Nike JUST doesn't DO IT

When I started running seriously, first order of business was to get the proper running shoes. I went to Sportchek, the local sports-shoes store and tried on a few pairs. Nike Pegasus somehow felt the best, and I ran my first half marathon in them, and all the following races. Not in the same pair, of course, but I wore the same model, following the runners' wisdom that you don't change the shoes if they fit.

Well, I wanted to be faithful to Nike, but Nike wasn't faithful to me. Each year the Pegasus model changed a little, became less cushioned and more boxy. In the last year and a half I suffered the black toenails on several occasions, which I attributed to my running style, not willing to admit that something may be wrong with the shoes. Finally, after this year's Boston marathon, I lost a toenail on the left big toe, and have another really black. As a result, I can't wear sandals this summer if I don't want to disgust people.

The time had come to admit that my Nike shoes are not what they used to be. With Meg as a moral support, back I went to Sportchek. There we met Mo, the salesperson with extensive knowledge about Asics shoes. He measured our feet, concluded that Meg is a serious pronator and needs the shoes with more support for the arch of her foot. In short, we both left with a pair of new Asics runners each, and we tested them this week. They feel fabulous--so good, in fact, that if my feet could sing, they'd sing the "Ode To Joy" from pure pleasure!

How could I describe it to a non-runner? Say, you drive Hyundai Accent--it's a-OK little car, takes you nicely from point A to point B. True, it's a little boxy, not really comfy, with pretty hard suspension and not much space. Then you bought a Mercedes. All of a sudden you experience a renaissance in your driving experience: the car is spacious, soft, pleasant and comfortable to drive, you just feel you could drive forever. That is how my new Asics shoes feel, compared to old boxy Nikes.