Running shoes have been in the forefront of my mind since attending the Running For Life Workshop (you can read the recap HERE.) Dr. Larson's discussion of the history of shoe construction and past and current design trends in running shoes got me thinking about my own running shoe history. Since I first started running in 2001, I've been loyal to Asics. But in the last few years of running I've been trying to transition away from the "built-up," super cushioned, neutral shoes into something a little more minimal. This has led me away from Asics as I have started to try other brands. I initially started to eye "shoes with less" because the $100+ price tag of the shoes I'd been wearing for years (Asics Nimbus) was becoming too much for our budget. After reading "Born to Run" I realized that my budget-motivated decision was a step in the right direction for my running too.

Here's a look at the shoes my feet have called home for the past 11 years and who knows how many miles:

Asics Cumulus (2001-2003): I was first fitted the Cumulus at a running specialty store in Syracuse, NY. After a brief analysis of my running on a treadmill in the store, they told me I needed a neutral shoe and suggested the Asics Cumulus 3. I did my first running in this shoe and from what I can remember they fit well and were comfortable. My runs at the time rarely went beyond the six mile mark and I also used the shoes for general cross training. I didn't do any racing in my first few years of running and would say that the Cumulus served me well, I had no injuries.

Asics Nimbus 4, 7, 11 (2003-2009): In the beginning of 2003 I started to plan for my first marathon and went shoe shopping for a new shoe. I selected the Asics Nimbus 4, which at the time felt more cushioned than my Cumulus and was recommended for higher mileage. I wore this shoe for my marathon training, my first 5K and 10K and then in the fall of 2003 for my first marathon. I hobbled/walked the last two miles of my first marathon due to excruciating plantar fascia pain (as I recall it felt as if the arch of my foot was pulling away from the bone: not pleasant.). At the time I determined that my pain was caused by old shoes, in retrospect there were probably many more contributing factors such as adding mileage too quickly and not taking enough rest days.

As my running progressed I continued to purchase the Nimbus, it was my go-to running shoe. It fit well and required no breaking-in. I ran several marathons and half-marathons in the Asics Nimbus 7 and 11 with no plantar fascia pain. The Nimbus weighs about 10 oz. and has a 12mm heel-toe drop.

I briefly tried the Saucony ProgridTriumph 4 neutral running shoe, for the life of me I can't remember what model it was but it was released in 2006. I initially tried it because it felt more "cushioned" than the Nimbus, but after running in it for several weeks I experienced tendonitis in the top of my foot. So I sold them on Ebay and went back to the Nimbus 11. I wore the Asics Nimbus 11 for several years, and was originially looking to purchase it again when I started to run competitively again in the beginning of 2010, but it's $120 price tag was a deterrent.

Asics Speedstar 3 (2010-2012): after deciding the Nimbus was no longer in my price-range I started to look around at the other options and settled on the Speedstar. It's billed as a mid-distance shoe, but I found it to be incredibly comfortable and was suitable for long distances too. It weighs about 8 oz and has a 10mm heel-toe drop. I liked it so much I stocked up and bought several pairs, these took me through three marathons. I had a few issues with plantar fasciitis toward the end of my training cycle leading to my marathon last fall. But again, I don't think it had anything to do with the shoes: I was overtrained.

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I briefly tried the Speedstar 5 and it was not pleasant experience. The construction and design was very different from the Speedstar 3. The heel slipped off my foot and I had to cinch the laces very tightly to feel like my shoe was safely on my foot. I quickly gave that up and ordered another pair of the 3's, luckily they were cheap: $50. I like the Speedstar, but wanted to find something lighter, faster for shorter distances.

Vibram Five Fingers Bikila (2011 to present): Around the same time that I purchased the Speedstar I also purchased a pair of Vibrams. My hope was to use these as a training tool to change my foot strike. I've continued to use them for distances less than four miles. For a while I was wearing them running one day per week, I haven't been as consistent with that recently, but continue to wear them for cross-training. I am definitely more conscious about my stride and foot strike when I wear them and believe they have helped. The Bikila weighs about 6 oz and has a zero heel-toe drop.

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Saucony Kinvara 2 (present): In the beginning of this year I started to hear a lot about the Saucony Kinvara. My mom was wearing them and was really pleased. I decided to give them a try mostly because of their lighter weight (about 6 oz) and 4mm heel-toe drop. So far I've run several 5k's and a half marathon in them and have been quite pleased with the way the feel. I switched to these in May, so all my runs in these shoes have been during my pregnancy. Which means that I haven't done any significant distance training in them. But I definitely will return to these shoes.

There are several shoes that are on my wish-list as I enter my next training cycle:

Brooks Mach 14: I'd like to try a track flat for track workouts and for short distances, like 5K's.

Saucony Kinvara 3: I'l probably continue to train in the Kinvara and use this as my go-to shoe for marathon training.

What's your shoe history? What has worked for you? Have you tried any shoes that haven't worked?

--Sarah

Shoe History

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