The other day Tim wrote things that described me.  They were mostly material things and it was more or less a light hearted conversation.  One of the adjectives he chose was shoes.  Now if you know me or have ever seen my closet (which is a walk in closet for another week…then it’s a car closet since I’ll be living out of my car) then you know I have a lot of shoes.  I have 13 pairs of stilettos, 2 pairs of flats, 6 pairs of casual shoes (keds, sperrys, Dr. Scholls) and let’s not even get into running shoes.

Because this is not what the post is about

Actually that is what this post is about-my running shoes.  Though I don’t have any statistics, I know in my personal life a lot of my friends run in minimalist shoes.  When shopping online I’ve often found that minimalist shoes are cuter or more brightly colored nine times out of ten.  I wish I could tell you I was able to get on that train but I have found that only the most expensive running shoes have kept me completely injury free.  (which is annoying because I’m on not employed so dipping into my savings for $175 shoes isn’t the best feeling).

I’ll give you a brief background of how I run.  Since I learned to walk, I’ve always walked very far on my toes.  I don’t know why or how but that is how I’ve walked.  I get mistaken as a ballerina more often than a runner and can wear 9 inch stilettos a lot easier than I can walk in flats.  When I started running, I ran exactly how I walked.  I run very far on my toes and the same shoes with 1000 miles on them, worn down completely through the toe box also have new tread on the heels.  My heels almost never touch the ground and I don’t even midfoot strike.  I have tried to be more of a midfoot striker and changed my stride but in the nearly four years of my running I haven’t been successful.  It seems to work for me and so I’ve figured why change it now?  On top of all that I’m an extreme supinator so to give you an idea of where my shoes wear…

The sad face represents the only part that wears

**Also my biggest advice to new runners is go to a running store and get your feet looked at for what shoes work for your personal stride.  You will not do yourself any favors by buying your first pair of running shoes online.  Once you have found a pair that work for you and don’t promote injury then buy that same pair online.

So moving on to actual shoes:

I’m looking at you Newton Gravities. 

This is me exactly 3 years ago and three months into running (Well October 13) going on my first Newton run. Adorable.

I was first introduced to Newton Gravities about 3 months into my initial running career.  The folks at a local running store (Running ect) said that because I run so far on my toes that these had more support in that area.  I started running in them initially and immediately felt a lot stronger and any new runner aches I had seemed to disappear.  I noticed because they emphasis a midfoot and forefront that there was more support in that area which was something I needed.  Though I have found that Newtons have not altered my stride, they have provided me with the support that I personally need to stay injury free.   I have tried to find cheaper alternatives but haven’t.

This was when I was getting ready to donate m shoes. I’ve gone through quite a few pairs

Newton Distanica

Here they are

I’ll be honest about these.  I bought them a year ago when I noticed they were about the same style as the Gravities but saw Running Warehouse was having a sale.  They were only 70 dollars and at that price they were the same as a normal pair of running shoes so I thought why not.  Until very recently, they sat in my closet with about 60 miles on them.  Then I decided to regive them a chance (about a month ago) and actually they are working out well for me.  I haven’t had any issues with them and run 2-3 times per week with them.

Racing flats:

Nike streak LT

I actually just retired this pair after my last half marathon when they ripped on the side.

I’ve gone through a few pairs of racing flats (all of which have been Nike).  These are the third pair I’ve used.  I’ve raced in Nike Waffle racers, Nike lunerspiders and now these.  I’ve found that racing in these have been the closest minimalist shoe I’ve had.  There have been very few races I haven’t raced in flats and those races have been training runs.  They have almost no support but enough cushioning that I don’t get injured.  I couldn’t imagine racing in the heavier Newtons (roughly 3 ounces more).  I just bought a new pair of Nike Rival Waffle flats so I’ll let you know if those are my marathoning shoes.   They felt fine in my 10k yesterday but the marathon is a different bird to fly.

So those are my running shoe preferences that have kept me injury free (mostly) and no I bought all of these and tried them out.  I was not compensated for telling you what works for me.

Questions for you:

What are your running shoe choices?

Do you like minimalist shoes?