Like many
across the blogscape, I was also sent a free pair of Mizuno shoes. I’ve never run in Mizuno and, frankly, have
never even tried a pair on. I have a
hard time even pronouncing the name of the shoe company which is why I’ve shied
away from them in the past. I don’t want
to look like a fool when someone says, “Hey, what brand of shoes are those?” I have to go into a lame Snoop Dogg
impersonation and say, “It’s the Miz-izzle, my schmizzle”, and hope I don’t get
smacked in the mouth. It’s the same
reason I won’t eat ‘hors d’oevres’ either.
I end up calling someone a whore before I can figure out the last part
of the word.
But Mizuno
sent me free shoes so I’m talking about them and now you’re reading about them. It’s all a part of their rather expansive
Mezamashii Run Project that has them giving away thousands of free shoes. If you think I had to go to the web site and
double or triple check how to spell “Mezamashii”, you would be wrong. I checked four times. It’s a Japanese word and it means brilliant”
or “eye opening”. In exchange for the
free shoes, I expected to have to paint a fence or wax a car or, at the very
least, catch a fly with some chopsticks.
Yes, my world view of Japanese culture was informed largely from The
Karate Kid (along with a sprinkle of Michael Keaton’s Gung-Ho…oh, and who can
forget “The Donger needs food!”)
I started my
running hobby in Adidas Response until I wised up and realized I was the only
guy at a race wearing Adidas. That’s as
embarrassing as wearing cargo shorts to a 10k (and we all know who did
that.) Eventually, I switched to Asics
and have been running in the GT series for about 8 years now. I’ve liked them well enough which is why I’ve
never really checked into another brand or style. But free is free and I’m nothing if not a
product hors d’oevres.
They even
let me select my own style. Of course, I
selected the gaudiest pair of red shoes I could find. Maybe part of me wants to be Dorothy with the
little red ruby shoes? That would go a
long way towards explaining all of the ridiculing I took in high school. I chose one of their more recognizable
products, the Wave Riders. I figure, if
those aren’t any good, what’s the point of looking any further?
 |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 15th Anniversary edition |
They sat in
the box for nearly two weeks before I was brave enough to try them out. I’m a nervous Nitmos that way. Change doesn’t come easy for me. I still have The Bangles on my iPod. Then, I took them out and walked around for a
bit. My knees didn’t buckle. My hamstring didn’t tear. So, I took them out for a 6 mile run. They felt different. They aren’t my Asics. They had less of a platform, round feeling in
the toe box. It’s more pointed with more
of the cushioning seeming to fall at the mid foot. My first mile was a bit strange. I felt like I was walking like an Egyptian.
But after I
got over the ‘It’s just different’ feeling of having another shoe on my foot, I
settled in for a comfortable run. The
shoes fit well. They felt smooth
carrying me down the sidewalks. I think
I have pretty decent running form – mainly a mid foot striker but with a touch
of under pronation – and the design of the shoe seemed to match my
tendencies. They are a tad lighter than
my Asics but also a bit stiffer. If you
are running straight, as most runners do, they are perfectly flexible and
fine. I noticed on turns, however, that
I can almost feel the twist of the shoe fighting back against me. After their running life cycle is complete, I’m
not sure I’d be able to transition these shoes to my every day/play soccer in
the yard shoes due to this lack of sideways flexibility.
However, as
running shoes, I was surprisingly impressed.
In fact, my Asics are basically worn through and need to be replaced but
I’ve been in no hurry to do so since the Mizuno Wave Rider 15’s are filling in
quite nicely.
It even has
me considering actually spending my own money on a pair which, ultimately, was
probably part of their devilish plan.
The evaluation continues…
And here’s
the part that you are probably MOST interested in: You can get a free pair too! Maybe.
Go here to apply for an invite to be part of the Mezamashii Run Project
and the recipient of a free pair of Miz-izzles.
You can be a product hors d’oevres too!
Nitmos-san say,
Konnichiwa bitches and…
幸福の小道 (Happy trails)
6 comments:
I wonder if I've missed my window for selecting my free pair. I got the invite like the rest of you clowns, signed up online, but then balked at the rest of the process when it said I had to actually call and actually talk to someone about my shoe choice. I don't want to talk to people.
Viper - you should call. It was painless - even for an oddball blogger who prefers text over talk. I had to speak to a human being for less than 2 minutes. ;)
Nitmos - I ran in the Wave Riders for years... I almost asked for a new red pair, too, just so I could have fancy feet! But I decided to try a new style, just to see how they ride... Mine should arrive next week. Until then I'll have to live vicariously through your post.
Is this two "fine folks" posts in a row? Sell out.
I'd be a product hors d'oevres for free shoes, too. I'd even tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue. I want free shoes! Pimp me out, already!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven't tried a new brand of shoe in almost 6 years...I am the same as you...underpronate, mid to forefoot strike, and quite content with asics GT 2110. I can (and do) put 1,000 miles my GTs and wear them until the treads are completely smooth and I do not suffer any ill effects. So after reading your post, I thought well if you like the miz-zizzles, maybe I will like the miz-izzles. So the fine folks at mizzizzlezzuno should be happy with you that you encouraged someone to try their shoes ... of course I won't be BUYING a pair. I will only try a pair if they send a pair to me for free. so maybe they won't be happy ?!?
Hope they're better than the 14s. Those did a number on mah pretty toes.
Post a Comment