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The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday

We are ending another decade and will be starting a new year in a couple of months, so it is a good time to analyze how we spend our free time. As the owner of a running store, I am campaigning for people to put more exercise time into their lives. We are all impacted by things that create anxiety, so getting out of the house for a nice run will help you not only feel better but will also make you healthier. Many of you people who read Race Place Magazine are already enjoying the benefits of walking, running or doing triathlons. You are already setting a good example for fitness for your friends and neighbors, so plan on helping them get into some type of fitness program. I find that if we treat exercise like play, we can stay with a plan that we enjoy long enough to make it a habit.

There are new updates of the best selling shoes to help us continue to improve our fitness level. The Brooks Adrenaline 11 is updating in November and is making a big change by switching from its MOGO midsole material to the DNA compound. The DNA compound is a combination of EVA and polyurethane which has been in the Glycerin 8. This DNA compound should give the shoe more return of energy and last longer than previous Brooks Adrenalines. The Beast and Ariel from Brooks, which just started shipping, will also have the DNA compound in the new updates. The other top selling shoes going through an update in November are the Gel 2160 and the Kayano 17 from Asics. Both of these best selling styles from Asics will be a little bit lighter that the previous models. One should also notice a little more flexibility in both models because Asics has improved the “Guidance Line” through the outsole. This technology should make the gait a little more efficient. We have been going through a couple of minor shoe revolutions with introduction of the toning shoes and the minimalist shoes this past year. I think you will see the toning shoes evolve from a severe negative heel to a more even heel and outsole while still maintaining many of the toning features.

In my store, we tend to see more of the minimalist effect and I believe you will see the traditional running shoe become a little lighter and a bit more flexible. I still believe these traditional i.e. (Brooks Adrenaline 11, Asics 2160) can’t be beaten to go out there and do mileage. The lighter shoes certainly are great for races and speed workouts. The very light shoes are very useful for building up feet strength in limited planned workouts. You will find because of the popularity of the lighter shoes, there will be plenty of new styles to choose from. Please remember that the established running companies have been around a long time so their technology and quality have remained superior and are usually the best buy for your dollar. I have noticed that the numbers of runners at the local road races are getting larger, so grab one of your friends and do a 5K. Guys, these local road races are comprised of 60% to 70% women so you need to get out there and get as fit as they are. Please start a campaign of fitness of your own and we will all benefit.