Kicks, Sneaks, Keds, Foot Covers!
I am the first to note that I know jack about shoes. I’ve been stumbling along, talking with friends, and giving things a shot. The problem is dropping $80 for a pair of shoes that kinda work is a nightmare. I first started being able to buy shoes out of the clearance bin because my dainty size 11 foot isn’t always the most popular for limited tread slicks. Unfortunately, I’ve wandered out of the clearance bin and now have to pay attention.
My Nightmare 2009 year left me with paying close attention to my tootsies and legs. After a couple of years of over-the-counter insoles, I’ve moved to custom orthodics. You really *do* need to bring them when you’re trying shoes and your old favorites might not fit the same … trust me!
Work Horse: Brooks Racer ST Series … 8.0 ounces. These have been my shoes for the past year or so and I’ve loved them. They do have a high heel and I’m transitioning out of them. The biggest change with them has simply been based on my now having orthotics in my shoes to counter pronation. I’ve got quite a few pairs of these in various stages of death, so I’ll probably be wearing them for a while as regular kicks! My first pair of Racers were from the clearance bin at the Boulder Running Company in Littleton, Colorado. They had two ancient pair of un-used size 11′s. I wore the Addidas instead of the Racers because I had an issue with, get this, the glittery laces. I couldn’t afford another pair of shoes, so I dove into the racers. We did great together. As I say, a kind of heavy shoe for pronators … but I do like them!
Current Runner Up: Mizuno Wave Musha 2: 7.8 ounces. Mike Mc. suggested these to me when we were at Boston. I am on the hunt for shoese that will have some staying power for the punnishment I am looking at giving them outdoors. I had been suggested the Ronin’s when I was in Virginia Beach, but they didn’t have a dainty size 10.5 of them at the Mizuno booth in Boston. They did have these pups and their oohy yummy big bad-ass sisters the 3.8 ounce glove fitting Wave Universe 3′s. Oooh they were yummy but would definately be indoor track only shoes at this stage of the game. I tried the Mushas on the ancient treadmill at my apartment complex and the only problem I’m noticing is that along with Mom’s teeth, I inherited her really funky skinny heel. The heel area of the Brooks has a knotch that keeps my foot down. I do like everything else about the Mushas at this point, but then again, I was only in them for 1/2 an hour. I also have a pair of 7.5 ounce Ronin 2′s in the mix. With these colors, I’m definately not going to win any style points. Interesing to note, however, that I’m an 10.5 in these pups and 11 in my regular kicks!
Current Love: Brooks T-6: 6.1 ouncesVery Current – as of September 2009! No support whatsoever. I’ll be interested to see how many miles I can get out of the soles. Lowest heel I’ve got. The thing about them is that they fit like a glove … and made it through the Virginia Beach Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon Heat and humidity Trial Test in grand style … Next biggie will, of course, be a marathon then Goofy before I know anything. I don’t know how they’ll handle the rain etc … might always have a pair of ST’s in my bag just in case! The biggest bummer, however, is that the local running stores aren’t carrying them in my size. I’ve had to pick them up at expos. That’s not terrible, actually, because I can get a deeper discount … Yo … Brooks … I think you should sponsor me! Please! I just found out my Mustard and Ketchup colors are full on red for 2010. Oooh!! Well, I still have about 120 miles to go on my current pair and if I use them for racing and flying, we should be OK.
Which shoes are you running in these days?
I racewalk but I’m playing with the Mushas and racing in the Brooks T6′s. I would love to have more to work from!