My new running shoes

Have you ever given or received an early Christmas present?  Have you ever bought yourself a Christmas present?  Well, today, I kind of did both of those. A couple weeks ago, I received a holiday bonus from one of my jobs, and today I received a rewards card from my bank. So I went out and bought myself an early Christmas present: a new pair of running shoes!

They aren't just any running shoes; they are shoes that I have wanted almost all year long.  They're a relatively new brand (hit the market back in April or May) and are Competitor Magazine's editor's pick for most innovative shoe of 2011.  I am the new owner of a pair of Altra Instincts!

What makes these shoes so special?  Well, take a look and you will see.

Do you see what makes them different?

In most running shoes, the sole at the heel is almost--or exactly--twice as thick as at the forefoot. In the first picture of my new Instincts, however, you'll notice that the thickness of the sole at the heel is just as thick as the sole at the forefoot. Altra calls this "Zero Drop." This allows a more natural, mid- foot strike when running, which leads to less impact and shock being absorbed by the knees. Hopefully this will help alleviate the sore IT band that I've been nursing all year.

According to the brochure that came with my shoes, this Zero Drop will also strengthen the Achilles tendon and lower calf, both of which have been "neutralized" by "a lifetime of wearing an elevated heel..."  I've only worn them for a couple of hours today, but I can tell you that I can already feel them working my calves more. I'm sure this is partially because my calves are already sore from yesterday's lower body work-out that included 30 seated calf raises, 65 single-leg standing calf raises (per leg), and 75 double-leg standing calf raises (alternating between toes straight, toes in, and toes out), but that soreness just made it easier to tell the difference when I put on this new pair.

As for the other main difference, you'll notice in the second and third pictures that the front of the shoe does not look normal, either.  Instead of coming to a point (and squishing the toes together) as most running shoes do, Altra has copied the shape of the foot.  Again according to the brochure, this "helps alleviate forefoot pain, bunions, neuromas, and other pathologies.  Toes spread naturally and relax in the shoe. [The] foot maintains its proper anatomical position. [This] allows for maximum shock absorption and powerful toe-off."  I haven't run in them yet, nor have I worn them enough to attest for all this professional sounding stuff, but I can't tell you how comfortable they are!!!  I have relatively wide feet (or at least I think of them that way), and it has been impossible to find shoes that don't feel like they're squeezing my feet... until now!!!  My feet finally have room!

Now I just can't wait to run in them!!!