And now a word about Asics Gel Kinsei 2. I bought these shoes the third week of July. They were really expensive, but I was running through shoes like every 4 weeks so I got these after eyeing the huge heel and midsole. I ran about 200 miles in these shoes and I attribute the ultimate breakdown of my back/hip/ham to these shoes. The heel is too lifted and shortens the ham. I thought the extra support would be good, but for me, it turns out shortening my hamstring ie. extra padding on the heel did damage to my ham/and then back and hip. I've reserved this judgement but on Saturday when it was so snowy outside, I wore these shoes again for their great traction. AFter 9 miles in those shoes, I got that familiar ache in my hip. I don't know how these things work exactly, but I think that all that extra heel padding/material isn't as good for you as you think. I've been running on the much cheaper Saucony Ride's (mostly treadmill mind you) but they are sort of the purist running shoe--not a lot of big padding. But I think that's been better for me. So I have a pair of $130 running shoes with less than 300 miles in my closet. It's a pity, they are good looking shoes. That'll teach me not to buy such expensive running shoes. What a waste. ANYway, I ran 4 on the treadmill and then 2 out on the trail in pitch black night. The dogs saw my running shoes and started going crazy and it made me feel really bad about running on the treadmill so I went those last 2 miles in the black of night. But the stars were breathtaking and twinkly as I've ever seen them (even in the desert near Ocatillo Wells). It was so spectacular to witness that dark clear winter sky. So glad I have dogs. | 