While it is important to be equipped with a quality stopwatch and proper athletic apparel, the most valuable item to a runner is his trainers. Having a good pair of shoes is not simply a fashion statement; a good pair of trainers is imperative to your success as a runner as well as to injury prevention.
It is important that you find a pair of shoes that not only look good, but that you feel comfortable in and have solid support and cushioning. This way, your feet and legs don’t wear down as you rack up the miles.
In the year since I entered the world of competitive distance running, I’ve gone through four sets of trainers. Each one of them was solid, and I haven’t found a shoe yet that I haven’t been satisfied with.
My first two pairs were Asics and Sauconys. Each had great support but lacked a bit in the cushioning department. As a result, my feet really took a pounding, and I was sore most nights after my run. However, both those shoes had great longevity, lasting me a track season and a summer respectively. Although I hadn’t minded my previous pairs, I was ready to make a change. That’s when I gave Nike a try, and my love affair with trainers really left the ground.
My first pair of Nikes, the Zoom Vomero 7s, were great cushioned shoes with outstanding support, leaving little to be desired elsewhere. One notable downside with the extra support was extra weight that heavily contributed to stomping at the end of high-mileage workouts. This was a minor issue though and the pair served me great mileage over the winter. When track season rolled around, I decided it was time for a change and purchased the current shoe of choice among the Rock Bridge distance crew: The Nike Air Pegasus 29s.
My first thought when I put on my Pegs was that I must have been walking on a pillow. Pillow-like is the perfect way to describe the type of cushion the 29s provide. Your foot just sinks into the shoe and the sole forms around your foot to create an ideal position of comfort. At the same time, Pegs don’t sacrifice support, which is also given in abundance on this model.
Thanks to the winter storm that recently made its way through mid-Missouri, I found myself having to run through snow at times. This experience soaked my shoes, and as a result, I did receive some minor blisters that healed in less than a day. I learned the lesson that the Pegs aren’t waterproof, and will give you some nice blisters if wet. Other than that, the shoes have been good on my feet and legs, and I haven’t really had any problems with soreness since I put them on.
The ride is good and the signature Nike waffle-iron design on the bottom gives a nice spring to push off from when taking each step. Every landing is smooth, and the comfort of every stride definitely played no small part in me running a personal record in our two mile time trial, in horrible conditions no less.
Performance is always the first thing I value in a shoe, but I also prefer it to look stylish as well. Like most Nike products, the 29s deliver in a big way. Neon green
is a popular color right now in boys running. While not all out blinding like my Nike Free Run 5s, a very stylish shoe with awful support that I would never train in, the Pegs keep it toned down. A nice touch of the green on the sides and a solid combination of a grey body and the black swoosh make up the model I own, definitely my kind of shoe.
Overall, my Nike Air Pegasus 29s are quickly becoming my favorite pair of trainers. The cushioning is simply unmatched and the support is right up there with the best. Add in the great look and you have an outstanding shoe.
By Josh Ripley
