If you haven't yet seen the new Runner's World (RW) magazine, there are two negative developments for runners in these tough times. First, according to RW: "Running shoes just keep getting softer. While this may sound like sweet relief for your... joints, there can be too much of a good thing. ...cushioning that's too spongy can compromise a shoe's stability."
Yes, too much bouncy cushioning - moving you vertically rather than horizontally - actually makes you work harder while reducing traction; this is wasted motion (and wasted energy). I personally preferred the Nike models that were developed in Europe with firmer cushioning. And I'll no longer buy any of Nike's runners with Zoom Air, which is like trying to run on top of two small air beds (one in the forefoot, one in the heel). Hopefully, Nike and other major running shoe companies will eventually learn that when it comes to cushioning, less is...
Secondly, a number of the new running shoe models are "zooming" up in price; a development that is the last thing needed during this recession. Here's just a sampling of the price increases: the Etonic Minado goes from $100 to $115; the Saucony Progrid Stabil from $95 to $115; the adidas AdiStar Salvation from $130 to $140; the popular Brooks Adrenaline from $95 to $105; the Pearl Izumi Syncrofloat from $90 to $110; and the Asics Gel-DS Trainer from $100 to $110. We'll have to wait and see if these very unwise price increases result in the reduced sales of running shoes in 2009.
There is one shoe, however, that has captured my eye and this is the adidas AdiZero Tempo II (pictured), a beauty of a lightweight stability trainer (RW: "a daily trainer for lighter runners who need added pronation control") that comes in at just 9.8 ounces; 8 ounces in the women's version. I'm just going to hope that there'll be a pair waiting for me at the Portland Marathon Expo in October. If so, life will be good... Very good.
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