Goody two shoes

Mar 30, 2011 | 14 comments

Typically I am a one shoe at a time runner. I do all of my training runs and races in the same pair of shoes. Lately though I’ve seen and heard lots of runners using two pairs of shoes. They use one for training and one for racing. This just so happened to coincide with the fact that I fell in love with these bad boys:

Behold, the Asics Gel-Noosa Tri. I saw this shoe and fell in love before I even knew what it’s story was. The colors are amazing. Why yes of course it’s LOUD, but I love the colors. (The men’s version has bright blue!) According to the Asics’ website:
“A racing flat designed to meet the needs of triathletes. Designed to be worn barefoot, with an open-mesh upper and perforated sockliner to keep feet cool. Speed laces save time in transition, and come in either standard or elastic form.”
Well that’s all I needed to headed to my favorite running shoe store and test these bad boys out. Hell, it could have said they were for flagging down aliens from outerspace and I’d have bought them.
True to the description, they are very light. I’m going to take them out to the track tomorrow night. Gary, my favorite salesman and running group buddy, told me he thinks they’d be great for racing of all forms since they are light and that while they won’t last as many miles as a heavier shoe, he’s gotten nothing but good reviews on them. Plus, he got his wife a pair so you know he wasn’t just trying to sell the shoe.

Now in considering that this shoe wasn’t one I would wear for my middle to long distance runs I needed another shoe. Since I had tried on some Pearl Izumi’s last time I was in the store I decided to go ahead and give them a whirl. This is what I wound up with:


This is the Pearl Izumi isoShift. According to the webiste:
“The isoShift has an optimal blend of cushioning and guidance in a lightweight stability shoe. With a lively forefoot feel, superb cushioning, and the 1:1 Graduated Guidance System, this is the ideal shoe for runners looking for a lightweight, high performance stability shoe.”
I ran my five miler in it this morning and it seems pretty good thus far. It is lighter than the New Balance I was in but it is lacking in some of the cushioning. I’ll keep you all updated as I run more in it. So far so good.
And there you have it. I’m officially a two shoe user. Here’s hoping they both work out for me. Even if they don’t, I’m keeping the Asics for the crazy color factor alone.
Happy Hump Day.

14 Comments

  1. Steel Springs
    Steel Springs on March 30, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    Those are some stylish racing shoes! I like them! Let us know what you think of both new models.

  2. nrmrvrk
    nrmrvrk on March 30, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    The Asics look like someone spilled bleach on them. I like the day-glow yellow and red combo though.

    I don't know how you manage with only 1 (or now 2 pair) I'm a bit of a shoe hoarder I guess. I'm rotating through 7 pair currently (1 road, 5 trail, 1 minimalist) and looking to buy one more. I research upcoming shoes that I think would fit my running style and hope they work for me. I'm really happy with my shoes and only 1 pair of those that I'd say are duds. Oddly they're an update to shoes that I really liked and had worn out.

    Good luck in your new feet.

  3. Siobhan @sio 'n the run
    Siobhan @sio 'n the run on March 30, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    I just became a two shoe girl too!

    I love the colour of the Asics- they are amazing! I hope they work out well for you!

  4. it's all about pace
    it's all about pace on March 30, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    I have a dozen pairs of running shoes and 6 (yes six) pairs of cycling shoes in my closets (yes that is plural) I may have a problem

  5. Tricia
    Tricia on March 30, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    I've been using the pearl izumi streak IIs for my short runs and sticking with my brooks ghosts for my long runs.

  6. Kris
    Kris on March 30, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Oooh, those are some fan*freakin*tastic shoes! Hope they work out!

  7. Jason
    Jason on March 30, 2011 at 8:17 pm

    I have a sneaker collection like women have shoe collections. Just bought another pair of sneakers and that brings me up to 7 pairs of running sneakers with 2 racing flats that need to be retired but are still taking up space in the closet.

  8. Jen
    Jen on March 30, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    Love those bright bright shoes! You'll have to keep us updated on how you like them!

  9. Allison
    Allison on March 30, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    I love the Asics! I hope they work out for you.

    I currently have two pairs that I rotate for training and another pair that I use for speedwork/racing.

  10. Katie
    Katie on March 30, 2011 at 11:15 pm

    Oh wow I kinda want to go out and get those Asics tomorrow!

  11. Laura Frey
    Laura Frey on March 31, 2011 at 12:59 am

    Awesome! I have my shoe store get out the gram scale when I shop! I swear light shoes help. I can feel the difference in a few ounces. I like light ones for racing and shorter stuff. I break out the heavier stuff for long runs. Have fun!!

  13. Scott Brown
    Scott Brown on March 31, 2011 at 11:22 am

    Great shoes those ASICS Beth! I wouldn't run in anything else. Well if Ron from Punk Rock started making shoes I'd be tempted to change 😉

    ASICS are from Kobe, original factory, just down the road from us here and now have a museum there that you can visit when you come over.

    Have a long at the following clip about the company.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fWhYOt57i8

Submit a Comment