“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is a great American adage that applies to so many areas of life, but is particularly applicable to running, and especially applicable to running shoes. While it can be tempting to try the latest running shoes that your friends are raving about, it is important to wear a shoe that is right for you. After years of trying different brands and styles I have learned that Mizuno running shoes are right for me–especially the ones that provide some stability.
These new shoes were bought with my own hard-earned money
–although I did score a 25% discount from RoadRunner Sports. 😉
My History With Mizuno Running Shoes
I’ve been a Mizuno girl for a while now, but I wasn’t always so loyal to a brand of running shoes. My very first running shoes were Nike Shox, which my husband got for me because they looked so cool. They probably weren’t the best shoe for me, and may have contributed to my very first running injury, but I didn’t know about pronation, or stability shoes, or specialty running stores back then.
After a bad case of plantar facitiis, my podiatrist put me in a pair of high stability shoes. I honestly can’t remember the brand, but I’m pretty sure they weren’t Mizunos. It was after my plantar facitiis got better and those shoes wore out that I fell in love with Mizuno running shoes.
I don’t know when I bought my first pair of Mizuno Wave Inspire shoes, but once I did, there was no looking back. Well, there was, but every time I tried a different brand, I’d feel a twinge or a tweak that sent me running back to the store to return them before my exchange period ran out. Now when I want to try a different style of running shoe, I tend to stick with Mizunos. I loved the light support of the Wave Rider and Wave Sayonara, and even gave the Hitogami a try. When a running assessment suggested I needed more stability again, I opted for the Wave Paradox because they just felt right on my feet. Now I’m back in Wave Inspire and looking forward to my spring races in these hot new shoes.
This week’s Wednesday Word is stability.
Running shoes aren’t the only stable thing in my life. I’ve had the same city as a mailing address my whole life (not counting my address at college), I’ve had the same Valentine for over 32 years, and I’ve worked for the same law firm for over 24 years (not counting the two years I clerked for a federal judge). Some might say that my life is boring, or predictable, but I say,
[Tweet “If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It”]
Do you think you have enough or too much stability in your life?
Is there a bran you are particularly loyal to?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
So funny that your podiatrist put you in stability shoes for PF! With my last bout with PF, my podiatrist did not change my shoes. There are so many opinions on what to do for PF, it’s crazy!
Agreed. And now I do believe that too much stability can weaken your feet. I had an extreme case though – I could barely walk! I had to hobble to the store to get some Danskos to wear at work.
I do have a pair of Wave Sayonara that I like — I didn’t at first; it’s the only running shoe I think I’ve really had to break in, but once I did, I liked it.
I’m actually quite happy that I’ve lived in 4 different states, and really can’t even fathom living in the same city all my life. Heck, in just NY alone, I’ve lived in 3 different cities!
But I did marry the first guy I dated & that I don’t regret. Yes, you do need some stability!
I swear by the Mizuno wave inspire sneakers. I have so many pairs that I rotate – I love them!
Every January, I stock up on last year’s models of Mizunos to last me through the year. There was only one Mizuno model that didn’t work for me, but the Wave Riders have been my true match since 2010. Doesn’t hurt that they come in fun colors too!
I must admit that one reason I bought my latest pair is because I love the look! 😉
As a podiatrist (yes I am one). I like to live by the old adage “one size does not fit all”. I think what sneaker works for one person would not work for another. I am also a little bit of a renegade in my profession. I believe that we under utilize the muscles in our foot and when we strength those muscles we no longer need all those motion controlled sneakers. So I believe our sneaker needs change through out our running lifetime. I apologize for this lengthy comment.
Please don’t apologize – I really appreciate your insight!
I am loving my Mizuno’s right now too! I switched to them last year after my PF and feel very stable in them.
I tried Newton and broke my foot. I tried Hokas and wound with back pain so I’m sticking with Mizuno and Nike.
Yikes, that sounds like learning the hard way what shoes don’t work for you!
32 years is wonderful; ) and I agree if the shoe is working for ya, don’t change a thing. We need to keep the running feet happy 🙂
I love Mizunos too! There is so much conflicting opinions on PF, its crazy!!
funny! you are so right, if it aint broke- don’t fix it! I bet your hubby likes that philosophy too! I am an Asics girl- I just love the way they fit my feet 🙂 those Mizunos look so cool though!
While it is very tempting to try the latest and greatest shoe, I think when you find something that truly works stick with it. It’s funny I started running in Nikes too, but quickly switched to Saucony’s and they seem to work well for me. Yay for 32 years together – that’s wonderful!
I’ve got a few old Saucony’s in my closet – I did OK in their lightweight model for speed work.
I was a Nikey girl for years, until I was introduced to the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8….TOTALLY loved them!!!!! I had the WI-11’s last year (and still wear them now and then), but they just weren’t quite as good for me as the WI-8’s. Currently, I’m loving Brooks Adrenaline GTS-15’s….but will definitely keep Mizunos on my list to try again. I have learned that my needs are constantly changing (due to mileage, injury, etc.)and the manufacturers do alter the new models slightly.
Yes, it is very frustrating when a new model doesn’t work anymore!
I loved my Inspire 9’s I think I had 3 pairs in different colors and I’ve had 2 pairs of pink ones. Then the 10’s came out and for me it was like a whole different shoe!! Rubbed my ankles, I was just heart-broken. I have read about the Paradox so I may try them. I currently wear Saucony Guides but just lately I’ve noticed they rub a blister. It was first in my marathon and I thought well I did just run/walk 26.2 miles it’s no wonder but they did it again for a 10k! Haven’t changed sock brand either so I’m at a loss. What do you think? For now I’m running in Brooks Glycerin 11’s and they are neutral. 🙁
You know I love this:)
I am a big fan of stability and I don’t think that makes my life boring at all! 🙂 As for shoes, Mizuno was my first love when it comes to running shoes. When I first got professionally fit (or whatever it is they call it), it was a pair of Mizuno Wave Riders and I loved them. They were so much better than all of the pairs of wrong, but cool-looking, shoes I had been running in until that point. I stayed with Mizuno for awhile before parting ways when one of the updated models didn’t work for me. I’m a Hoka girl now, but if ever I need to find a new brand again Mizuno is definitely where I’d look first!
After years of wearing only Asics, I learned that the stability shoe I’d loved for so many years wasn’t the best choice to go with my custom orthotics. When I started looking at neutral shoes, Brooks felt better than Asics. I’ve been in Brooks ever since.
The rest of my life, like yours, is pretty stable/boring/ain’t broke!
Thanks for linking up!