A Parting Love Letter

Dear Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8,

If you are reading this, you will know, deep in your sole, that we have parted ways.

I still remember the day I bought you. You were the replacement to my Asics GT-2140, using my discount coupon from the Genting Trailblazer 08. What caught my eye about you is your yellow, white and grey persona that is striking but also maintains a  degree of seriousness, a shoe that requires a level of commitment and passion.

Being a support shoe that you are to support overpronators and low arch feet like mine, I could feel your patented Duomax cushioning when I first broke you in. Oh, did you remember that time, Brooks?? It was a foggy Sunday morning at Lake Gardens, I was uncertain on your ability after having 3 wonderful years with Asics. But I gave you a chance, I slipped you on, wrapped your laces around tight and off we went. We never looked back from that, did we?

I continued my training with you and you would greet me with welcoming, wanting eyes when I got back from work, for me to put you on so we could pound the gravel, hard and fast. You never let the force bouncing back from the asphalt hit my feet and hurt me, your cushioning absorbed it, lovingly some might say, proving  that you do care for me. For days when I was too tired or lazy, you gave me wicked glances from under the shoe rack, mocking me, calling me the f-word. I was hurt sometimes, but now I know, like a grumpy parent, that you only wanted the best for me.

How could I ever forget you? You were there with me when I ran my first half marathon at Std Chartered KL 2009, 21 km seemed impossible to me at one point. but when I remember I had you, I felt warm, secure and deep down inside, I knew we were going to cross that line together. We went on and finished 2 more half marathons together. Don’t you ever forget that.

You are not just a shoe, no. When I slip you on, you stop being a high-tech cohesion of rubber, fabric and ropes.  You become a part of me, my own flesh and blood. We talk to each other, understand one another. When I slip you on, it is as if neurons have sprouted from your inner sole to my feet, sending signals to my brain; C’mon, Be Faster. Stronger. Better. And as a part of me, we together clocked a total distance of 565 km…..TOGETHER!

But with everything, this too, shall pass. I know you will understand when I’m saying to a new pair of New Balance 1224. While your heart may burn when all you see see is her supple, soft cushioning, her shiny acrylic design motifs, please remember that you will always hold this place in my heart and I will still continue to use you as gym shoes. A new journey, for us, together again.

 

 

Love,

A Runner

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