Ode to my Running Shoes (A different sort of anniversary)

Today marks a different sort of anniversary for me. While nowhere near as special, important, or wonderful as yesterday's anniversary, it is one that I feel much more comfortable waxing poetic about without getting gooey responses from all y'all.

Today is the year anniversary that I broke in my Nike Air Zoom Running Shoes and officially kicked off my transition towards becoming a serious runner. I love my shoes for multiple reasons including the fact that they are comfortable and run great, that they are custom designed and allow me to show my Syracuse Pride, but most important because they are part of the Nike Plus system. Nike Plus, for those who are not familiar is a partnership that Nike formed with Apple to bring running to the web. The partnership turned my regular running shoes into a glorified pedometer. Inside the shoe is a transmitter, which talks to my iPod and allows me to keep track of the distance that I have run. The iPod keeps track of the time run, the miles accumulated, and the pace that I am currently running. In addition, as I'm running a motivating voice tells me what I have I accomplished and what my current pace is or if I choose to run for a specific mile/time/calorie marker, the voice will let me know key milestones along the run. ("Half-Way There! 2.5 miles to go!") After the run, I can then upload my digitized runs to my personal Nike Plus website and keep track of my overall pace, set goals for the future, or compare runs with other runners in the Nike Plus system. This I think above all has most helped my transition to a serious runner because it allowed me to visualize progress and distance.

Looking back at the past year, it is clear how much I have improved in both speed and stamina. My first run was just about 3.5 miles and I can remember just being whipped at the end of it. Now a 3.5 mile run is my minimum and what I do for an easy workout. In the past year, I have run just over 250 miles, but am especially happy that in the past three months, I have run almost 115 miles. My goal for 2008 is to run 300 miles, which I think will be very doable.

So there you go. Oh running shoes, how I love you! While I don't lace up again until Friday, I will spend today remembering all the wonderful runs we have had in the past and the runs we will continue to have in the future. (At least until you are worn down, and I need to buy a replacement)

In other things: Some big news is on its way, so be prepared for that. But first I will enjoy the anniversaries, then announce the big news. I will blog with you later.

-Nice Guy-