You make me feel like a natural…runner

A few weeks ago my brother came to visit and in between the home projects we had him do (by the way I highly recommend having a handy brother), we managed to squeeze in a 10k. When we were at the expo picking up our waaay too big t-shirts and race numbers my brother started checking out some running shoes at the shoe store booth. Now I was in no mood to buy new shoes because I’m pretty faithful to my current ones, I’ve been wearing Asics for years. But I was intrigued by the sales pitch and also…they had me at pink.The shoes are from Ecco, they are called Biom. My brother is excited because he tells me “Torbjorn Sindballe wears Ecco and forever you couldn’t get them.” And yeah, I’m a geek, I know who he’s talking about (he’s a pro triathlete, recently retired). What’s the sales pitch? Well it’s interesting because I was just telling my brother about how I’d read that in the last 20 years or so when there’s been so much focus on running shoes and creating cushioned and motion control shoes, there hasn’t seemed to be a decrease in running injuries. So, some experts posit perhaps our shoes are doing more harm than good. What Ecco has striven to do is create a shoe that works with your natural gait. As opposed to being part of the barefoot running movement they are initiating what they call more “natural” running. I’ve been wearing them a few weeks now so for what it’s worth, here are my thoughts.

Overall I really like these shoes. Ecco recommends you get used to them gradually, over a six week period. The rationale is that because the shoes force you to run a more “natural” way, you are using muscles differently. I believe it. After I run in these shoes I can feel it in my legs. Not in a painful way but definitely in “boy that worked my calves” way. After a few weeks I feel it less but my legs feel differently after a run with these shoes than with my others. You know how sometimes you feel like your shoes are make of cement? I’ve never had one of those runs with these shoes. They don’t feel significantly lighter than my other shoes but I feel like there’s more spring in my step. Here are some key thoughts if you are considering these shoes.

• They aren’t cheap. I got mine for 25% off and they still cost me $160. BUT, they are made with polyurethane instead of EVA which is what pretty much all other running shoes are made of. EVA degrades over time and that’s why your shoes only last so many miles. Consequently, you can get more miles out of the Biom. The salesperson told us 2-3x more miles, Ecco says about 1.5x. They include an extra pair of insoles because they say the insoles will wear out before the shoes do.
• If you are used to running in a really cushioned shoe, you will notice the difference right away. It’s not like running with marshmallows in your shoe. I’m used to a really cushioned shoe, with these shoes you feel foot hitting the pavement more. It’s not painful and it doesn’t make my feet sore, it’s just a different feeling. I think it makes you feel more connected and aware of your stride.
• Did I mention that the women’s ones are pink?
• They have European sizing so you may have iffy luck ordering over the internet if you haven’t tried them on before. I hear they run a little big. I got a 37 and I wear a 6 in street shoes and a 7 in running shoes.
• I know it’s all mental but I am more motivated to run when I wear these shoes. But whatever gets you out there!
• You can get them in mesh or yak leather. Yes seriously, yak leather. They figured out a way to process yak hides from the Himalayas. The reviews I’ve read from those who’ve tried the yak leather one say that it feels like wearing butter (in a good way).

I’m sure these shoes aren’t for everyone but so far, I’m a convert. I’m going to run the Nike Women’s Marathon in October and I plan to train for it in these shoes. Perhaps I’ll look forward to 20 milers now!

Whether you have new shoes or not, here’s something for your running mix to put a little spring in your step. It’s by She & Him, my current fave in my ipod.