I've been running since November 2005 and at that time I bought my first pair of real running shoes from The Super Runner's Shop in Grand Central Station. I was told that they're the best. Well, with all due respect to the Super Runner's Shop, y'all need to invest in some technology. It seems, I am not an overpronater as I had been previously led to believe by the good folks at SRS. It turns out I have a neutral running gait. That means I've been wearing those ugly, heavy Saucony MC5 Stabil's for no reason.
Today I went to Jack Rabbit Sports. I'd heard all about their treadmills that are hooked up to cameras but I didn't really believe I needed to be filmed to get a good pair of running shoes. It turns out, technology really is very useful when it comes to doing something as non-technical as running.
And it's a wonderful experience. I really felt like the sales guy listened to me. I was asked to take off my boots, roll up my pant leg and stand up. He looked at my feet and told me my feet looked pretty normal. Skinnier at the heel and wider at the toe. He asked me what kind of running shoes I wear now and how many miles I put in during a week. Then I was asked how I came to start wearing the MC5 Stabils. I told him the SRS put me on to them after a sales man watched me run. After the talk the JRS sales guy put me in a pair of neutral shoes that have no stability or motion control and asked me to run on the treadmill. Cameras in the back and the front of the treadmill filmed my running gait at a speed of 5.0 and 6.0. I ran for less than a minute and then we played back the recording.
I do not over-pronate. My feet don't even turn in a little. My running gait is normal. I did not need those stiff and heavy shoes afterall.
This is great news because now I can get a lighter weight running shoe and I have more options in terms of style. Maybe I'd be able to get some cooler looking running shoes, I thought. No such luck. Running shoes are ugly.
This is a picture of my new running shoes. When I opened the box and saw them I laughed and said, "There are a bit shiny, don't you think." The guy laughed and we started talking about why all running shoes are ugly. Do they have to be, I wondered. He guessed they had to because they are really all very ugly shoes. But I guess that doesn't matter if they feel good on your feet, right.
So I went with another pair of Saucony's — this time, The Triumph. They are roomy, have a lot of cushion and are oh so light. I can't wait to go for a run in them tomorrow morning.