Different sneakers are designed for different workouts, all aimed to optimize different running thresholds. A complete race requires lots of different training bits coming together. During your training, each workout requires something different—easy runs, long runs, tempo and speed work—and different shoes will help you achieve each individual goal in order to have it all come together on race day. On Sunday, Natasha Wodak won the 2024 Canadian Marathon Championship. Wodak, two-time Olympian, is an ASICS athlete and Canada’s all-time fastest women’s marathon racer. We asked her to look at her ASICS running shoes, and determine how you can best gear up for your next race goal.
MAGIC SPEED™
“I feel fast in this one,” says Natasha Wodak, of these race day and/or workout shoes, also perfect for tempo runs and interval workouts. “They’re light, bouncy and have a carbon plate.” When you’re looking to feel confident and get down to work, there’s nothing like MAGIC SPEED™.
NOVABLAST™
A daily trainer, easy/recovery shoe, this model has a springy feel for an energized mindset. “I absolutely love these and I wear these the most,” says Wodak. “They offer cloud-like comfort and responsive bounce-back. Perfect for an energized ride.”
GEL-NIMBUS®
Another great shoe for clocking the kilometres, neutral, soft and comfortable and perfect for the day after a big workout or long run. “I like these for shorter, easy runs on the pavement because they’re super cushioned,” says Wodak. “I also do a lot of walking in these excellent shoes.”
GEL-KAYANO®
A daily trainer which offers a protective feel—cushioned and light—the shoes offer a confident, reliable mindset and a smooth, effective ride. “They begin as a hard-working training shoe, then race shoe, then street shoe, a lawn-cutting shoe, then a shoe donated to Africa,” says Rick Shaver, who owns fifty pairs. “They live a good life, my GEL-KAYANO shoes.”
SUPERBLAST™
A super trainer designed for the long run, able to withstand the pounding and perfect for easy or recovery runs, this shoe offers a springy feel and energized mindset. “This is the “biggest” every day trainer—the most responsive and cushioned of all my shoes,” says Wodak. “I save this one for my longer runs.”
METASPEED™ Series
A fast-feel powerhouse designed for race day and world records, this is the shoe at the end of the rainbow, what you want to be wearing when it’s time to compete. “The supershoe!’ declares Wodak. “They’re super lightweight, cushioned, responsive and that good ol’ carbon plate propels you forward. The best race shoe I’ve ever worn.”
To see the complete line of ASICS shoes, please click here.
