Running shoes

Some say you know you're a runner when you have more than two or three pairs of shoes...Others would say you have a problem.. if so, I think it's a good one, these are my favourites:

New Balance 1400
A racing shoe for longer distances that is also well suited for easy runs. The shoe is made of a very light material so although it has the weight of a racing shoe, it is actually more shoe than you might think judging by its light weight. The shoe is narrow with a pronounced heel-toe differential, which I think makes it an ideal marathon shoe for speedy runners. I wore these for tempo runs in my training for the Ottawa half marathon and was very pleased, so much that it out-competed the Fastwitch as my race day shoe for the half! These was supposed to be my replacement tempo shoes, and although I really enjoy this shoe for tempo runs of 6 miles and over, I think ideally I want something with a bit more ground feel. Furthermore, the sole is starting to wear in places, so sounds like I need more shoes..

Simply the colors make you fast

Mizuno Precision 11
My go-to shoe, a great all-rounder: Relatively light, impressive ground-feel, sufficient underfoot protection and with a stable feel to it, this shoe is suitable for most runs really. I love the forefoot which gives some cushioning but lets you feel the ground. I liken it to a trampoline-like effect that just let's you feel the ground in a pleasant manner, if that makes sense. The heel is some-what pronounced, but I'm thankful for it on longer runs as it gives good protection. This is why, although it's way lighter than most shoes out there, I consider it a bit bulky. Consequently, I would never wear them for a 10k and no longer use it for tempo runs; yet, surprisingly, they feel great to do short sprints and hill-repeats in. In fact, these could work well as a tempo shoe for many runners.  I am currently enjoying these for long runs and they've really become my go-to-shoe for regular runs, both of which they are well-suited for given their high durability. Notably, these are neutral shoes, and I initially got arch pain on my right foot when I ran over 5 miles in these. As my running has progressed that is no longer an issue, which I'm very pleased to report.

The Japanese sure know how to design funky, cool-looking shoes. Everyone in Italy wears Mizuno, by the way. Who could blame them? I used to think it was Italian too.

Saucony A5
The latest addition to the collection: Flexible, breathable, super-light! To be continued..
 

Unfortunately the lime green version was not in store so I had to settle for the white version that also has black, red and yellow on it - Die Mannschaft would be proud..grr!

The past - Retired stalwarts:

Saucony Shadow
Honorable mention : the Shadow!  Appropriately named as they are a shadow of most shoes designed these days. I wore these for my occasional runs back in Victoria, and I thought they were the shit.. Yet, at the end of every run my feet were soaked in sweat and we're talking Victoria, BC, where it barely gets hot. I just thought it was normal. I recently came across a review of the Saucony Triumph, in which the author likens that shoe to the old Shadow "the best shoe ever". There is hope after all.

The Shadow - is it just me or does it actually look a shadow?

Saucony Tangent 
Retired favourite that served exemplarly. A lightweight all-rounder with a breathable upper - who could ask for more? Unfortunately also retired by Saucony last year..

Untrendy, but oh-so sweet

Saucony Fastwitch 4
A racing shoe for longer distances that I have been using for 10ks and tempo training. This shoe was immensely popular yet the manufacturer decided to change the design of the shoe last year into something unwearable. Because of its popularity I had to buy the women's version since there were no men's shoes available - not even online! I think that was a stroke a genius as there doesn't really seem to be any difference between men's and women's running shoes other than color, and who can say no to mint green?   Great at the end of a race as none will notice the difference when you cover your feet in your stomach contents.   I'm not going to waste your time reviewing it since it's no longer available, but what I'm going to say is it is light and has holes in its bottom, and who doesn't like shoes with holes in the bottom? What I don't like about this shoe is that the sole wears out waaay to quickly, which, on the other hand, gives me an excuse to look for a replacement tempo shoe, nice!

I wear women's shoes

Saucony Kinvara

Lightweight daily trainer with next-to-no difference between heel and toe height. This is my summer shoe for easy and long runs given the upper is so airy. It fits like a glove to my feet, which seems to be Saucony-specific..are they in need of shoe models I wonder? Because of its light weight and low heel which allows for a unsurpassed sense of freedom in your running, this shoe has been a big hit for many runners; while others dislike it due to its surprisingly thick-feeling sole, which could be described as mushy. For me, well, at first the relationship was all rosy, full of passion, but we always knew it wouldn't last long.. Why? The shoe is light, but there is a lot of cushioning underneath the forefoot with not much ground-feel at all, which makes for a poor tempo shoe. Now, I've given it a second chance for easy runs and long runs in the summer heat and so far so good, but it might be a spring-thing. Update: I've now retired the Kinvaras - they just didn't have that feel I'm looking for, I really think the forefoot is too beefy for me.

Airy uppers rule summer running