eNew Shoes…

So as I have posted on here before one of my most important tools to refereeing is my shoes.  I currently wear Saucony Grid Trigon Ride 4.  They treat me great.  I actually love refereeing in these. 

Well the problem is that they are getting wornout and it is time for some new shoes.  I have about 600 miles on one pair and 400 miles on the other.   I am struggling find the same shoes again in all black.  I have found a pair of Nike’s that have come highly recommended by both another referee and more importantly my running shop who does my shoe fits for me.  (highly recommended for everyone, find a good running store and have a shoe fit performed.  They will tell you what type of shoe you need, stable, motion control ect.)  But if you come across any of ….Please let me know, I will be gratful. 

Well the other day I was in Nike outlet store here in Boise and ran across the total90 turfs for sale. 

New Turfs Total Ninty.....

They were on sale for $30.00 so I though I would grab a pair to toss in my bag.  They might be nice on the line on wet days or maybe in the center also.  I have not ran in them yet but I plan to train most of this week in them.  I did wear them through the house already and they felt good.

Well I will update you on their performance as I have results.  I would guess next week….

No More Copa for me….

Shoes might be the single most important piece of equipment the I use for refereeing. I simply have not recognized that in the past but it is true.

I typically run in a pair Saucony Grid Trigon Ride 4 that look just like this (same color even).  I had a running shop do a shoe fitting for me and left me with a few choices of shoes that will help my striking position and fit ect.

 

I use the same brand shoe when I am refereeing but they are completely black.  They feel great and have decent aggressive tread on the bottom to keep me upright.  I wore them last week in the snow and was alright. 

Last night I had a U16 boys game which was really good match.  Everyone behaved and the game ended with only one yellow card on a hard tackle.  When I got the field I realized I had taken my black shoes into the house the other day to dry them out and didn’t return them to my car/bag….So now I had a choice, grab my running shoes (see photo above) or toss on my Adidas Copas which always stay in my bag in case I have a really wet AR to do.  Last time I put these shoes on was a snow game last Oct. on the line.  I was fighting shin splints at that time and they didn’t help at all.  They also kind of hurt my alkalies tendon a little.  Well I can’t wear those white shoes out on the field.  That is just not right.  So I tossed on the Copas.  Well last night I felt great with the pace of the game and was doing just fine.  I looked down at the garmin at one point in the first half and thought wow almost 2 miles in to this first half and these shoes feel great. 

At half I could feel my legs hurting a little more then normal and there was a small pain int he alkalies so i stretched extra.  The second half went smooth with a little less running then the first half but all in all I put in about 6 miles in the game on the copas.  My legs were noticeably more tired then normal and a little sore.  The ankles were really hurting the most.  This morning the alkalies on the right foot is in pain when I walk.  I can’t tell you how pissed I am at my self right now for forgetting those shoes.  The last thing I need at the beginning of the season is an injury. 

So with that said I think the Copas are done.  There is no point putting shoes back on that will hurt me.  I can’t afford to have shoes be the problem on the field.  If you looking for a slightly used pair of copas (but always polished except last night) then send me a note because they won’t be in my bag anymore…..

Shoes keep me in the upright position which is one the key positions to be in when refereeing.  They may help my speed slightly.  But most of all I realized last night my shoes simply help more then my feet.  My legs would take a bigger beating if it wasn’t for a good pair of shoes.  I wouldn’t say just head out and buy a pair of Saucony, I would suggest you head to a specific running store and get a shoe fitting.  They will lead you to two or three name brands (maybe more) based on how you strike the ground and foot width ect.  I have been really happy with Saucony with the fit for me and their wear and tear.  I found a pair of running shoes that I liked and after 3 weeks of wearing them I was still really happy so I went back and bought 2 more pairs.  A shoe can change from year to year even though it is the same name brand.  Shoes are one of the most expensive single piece of equipment we use as referees but in my mind the most important also.