Shoes, SHOES Everywhere… which to choose? A guide for Runners

There are certain topics that are taboo among runners and racing enthusiasts, each athlete, whether professional or amateur has a recipe for a great and enjoyable run. Mp3 or no Mp3? What to eat? Where to run? Etc ... but there is no issue more sacred to him that his shoes... in many ways it is the Holy Grail of a RUNNER, finding the perfect shoe.

For many, just starting in this sport, this in itself is a topsy turvy search and everyone has their own secret formula. ... most will try to sell you on their brand, and God have pity on your soul and you commit the cardinal sin: Going to a store and expecting reasonable assistance from a salesperson.

Anecdote time: the first time, I ran was with some old Converse All Stars, by the end of the week, I had the Chuck Taylors destroyed and my legs in constant pain ... as such I decided to go buy a decent pair of trainers ... Second mistake: I ended up buying basketball sneakers which boiled my feet... so I am well aware of the anxiety such a quest can produce.

Each company has their perfect tool, that little quizmo, they swear will make all your wet dreams come true… this is false, it is a personal choice perhaps you lean towards blonds not brunettes or you are more of a redhead kind of person… it all in the pursuer’s mind and taste.

Before approaching the chart that I designed bellow ... I'll lay down some facts to consider before buying any shoes.

1. Weight matters, the more weight you have, the more cushioning your knees and legs will need, so if you have an issue... my humble suggestion is to opt for more cushioning.

2. Don’t loose your mind with the fact that each company puts a number after their brand or model ... it simply means the generation of that shoe ... in other words how many years have transpired since they were released ...

3. There is NO one shoe pair, for all occasions ... maybe one day you face the task of running 50km, another you have an adventure race, or just need some simple training shoes ... they all have their purpose and were made specifically to meet that goal.

4. Try to have at least 2 pairs, so you may exchange between them and thus give them time to recover some of their cushioning ....

5. Always try to buy a pair with air chamber is not exposed, because although they look "cool" at the end this added accessory may damage easily.

6. Discover what kind of tread you have:

- Normal (pronation)

- Overpronation

- Supination.

And finally its time to pay up and give forth what i promised in the first place. I hope this chart helps guide the pro and more importantly the rookie in finding the perfect tool for the job at hand

Graphic design Johanna Pizlo

Carrera Perruna (Caninaton)

Como muchos de ustedes saben y nunca he escondido este hecho, en lo más mínimo: yo soy un amante de los perros ... bueno mejor dicho soy un “animal person” ... me encantan los gatos, perros, canguros, serpientes, loros e incluso arácnidos (siempre que se mantengan alejados de mí) ... como tal, quedé un poco deslumbrado con una de las carreras de esta semana, EL CANINATON (traducido libremente "el maratón canino", a pesar de llamarlo un maratón, la distancia real es de unos 3 km) ... Tal vez no sea tan glamorosa como la carrera Nike (la carrera de las chicas), que se celebra un día después, pero aunque se ha visto ensombrecida por una marca mucho más popular, ha logrado un equilibrio en la mente del público.

"El Caninaton" se llevará a cabo el sábado 19 de marzo en Buenos Aires, es el tipo de espectáculo cuyo verdadero propósito no tiene nada que ver con su función implícita (una carrera) ... El costo de participación es meros 10 pesos argentinos (menos de 3 dólares) y en cambio, no sólo contribuye con 4 kilogramos (cerca de 9 libras) de alimento para perros que será donado a diversos refugios de animales, sino también adquiere los siguientes elementos: Una camisa de gimnasia, hidratación, y un espectáculo al final de la prueba.

Vamos a ser honestos:

"¿QUE SE PUEDE COMPRAR AHORA EN DIA CON 10 PESOS?"

Tanto es así, que uno comienza a preguntarse:

¿Cómo puede llegar a cubrir los costos la organización,

cobrando solo esta suma??

No sólo tienen la necesidad de pagar por las camisetas y su diseño, pero también necesitan extender "la mulla" y pagar por los permisos, las bebidas, la publicidad, carteles, pagarle al personal y cientos de otros artículos ... ahora todos sabemos que: PEDIGREE no es exactamente una empresa pobre, por el contrario (según Wikipedia y Google), este fabricante de alimentos para mascotas pertenece en realidad a MARS Incorporated, cuyo valor aproximado es de 30 mil millones de dólares (5 º en el listado de la revistas Forbes 2008. ) ... y para aquellos de ustedes que no conocen MARS Inc... vamos a decir que aparte de alimentos para animales, también atienden a un paladar más crítico (M & Ms, Snickers, Mars Bars, Twix, Skittles, Starburts, etc) ...

