By: Craig Curley
Running, to me, has always been about feeling alive and pushing myself to reach the pinnacle of my potential. I have been competing seriously for nine years, and my first fond memory of running was during a cross country race. During that race, I remember that gratifying feeling that I belong here. I belong on challenging terrains, I belong on long and difficult runs, I belong with running. I kept running, gradually building distance and speed, and the results I achieved when testing my body invigorated me. I was finding answers to my own questions rather than having to ask someone else. I found the wonder in running to be a magical and nurturing experience, it captivates me and takes my emotions on a ride. Running has pushed me to tears. It has taken away sorrows and has allowed me to reset when nothing worked. It has brought me joy and has allowed me to clear my mind when life seemed to be closing in around me. Running has been my problem solver and has brought me so many opportunities in life. One of those opportunities being a shoe contract with Mizuno.
From the moment I slipped my f0ot into a Mizuno shoe, I could feel the difference in my run. I love all the shoes in their line, however, the Wave Enigma 5 is my go-to shoe for this summer and fall training season. I’ve been plenty satisfied running in the Kazan, Rider, Sayonara, Hitogami and Ekiden however I had yet to run in the Enigma 5. When given the newest edition to the Enigma family, the Wave Enigma 5, I was skeptical and wanted to test this shoe in every way possible. My trials involved running on sandy trails, on rocks, on pavement, and on any other surface I could find under my feet. On my sandy trail run, the upper part of the shoe did the job in securing my foot to the bed of the shoe which is very important to me. When there is nothing substantial wrapping my foot to the shoe bed, the fit will be sloppy and the run will be ugly. No runner has time for that! Next, I ran on a rocky trailhead, Gates Pass in Tucson, Arizona to be exact. The terrain was windy, with gravel, and every few strides there was a huge rock to cross over. Even though the Enigma is not a trail shoe, it gripped the rock’s hard surface and my feet stayed protected by the plush cushion underneath. The Wave Enigma 5 covered all the surfaces I prefer running on a weekly basis, but my main test was running on pavement. My biggest question was how will the Enigma 5 stack up on the roads? I went on a two hour run and my legs felt peppy and full of energy for the long haul. The run actually became my retreat for my legs, rather than work for them. The weight of the shoe wasn’t a factor and I credit this to the fact that it is evenly distributed from heel to toe. I wasn’t forced to heel strike — instead I was landing naturally on my mid foot. The forefoot is built up with cushion and helps with the toe-off, making it a beautiful and seamless run. Simply put, this shoe will make you feel fast.
At the moment I’m running in the Wave Enigma 5 more than any other shoe. This shoe has gotten me ready for the road racing season, and reminded me just why I run and what I get out of running. I’m ready to kick it into gear and begin my charge to the Olympic Marathon Trials starting line, knowing I’ve been able to fill each day with miles in the Wave Enigma 5.
Craig is a proud member of the Navajo Nation and marathoner for the Mizuno Race team. Hailing from tiny Kinlichee, AZ, Craig has been a junior college All-American, at Pima, won the Columbus Marathon, 2:15:15, and appeared in the 2012 US Olympic Marathon Trials. Craig currently lives and trains in Tucson, AZ under coach Greg Wenneborg.