I was never a big runner growing up.  I remember in gym class we would have to do a few 12 minute runs a couple times a year and I would basically just walk the gym.  When I started running on a treadmill in university I could only go two minutes before I had to slow down.  Well, time and persistence paid off and now running is my cardio of choice.

I usually work out five to six days a week for at least half an hour.  I teach an hour-long group fitness class about three to four days a week, so my off days are usually filled with running. I used to have a gym membership where I would use the treadmills but I got rid of it because of the amount of times I teach the class a week.  Since I don’t own a treadmill at home, I took up outdoor running.

Alright, so when it comes down to it, the most important part, in my opinion, is what is on your feet.  I have a pair of Adidas runners that I use to teach with because they are sturdy, but I have often found that even on a treadmill, they can weigh my feet down.  Being the shallow person that I am, I originally picked up the Nike Free Run+3 in Hot Punch because of their colour.  I mean, who can resist hot pink shoes?!  However, the colour isn’t the only thing irresistible about them.

From Nordstrom:

A minimal, extremely flexible running shoe with a glove-like fit helps maximize the foot’s natural range of motion while providing protection and cushioning for an ultra-lightweight, resilient ride.

The first thing I noticed about these shoes when I originally tried them on was how comfortable and weightless they are.  I bought mine at Sportchek (literally the last 7.5 they had in my city) and the sales associate said that they were Nike’s version of the Vibram FiveFingers shoes; where basically they are supposed to mimic bare-feet running.  They mould to your feet and make running so much easier because you don’t have shoes that are weighing you down.

These are my first pair of Nike runners, a brand that is synonymous with fitness, and probably won’t be my last.  I had heard a number of good things about the Free Run line and honestly, if you are a runner, I would definitely pick these up.  I found that you don’t even have to break them in due to being so flexible and light.  Although I love the pink colour, they also come in a variety of different shades.  As for pricing, they do cost a pretty penny at C$129.99, however, if you sign up for Sport Chek’s email list you get a coupon for 10 per cent off your first purchase.

I also picked up the Nike+ sensor that fits in the left shoe under the sole and if you own a pair of Nike runners and an iPod or iPhone, I would suggest picking that up.  I track every workout, so my iPhone tells me the distance I ran, how many calories I burned, how fast I was going, etc.  It then sends the info to Nike+, an online community that shows your results and progress in chart form.  You can follow friends that are also part of the Nike community.  Check back for an in-depth review on the Nike + iPod app.

My (sometimes) running buddy

Let me know if you own a pair of Nike Free Run+3 runners, and if so, your thoughts on them.

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