How To Tuesday (Clean your dirty shoes)

As I become a more experienced runner I'm going through more pairs of running shoes. My closet is beginning to look like a girl's closet there are so many shoes! Recently, I found myself staring at a pair of last year's Asics GT2140s. The once bright white and red shoes are now a dull gray dirt color that remind me of a New England winter where you can't see sun for days because it's so overcast. An accumulation of dirt, rain and sweat have left my shoes in a state that would be embarrassing to wear as casual walking shoes. They have way too many miles on them to use as running shoes anymore, yet they are still comfortable and the soles are in decent shape.

What to do.... what to do???

"There's got to be some way to clean these suckers," I tell myself.

I started out by researching a bit online for things like "running shoe care and maintenance." Eventually I find a forum on the Runner's World website. After reading a few dozen comments and suggestions on the topic I devise a plan. Here's what I did and I'll tell you it worked quite well.


1.) Pull the inserts out of the shoes. Do not wash these.


2.) Place the shoes together or individually inside pillowcase(s) and wash inside a washing machine on normal cycle with normal detergent. The pillowcase prevents scuffing of the shoes and also keeps the laces from becoming tangled. For added cushioning wash with towels or sheets. (Don't laugh at my "beachy" pillowcase; I'm a surfer living in a beach town!)


3.) Remove from the washing machine and let air dry. No need to tumble dry. The shoes will dry out just the same as if you ran a 20-miler and perspired like an animal. If you live in a high humidity environment such as Florida, you might consider using a small fan to produce airflow across the shoes as I did. By the next morning my shoes were dry and ready to wear.


4.) Now you can wear your clean running shoes for casual wear and walking without feeling like a bum. My shoes are so clean now they almost look new enough to go for a run.

Trial Tuesday... Socks!

After mentioning the free Asics socks I was given after purchasing some new shoes recently at Spikes Athletic Footwear, I was asked to review them. I think all of us that have never worn an anatomically correct left and right foot construction sock are naturally curious about the pros and cons (if any) so here's my review:

The Asics Kayano II Low Cut socks

First things first, they look cool and with a blend of nylons and elastane they feel high tech! Far more superior than traditional cotton socks that will leave you with painful blisters. I live in Florida where it's a blazing inferno most of the year, which means sweat. Lots of sweat on long runs, which means lots of Body Glide and good socks to avoid blisters. Reading over the features of the Kayano II low cuts, they fit the bill.

* Anatomically correct left & right foot construction and high-density cushioning.
* ASICS exclusive ankle fit
* ASICS Tiger Stripe Design (maybe they'll make me fast like a tiger?)
* Articulated arch band for better fit.
* Flexible horizontal lace pad cushioning
* "Y" heel gore for improved fit, reducing slippage

The first thing I notice upon trying them on is how snug they feel to my feet, almost like wearing a skin-tight wetsuit. There are no loose spots or extra clumps of fabric around my toes, heel or Achilles tendon. They just feel good.


The chosen test subject is a 4-mile race (yes, more to come on TallGuySurfing's return to running in a future post) called the Run to the Sun benefit for MDA. At the race start the air temperature is in the high 40s so my feet are a little cold for the first mile. This concerns me because I begin to fear that I may be developing a blister near my big toe and I'm uncertain if I'm just cold or something is going wrong in my shoes. After the first mile my feet warm up and feel fine. Throughout the race my feet feel snug in my shoes and I do not feel any slippage, discomfort or rubbing. I can honestly say these socks feel great. There are cushions near the edges of the arches in the socks, but not thick enough to interfere with arch support of my shoes. I have one collapsed arch and one high arch, but the socks fit both feet superbly.


After the race I give both feet a full examination. I'm one of those lucky people that rarely blister from running and I've never lost a toe nail, but occasionally I do get some raw and tender spots. With the Kayano II low cuts my feet pass the examination with flying colors. These socks rock! Seriously, the only con I can find is the cost. A quick search of Google "shopping" (since my socks were free) reveals an average price of $13.99 for only one pair. I'm relatively new to distance running, but I have extensively tried similar performance socks by Adidas and Nike and the Asics Kayano II low cuts blow them away hands down. The real test will be to see how they hold up over time. For the price I expect them to last at least as long if not longer than your average performance running sock. However, I will probably splurge in the future and buy a few more pairs.

If you feel like treating yourself to some higher priced socks I definitely recommend giving these socks a shot. They are probably worth the price if you are blister prone. I'm looking forward to wearing them on my next long run.

Behold! ...New Shoes!

Asics Gel GT-2150

Picked these babies up at Spikes Athletic Footwear a few days ago to replace my well worn GT-2140s. I tried on the new Asics Kayanos, but they felt almost the same as the GT-2150s and for the price difference I just don't see the value.


These will be the shoes I wear for the Disney Marathon on Jan. 10th.


Perhaps influenced by Spike... I felt it necessary to introduce my old Ascics to their new Ascics replacement. Although I have NOT given them names yet. However, I am considering "Disney" for the new ones and "Achilles" for the old ones.


Nancy at Spikes was kind enough to throw in a free pair of Kayano II low cut Asics running socks even though I passed on buying the more expensive Kayano shoes for the GT-2150s. They are left and right foot socks. I've never owned socks designed specifically for left and right feet. I will post a review as soon as I get a chance to test them out a few times.


I know I've been AWOL the past week and even missed my Thursday Stoke, but I promise I have good reason and will have lots to write about this week as I get back into the swing of things!