The great Sneaker debate! What the hell is a Mizuno?

Back almost two years ago now, when I decided to start running, I bought my first real pair of running shoes. Not knowing a damn thing about running I went to Nike town right in the heart of Boston. I assumed since it was Nike town that the sales clerks were trained to help people find the right shoe to fit their needs. I told the clerk I wanted to start running and I needed a great shoe with support. Years of dancing through pain had ruined my knees and hips. I was also still overweight and hiding my secret dream. I was extremely self-conscious and was practically whispering to the lady. What I should have realized was this was a recipe for selling me the wrong size pair of the most expensive shoe they carry. Amazingly enough, this style got me through training and Boston. They did give me black toe nails, giant blisters and the realization that I needed to find a different style and brand. Hence the end of my Nike love.
I started researching shoes after running the 21 miler with City Sports. I went in the day before looking for a weather proof jacket because the next day was going to be a tsunami. I was breaking in my next training pair and one of the guys I was running with comment "You run in Nike?" I was thinking doesn't everybody? Nike is probably the most popular brand of sneakers out there, that must mean they are the best. I was training and planning on running in the Nike air max 2014. I even had a bright pink pair to wear for the marathon (got to kill it in the pink!). I honestly thought at the time he was just trying to sell me shoes. Really he was just trying to help out a fellow marathon runner. My feet felt great the next day after the long run and my time was good. I thought "Ha, see you can run in Nike, plus in all their ads are Kenyans!" Truth is Kenyans can run in anything! I hit the proverbial runner's wall around mile 23 in Boston and that should have been the first sign that these were not the shoes for me. I had missing toe nails and bloody socks after the marathon. I attributed this to the wall but it really was bad shoes. I ran a half marathon about 2 months later and my toes were worse than after the marathon. That's when I went back to Nike town.
A year later and a marathon and a half later, all of sudden, their tune had changed. They sized my foot at an 8 instead of a 7.5 and I was in the wrong shoe. When I went in I forgot I had my marathon jacket on and they were all over me like a hobo on a ham sandwich. They sold me a much cheaper pair and wanted me to try them out. I realized then when I wasn't thin and experienced they could have given two shits what shoe I bought as long as it was expensive, but a seasoned runner will always be back for more. They were wrong.
There are so many different running brands out there. Many you may have never even heard of. For instance, a ton of people run in a company called Mizuno. I was like what the hell is that. When I googled them more came up like Brooks and Newton. There was a whole little world to explore. Plus there are all these different kinds for neutral, stability and racing. I was so confused. Plus the really ugly ones with the toes sticking out which are apparently called minimalist. I'm sorry they look really weird and I'm always thinking they need flip flops with them. After the most recent pair of Nike's died I went to City Sports and got fitted for real. I ended up with Saucony and couldn't be happier. They were perfect for my last marathon, no bloody toes!
The point of all this is if your starting out do your research and try on every company. See what feels best for you and most definitely check out a general sports store. City Sports hooked me up big time. But if you need any help I'm always available and know way too much about it. 10 weeks to NYC!!