Walking in My Shoes

My turn into an avid walker came about more than two years ago.

Toiling with Pandemic Cabin Fever, I began a ritual of foregoing four wheels for two feet. It became a good habit, usually exceeding 10,000 steps a day.

But I stepped on a crack early in my walking travels. After an ambitious day of walking all over Toronto, I experienced a debilitating strain in my right shin at the 35,000-step mark. After a rest and beer at my friend Jodie's place, it was a struggle to walk the five kilometers home.

During my two-week convalescence I learned two Walking for Dummies truths - stretch and wear the right shoes.

Stretching has always been a pet peeve with my stiff, arthritic frame, but training/running shoes have always fascinated me. Not in an Air Jordan collector sense, but I've always appreciated their zeal.

On the fateful 35,000-step day I donned Adidas Kaptir running shoes. Kaptir's are fine for the gym and light walks/runs, not for epic walking.

My next journey involved trips to The Running Room and MEC where running specialists pointed me to running shoes from ASICS, Saucony, and surprise, Brooks.

I knew all three, but the latter solely from my teens when I sported a Brooks duffle bag and windbreaker. But my research this century uncovered a vast numbered of reviews from runners and walkers praising Brooks running shoes, specifically the Ghost 14.

Brooks Ghost 14s

The Ghost 14 shoes were available not only in an array of colours but also widths. I was sold. With my dad's inherited wide feet, I bought a pair of Size 11 EE (wide) in black and blue. I had mixed thoughts on the colours, as they are the same as a football club I despise, but until Brooks makes brown and white runners, I will suffer the colours.

So it was the Spring of 2022 when I wore the Ghost 14s on my epic walks and it honestly was like walking on marshmallows - supported, secure marshmallows.

And walked, and walked I did with my Brooks. I estimate close to 1M steps over the next 14-15 months. I reserved trails, and rainy and icy walks for my Gortex Merrells (see a future article on winter walk gear).

My old Ghost 14s showing some wear.

Combined with my Outway performance socks (see a future article on socks) I walked comfortably with dogs, and friends, solo on all types of Toronto surfaces until sadly I noticed tears in the mesh toe box and heel tabs. It prompted me to inspect the emaciated soles and do some research on the lifecycle of running shoes. I was overdue for new running shoes.

Again Saucony, ASICS, and Brooks were tops, with Brooks now offering the Ghost 15. Although fetching, I really preferred the Ghost 14s for their chunky, boxy look. I like boxy things - Mini Coopers, toasters, anything with more profile - so I searched for Ghost 14s again, with much less available, all of it online.

So running/walking shoes what did I finally get?

Ghots 14s are still around if you look around a bit.,

Brooks Ghost 14 Size 11 EE (wide) in black and blue.

My decision was affirmed by a fellow walker I happened across on one walk a few weeks back. I didn't know him, but the conversation was familiar.

'Brooks. Nice! Wide! The best running shoe I've ever had. I just keep buying Brooks.'

What can I say, I know what I like. To watch the Walking in My Shoes video, visit here.