Let’s start with the bad news.  I am now over a month into trying to get the left orthotic to be adjusted correctly.  I will not go into the details, but the orthotic has been bringing the pain of the injury back instead of supporting the foot in a way that prevents it from happening ever again.  Frustrating.

Even more frustrating is that the clock keeps ticking toward Austin and I haven’t run once since 5 months ago on a track in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  However, the good news is that I have plenty of cardio currency now that I am riding substantial miles and swimming over a mile four times a week.  With that happy thought, and a trip to the orthotics guy today to hopefully make the last adjustment, I went shoe shopping.

I have come to the conclusion that my Hokas were a cause of the injury.  Why?  Because when I wear them now, my foot hurts more than when I wear one of my more traditional running shoes.  I gave Hoka a full try for over a year.  I had blisters, I had this injury, and it still doesn’t feel right.  That’s it, I am moving on.

Off to the shoe store I ran.  This time, I’m going to be a little smarter too.  I used to rotate between two different types of shoes when I ran substantial miles so that the chance of repetitive injury was lessened.  It was my intent to come out of the shoe store with two very different kinds of shoes and that is what happened.  One pair of New Balance and one pair from a new company called On.

Shoe style number #1 is kind of half traditional running shoe and something toward a Hoka, but not as squishy.  It is a New Balance 1080v7.  It ain’t sexy, it’s just black, wide, weights 10.8oz, but it’s got a wide toe box and can hold up all day long.  The workhorse.

Shoe style number #2 is an ON Cloudflow.  I’m thinking these are my shorter distance and event racing shoes.  They weigh nothing.  Only 7.8oz.  Indifference to the New Balance, it’s the racehorse.

The technology is described as delivering the following benefits:

“Once on the ground, the Clouds lock firm to provide a solid foundation for a natural and powerful takeoff. Simply put: On is the first running shoe that provides cushioning only when you need it.

So you can have the best of both worlds: cushioned landing, barefoot takeoff. Enjoy the benefits of natural running without compromise in comfort and speed.”

Someday I will actually run in both of these shoes and we will learn the truth.