There are tons of non-maxi shoes around still.

Late reply, but I went to Dick's after posting this to pick up some new running shoes, and literally every single pair had those marshmallow soles. Not all of them were 3", but they don't make them like they used to.

> a 3" thick sole, with a 1" protrusion coming out the back. Most running shoes look goofy has hell

I call them clown shoes. Unfortunately, they are everywhere.

They are officially called ugly sneakers and the name is very appropriate.

Try Mizunos. My Wave Riders have the amount of foam that a pair of ugly Sketchers would.

I recommend Doctors of Running (website & podcast). They're a group of running PTs and each of them has different needs & preference. One in particular likes less cushioned and more structured shoes. There are ample options out there.