Shoes, Shuz, Shooze - Lets talk about shoes

Asics Nimbus 17

Asics are the Toyota of running shoes, incidentally they too are a product of Japanese engineering and reliability. They were the "obvious" shoes of choice when I started road running  a few years ago. However my association with the brand dates back to my high school years when I was able to save up for a pair of Asics spikes. I was the coolest dude back then, I ran 100s, 200s , 400s and did long jump with the intention of emulating my school boy hero, Olympic Gold medalist Carl Lewis.
I initially started running with Asics Cumulus but found them lacking the support that I needed (I weighed 83kg and I stood 1.72cm in my socks so I took up running to lose weight).I then consulted The Sweatshop, a specialist running shop and they advised me to try Asics Nimbus. I was pleasantly surprised with its support, it has sufficient cushion, it is  flexible and durable. I am able to get close to 850km out of each pair. The other plus about the Nimbus is that it comes in a broader cut (2E), which helps as I have slightly broader feet.
When I buy running shoes I tend to buy two pairs at once and rotate them on a daily basis. Sometimes I run in the rain and my shoes get wet, but that doesn't stop me from fitting in a run the next day with a pair of dry shoes. The other advise that I received, was that I should  buy an"outgoing version" of shoes. I should buy shoes when they introduce a new version, in that way in can negotiate a really good price. You'll see the shoes in the picture have different shoes laces, it's just an easy way to track which is which, if I do a long run with green laces this weekend then I'll do a long run with black laces next weekend.

Asics Nimbus 17

Nike Pegasus 32

I bought this pair 2 years ago with the intention of using it for gym, but as soon as I wore them with a pair of jeans they really looked good. So I did exactly that, I wore them as casual shoes for some time. However I soon put them to they intended use, gym. I knew the cushioning was light and didn't have as much support as the Nimbus, but I had lost a considerable amount of weight, was a more efficient runner and didn't need as much support and cushioning as before. I then ventured out in them on a 8km RAC time trail, that was worst thing I could have ever done. The idea was that,because they were so light, I could potentially shave a minute or two off my 8km time trail. That I did, I crossed the line in a time of 35:20, shaving a whole 2 minutes off my previous personal best. However that came at a price, I woke up the next morning with shinsplints.After that stint I no longer use them on the road. Early this year I plucked up the courage to try them on a grass track for speed training. The grass session went like so:

• 3km warm up at 5:30min per km pace
• 8 X 800m at 4min per km pace
• 3km cool down at 5:45km per km pace

Results:

• No shin splints or any other injuries
• I felt my calves had really been worked hard
• My quads were rock hard

Now I have found a new use for these babies, speed and track work on grass. In later articles we will talk about the importance of speed work as well as different running terrains.

Nike Pegasus 32

Asics DS Trainer 19

I bought this pair of DS Trainers at the Two Oceans Marathon Expo for close to half their retail price, that's probably the only reason why I bought them. One can find really good deals on the last day of expos, but the trick is not to be on your feet the whole day trying to chase bargains, you will pay dearly in the race the following day. These are typically worn by those guys with protruding cheek bones and shoulders resembling coat hangers, the really fast guys who strike the ground with their forefoot. They have a very low heel drop and I felt their lack of heel support when I ran a parkrun in them. Nonetheless I do intend running cross country in them once the season starts, the grass will be more forgiving than asphalt.

Asics DS Trainer 19