Fall of the Empire

Well I knew it was a matter of time before Asics discontinued its running shoe called the Empire. It was a niche shoe for guys like me who need all the arch support they can get. Anyway, today, I learned that the sun has set on the Asics Empire.

I had been running on the treadmill for a week straight. But yesteraday it was finally warm enough for my frostbitten face to be exposed long enough for a run outside. A treadmill really seems to absorb a lot of the shock my 180 pound body can throw at the ground. So it wasn't until I was running on a trail yesterday that it became very appearant to me that my shoes were flat, and it was time for a new pair.

This afternoon, I enjoyed a round of errands with Emily, which included a stop at Run N Fun so I could get another pair of Empires.

As an aside, Run N Fun is like Target for runners. They have so much stuff there, and so many deals, it is impossible to leave without making some sort of impulse or at least unplanned purchase. Case in point, Emily bought some shorts and I bought some $7 gel to put on my face to protect me from further frostbite. We had no intention of buying either of these items when we entered the store.

But as per usual, I digress. So, the shoe guy informed that the Empire was as good as gone. Asics had dropped the shoe, but has a new line of shoes, the 3000. He showed me that the 3000 is basically the Empire with a new name. So my feet are saved. But wait, there's more. He added that he also had some of the original Empires (now over two years old) in the basement he'd sell me for almost 50% off.

Not only, that he had three pairs in my size. Three pairs, at 50% off? Did I buy them all up? Does a bear... oh let's make this more topical. Does a squirrel hoard nuts in a tree?



It's hard to buy this many pairs of a discontinued item without bringing up The Sponge epsiode from Seinfeld

And I'd also like to add that picture verifies what Emily has been telling me all weekend. I need a haircut.