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Freedom to Shoes

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If there’s one good thing that arose from the ITBS injury it would be this: the freedom to shift from motion-control to neutral shoes. Yeah baby!

The good news came straight out of my doctor’s mouth a couple of weeks ago. It was the same doctor who ordered me, early last year, to use Spenco insoles and, later on, switch to motion-control shoes to correct my overpronating flat-feet.

You know, it’s bad enough to discover that you are a flat-footed runner because you will face issues that those fortunate, biomechanically efficient runners will never have to contend with. But, the worst thing about it is the lack of motion-control shoes locally. (Is it because we flat-footed Filipino runners are a rare breed?)  Mizuno does not sell motion-control shoes, Nike only sells the Nike Zoom Elite 4 for motion-control for women (correct me if I”m wrong), and Asics does not have the Gel Evolution 4 here. Adidas offered the Adistar Control 4 so I made the big purchase. The Adistar Control 4 was what I wore last year, including New Balance 25k and Singapore Half, with my Spenco insoles inside.

So, the doctor did order me to shift to neutral shoes and put a halt to wearing spenco. Woohoo!

The moment I found out, visions of various running shoes in all colors, models, and brands flashed before my eyes. I finally get to wear some of the shoes that have been gathering dust in my closet! And, when it’s time to go shoe shopping again, I get to choose from the wide variety of handsome, fast-looking, neutral shoes displayed on the shelves!  

Oh god, I better get back on the road soon. My feet are itching for some neutrals already…

Posted on 03.09.09 to 04 Gear & Product Reviews. Tags: , , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 32 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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32 Responses to “Freedom to Shoes”

  1. I always thought the Nike Air Zoom Elite 4 was for runner with good biomechanics and not a stability shoe. It is both. I just checked.

    ” Recommended as a training shoe for runners with good biomechanics or as a race-day shoe for runners with low arches who need added stability.”

    Nice to know you are back!

    Regards Mark and Tiffin

    m8parco said on Mar 09 09 at 8:07 AM Reply

  2. If you have flat feet (like me), you’re definitely an overpronator. Shoe experts recommend motion controlled shoes for us with flat feet. Neutral shoes are “cushioning shoes” for someone who does not pronate.

    Just like you, I have been perpetually looking for the right shoes . I even tried orthotics. But, I always ended up with pain in my knees and joints everytime I worked hard on running faster and farther.

    Until I discovered a new pair of running shoes from New Balance, the MR1123 MC. I have been wearing the shoes (without my orthotics) on my runs for a month now and the pains disappeared, just like that. I just completed 25 kms. this morning wearing the shoes. Maybe I am just lucky, but why don’t you give it a try. The same shoes for women is the WR1123 MC.

    I bet you, it is the shoes.

    Take care.

    Bong said on Mar 09 09 at 9:19 AM Reply

  3. remember to take it slow though… to allow those “unused” muscles enough time to adjust and gain strength. dami mong sapatos! :D

    loonyrunner said on Mar 09 09 at 9:40 AM Reply

  4. Does that mean Bald Runner will be expecting those shoes for retirement :D

    Idnod said on Mar 09 09 at 10:21 AM Reply

  5. …ummm, and does that mean your through “sole” searching – he he he

    Idnod said on Mar 09 09 at 10:24 AM Reply

  6. Back to Canlas?

    Secret said on Mar 09 09 at 10:43 AM Reply

  7. Bottom right – Vomero 2!!!

    That is the Rolls Royce of Nike – Hannah swears by that shoe!

    Javy said on Mar 09 09 at 11:01 AM Reply

  8. I LOVE the Zoom Elite 4! :)

    Jud said on Mar 09 09 at 11:23 AM Reply

  9. sarap naman, parang buffet :D

    i imagine this is what heaven would look like

    hector said on Mar 09 09 at 4:07 PM Reply

  10. check SM Makati for Asics Gel Evolution. ang maahhhaaalllll…

    Red said on Mar 09 09 at 6:49 PM Reply

  11. I recently got the New Balance 1063, it is really nice and comfortable, after my 10k run last sunday I would definitely recommend this for those looking for neutral cushioned shoes.