Por lo tanto es el tipo de empresa que puede llegar a afrontar los gastos de un evento así, ganarse un poco de publicidad, hacer buenas Relaciones Publicas y creo yo, lograr un bien común en el proceso.

Por cualquier motivo que realmente tengan (y en algún momento la causa, en realidad podría justificar los medios), para organizar esta carrera ... el resultado y el objetivo debe ser subrayado: Pedigree comenzó en 2008 en la Argentina su PROGRAMA DE ADOPCIÓN CANINO, una empresa totalmente libre, generado con el solo propósito; encontrar hogares para los menos afortunados de nuestros amigos de cuatro patas, hasta ahora han logrado un buen trabajo. Solo tiene un requisito, a la hora de la adopción, que es: AMAR A SU MASCOTA ... algo bastante simple ... llevarlos a dar un paseo alrededor de la cuadra, darles alimento, un hogar, un poco de compañía ... créanme que les va a encantar... Eso es todo lo que piden y todo lo que en realidad necesitan.

Así que, incluso si usted no tiene un perro, incluso si no han caminado 3 km en su vida, el sábado 19 de marzo 2011 a las 15:00 en Avenida F. Alcorta Y Pinedo, Buenos Aires, vengan y únanse a las festividades, mire a su alrededor tal vez se encuentra (entre los perros que aparecen en adopción… no se robe uno de los competidores) a su nuevo compañero constante ...

Ellos necesitan su ayuda, ellos quieren su ayuda y todo lo que tienes que hacer es llegar y enamorarte de uno.

Para mas info http://pedigree.com.ar/index.asp

Puppy Run (Caninaton Pedigree)

As many of you know and since I have not in the least hidden, said fact: I am a dog person… well more to the point I’m an animal person… I love cats, dogs, wallabies, snakes, parrots and even arachnids (just as long as they stay away from me)… as such I became entranced with one of this week’s race, THE CANINATON (loosely translated “the canine marathon”, although calling it a marathon would be ingratiating it, the real distance is about 3km)… It may not be as glamorous as the Women's NIKE race, that is being held one day after, but although it is overshadowed by a vastly more popular brand, it has managed to a footing in the publics mind.

“The Caninaton” will be held on Saturday the 19^th of March in Buenos Aires, it’s the sort of spectacle whose, true purpose has nothing, to do with its implied function (a race)… The cost of participation is a mere 10 pesos (that less than 3 dollars) and in exchange you not only contribute with 4 kilograms (about 9 pounds) of dog food for different animal shelters, but also acquire the following items: One Dry fit shirt, hydration and snacks during the “race” and a show afterword.

Lets be honest “That’s a lot for you buck”

So much so that one has to begin to wonder:

How does the organization cover costs for such an event with 3 bucks a head???

Think about, not only do the need to pay for the shirts and design, but they also need to spread out “the mulla” and pay for permits, drinks, publicity, posters and hundreds of other items… now we all know that PEDIGREE isn’t exactly a poor company, on the contrary (according to Wikipedia and google), this pet food manufacturer belongs in reality to MARS INCORPORATED, a 30 billion dollar privately own organization (5^th in Forbes magazines 2008 list of privately held companies in the U.S.A)… and for those of you who do not associate MARS Inc with your everyday life… well lets just say that aside from animal food, they also cater to our more critical palate (M&Ms, snickers, Mars Bars, twix, skittels, starburst, etc)…

So all in all they have the cash for such an event… and to publicly get some nice PR in the process…

But that really is beside the point, for whatever reason they truly have (and sometime the cause, might actually justify the means), they are staging such a race… the outcome and the objective must be underlined: in 2008 Pedigree began in Argentina their DOGGY ADOPTION PROGRAM a completely free enterprise spawned with the single purpose; finding homes for the less fortunate of our 4 legged friends, so far they managed a stand up job… the only requisites are: LOVE YOUR PET... rather simple request… take them out for a walk around the block, give the nourishment, a home, some company… trust me they will love it and love you in return… That’s all they ask and all you actually need to adopt one of these beauties.

So even if you do not have a Dog, even if you haven’t walk 3km in your life stop by on Saturday the 19^th at 3 o’clock at this location: Av. Alcorta and Indtendiente Pinedo, and join the festivities. Look around, perhaps you will find (among the dogs displayed for adoption) your new constant companion…

They need your help, they want your help and all you have to do is show up and fall in love with them.

For more info http://pedigree.com.ar/index.asp