How I became a "shoe guy"
The ever present temptation to buy more shoes
As I have related previously, I would never have envisioned becoming a runner. I enjoyed sports but thought running, particularly by yourself and for long distances, was just weird. And a decade at a desk job meant a slow descent to being overweight and out of shape.
So when my doctor told me I had diabetes, and then that I wasn’t “taking it very seriously,” it was a shock to the system and I knew I had to change my habits. Diet was key but exercise was important too. Running was the way to burn the most calories in the shortest amount of time. Enter the Couch to 5K app and my adventure with running. Which meant running shoes.
Shoes cost how much?!
When I started running regularly (over six years ago now) I knew shoes were an important part of avoiding injury so off I went to the local running shoe store. Besides not knowing anything about running shoes, I was shocked about how expensive they were. $120 for a pair of shoes! I was not used to spending that much on shoes. But I asked a friend who was a regular runner and he encouraged me to invest in good shoes and assured me it would make a difference. So went to the experts and got fitted, etc.
My first pair of running shoes were Brooks Adrenaline 18s and cost $120. To this day I am not sure why my foot/gait analysis showed I needed stability shoes (Stability shoes are designed to help offset excessive pronation, which is the inward rolling of a runner’s feet after impact with the ground). But that idea stayed with me for some time. (It might be that when I first started running my form was bad and unstable and as I got stronger and better then need for stability went away)
Back then I was running three miles every other day. So at twelve miles a week, it would take a decent time to wear out a pair of shoes. I didn’t really think about buying new shoes until a pop-up running shoe sale came to the little village I had moved to. It seemed like a good time to check out some new gear. This was my introduction to Hoka (or Hoka One One as it was then known). I got a pair of Arahi 5s; another stability shoe but light and cushioned.
I had joined the run club at this point and was running with the group every week, signing up for races, moving from 5K to 10K and the club half marathon.
I really enjoyed the Hoka’s and replaced them with a pair of Clifton 8s. I think it was at this point that someone told me that I didn’t really need stability shoes. Which was weird. But as I began to run faster and father I definitely found my groove in shoes with lots of cushion which would become a trend.
Finding a groove with max cushion
I also learned that while you can find some deals, it is better to spend the money and get the right shoes rather than try to get a bargain. I have also found that there are lots of running shoes that just don’t work for me. Even by big brands. I bought a pair of Brooks Adrenaline 22s (again with the stability thing!) and they just felt a little too heavy and firm for my taste. I tried some New Balance Arishi V4 and they actually made my feet hurt (they were really “casual” running shoes). I ran probably 60 miles in some Mizuno Wave Rider 27s, and Neo Wind, and they were fine but just didn’t add anything to my runs.
But it isn’t always about cost. Some people like firmer shoes. I have two pair of Nike Pegasus 40 (University of Michigan and Pittsburgh Steelers branded). I rationalized the cost by saying I could use them for running and for supporting my favorite sports teams! After all, these are iconic running shoes and probably thousands of people run in them. And I have too. I even ran a few 10Ks with Michigan or Steelers themed outfits.
But as I began to focus on running a half marathon, and then getting under two hours, I wanted Max cushion. I went from Hokas to ASICS Gel Nimbus 25s, which I put nearly 350 miles on, to New Balance Fresh Foam X More V4 (300+ miles) which I liked so much I got a second pair, to my current long run go to the ASICS Glide Ride Max.
Resisting the urge to try every new shoe
But even as I have been running in max cushion shoes for years, I have more recently been trying to figure out the line between cushion and speed. And this, and the fact that running had become a huge part of my life, is what has spurred my near shoe addiction.
When you are just focused on finishing three miles, shoes are a very practical thing. You want comfort mostly. What feels good. And this part never goes away obviously. But as you get faster and run farther you begin to think about the balance between comfort and speed. How much cushion do you need to give up to get faster and lighter? Or how much money do you need to give up?
And as I entered more and more races the more email lists I was on and the more activities I became aware of and participated in. Shoe stores in my area do a great job of building community and offering fun activities for runners. Brands bring in shoes and you can take them for a run and often get a free beer or coffee afterwards.
I began to join in these runs around the area and was exposed to all the great shoes that were coming out. ASICS, Brooks, Hoka, Mizuno, Nike, etc. I had fun and got to try out a bunch of shoes but it was hard not to give into the temptation to buy more shoes despite the fact that most shoes can last for hundreds of miles. And prices have gone up and up with $170 to $200 pretty standard.
I also had a friend who works in the business and would occasionally have sales where he would offer demo shoes at great prices. I could not resist this temptation and picked up several pairs over the years. This is how I found my beloved New Balance Fresh Foam X More. I also got a great deal on my ASICS Glideride Max running event. Perhaps my favorite shoe buy was being able to get a pair of carbon plated ASICS Metaspeed Edge+ for more than half off.
Add in trail and winter shoes, and the shoes did begin to pile up. To the point my wife asked if maybe I didn’t have too many shoes.
What have I learned?
So this is already a meandering and long post about all the shoes I have purchased. Sorry.
Have I learned anything from this? Well, first, I have come to realize that the internet feeds your addictions very easily. I get emails all the time about races, new shoes, new running events, etc. These companies shockingly want you to buy their products and it can be hard not to buy shoes and gear that you don’t really need. On top of that, search for shoes and soon all the adds online and across social media are trying to sell you shoes even though you just bought a pair!
As to the actual shoes, I will say that there are plenty of shoes that will work as a daily trainer for nearly every type of run. I prefer shoes with more cushion for anything more than three miles. Having a couple pair of similar shoes does reduce the wear and tear, but lets be honest you don’t need half a dozen pair of running shoes. My ASICS Glideride Max are a great example. They have plenty of cushion for long runs and recovery but the rocker technology also gives a little juice and keeps me rolling.
But if you are trying to set your PR in a 5K there are shoes that can help with that. Speed and tempo work is harder with Max cushion shoes. I got a good deal on a pair of Brooks Hyperion Max, a very lightweight daily trainer so I could do speed work and it improved my 5K time.
I also got a very good deal on a pair of Puma Deviate Nitros which are a great balance between cushion and speed and have a carbon infused plate. If they weren’t a tad tight in the toe box these might be my favorite shoes (going to try and get a wide next time). A pair of these with a cushioned recovery shoe and you are good.
Carbon Plated for Speed?
Speaking of carbon plates, back to my Metaspeed edge+. I had never really even thought about “race shoes” let along “Super Shoes.” But at a big sale event I found some carbon plated shoes that full retail for $250 for around $100 dollars with all my discounts. I jumped at this offer.
I am not enough of an expert to give technical explanations, but all of my personal best times have come with these shoes; from 5K to half marathon. I don’t how much is physical and how much is mental, but I got under two hours for a half marathon with the Metaspeed Edge+ and posted my best 5K times with them as well.
Some people even run regularly in carbon plated shoes but many experts say that this will change your stride and can lead to injury so be careful. I only use them for races because they last about half the miles of regular shoes and often cost twice as much. I am saving the miles for race day. Plus, the Deviate Nitros give me some speed without the cost.
Trying to be a smarter shoe shopper
After my flurry or shoe buying I am trying hard to rein things in a bit. I have resisted buying the new Brooks Glycerin Max despite running in them twice and having friends rave about them. I sorely wanted the Mizuno Neo Vista when it came out and am tempted by the Zen that just released. But I am trying to give my wallet and closet a break.
We will see how long it lasts…