The first pairI bought were Saucony Grid Trigon 4 Ride (I'm an absolute neutral runner). I liked them very much, so my second pair were... Saucony Grid Trigon 4 Ride.

My current love is the Brooks Infinity:

I'm a NB fan myself, but I wanted to try something new after the semi-Brooks catastrophe. My shoes were $120 ish dollars, and I'm still in sticker shock. These shoes better make me breakfast in bed or something...I'm so serious. I did a test miler in them and they feel fine. I like the cushioning (vs. the NONE in my Brooks) and I found out today that I'm only a mild pronator that happens to supinate a bit on strike. Weird, I know.

I run in an older pair of Mizunos. (couldn't even find a pair online - I just picked a shoe at random for RA I really don't know what they are!) Now before anyone yells at me for "older pair" - yell at me instead for having them, trying to run a couple of years ago, hurting myself, stopping, trying again, falling off the "healthy" wagon and now starting again. I also have a pair of Asics Gel-1110 but I find the mizunos feel better - not sure how really just "better." Because I don't know how much I've used them though I will take them into my local shop after my 5k race at the end of September to see what they think.

Currently it's Mizuno Wave Rider 11. I like them a lot, but the mesh uppers mean your feet are instantly soaked anytime someone even whispers water. Also the there is a big void in the sole which can catch fairly good sized rocks. Not much of an issue for me today, but probably not a good trail shoe.

Goddess, I nearly bought the Kayanos but I cheaped out because they were 120 at my store too. I couldn't bring myself to shell out more than a hundred bucks (this was in W3 of C25K when, let's be honest, I wasn't sure I was in it for the long haul). I got the next step down, the Asics Gel 2130, and I really do love them. Asics shoes just fit my feet right, and these provide a good amount of support (plus they're cool looking). The next pair I buy will be the Kayanos though, now that I'm hooked on this whole running thing

I'm not even going to lie, my next pair is going to be like $80, haha. They're worth it, though. I looked at the 2130 but I ran in them and felt it was too much support for my foot. How do you like them? If you get the Kayanos in the new year, you should be able to get a super deal on them. I know they're sold online for about $100 now...damn you, RRS!

since we've been talking running gear- what other favorites do you have? i saw the discussion last week about running skirts- what's it like? i'd fear the chafing from my thighs rubbing together. i also have a problem with shorts that ride up (probably due to the thigh action ) so i found these running tights that are sortof capri length, although they just cover the knee. it keeps them from riding up because the knee stops 'em!! probably my best discovery at the nike outlet. when i first started working out (aerobics back in college) i could never find a good sports bra either as a large figured gal (36DD). i had that enell one that oprah likes, but its so freaking hot to wear and does not wick moisture at all, so by the end, it would be a puddle in there. for folks who have similar issues, allow me to share my lifesaver: http://www.x-chrom.com/xcart_product_page.php4?product_id=V861327