Yesterday I was putting my running shoes away and I thought I would do a little shoe tribute today. Not really a shoe review...because who am I to say what shoes are best or whatever. But I have a little something to say about each running shoe I've traveled with.
I remember being terrified to go into the running store to buy my first pair. So much in fact that I pulled into the store several times and left before finally getting the guts to go in. Why? I wasn't a 'runner' - are you kidding me?! A runner?!
I was so scared to go - but I knew the shoes I had been running in weren't the right ones. And even though I knew NOTHING about running, I knew the right shoes are super important. Well, I was a dork because they were way nice to me at Manhattan Running Company and never made me feel stupid or non-runnerish.
My first pair of real running shoes. Fit just for me. Well, I suppose your first is always special. I have a relationship with these shoes. Seems silly, yes. But when I look at these little babies I have so many memories. In these shoes I had so many firsts:
5 miles for the first time. I will never forget that day.
Ran my first 10K race. Then my first 5K race.
Ran 8 miles for the first time. That was a horrible run, that day too, I will never forget.
Ran 10 miles for the first time. Best day ever. Until I ran 12.
My first 1/2 marathon was run in these shoes too.
These Mizzunos & I have been through alot together. I cried in them when I had a bad run, cheered in them when I blew past my 1/2 marathon time goal. When I tied them up before every run, it was my time to decide 'ok it's time to go, so don't be a wuss'.
Inevitably, shoes wear out. I knew it was time to replace my old friends, but could a new pair ever be as good? We'll see.
2nd pair of Mizzuno - Pink this time. (hear the angels singing?!) Pink. I loved them. However, I also knew I wouldn't be wearing them much right away because my knee had been acting up after my 2nd 1/2 marathon, and I was taking a running break. That break turned into knee surgery.
After rehab, recovery, etc. I finally got to use them. They were with me for my first run after surgery. That was the worst day I can ever remember. Horrible, horrible day. I cried almost the whole run and all the way home.
After that, the pink ones & I never really got along. Now, that bad run wasn't their fault at all, they made my toes tingly and felt really narrow through the toes. Weird because they were the same shoe as my first purple Mizzunos, but they had 'improved' the model, so it was a little different.
I ran with these until they too were worn out, but I was pretty much counting the runs so I could try a different pair.
Enter Saucony.
More room in the toe box, no tingly toes. Not super crazy about these either - they feel heavy to me. But we have had some good times. My comeback 1/2 marathon season last fall, a 5K PR, and lots of treadmill miles (since it is winter now).
So there you go. My shoes. I love them all, but in the end, that first pair will always be my favorite. Silly aren't I?!
