This week’s theme at the Runners’ Lounge “Take it and Run Thursday” is Ode to My Running Shoes.

I was going to write something silly: “Oh, Nike Elite+4, how I love thee …” but then I saw the catch. We are only allowed to use the same number of words as dollars spent to buy them.

While I don’t remember exactly, they retail for $100 on Nike’s site so I’m going with that …

When I first started running, I tried Mizunos. I didn’t realize they were the cause of my knee problems until I switched to Asics 2090s. While not perfect, I loved them for not causing any more pain! After two pairs of those I went to the 2110s, with a brief Saucony Hurricane 9 (I think) experiment that did not go well. Back to the 2110s, but still something wasn’t quite right.

And then, on a Nike promo night at the running shop, I found them. Nike Elite+ 4. They’re light, comfortable, work with my orthotics, and don’t cause any pain!

I’m on my second pair now, and due to buy a third. I had a moment of panic when I didn’t see them in my initial scan of Nike’s site. The newer version is blue … but they do have purple on clearance!