Goodbye, Nike Lunarglide 2s

Dear old Nike Lunarglide 2s,

You will be sorely missed. I remember when we met, during the best shoe shopping experience of my life at Fleet Feet Sports in Adams Morgan, Washington, DC. It was early March 2011 and my previous pair of sneakers was on its last legs. I needed something new, something with a little more arch support that would hopefully take me through my time in South Korea too.

There you were. The sales guy slid you onto my feet and the fit was excellent. I knew after jogging down the street in you that we were meant to be. Your bright orange tongues and laces were jaunty and fun.

After that, we were inseparable. We walked all over Washington, DC. We went to Boston, Los Angeles, Ann Arbor, and Indianapolis together.

You were still in great shape by that August when I was packing up my things for South Korea. Of course I was taking you along.

You behaved so well on your first trip out of the country. You adapted to the traveling life just as I did. I didn’t wear you as much in Korea because you were a little too flashy for work. But you were always there for me.

Sometime in February, when you were almost a year old, a hole appeared in your left toe. I wasn’t worried though because you were still very healthy.

We walked around Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Melaka, and Penang together. Every day you were a little more tired but you were still hanging on.

Then we left for our big round the world trip. I let you rest in Mongolia, since the weather and the riding made my hiking shoes more practical. But I abandoned the hiking shoes in Beijing and you were my number 1 shoe.

There were so many miles we traversed together, Lunarglides. Through Beijing and Shanghai and Hong Kong and Yangshuo, even to the troubled times in Hanoi. We were together in Bangkok, Siem Reap, and Vientiane. It wasn’t until I was in Chiang Mai that I realized you were on your last legs.

Another hole had appeared, this one in the right toe. But the thing that made me consider replacing you was that your soles had begun to detach from your body.

I doubt that my new discount Reebok Versova Runs can truly ever replace you, Lunarglides. I will remember you fondly.

So thank you for livening up my wardrobe, for cushioning my feet, and for your moderate arch support. This past nearly two years has been the time of my life.

Love, Rachel