After much deliberation, I finally bit the bullet and shelled out the dough for the shoes I really wanted. Shoes that were made for me. As I write this I feel a bit like I'm confessing to my support group, "Hello. My name is Laura. And I'm a forefoot runner."
And I always have been. It just hasn't always been cool. Beginning in junior high when my dad would tease me about the funny way I ran down the basketball court. (Which is pretty remarkable considering the amount of time I spent on the bench. My dad was very considerate in never teasing me about that.) I used to try and make myself run heel-toe because I thought that's what I was supposed to do. But as soon as I got tired I would always revert back to my forefoot.I remember discussing the topic with other runner friends and saying things like, "I don't know why I run this why." And, "It just feels a lot easier." They would always reply by suggesting I build up strength in particular muscle groups or buy different shoes. (Looks like I listened to their advice in the end!)
It wasn't until this year when a co-worker suggested I read Born to Run that the stars aligned and all became right with the world. I ran around for the next month proclaiming, "This book validated my life!" Literally. That's what I said.
Now I know I could just trot along on my forefoot in regular, old running shoes. But I'm excited to try a shoe made for forefoot running. And I was a sucker for a few of their other selling points:
- They're light and (let's hope) fast!
- The mesh top felt great when I gave them a test drive at the Malibu Half Marathon expo!
- I'll know I need to replace them when the lugs wear to the shoe. (Usually I just wait until I get bored with my old shoes and feel like a change.)
- In the product description there's a bullet under Midfoot that says, "ETC anti-friction, anti-bacterial sockliner." I'm not getting my hopes up yet, but I'm hoping (Wups! Looks like hope has been spent.) that this will help prevent blisters.
And let's not forget. THEY'RE PINK!!!
Yep, that's about as pink as pink gets! Hope they work for ya!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Kate, and I am a forefoot runner (too). :)
ReplyDeleteSo much so, that I have had a stress fracture in one of of my metatarsals. Gotta love it!
Do you have a very high arch? I do, and I wonder if that is why I run the way I do. I find that I run very efficiently naturally. We're lucky that way, aren't we?
one more thing... I can also relate to you in the way that I always tried to run heel-toe. I was told that was the "way to do it" but it never felt natural and always took more effort.
ReplyDeleteI am also grateful for 'Born to Run' for that very reason! Ok, I'll stop commenting now!
I lovey, love, LOVE my Newtons and I hope you do, too! Seriously, how could you NOT love a shoe that pink?
ReplyDeleteThose shoes look so cute! I am also a forefoot runner. Maybe I should read that book. I have spent a lot of time trying to run the "right" way.
ReplyDeleteOooooooh.....ahhhhhhhhh! You know you're a runner when you get unhealthily excited about oddly colored shoes (yes, I have orange). Enjoy your early Christmas present!
ReplyDeleteHooray for new runnign shoes! I just got some new kicks, myself! I don't get to open them until tomorrow though, so haven't tried them out. I always get nervous with new running shoes - they better be good! ; )
ReplyDeletehey!! bay area runner :) email me if you want some more info, I can definitely give you the scoop! Would love to meet up sometime too.
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