I'm a shoe geek

While I don't have an Imelda Marcos infatuation with running shoes, I have enjoyed keeping up with all of the technological advances in shoes.  My first pair of "real" running shoes were New Balance 320's.  Back in the day, Runner's World designated them the #1 shoe.  I think I got them for $20 or something like that.  They were followed by Nike LDV's.  I tried to think of all the shoes that I've run in since then; it's a long list.*  Now, I'm running in Newton All-Weathers (although they've been discontinued, I bought an extra pair and squirrelled them away) and ASICS Gel-Super J33's.  Pretty fancy name for a pretty basic shoe.  I think, though, that I finally found a pair of shoes to alternate with Newtons.  When I worked at a running shoe store (Frank Shorter Fitness Wear) in college, I started alternating shoes, typically trying to find two different brands, or at least two different styles of shoe, so that I wouldn't get too "locked in" to a particular last.  And that's when I learned a lot about shoes.  One of the things I remember was running with a New Balance rep one morning and seeing that he had put a NB upper onto a Nike Terra Trainer midsole.  When asked about it, his response was that he wanted to see what the new midsole material, Phylon, felt like. 

Alternating shoes has mostly worked for quite some time.  Why do I say mostly?  When I started running in Newtons, I found that they felt better than any shoe that I had run in for a very long time.  They had great cushioning, but also had a very fast-feeling ride.  Newtons have been in the rotation since then, but trying to find the right alternative to Newtons has been tough.  Most recently, I ran in Saucony Mirages and then Kinvaras.  While they were light and had a low drop, something didn't feel quite right with them.  They were soft, but they always felt dead.  When I first started running in the J33's, I finally realized, after 30+ years of running, what my cushioning preference was.  While I like a cushioned shoe, I don't like a soft one.  What does that mean?  Basically, I like shoes that have a firmer, more responsive ride.  That's why I liked the Newtons.  And that's why I like the J33's.  I hope that ASICS doesn't change this shoe, because it works great for me:  the shape, the weight, and the feel are all great for me.  And while there are different Newton models, the ones that I wear all have the same feel to them.   The AW's feel similar, although a bit heavier, to the Motion and the Distance S. 

The J33's remind me of the original Gel-Lytes and DS Lytes that were my favorite shoes in the early 90's.  I thought those were the best shoes ever, bright colors nothwithstanding.  Unfortunately, each iteration of Gel-Lytes got heavier and then morphed into the DS Trainers, which also got heavier and heavier.  I'm glad ASICS went back to a simpler, flatter, and lower shoe.  While not built for everyone, they work for me and I will alternate them with the Newtons for the foreseeable future.

*as much in order as I can remember:  Brooks Vantage, New Balance 420, Saucony Jazz, Nike Internationalist, Epic, Equinox, Odyssey, Terra Trainer, ASICS Striker, X-caliber GT, GT2, Epirus, Nike Sock Trainer, Anodyne, ASICS Gel DS-Lyte, Gel Lyte I, II, and III, DS Trainers (in multiple editions), GT-2010, 2020, 2040, 2060, Brooks Adrenaline GTS (multiple editions), Cascadia, Nike Free 5.0 V1, 2, and 3, Vibram Five Finger Bikilas, K-Swiss Kwicky Blade Lite, Newton Motion, AW, Terra Momentus, Distance S, Saucony Mirage, Kinvara 3, ASICS Gel Super J33, and a bunch more whose names I can't remember.  My only regret is not having a pair of Nike Sock Racers!  And I'm glad that I didn't get sucked into the Nike V-series; even now I can remember how hideous they were.

Goodbye, my friend

I lost my best friend last night.  After having several good weeks, Stormy didn't greet me when I came home after David's swim meet last evening.  When I left in the morning, both Sancho and Storm were sitting at the door as if to say, "See you later."  When I returned home, Sancho came bounding to the door to greet me.  However, Storm didn't get up to meet me at the door, which is something that he has done nearly every day since we first got him.  I found him lying on the floor, looking up at me.  Of course, I knew immediately that the time had come.  The entire family gathered around to give him hugs, kisses, and to say goodbye. 

Try as he might to be brave, he couldn't go on any longer.  When Tracy first got home, he got up to greet her.  I even was able to coax him outside to do his business, which he dutifully did.  But then, instead of coming back in, he decided to lie down in the yard.  I carried him back in and sat down with his head in my lap. 

We took him to the vet, and he again bravely jumped out of the car and walked unsteadily to the front door.  I then carried him in.  I told Tracy that it seemed like he was trying to put on a brave front for everyone, trying to show that he was still the Alpha dog.  Except to me.  When I was there, he allowed himself to be taken care of by me.  The hardest thing to do was also the right thing to do.  We said goodbye to Stormy one last time, and then let him go to sleep.

RIP Stormy.  You will be missed by all, but especially by me.

 In his favorite spot with "his" blanket

 

And one last puppy picture