The Nike ’Why’. I bought my first running Nike (Nike Air, Vapor Quick) in Jan 10, for Rs 2300, and did the 2012 Mumbai Half Marathon in 2h 11 min in those! I must have done about 200 km of treadmill and about 300 km of roads/ cement on those by now. So, I start by confessing that I love Nike! But what I don’t like is shelling out more than 3k (of MY money) for a pair of running shoes! Good middle class Indian me!
The Nike ’Story’. Post the Marathon, I realized that my existing pair were starting to wear out (of cos, in 500 km, even your tyres do!). So I did a lot of research on the net, when I realized that my running style was ’over pronation’, meaning that the front sole insides and back outer patch were worn out more than the rest of the base. I also have a weak right knee (meniscus tear in 2009) and prematurely aged ankles (thanks to playing for years wit hout warm up). I contemplated between the newly emerging Barefeet Running (not really bare, but something like five-toed sandals!) and ASICS Gel 3020 (the net promised that was best for my style). But both cost 5K and both had to be ordered online, both of which made me uncomfortable, from the sizing/ fit aspect! Running in ill-fitting shoes is worse than running without warming up!
The Nike ’How’. Then as I wandered along Colaba Causeway on 11 Feb 12, I saw the Nike Showroom, the same place, next to Food Inn, where I had bought my previous pair. And again, being early Feb, there was a mega discount sale running, which acts like a magnet to draw me into sports stores! After 20 minutes inside with a dedicated staffer named Hanif, much trials, talk, viewing the Nike website on their PC and small-time running in the store, I picked my new pair. The Nike Lunar Fly 2. The MRP was about Rs 4500, but going at Rs 2697! A Deal and a steal! The only disappointment was the orange trimmings and sole, which were not really ME! All my running sports till now have been whites, with bits of blue, grey or black! You see, Govinda was never my favourite actor!
The Nike ’Takeaway’. Now for some highlights of the new buy. It is light, for starters, as in the kind which you don’t feel hanging on your feet on longish runs, when will power does more than stamina! Next, the grey fabric is waterproof, which is a boon if you run in rain or through puddles, but certainly not a great factor in selection. It is also easy to clean and the colour is less prone to look dirty. Another is the orange and grey trims are reflective, and safer for runs in the dark/ dim lighting, at the risk, of course, of looking a bit jazzy! Then, it has a very firm ankle support (see video), which prevents your ankle rotating and consequent pains, as in my case. The mid sole has a good cushion, which cushions exactly as required, based on your running style. The tread is good and true Nike, but then it is still too early to say about durability (hence the 4 star on that). But if it is as good as my previous one, it will easily go about 2 years of decent running (15 or so km a week).
The Nike ’Run-xperience’. Having bought the shoes in the morning, I couldn’t resist trying it out the same evening. Ah, the prospect of a few friends coming over and some big-time dinner later on served to provide the necessary additional inspiration, and, insurance against the inevitable gluttony! So I set off, and did a comfortable 7 km, clocking 42 min. And every bit of tech detail I wrote above comes out of that experience. After reading an article in the Mumbai Mirror on "Fore-feet landing better than heel running", I did attempt to minimise heel contact and looked at landing forefeet first, and after a while, it did feel great and comfortable. The best part it that even after the run, there was no ankle discomfort or knee soreness, and my stopping had more to do with boredom at doing up-down on a road, than fatigue. There shall be more kilometres and longer roads to come, but I am confident that this pair, at Rs 2697, was quite a right buy. It is still going at such rates across the city, being end of season, and hence, this IS the time to pick up sports shoes.
Just Do It!. So, if you are looking at buying running shoes to replace your medium/ high cost ageing ones, or are planning to start afresh, don’t go by what the salesperson at the Mall will lead you to believe. They will tell you "Best for Running" with not a clue about the after-effects! So, if you will, here is from someone who has learnt it the hard way and did his first Marathon at the ripe age of 38!
And I say Nike LunarFly, and I say, Just Do It!
Happy Running, and.... painless joy, while you are at it!
Look out for more, hereabouts, as I shall shortly post my maiden experience at running the Marathon, for those who want to do it, but didn’t know if they could and how to go about it!
Until then, Jog On!
CIao
Shyam
PS: You must try and lay your hands on the article in the Mumbai Mirror, by Bhavin (dated 10/11 Feb). It will clear the air a lot, if you believe it is impossible to run in Mumbai! :)