I can always tell when my running shoes are getting worn out. I get random aches and pains that weren't there before and it makes me not want to run at all. I remember this same thing happening to me during the Utah Valley half this past June. The first several miles were awful because my anterior tibialis muscles (the ones on your shins) were absolutely killing me. They were cramping up so badly I could barely run. Then I had the crazy thought, I bet it's my shoes! Sure enough, after the race (the worst of my life) I took a closer look at my shoes and the cushioning was so worn out. Brand new shoes did the trick and I was back to running happy again.
Well these past couple weeks, it was happening again. I couldn't figure it out for the longest time (school must've made me forget about the last time this happened) but then I remembered and decided I couldn't get away with not getting new shoes any longer. It had been 6 months, it was time for a change.
I had been running with Asics Nimbus for about a year now (bought them for the first time last November and loved them) but I wanted to try something different and lighter. I ended up going with the Mizuno Wave Riders and let me tell you: I have never been so happy with a running shoe in my entire life. Even with my custom orthotics inside of them (dang funky feet) they felt so much lighter than my old shoes. They are so springy, I feel like I am a gazelle. No seriously. It just makes me feel faster than I have been in a long time. My first run in them didn't come with any pains or aches, even though I hadn't been able to run a mile the day before because of the pain in my shins. The shoes are like an extension of my foot, it almost felt like I wasn't wearing any at all. The toe box is super roomy, too, giving my feet plenty of space to splay out like they should. I think the main difference is the lowered heel-to-toe drop. I don't land on my heels nearly as much as I was before, I have more of a softer, mid-foot landing, and this definitely plays a part in less shin pain.
Probably the best part is that they are hot pink. Never been much of a pink person but this I can deal with because they just look so awesome!!
Anyway, those are my thoughts on the Mizuno Wave Riders. The perfect shoes for me, and as long as they keep improving it, I will be a customer for a long while yet. Is it possible for me to be in love with a shoe? I believe so!
