now. And, up until a couple of weeks ago, they were pretty much the only shoes I wore. Ever. (Oooh – and for six weeks, I only wore the right shoes..crazy!)

So – I think it’s pretty obvious that I need a new pair of running shoes. Right? You’re with me on this, aren’t you?

And, since I’m getting a new pair of running shoes, I should probably look at my trail runners. They tend to accumulate less miles, but they’re close to 300 right now. And that’s getting close to retirement, isn’t it?

Since my foot is still a wee bit swollen, and I was told to expect that to last until about 6 months post surgery (i.e. April 5), I’m planning on holding out until April 3. (Shoe shopping spree! Woo! Who’s with me?)

That, however, has never kept me from looking.

So – shoes I’m considering. First – running shoes. Then trail shoes. Then creepy shoes.

Running Shoes – Neutral

Brooks Defyance 14

I love my current pair of Brooks Defyance – and the new ones are kicky AND orange!

Saucony Progrid Jazz 14

My previous shoe love was reserved for my Saucony pro-grid rides, although Runner’s World makes a solid case for the Progrid Jazz.

Running Shoes – Stability

I don’t personally need any more stability in my life…er, I mean feet, but here are couple, just in case you do: I can’t decide if I like the yellow (more visibility) or if it’s just a tad too much.

Asics Gel-DS Trainer 16

Mizuno Wave Inspire 7

Trail Running Shoes

I am not going to lie. I love my trail runners, and will probably get a similar pair. New Balance no longer makes the 790s, but I’m hopeful that I can find something that will work for me. According to a verified professional source random website I found, these are some of the best shoes this year!

These are all gorgeous, and I kind of want them all….

New Balance 915

These New Balance shoes are probably closest to my beloved New Balance 790s…plus – GREEN! Love it.

Montrail Badrock

I love the brightness of these, although they seem to have a lot more going on in the sole than I like.

Brooks Cascadia 6

I do love my current pair of Brooks, and I love green, and could totally be convinced to give up my New Balance shoes for these. LOVE!

Creepy Shoes

So, I recently read “Born to Run” (come back tomorrow to read my review!), and am now a little obsessed with the whole barefoot running thing. This is weird. I scoffed. I mocked. When the two people I know with the VFF shoes would wear them in front of me, I cringed, then mocked, then scoffed, then called them creepy. (Sorry Emily & Mr. Pi!)

But now…I kind of want some. I’ve even been wearing my creepy socks as practice for creepy shoes.

So – what’s out there in the world of minimalist running shoes? Lots, apparently. This bandwagon I’m trying to jump on has apparently been around a while. I am relying on the same authoritative random website as for the trail running shoes.

Women's Barefoot Pace Glove

These are not creepy at all! Which is nice! I love the non-creepy aspect of these shoes, and they still look fairly minimal. Also, red!

New Balance Minimus Line

This line isn’t even out yet! Crazy! But, I do like the New Balance trail runners I have, and might be convinced to at least try the NB Minimus trail shoes.