Shoe Review

Anyone who’s ever run a mile in Barcelona knows that Domingo Catalan, owner of Atleta’s shop and world champion in the 100 km, is a running sage. Domingo—who loves cats and New York City, but loathes George Bush—is both wise and witty. He will not allow you to request a specific brand or size of shoe. “Brands and sizes don’t matter!” he yells as he takes a look at your feet. He brings out four or five pairs of shoes, all different sizes and brands and you (obediently and gratefully) try them all on, even if they look too small or way too big.

Last week, my visit made Domingo uneasy. First of all, he was dismayed that such a pretty girl (the man knows how to charm the lady runner) could have such ugly toes. “I’m concerned about those nasty nails,” he said. “And I’m sure your husband is as well.” Secondly, Domingo was running low on women’s shoes. My next-door neighbor, Lourdes, is NYC-marathon-bound and she had just gotten the last pair of Mizunos in our size so Domingo came out with some men’s shoes, the Saucony Progrid Jazz 13. I gave him so lip about the fact that maybe men’s shoes would be too wide for my narrow heels, but he told me that these would be perfect and, of course, they are! After three pairs of Asics 1100s, it turns out that a neutral shoe made for a small man feels great—at once light and cushiony. Also, these guys are bright red with black laces so I feel really cool and tough in them!

At first, the arch felt too flat. Perhaps I was missing that snug arch support you get in the Asics, but after a few runs it seems that the Sauconys have formed to my foot. My toes have lots of wiggle room and so far my knees and ankles feel fine and dandy.

Have any other women tried wearing men’s shoes? Have you switched from stability to neutral shoes?

Goose Eggs & Scaredy Cats

Yes, I’ve just recorded a big fat zero in the running log today because a) I’m exhausted b) I’ve got a throbbing blue toe again and c) tomorrow I have an 11-miler planned and I want to be feeling good. I’m trying to figure out why my toes get bruised in Barcelona, but not in Baltimore. Strange, because it’s hot in both places and, while I try to stay on grass or asphalt, I end up running on sidewalks sometimes in both cities as well. Perhaps my feet are more swollen here after a day of work and walking around the city…Anyway, I’m just going to take some more Tylenol and hope for the best. Dr Sheehan--way back in 1978--already delivered the bad news: "Is your second toe longer than your first toe? If so and you are an athlete you are in for trouble" (Running and Being, p.134).

One of my goals for this fall is to run in the mornings, before work, so that I have evenings free to write and cook, or maybe even hang out with friends or get some of my thesis done. However, that’s going to take some real discipline and a big change in routine and my basic bioritmos. I’m used to getting up at 8 and going to bed around 2 am, and in order to do these morning runs I’ll have to be up and at ‘em by 6 at the latest. Also, I’m scared of the morning dark! In the States, running in the morning seems safer to me, but here I actually feel safer at night. In Barcie, there are lots of runners out at 10 pm, but at 6:30 or 7 in the morning, in my neighborhood, it’s just me, the trash men, a few tired prostitutes and their creepy clients. Hopefully, they’ll just go about their business and I’ll go about mine.

When do you run? Are you scared of the dark? Or perhaps of lonely trails in the country? Running on trails scares the bee-jesus out of me!