    I used to have weird pains here and there in my old stability shoes (Adizero tempo) but after the shift to a neutral cushioned one and a few running sessions with it, it seems the pain is gone and tightness in the calves that I always get in the first 2km on my old shoe is also gone. So I’m now a believer of wearing the right type for injury prevention.

    Yves said on Mar 09 09 at 8:27 PM Reply

  12. How about Ferragamo and Manolo?

    prometheuscometh said on Mar 09 09 at 9:21 PM Reply

  13. Frankly,i was looking for the RED nike’s you wore last saturday in Golds Gym. Get well soon . We want to see you in the road soon.

    runningshield said on Mar 10 09 at 9:43 AM Reply

  14. Question.
    Why did the doctor advise you to shift to a neutral shoe? Did the inserts or Adistar Control 4 cause the knee pain? Or because your knee is all better now? Reason I’m asking is because I’m also wearing the Adistar Control 4 and had to place a motion control insert inside my NB 1060.

    AC said on Mar 10 09 at 4:51 PM Reply

  15. Rare bread? hmmm. I too have flat feet and also an over-pronator. I have been using Adistar CS which I believe are neutral. So far no issues and I love them coz they’re very light – 8oz. or 226grams (and I think the lightest out there) – and still have that bounciness on the heel which I like.

    dennis d said on Mar 10 09 at 6:31 PM Reply

  16. mare dami mong shoes. you’re imeldific like that! now i know i’m not yet a real runner just by the number of my running weapon. i got only three! and i haven’t used the other one which i have reserved for my HK Marathon that didn’t happen! blech! hahahaha! but i am imeldific with my chucks!

    banggigay said on Mar 10 09 at 8:42 PM Reply

  17. Nice collection of shoes..I thought having 7 pairs is really an obsession
    but counting your’s…you have 8!…wow, that’s awesome!

    By the way, will it be okay if I could add you up in my blogroll? (if ok lang po?)

    God bless you, Jaymie.

    runnerforchrist said on Mar 10 09 at 9:33 PM Reply

  18. Hi, would you know if Asics Foundation 8 or Gel Evolution 4 are available here in Manila and where? Please get back to me. Thanks :-)

    J said on Mar 19 09 at 10:57 AM Reply

  19. I wear my customized insoles inside the zoom elite 4. Pretty soon, I’ll try it without :)

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:01 AM Reply

  20. Thanks bong. I’ll take a look at it. My first running shoes were NB :)

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:02 AM Reply

  21. Yes i will, loony. Don’t want my feet to get shocked with the sudden change. Thanks!

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:03 AM Reply

  22. My helpers can expect the shoes! My yaya is the main beneficiary of 2 old NB shoes and 1 old adidas. She should start running soon :)

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:04 AM Reply

  23. We runners are never done with sole searching. We always need to fill the emptiness inside by trying out new pairs :)

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:05 AM Reply

  24. Back to aspi and my beloved dry needling :)

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:05 AM Reply

  25. Don’t you just love those bunion protectors? Haha

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:06 AM Reply

  26. I like ‘em too. Haven’t used them in a race yet though. Always at the track or short runs on asphalt.

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:06 AM Reply

  27. Bwahahaha! That’s heaven for the shoe addict himself. Heaven for me would be wide, tree-lined roads made of tartan and me at the very start without any injury.

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:08 AM Reply

  28. Tried it at Singapore. I wasn’t too happy with it. Besides, they didn’t have my size.

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:09 AM Reply

  29. Yes, the right shoe is the key. Lucky you you found THE one already! Some of us have gone through thousands of pesos worth of shoes in search of the perfect one.

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:11 AM Reply

  30. Heehee. More like, havaianas and crocs. All the rest of my moolah goes to running!

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:12 AM Reply

  31. The Nike Zoom Sister One. That deserves its own post. Love them! But they’re not for running :)

    thebullrunner said on Mar 10 09 at 10:13 AM Reply

  32. It was like love at first sight, when I first saw it in the window of Planet Sports, displayed in red pave cardboard design with the letters NEUTRAL CUSHIONED, I knew I found it! hehe

    Yves said on Mar 11 09 at 1:42 PM Reply

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