It's not me, it's you

I've been going through a tough breakup recently. I've been going through denial and not accepting the fact that this 4+ year relationship is over. The situation has consumed my thoughts for the past few weeks and has nearly given me sleepless nights because of it.

I'm breaking up with you Nike Lunar Racers.

There, I said it. Finally it feels like I've come to terms with the inevitable, finally I feel a load off of my chest for acknowledging this reality.

Backup for a moment, how have these shoes captured my heart so strongly?


2008 I was looking for a lighter shoe than whatever I was wearing. I did some research and was intrigued by these super light almost minimalist type shoes, so I bought them and took them out for some short runs and fell head over heels in love with them.

They were light (5oz I believe), so flexible, and my feet seemed to really enjoy them. I trained almost exclusively in them because I loved them so much. Perhaps it is psychological, but there is a HUGE difference between a 5oz shoe and a 10+oz shoe, especially in distances over 10 miles.


My Lunar Racer 2's and I have run every race since 2008 together. Half marathons, 5ks, 8ks and 4 marathons have all been run with the lunar racer 2's. As you see, we go way back.

Enter the Lunar Racer 3


I was so incredibly bummed that the newer model of my beloved Lunar Racer would revert back to the original model as opposed to my 2's. I'm sure I was in the minority on this. lunar racer 2 and 3 are totally different shoes.


(green 2's, red 3's)

The 3's are cut much more narrow and the feel is just completely different than the 2's. I begrudgingly gave the 3's a chance and didn't like them. So I did what any sane person would do, I bought a few more pairs of 2's in order to hold onto this dying relationship.


Almost 250+ miles later, I need to retire these shoes. One of my only cons for these shoes is that they do wear out quickly because of the soft sole (the other con is being Able to feel every pebble, pavement etx because of the soft soles). So I have been frantically trying to figure out what to do for my marathon in 5 weeks.

Distance running shoes are like a long term relationship. You need commitment and trust which is something not earned overnight. after 17 half marathons and 4 marathons, I know how my feet will feel in these shoes.

My only option


I've been running in my Mizuno Wave Elixirs for the past month and have logged over 100 miles on them- including some 15+ milers. I am not convinced that they are a "shoe in" for my BQ attempt marathon except I have no other option available.

5 weeks is not the time to switch brands completely. The Saucony Kinvaras intrigue me as well as some pairs of Asics, but I haven't ever run in Saucony shoes and it's been years since my last pair of Asics. I Know firsthand how shoes can cause injury- my first year of cross county was injury plagued thanks to some terrible reebok shoes.

With 39 days to go until game day, I need to pull the trigger and get a fresh pair of kicks.

Last night while wearing the Elixirs for an easy 7 miler, I decided that it's time to move on from my Lunar Racer 2 heartbreak and learn how to trust another shoe again. We've run as far as 18 miles with some goal marathon pace miles and had a fun time together.


So here it goes- Mizuno wave elixirs, will you be my go to shoe? Will you carry me to the finish of marathon number 6 in 39 days and marathon number 7 in 60 days without any significant blisters or discomfort?

- xaar