Welcome back to My Sunday Shoe, a weekly blog highlighting the shoe I wore for my Sunday activity. My Sundays virtually all start with a run or some form of cardio, and most are done in different shoes. With over 30 years of Sundays, I’ve run in scores of shoes. Each week I hope to educate and amuse you on my Sunday shoe choice. I write from the perspective of a 46-year old father of two and professional shoe slinger.
There is something poetic about being gimpy for my second week of this blog. It’s been exactly two years since an Achilles injury robbed me of my running freedom. I used to head out in virtually any shoe in my expansive collection, for any distance and effort. Now, I have to think way more about it. From both a training and footwear perspective. Both choices are more deliberate. And boring.
On Friday, I tweaked my right calf on the track. I had specifically picked the track in case I needed to bail early. It’s been feeling wonky all week, and my gut told me to minimize a long walk of shame if I needed to stop immediately.
When I first hurt my Achilles, I got a gym membership. I was so thankful to have a place to go when I could not run. I felt lost without the routine and the gym became the place to go to fill the space. My gym has only one stationary bike, and it’s a recumbent stationary bike. If you’re not familiar, recumbent bikes sit lower to the ground, have a big TV in front of it and your legs are in front of you, not below you. It looks like you’re pedaling a Big Wheel. It’s the dorkiest cardio machine in the gym. Also, it’s the first piece of equipment you pass when entering. I am the self-appointed head nod greeter when I am spinning.
Despite its low gym status, there is something perfect for runners in the recumbent bike. My chariot has 20 positions, so if my Achilles is angry, my hammy is sore or I tweaked a calf, I can always find the right pitch. Seriously, if you’re in an injury rut and need to get some cardio, find a recumbent bike. Ideally, one with a padded seat. Even fully healthy, I now ride my nerdy recumbent bike a minimum of two days a week.
For today’s Sunday Shoe, I wore the On Cloudmonster 3. I wrote earlier this year how much I enjoyed this shoe for running. Recently, it has become my favorite gym shoe. I love how slim it looks while fitting wide. It should not feel as good on my bunions as it does. When I am looking for a gym shoe, I want something pill-shaped, low drop and with minimal cushion. The Cloudmonster checks those boxes and gives me a perfect option for lifting, biking or hopping on the treadmill. On have other models that are more gym-centric, some of which I have, but I tend to come back to the Cloudmonster. For me, it has the right level of versatility to be able to run, lift or bike. If you wanted to spin a bit then knock out a few miles on the treadmill, you can. I typically find a shoe can be great for lifting and gym cardio but not actually running. The Cloudmonster is a real triple-threat option.
The one downside is the laces. I have a zany way I tie my shoes that also eats a lot of laces. Still, I have many extra inches of lace that becomes annoying pinwheels on the bike. There is nothing sadder than the consistent click click of your laces tapping the side of the bike while spinning at 100 rpm. It’s the world’s most depressing percussion instrument beating out a sad song reminding you you’re not running. I’ve also had the lace get fully knotted to the machine while spinning, which is one of the most embarrassing conundrums in a crowded gym. You have not lived until you’ve tried to act cool while untying your shoe from a piece of gym equipment.
I hope your Sunday was drier than ours. Thanks for reading.
