by Larry Eder
Remember what it’s like to get new running shoes? Opening the box, the smell, and then, putting them on for the first run? That is still the archtypel experience in running, and one of the more pleasant. Well, what if you were getting a pair of shoes just made for you? Sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it? Your fifteen minutes of fame?
ASICS sent us a little piece today on Ryan Hall’s new racing shoes, built just for the ING Marathon course coming in three weeks. So we have shared them with you, dear reader. I also suggest that you check out Ryan’s blog and the four short films of Ryan in the ASICS design center.
How good is Ryan Hall? My belief is, if the guy runs his race, and no one elses, then we will have an America male running very well at ING New York City marathon. Remember, the field is stacked with tough global field plus tough Americans this year ( Meb Keflizighi, Brian Sell to name a couple). Ryan has the talent, the training, the coaching, and the support to do well. It will come down to how he handles the pressure, the course, the field and how he feels on the day.
We are getting to the point, with the likes of Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, Matt Tegenkamp, Meb Keflizighi, James Carney, FAM, that we have a crew of marathoners who can do well on the international stage. A rebirth takes time, but Ryan Hall has the “vision thing” that is needed to be victorious over 26.2 miles of blue paint stripes and black asphalt. Here is hoping the new ASICS shoes, his training and his inner voice keep him relaxed over the ING New York City marathon course, ready to make his move and take his place in history as one of America’s great distance runners. No pressure, though….
ASICS DEVELOPS CUSTOM ONE-OF-A-KIND SHOE FOR MARATHON RUNNER RYAN HALL FOR
2009 ING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON
See Behind-the-Scenes Footage and Commentary of Hall’s Journey to Japan at asicsamerica.com/ryanhall
Irvine, Calif. (October 14, 2009) – In June 2009, esteemed ASICS athlete Ryan Hall traveled to the ASICS Research and Development Center in Kobe, Japan to undergo testing and evaluation, which would be utilized in constructing a custom pair of running shoes perfectly suited to his needs. The shoes have been completed and the 2009 ING New York City Marathon will be Hall’s first race in them.
It has been a life long dream of Ryan’s to get his own custom shoes. He was amazed at the in-depth process that went into creating them. No less than seven experts were involved in the measurement and evaluation of Hall’s feet, legs, strength, flexibility, speed and impact.
His feet were measured from every angle, using cutting edge technology, and his legs were measured for strength and flexibility in relation to other marathoners. Run testing on an indoor/outdoor track helped determine his ground impact, force and reaction time.
After 2 days of testing, researchers had the information needed to create a pair of shoes uniquely designed for Hall’s specific running mechanics. They also provided Hall with additional information and advice on strengthening and stretching exercises to enhance his performance.
“It’s every kids’ dream to have their own custom-made shoe, and now my dream has come true,†said Hall. “I think it’s going to help a lot for my future races to get my shoes dialed in.â€
Hall will debut the one-of-a-kind black and white shes, embroidered with the word “STEPS”, in tribute to Ryan and wife Sara’s The Hall Steps Foundation, on November 1, 2009, when he runs the ING New York City Marathon for the first time. STEPS is a charitable initiative recently launched by the Halls to fund programs which create a better life for youth living in poverty in the United States and abroad.
“My shoe is not just a customized shoe, it is a customized extension of me,†said Hall. “When I run the ING New York City Marathon, I will see all the faces behind the shoe, from the woman who is responsible for punching the holes for the laces, to the technician who analyzed my stride, to the researcher who measured my body. I will feel their support in more ways than through my shoes absorbing the tough roads of New York.†In addition, the R&D Center was able to custom make the shoes for the specific terrain of the ING New York City Marathon.
For insider video and more behind-the-scenes commentary on Hall’s journey to Japan, check out his blog at www.asicsamerica.com/ryanhall.
ASICS Corporation, with more than 50 years of footwear manufacturing experience, offers a full line of performance-driven athletics shoes and technical active sports apparel and accessories. For more information, please visit www.asics.com.
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The stripe design featured on the sides of ASICS® shoes is a trademark of ASICS Corporation and is a registered trademark in most countries of the world. www.asics.com
Photos courtesy of ASICS.
Special thanks to Rachel Kapor for her kind assistance and speedy response!
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