Sunday, July 14, 2013

I Like the Way You Walk, MmmHmm

It's a semi-well-known fact that we've got sneakerheads in our community. Zman dropped science about the awful Air Obamas released in 2009. And just today, Mark nodded approvingly at former Gator Joe Haden's impressive collection of kicks:

We've also got a couple of runners in our number. Danimal's a damn Ironman, I log a few miles when not loudly suffering from poison ivy, Dave's run a marathon, and Clarence has worn a mean path from his couch to his fridge.

I don't think either group will have many kind things to say about Adidas' new offering. The Springblade (pictured below) will go on the market on August 1, retailing for $180. The shoe will immediately serve to identify poseurs who have both way too much disposable income and a substantial need to have people make fun of them behind their backs.


According to Adidas America's Director of Running (setting aside his support for these abominations, that seems a cool job) Mikal Peveto, "Six years in the making, Springblade provides one of the highest energy returns in the industry." Six years in the making, and nobody looked closely and said, "Dude, it makes me look like a millipede"?

I get the need to innovate, and I understand that true trailblazers run the risk of looking like idiots. You're talking to the guy who's leading the 'rugby will be America's sport' bandwagon. And wore seersucker pants to a biker bar. Truly, I get it.

I'm also a huge Adidas fan - I like their styling much better than any other major athletic brand. I own multiple pairs of their shoes, several pairs of shorts, multiple shirts, and even a golf jacket. I'm pro-Adidas, in a major way. (Note to Adidas: I'm not one of those bloggers averse to taking free stuff to say good things about products and/or companies. Hit me up. We'll talk.)

But I'm not wrong about the Springblade. Those things are awful. Bookmark this post, because it may be the only place you can see a picture of these shoes.

Other than Mikal Peveto's closet.

77 comments:

TR said...

If those shoes can help drag my lethargic ass across the finish line of a 10K I want to run in September, I will consider them. They could be the coolest kicks I've seen since the Reebok pump.

Dave said...

those things are ONLY for running forward. god forbid you need to back out of the way of a runaway train wearing those things.

zman said...

Do not step in dog shit with these.

zman said...

Have any of you Adidas heads/sneakerheads tried out the Boost? Are they legit running shoes?

Mark said...

Funny you mention the G:TB community's love if shoes. About to hit the Nike outlet in Kissimmee. The only good thing about Kissimmee.

Greg said...

I thought the Teej only wore New Balance "Dad" shoes.

Greg said...

Also, Happy Bastille Day!!! Something else happened on July 14, but I can't quite remember.

Danimal said...

Did the Marls wear these today in his NYC tri debut? Nice goin's.

T.J. said...

Don't hate on New Balance kicks, sir

Greg said...

Howie Felterbush

Mark said...

TJ sports New Balance sneakers to avoid a narrow path.

zman said...

Mess around with this you catch the side of em.

zman said...

Mark, let me know if they have any multicolor flyknits

zman said...

Turns out zsister-in-law is in the same triathlon as Marls. She's the "eyes" for some blind woman which means she does the swim and run tied to the other woman and they ride a tandem bike. Preposterous.

rob said...

adidas has yet to contact me with an offer of free swag. little disappointed, to be honest.

mayhugh said...

Looks like the next generation of shoes Jimmy might design to increase his vertical jump. Jimmy's new in town. Jimmy will see you later.

Danimal said...

Good stuff zsister. Familiar with the outfit that provides those services. Swimmin in the Hudson...god bless em.

Danimal said...

I doubt you will see a serious runner in those shoes.
Currently at Best Buy eating into their margins.

Clarence said...

Mmmmm, eating margarine.

Mark said...

Didn't see any, Z.

Shlara said...

Varsity Blues just starting on HBO.
The Sunday NYT can wait....

Dave said...

does zman's sister-in-law get to "win" against the blind person -- or does she have to allow the blind person to cross the finish line first? this seems like a "no win" situation.

mayhugh said...

I once accompanied guy who was deaf (but not greased up) for a 10K in a semi-high-traffic area; lots of intersections. This was back when I was in semi-decent running shape, but still did not a have an impressive top speed. I ratcheted down my pace by about 45 secons to a minute a mile for the guy. When we got within eyesight of the finish line, the dude just turned on the jets and left me in the dust by about 10 seconds. I was pretty pissed off about it at the time, but it was probably the best outcome.

zman said...

I don't think zs-i-l was competing against the blind woman as much as helping her achieve a lifelong goal. You know, trying to do a good deed and all that type of stuff.

TR said...

No Zman, I don't know that "whole doing a good deed" thing.

Mark said...

I'm with TR here. What are these "good deeds " you speak of?

rootsminer said...

Did Marls really do a tri? If so, I trust he wore the standard blue jeans and mustard sweatshirt for the run portion!

rob said...

my daughter danced on a table at a bar tonight, i'm either the best father ever or history's worst monster.

TR said...

Did she at least earn some singles?

zman said...

TR is cold blooded.

Mark said...

I like Danmal. I hope to meet him some day. But even if I didn't like him I'd be happy he was a part of the G:TB community because he introduced me to the Dark & Stormy.

Danimal said...

the feeling is mutual. unfortunately i can't take much of the credit. that would go to sir clarence. i will take credit for moscow mule however, as well as the bacon wrapped onion.

