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As fellow running enthusiasts, I ask you to humor me for a
quick instant. How many times has a
fellow runner insistently told you: “This has changed my life; I know this will
help your running.” It doesn’t matter
what it is, each runner has their opinion on how a certain item affects their
running performance.
Personally, I prefer Saucony shoes, GU Energy Gels, Timex Watches, Running Etc Store, and the Chi Running Technique. Side note: I have no affiliation with these companies; however, if they ever seek to affiliate with me, I would not complain! I could go on and on and on and on and on about how Saucony makes the cushiest shoes on the road. Also, how GU could beat up Powerbar in a fight; this argument is futile!!! The reason is simple: we like things because they work for us, not because they work for others. We run in shoes because they are right for us, not because Don Draper and his cronies want us to… right? But is it always like that?
Personally, I prefer Saucony shoes, GU Energy Gels, Timex Watches, Running Etc Store, and the Chi Running Technique. Side note: I have no affiliation with these companies; however, if they ever seek to affiliate with me, I would not complain! I could go on and on and on and on and on about how Saucony makes the cushiest shoes on the road. Also, how GU could beat up Powerbar in a fight; this argument is futile!!! The reason is simple: we like things because they work for us, not because they work for others. We run in shoes because they are right for us, not because Don Draper and his cronies want us to… right? But is it always like that?
Most of you older than me (which isn’t much of stretch) will
remember a guy named Jim Jones. He was
an influential cult leader in the 70’s and led 914 of his followers in a mass
suicide by feeding them cyanide spiked “Flavor-aide.” Although the brand is not the same, this gave
birth to the colloquial aphorism, “Drinking the Kool-Aide.” Side note: I also have no brand affiliation
with either Flavor-aide or Kool-Aide and do not seek anything of the sort.
Partaking in this metaphorical “Kool-Aide” pertains to
succumbing to the endless fads that are pumped through running advertisements. These “breakthroughs” in running tempt all of
us who are searching for the holiest of holies: pain-free, effortless, blissful
miles. Now I can navigate a running
magazine without salivating (most of the time anyway) over a product. However, the greatest advertisement can never
be put on a screen or paper, because frankly, we are the advertisements.
We all know the “minimalists”, “brand slaves”, “compression
sockers”,” foam rollers”, “barefooters”, and other faddish personalities that
always seek to drag us into their object obsessions. I know one: me! I do it all the time. Ask anyone who brings up running around me, I
will tell you how my stuff is the best, and everything else is
substandard. Am I right? I think so, but in being objective, I know
this is relative. If you ask my running
friends, they will tell you something different. This is frustrating, isn’t it? In my humble opinion, there should only be
one thing that works for all of us. It
would be so much easier. Although the
trial and error can be fun (especially with new toys from amazon or LRS), after
a while, we just want to run far, fast, and without injury. Below is such a story where I was with Jim
Jones, in Guyana, and drank that deadly Kool-Aide; because I was looking for a
quick, all-encompassing fix. Boy was I
wrong.
Mid story foreword: This is my experience. Not yours.
Do not whine because I didn’t like these shoes. Runners are vicious about this stuff, am I
right?
I was reading through my favorite magazine (ugh, I guess
this has to be one of those “do as I say” situations) Runner’s World when I saw
a large, cool, bright, and awesome shoe.
This shoe was an “alternative” type of running shoe that has lugs on the
bottom that promote natural running (we all know who I am talking about now). Underneath this printed shoe was an
invitation for a 45 day trial; no gimmicks, no tricks, 45 days to try out a
brand new shoe with no strings
attached. Side note: Because of low
arches, I am stuck in Stability shoes that are admittedly less cool than
lighter, faster, more colorful neutral shoes.
The agony! These “alternative
shoes” have been hailed by everyone who runs in them as “completely life
changing”. Who was I to say anything
different? It took me a couple weeks
(admittedly a couple beers as well) in order to finally make the decision to
spend the outlandish amount of money on these god-like shoes. They arrived, I ran once, I liked them! Finally, I felt like I belonged! These runners looked upon their shoes as if
they were the best kept, openly known secret.
I was so happy that I could be a part of their movement. I finally felt part of the “club”.
But like all things that were not meant to be, I went on a
second run, and hated them: period.
Let’s just say, they were not for me.
A long story short, I returned them, and learned a valuable lesson:
don’t drink the Kool-Aide. I succumbed
to the feeling that I have always warned myself about, what the “man” wants me
to have. Although I break this rule all the time, I try
to remain vigilant of the spin doctor’s influence. Side note:
This running company is a great influence in our sport, it is a shame
their shoes are not for me; they were helpful and kind when I gave their shoes
the “boot.”
In conclusion: do I take advice on gear from people? Yes.
Will I continue to give my opinion on items? Absolutely yes. None of these things are wrong. Every runner will give everyone and anyone running
advice (even those who shouldn’t give it in the first place (in my opinion.)) The point I want to drive home is that the
color, mystique, lifestyle, hipness, or brand of a product does not mean it
will work for you. In my experience, it
almost never does. It has taken me a
long-ass time to find out what works for me.
I recommend you do the same. To
state it simply, when looking at something, don’t forget to add yourself into
the equation. It is kind of the
point! In doing so, you drink the
Kool-Aide because you want a tasty, sugar-based drink; not because Jim Jones
says so. Oh and by the way, my opinion
is right, no matter what anyone else says! Runners are stubborn, aren’t we?
Keep Running,
Dave & Kelli
