PART 2: What Your Running Shoes Say About You

If you missed my original post, What Your Running Shoes Say About You, I wrote my takes on adidas, Asics, Brooks, Mizuno, Nike, and Saucony fans.

In this installment, We'll cover some old favorites and some up and comers!

Part 2:
What Your Running Shoes Say About You

photo credit: New Balance Running

New Balance

A genuine and humble soul, many people don't even know you run, much less bring the heat! On the track you're a fierce competitor while off the track you enjoy the simple things in life. Committed to a small group of training partners, you make each other better one day at a time. A smart racer; when rivals go head to head with you they usually lose.

Your spirit runner is Jenny Simpson.

photo credit: Hoka One One

Hoka One One

Relentless, you don't let anything get between you and your run. You know there are no shortcuts and consistent hard work is the path to success. A life long runner or new to the sport, you bring a unique perspective to the trail that your training partners appreciate. On race day, you are quick to smile and fast to the finish.

Your spirit runner is David Torrance.

photo credit: Newton Running

Newton Running

Colorful and quirky, you can't get enough of running or runners. Your running journey has taken a lot of twists and turns, but you're sticking with it. Your teammates rely on you for a positive mental boost. On race day, you feed off nervous energy and are constantly looking for opportunities to execute better than before.

Your spirit runner is Fernado Cabada.

photo credit: Altra Running

Altra

Your morning run is what gets you out of bed. A principled, self-starter, you aren't afraid of being different or trying something new. Those around you find themselves motivated to get out the door. You race to find the best in yourself and the world around you. You're particularly dangerous at altitude.

Your spirit runner is Larisa Dannis.

photo credit: Meb Keflezighi

Sketchers

You see opportunities and capitalize on them. Running has changed your life. For you, running is about family, both your blood relations and the running community at large. On race day, you're the underdog on paper, but your tactical skill is like that of a chess Grand Master.

Your spirit runner is Meb Keflezighi.

photo credit: On Running

On

You're always on the move because you can't stand staying still. You live on the cutting edge of technology and fashion which spills over into your running. Your friends ask you for the best running routes and restaurants when they travel abroad because chances are, you've already been there. Racing for you is an intensely personal experience where you seek the unknown, testing your limits.

Your spirit runner is Frederik Van Lierde.

End of Part 2!

I can't believe I did 6 more brands! There's probably at least 6 more brands, too, but I'm kind of getting tired of writing this stuff.

Did you relate to my take on your brand?

Tweet a photo of your running shoes @danielkittaka using the hashtag, #yourshoes to get your own personalized (made up) running shoe analysis!

Miss Part 1?

What Your Running Shoes Say About You

Way back in the day (and maybe even now) running magazines, books, and websites would tell readers to examine their shoe wear pattern and thus determine their "right" running shoe.

Case in point, this guide found on CoolRunning

I subscribe to a more hands on (feet on) approach involving trying on actual running shoes at your local running retailer, but to each his or her own.

That said, what if your running shoes actually said more about you than if you made the "right" choice? With out further ado, 

What Your Running Shoes Say About You

photo credit: Nike Running

Nike

At the cutting edge of run fashion, you like to turn heads. In your book, function and fashion; style and speed go hand in hand. A social runner, you roll with a "crew" that shares your passion for fly kicks and fast clicks. On race day, you like to get out hard and set the pace, forcing the field to follow. You hold on for an honest effort and hope it's enough.

Your spirit runner is Sammy Wanjiru.

photo credit: Brooks Blog

Brooks

For you it's all about having fun. You want to run your best but not at the expense of enjoying  the experience. Slow or fast; friend or stranger, you're more than happy to chill for a few miles on the trails and shoot the breeze. You like to go out relaxed in races, saving energy for a fast finish. Negative splits are more fun.

Your spirit runner is Katie Mackey.

photo credit: Saucony

Saucony

Solitary and stoic, you let your legs do your walking and talking. You enjoy putting in work on the roads, trails, and track in relative solitude. A gritty runner, the beat of your feet against the pavement is all the music you need as you cover mile after mile. Confident in your fitness, you race like there's no tomorrow, pushing the pace and leaving your competition in the dust.

Your spirit runner is Ben True.

photo credit: Mizuno Running USA

Mizuno

You are the perfect running buddy. You always meet up on time and like running a predictable pace. Beyond the basics, you believe in your running buds and they know it. While racing, your secret sauce is consistency. Particularly over hill and dale, you ride rolling terrain like a surfer catching waves.

Your spirit runner is Serena Burla.

photo credit: asics america

Asics

You connect the dots, the ethic you display on the roads informs the rest of your life and vice versa. Running is as much a part as your personal journey as it is about fitness or achievement. While racing, you absorb the energy of the crowds letting them inspire you as you inspire them. 

Your spirit runner is Deena Kastor.

photo credit: adidas

adidas

Perfectly poised, you're all class. On and off the track, you stay focused, keeping your eyes on the prize. Racing, you like to lead wire-to-wire, defining distances and times for yourself.

Your spirit runner is David Rudisha.

End of Part 1 (Check out Part 2!)

So that's it, my take on the kinds of runners that wear the big 6 running shoe brands. Obviously I've left out a bunch of brands, but I only have so much time on my hands!

This is all just stuff I made up based on random images I found on the vendor websites and other vague associations. Did you relate to my take on your brand?

Tweet a photo of your running shoes @danielkittaka using the hashtag, #yourshoes to get your own personalized (made up) running shoe analysis!

Boston 2015 Global Period (Training 11/17-2/1)

Yikes! It's been 11 weeks or so since I last recapped on the blog. That's actually probably a good thing as I've been busy running and doing other things for the most part.

A shot from the Daniel Burnham Open cross country race Lee Greenberg and I produce.

(photo credit: Ground Up Dij)

In summary, the past 11 weeks, I've averaged about 70 miles per week, implemented hip/core strengthening, and done a number of workouts featuring faster paces/shorter reps. You can check out the details on Strava.

I had to nix my goal of racing at the Illiana Invite (as it is an invitation only event, duh), but it seems I've also gotten a bunch of other runners interested in racing on the (indoor) track at some point in February so that's cool. It looks like we'll be running 5000m on Saturday, February 2nd.

My feeling is that even with the progress I've made with stabilizing the chassis and getting the legs turning over with workouts featuring shorter, faster repeats, I'm still lacking a certain "something." That "something" could very well be just getting in a race or time trial so it's a good thing that it looks like there will probably be a few opportunities to race indoors this year.

Looking ahead, my training will start to become increasingly (Boston) marathon specific. This past weekend was the first Boston 365 workout in Barrington, IL which features rolling terrain and is one of the spots Chicago-area runners use to prepare for the Boston Marathon.

We tried something a bit different this latest outing, running out and back on "Windmill Hill" segment twice before flipping around for home.

The very steep second half of "Windmill Hill" provided some great downhill running stimulus.

I focused on running marathon effort (at this point about 6:00 pace) for these hills. After a gentle mile back on the roads, I ran 6 miles at marathon effort (again just over 6:00 pace). I think this was quite valuable as it gave me the opportunity to run marathon effort after some hard downhill running. Kudos to Boston Marathon Guru, Dan Daly for dreaming up this new training stimulus.

I'll have to post more specific goals and plans for the next six weeks or so, but the main thing is to begin making that transition to marathon specific workouts in preparation for a few key workouts like my staple 18 miles at 95% marathon goal pace.

What do your next six weeks look like?

Leave a question or comment below!