Wanna run? Or run better?

Is the summer sun inspiring you to get up and get moving? It is for me! I started jogging maybe 10 or so years ago, but about 5 years ago I killed my knees and it just hasn't been the same since. Every time I try to run, a few minutes into it, one or both knees start hurting. It stinks. So, since I am on a mission this summer to get into amazing physical shape (and I want to start doing fun races like the Warrior Dash), I really wanted to start running again. But to get the jogging-induced endorphin buzz without the pain, I figured I needed the perfect kicks. And since my old gym sneakers were stolen this week (at a yoga studio nonetheless!), I had a nice excuse for buying them. Enter: Asics.

Asics has this great technology: Asics Foot ID. It takes about 20 minutes, doesn't cost anything, and is like a fortune teller for your feet - telling you exactly the shape and size of your foot, your gait, and pronation tendencies. Here are the steps:

• They put your foot in this little machine that measures your foot exactly - telling you the exact length, ball girth, arch height, wide/narrow, etc. It also shows you how straight your heel aligns with your achilles - basically, if you lean to the inside or outside of your ankle when you stand.
  
• Then you get on the treadmill and go for a little jog with these special shoes.
  
• Next, they play back a video of you jogging, and you see exactly how your foot lands - slow-motion and regular speed. It's AMAZING and really scary! I have such overpronation (almost severe in my left foot, and considerable in my right foot) that it was painful to watch!
  
• The Asics Foot ID employee then calculates how you run with the data collected from the X-ray-type-thing and your jog, and determines what sneaker is best for you via the Asics database.
  
• The proof is in the pudding. You put on those recommended sneaks (I tried on 2 pairs), and get back on the treadmill... and see a video of the difference. It was amazing how much straighter my foot was falling.

If you're looking to jog, do your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back a favor and get this analysis done to determine the best shoe for you. My first jog in them was amazing... I was completely free of knee pain!

Check out my personal Foot ID! You get to take this home with you... so cool.