Budget Shoes

Honestly, you'd be happier if I wrote about having nothing to post - as I have nothing to post. 

But I can't just leave it at that, can I?   (the question is rhetorical - natch). 

It was time for new running shoes. Past time actually. I usually got 400 miles or so in each pair - and my last was pushing 550. But I've been lazy. 

Asics came out with a new version of a shoe - and everyone was raving about it. The professional running mag reviews went on and on about it too. And as P.T Barnum once said..........a sucker born every second. And I don't think he meant gay dudes. 

The Superblast is the most I've ever paid for shoes.In a way, my last pair, the Megablast would have been, but I had a $50 coupon off of them - which is kind of the only reason I bought them. However, it's an incredible shoe. 

The Superblast???   Ehhhhhhhh

Normally, the styles of shoes I buy are somewhat on the same level, so breaking them in isn't really a thing for me. 

Luckily, where I get my shoes, you can return in 90 days - no questions asked. Even if worn. And I was about to do just that. 

I'll back up a bit. My first run in them was 10 miles. Maybe not a great choice for first time out. But the shoes were loud. As odd as that sounds. When foot hit pavement, you was just a loud clomp. Me - being me - assumed it was me. My gait. The cushion of the shoe. Whatever. So I mistakenly changed my gait but it did nothing for the sound. And that sound was distracting. 

What I did was fuck up my legs and thighs. The gait change I tried just really hurt me. But I kept plugging away. 5 miles here and there and then another 10 mile run last Saturday. By the end of that run, I was set on taking them back. Later that day, my heels hurt so badly I could barely walk  Not an exaggeration. 

And like a moron, I took them out for 6 miles the following day. My running group goes, "I thought you said you hated those....and they hurt".  I concurred. But was giving them "one more chance". 

While they didn't wow me, this time, They didn't hurt afterwards. The sound is still there - and every one knows I'm behind them. 

Still......my thought was "take them back". 

I figured I'd run in them yesterday - and trade them in at the end of the run (as we run from the store). But fuck if I didn't have one of the best and fastest runs I've had in forever. Almost effortless. 

Fuck. 

Long story short (too late!), I think I'm keeping the shoes. I don't think I can do 26 miles in them, but for training I think they'll be fine. 

Mind you, I still have 75 days to take them back, but I might have truly broken in my first pair of shoes. 

.....and yes, they are that ugly. They come in two colours - one being a cool blue, but they couldn't find them in 12.5.  Usually I don't care about the colour, but fuck, these are f'ugly.  Funfetti Shoes. 

Song by: Gord Downie & the Sadies

Slow

I got new shoes. 

Again. 

A month ago I got a new pair. I think I mentioned the soles started falling apart with only 95 miles on them. So, yesterday, I took 'em back. 

While I can be a complainer, I'm trying not to be with this store - which also hosts and coordinates my running group. And they've been super helpful in getting the right footwear. 

I can't even blame the for the faulty shoes - they didn't make them. 

Maybe they're still in return mode, though they were bought like 37 days ago. Or maybe because I'm part of "the group". They said they'd mark them as defective and just to get a new pair. 

As much as I liked them, I didn't want them to be the replacement. They left a bad taste in my mouth and I'd always wonder when they might fall apart - like in a race. So we tried a few new ones. 

I was really ready to go back to my old, but New Balance is rejiggering them, so they aren't carrying them until the new version is out. I REALLY like a pair of Brooks I tried on, but then they brought out these. 

I'm not an Acisis, but these were a cross between my old pair and the ones I just returned. And they'll let me try them till end of the month and return them if I don't like them. What's to lose? 

They're nothing great to look at, but who cares?  I could have asked if they came in other colours, but honestly, I do not care. I run in them. I don't see them as fashion. 

I did take them on run. THAT was a mistake. 

Compromised lungs from my sickness.  92º with close to the same humidity. 

Our run choices were 5 or 6 miles.  I opted for 4.  Three others in the group opted with my amended route as well. Normally on Tuesdays there are 20-22 of us. Yesterday?  8.  And three "coaches". 

One of the worst runs I've ever had - and that's saying something, though I haven't said that for a while. I struggled. To be fair - everyone did. 

Afterwards, we got popsicles.  Yay.  Then I found out they were sugar free, so......Boo.  It was a nice gesture and they were ok. That marks the second time in a half-month I've had a popsicle. I'll amend: the second time in a decade I've had one - they just happened to be within a two week time periods. The ones Meredity had were way way better. And all fruit.......I think. 

But new shoes. My toes are achey. I'll try these shoes and break them to see, but I'm not keeping shoes that don't help me. 

Song by: Leonard Cohen