If the shoe fits?

All you runners out there know the value of finding a good well fitting running shoe. For me that has been Asics for years. Tried low end to high end and if it said Asic I generally liked it. My foot is a little wide, not extreme, no big problems with pronation or funky feet. Pretty decent running stype (Pose) I guess, at least that is what I am told. Did I learn this, work on this? No, not really I just naturally run that way and I guess that is good. So back to the shoes, been wearing the Asics for years, usually buy a mid to high end shoe. In the winter I tend to look for more cusioning and longer lasting, during the race season I look for something lighter for racing ,but I don't usually go for the racing flats.

Last year my wife wanted to train for a half marathon and has issues with running like shin plints and hip area problems. She has not been runing long and so of course I gave her the "low down" on shoe fit,"don't go cheap", what appear to be small differences in shoes become BIG differences when running any significant difference over time, Buy shoes often, the shoe can still look great but may be broken down from too many miles and finallly find what works and stick with it talk.

So what did I do - "The exact opposite of course"! A few months back I deciced to buy some new shoes - still had a few months in the season and really like my last pair of Asics I had, so off to the store I go after looking them up online to see what the cheapest price I could find was. I have been doing this for a while now - look up what I want online and then see if the stores will match or beat the price. To my surprise they have everytime to date. BEST places I have found to buy shoes Dicks Sporting goods and Omega Sports with Omega being the best due to knowledgabel sales staff and inventory. However, this time I am at Omega looking for my favorite brand. "I am sorry sir we do not have your size", how about this comparable shoe from Mizuno? Normally there woudl be a quick response from me - "No I think I will stick with my Asics" Not this time, I made the mistake of picking up the shoe and it was noticably lighter and they had it on sale. Ok let me try a pair, I slide them on and immediately notice the sole is MUCH stiffer. The knowledgable sales guy says - you re correct they use a stiff but flexible shim in the shoe instead of the Gel like Asics. I think about it and say OK I will give it a try. My wife has quietly been sitting over to the side and comes over at this point. "Jerry are you sure, you have always worn Asics and you said "if you find what works - stick with it". Well you would think that after 10 years of marriage I would have learned by now that the "Boss" (Wife that is ) is always right.
So out I go on my first run, and yes the sole is much stiffer - long story short, my feet hurt on the bottoms when I return after only a 6 mile run. Does this phase me - No way! I wear the shoes to work and other places to help break them in (Something I never have to do with Ascis) finally after a good 2-3 weeks of wearing and running in the shoe, a few small but noticeable blisters I break the shoe in enough where it no longer bothers me. Or maybe I just got used to it? Either way I wear the shoe until it starts to break down and went out over the Thanksgiving Holiday period (Sales, Sales, Sales) to buy another pair of running shoes. Any guess on what I got. Asics 2110 - just put them on, they fit perfect, feel great, no break in time. Think you could get me to try something different in the future. I doubt it? Not because I learned my lesson, but becasue I have a secret weapon I plan on deploying each time I need shoes.

I am taking the wife along to keep me from doing anything STUPID!