Geoff said...

Mayhugh, why did a deaf guy need your accompaniment to run 10 kilometers? Maybe he bolted because you were bothering him?

mayhugh said...

The runners' path was along the freeway for a spell. They had it pretty well coned off but some of the intersections were still open and I guess theoretically I could have heard car horns alerting us to danger as we were crossing. Don't get me wrong, I served no real purpose. But I probably would have finished 25-40 spots higher running alone.

A semi-prominent local figure also cheated their way to a faster finish than me. Seemingly no one else noticed. I am still gathering evidence to prove it. It is my Watergate.

Danimal said...

that intrigues me...the cheater.

did a little sprint this wkd - 1st once since back issue. caught 2 cheaters on the run and called 'em out. punks.

Danimal said...

prominent qb played golf last year at club up in ny...hits his tee ball way right into woods. caddie & player look for it. player spots it. caddie says, "make sure it's yours, i had you on this line over this way..." player says, "yep, it's me..." player hits 2nd shot. caddie walks in general direction of where he thought original ball was...finds it. personalised titleist with his jersey # on it. there wasnt' any doubt.

Dave said...

danimal, how long did it take you to finish the ironman? i was talking to a guy who wants to do one . . .

Danimal said...

12:20
each course very different though 12:20 at one place may be 14 or another, or 11 at another - a good "easy" fast course is IM Florida...probably the most popular among 1st timers.

Greg said...

C'mon Danimal. We must know more about this QB!

Shlara said...

I'm going to see Book of Mormon at the KC tomorrow night. Really excited about it--have any of the Gheorghies seen it yet?

Danimal said...

i will simply say that i was very surprised when i heard who it was.

T.J. said...

I'm gonna go ahead and guess David Garrard

Mark said...

Tebow.

Danimal said...

after re-reading, i figured the tebow guess would come quickly - but no, it wasn't timmy.

zman said...

Peyton Manning.

rob said...

dammit, summer dave, post something

rob said...

dave,

nightmare fuel. great white shark 100 feet from a beach in chatham.

http://ow.ly/i/2C9ED

Danimal said...

rob/ocean goer's/swimmers - check out ocearch.com
go to "shark tracker"
of course, the sharks they have tagged probably represents .000001 of the great white population but still cool to check out. everyone here in jax area became intimately familiar w/this site when a shark named "mary lee" was hanging out in waist deep water right down from our office...16' and 3400 lbs. it happened in jan so no one became dead. shortly after that another shark was located & id'd/tagged right here at the beach we swam in this past wkd.

Danimal said...

http://www.youtube.com/user/OCEARCH/

a pretty good viewing here imo

Squeaky said...

I'd try these out but I don't think they would last long. One random stone in the tread would likely cause some major issues. And for that price those shoes better last twice as miles as normal. Or buy some Newtons.

Squeaky said...

Some DJ that got the blades.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZndZHECRII&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Mark said...

The QB in question was clearly Johnny Manziel because Johnny Manziel is the worst person ever.

Mark said...

Correction, Monty Grow is the worst person ever.

Marls said...

Danimal, is it a current NFL'er?

Danimal said...

Si

Clarence said...

Marls, how was the triathlon?

Clarence said...

And are you at Citi? Or will you be there tomorrow?

Clarence said...

Dee-Dub just dropped a mention of "the 757." Awwwww, yeah.

Marls said...

Tri was hot. 90 and humid, hot. I had some hydration missteps that killed my run, but I was happy nonetheless. I will need Danimal to coach my next one.

I will be at the big ballyard in Flushing tomorrow night.

Marls said...

Who would have thunk it that Jim Dolan would bring us World Peace?

Marls said...

I really like CitiField, but it is a terrible place for a HR derby.

Dave said...

summer dave needs to finish the song and convert it to mp3. tomorrow, perhaps.

Dave said...

how do you know that shark is near chatham? that could be any shark in any piece of ocean.

Dave said...

okay -- i saw the story. we hiked out most days to that spot to see the seals. my son alex said he wanted to see a great white shark "flip a seal up and eat it like a chicken mcnugget."

TR said...

Impossible to root for Bryce Harper with that haircut. Doucheastic.

Marls said...

Harper's bad has a soul patch? Douchbaggery is in the genes.

Marls said...

Dad.

rob said...

my soul patch will pretend it didn't hear you, marls.

rob said...

evening of mini-celebrity sightings here in the nation's capital. dined at the next table from former obama mouthpiece robert gibbs and saw chicago tribune columnist clarence page. one of them left the scene with a woman who was most definitely not his wife.

Clarence said...

Clarences have that knack.

Marls said...

Clarence Darrow and Thomas were both pussy magnets.

Clarence said...

But we made up for those guys with Clemons and Weatherspoon and Greenwood.

Shlara said...

TR & Marls, what do you mean you don't like Bryce??
He's the best.

And did Mike Piazza get some work done on his face??

Marls said...

That's a clown comment, Shlara.

Dave said...

i can get a post up after i drive the kids to camp . . .

Whitney said...

A close friend of mine and her brother with a disability have been running as part of the Team Hoyt group for a while. ESPN has a very good article up today about this inspirational father/son duo. Read it.

rob said...

the hoyts are an unbelievable story.