Let's Talk About Shoes: Nike Zoom Structure

Check out all that structure!It has been a shoe-filled week.  I have three new pairs!  On the right are my first Nikes.  I purchased these at the Running Company after spending 45 minutes trying on and testing out different sneakers on their treadmill.

First, they video-taped me running in a "neutral" shoe.  I wasn't surprised to see that I totally overpronante, but I was definitely disturbed.  The angle at which my right ankle turns in as I push off seems almost unnatural. 

Despite this, I was hesitant to go for the type of structured shoe my salesperson recommended.  You may recall that I tried that the last time I bought new running shoes, and I wound up getting crazy blisters and returning the shoes in favor of my trusty Asics.

In the end, I found the video compelling, so I'm giving structure another shot.  These Nikes were the shoes that stabilized me best without being uncomfortable.  I took them for a three mile test run this morning and all went well.  I'm not 100% sure I'll keep them, but it's worth another run.

While I was at the Running Company, I also tried on the new Newton Gravitas.  I'm attracted to the minimalist shoe concept and I love the funky orange.  Those would take a long time to get used to, though.  Maybe next time.  Right now, I need something for the 15K that's coming up and the half marathon that's now only a month away! 

By the time I get home tonight, Zappos will have delivered another contender: the Inov-8 Road-X 238.  I'm obsessed with Inov-8 in general, and very excited to try these out.  I'll keep you posted.

-Gym Belle-

Gym Belle Q&A: What's With the Knee Socks?

Upon viewing my pictures from the Hail to the Queen Throwdown, Erica asked: what's with the knee socks?

Knee socks are all the rage among CrossFitting women.  At last weekend's competition, most of us were wearing them.  It's partially a function thing, and partially just a quirky fashion statement.

From a practical standpoint, socks protect your legs from getting scraped up.  My left shin is always bruised from something, usually box jumps.  Deadlifting in bare legs is also particularly risky.  The bar travels right up against you, so it's easy to scrape your shins.  The socks add a layer of protection and mask the ugly.  Plus, if I get hot, I can quickly push them down, which makes them better than long pants.

At the event, I noticed several women wearing compression socks, ostensibly to improve their performance.  I love my compression socks for recovery, but actually find them a little distracting to work out in.

For the competition, I sported my "vintage" Juicy knee socks.  They're nearly a decade old and they were free.  (I never forget a gift with purchase.)  Smells like couture, baby.

-Gym Belle-

Triumph!

Perhaps I'm a little too excited about this, but if you're one of those women (or men) who carts a large bag o' gym stuff around Manhattan, you'll understand. 

I was sitting at work this evening when it occured to me that I hadn't packed a sports bra for the gym.  Usually, if I forget something, it's socks.  A sports bra is a little trickier to replace last minute.  I contemplated going to the City Sports across the street, but they don't carry the brand I like, and I hate to waste the money.  "No problem, " I thought.  "I'll just deal in my regular bra.  No one will know."

And then I remembered that the workout involved handstand pushups, so I'd be upside-down a lot.  Everyone would know.

I was almost ready to scrap my workout plans when I remembered my backup gym outfit.  Ages ago, my sister had signed up for a Physique 57 class after work and, when it was too late to cancel without loosing her money, she realized that she didn't have gym clothes with her.  She ended up buying a whole Lululemon outfit at Physique.  I realized that could easily be me one day, so I threw an old pair of sweats, socks and a tank top in my closet at work.  They've been there for ages now, and I nearly forgot. 

Fortunately, the tank top has a shelf.  Problem solved!

-Gym Belle-