Saturday, July 27, 2013

The Next Big Thing

I'm beginning to recognize that I have a tendency to know I love something, but be super tempted to try the "next big thing".
I am a notoriously bad running shoe buyer. As much as I know what I love, I really hate the price tag. Asics Kayano, which are my all-time favorite running shoe, are $150 a pop.

Other things working against them, according to today's running rhetoric: they're not very "trendy". They don't promote midfoot strike! They don't simulate barefoot running! They're the opposite of minimalist and weigh 9oz!

When I went to get new shoes before leaving for California, I went in with a list of shoes to try, some that were a step more toward minimalist but still considered support shoes.

Except for the Trance, which is even bulkier than the Kayano.
The bottom line, I think, is that I like the feeling of having cushioned feet! Plus, I'm looking at 26.2 miles. I don't think switching to a less-cushioned shoe is really smart at this point.

So, "next big thing" set aside for now, I went for the "other big thing", this time by switching up brands.

Like I said, the Kayano was heavenly. But after 230 miles, I began to get twinges in my legs that I associate with worn-out shoes. I run primarily on concrete, and I know this wears shoes out really quickly, but I was really disappointed in just how quickly.

I bought some new inserts and these helped for awhile, but now that my shoes are well over the 300-mile mark, it was time for new shoes. Preferably, new shoes that last longer.

These purple Brooks Adrenaline saw me to my latest 5k PR, but were just too small in the toe.
I decided to look at Brooks. They're being touted as the ultimate in running shoes right now. They apparently last a really long time (if you're not wearing the PureCadence or PureFlows, which have a more minimalist sole). They're comparable in price and feel to Asics. Matt loves his. So I gave them a try.

Originally I tried an 8, because I wear an 8 in the Kayano. But I quickly realized there were too small. They were my "true" size. I like my running shoes extra roomy.

After California, I returned the first pair of Brooks Adrenalines for a half size up. (Fit2Run has a 30-day-return guarantee for club members...you can tear your shoes to shreds trying them out, and they'll take them back, no questions asked.)
The Brooks Adrenaline beside my beloved Asics Kayano. They're all-around a more narrow shoe.
Yesterday I did my first run in my new Brooks Adrenalines. (They didn't have purple in the 8.5, so I opted for lime green. I didn't want another pair of blue shoes.) I had to immediately change how these were laced; the tongue really bit into the top of my foot. But once I skipped the middle eyelet, as usual, they felt great.

Nice cushion and support in the arch.
 My feet felt cushioned but not weighed down. A run in new shoes really is the best thing ever.

I had some leg twinges, but I'm not sure if they were caused by traveling (8+ hours sitting) or what. Also, I felt extremely sick. Like, almost throwing up sick. I think the jet lag and lack of sleep were still getting to me, because I planned to do 5 miles and called it quits at 3.5.
Both shoes have great arch-support.
You know that lightheaded/overheated/cold sweat/nausea-coming-in-waves feeling? Yeah, not really a good thing to push through at a crowded gym.

I need to learn that sometimes what works for other runners just doesn't work for me. I like to feel comfortable, and I don't think my stride or gait is inefficient. So why change up what I know works?

Anyway, I'm excited to continue trying out the new shoes. I hope the Adrenaline can be my new go-to, match-made-in-heaven shoe!

What shoes do you swear by?
Are you a sucker for the "next big thing"?
Are you brand loyal when it comes to running clothes, shoes, and accessories?

ABK

19 comments:

  1. I have always wore Nike and I honestly only have one pair of running shoes! (Does this mean I am not a true runner? lol!) However, I really want to try a pair of Brooks sneakers!! I am thinking they will be a gift to myself after my second half :)

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    1. I usually own one pair until they're caput, then get a new one to replace the old. But I figured I'd be putting so many miles on shoes during training, I wanted to get a pair to rotate. (Plus, my Kayanos are really in need of replacement!)

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  2. I only wear brooks. Just because after years of trying out different brands and loosing toenails, I found brooks was the only shoe for me that didn't cause pain. I only wear the ghost and resorted to buying the exact same pair online when mine get worn out.

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    1. I checked out the Ghost...they look like a step down in support from the Adrenaline. They may be my next shoe to try, post-marathon!

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  3. Ugh :( I hate when runs feel that icky - good call to not keep going. Bleh! I hope you feel better!
    I'm also a bit disappointed with my Nike Lunarglide 4's - I run on concrete as well, but I've put less than 120 miles on them and the cushioning is gone. I might try Brooks after my half! :)

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    1. If the cushioning is gone and you're feeling pain or discomfort, you should get a new pair before your half. They're only going to get more worn down.

      I recommend going to a real running store, not a big athletic store, and having them help you find a pair. The LunarGlide is a stability/support shoe, but if they're wearing down quickly, maybe they're not the right fit for you.

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  4. Well you already know I'm a Newton lover I've really only tried newtons, brooks and asics. Love trying new shoes though!!!

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    1. Someday I'll try Newtons...But any shoe that forces me to do a long break-in/learn-to-use-them-right period is kind of a deterrent for me!

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  5. When I first started running I wore the Nike Lunarglides and I really loved them! A lot! Though I agree with Liz that the cushioning goes out fast.

    After reading about the pros of getting fitted at a specialty store I went over to my local one and was fitted for the Brooks Dyads. They said my foot both pronates and supinates and all of the stabilizing pods on the bottom of the Dyad would help correct this over time. I don't love the Dyad at all - it is very big and bulky compared to the Lunarglide. I would say it feels like wearing a big boat on your foot. I stuck it out with the Dyad to see if it would fix the foot rolling but I don't think it has at all. Maybe I haven't given it enough time (five months) but when I go get new sneakers next month I'm ditching the Dyads.

    I'm definitely going to try on the Adrenaline when I go next week to pick up new shoes!

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    1. The Brooks Dyad isn't for pronation or supination; it's for neutral runners, so it wouldn't be a corrective shoe at all. I wonder why your running store put you in them. (Also, how can you pronate and supinate? That's the first I've ever heard of that!)

      I always do a ton of research before even getting to the store; the employees are often trained at real running stores, but sometimes they're trying to move a certain shoe or brand. The bottom line decision is always how I feel in the shoe :o)

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    2. Hmmm I don't know, the woman got down on the floor eye-level with my feet and then said they both pronate and supinate and then recommended the Dyad. I suppose I am not surprised that the shoe would be wrong for my feet since they have never really liked the Dyad. Maybe I'll try a different running store this time. This one has been in my area forever and I've heard good things about it - but perhaps this particular sales person didn't know what she was talking about.

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  6. I really love Brooks. I've got three different styles in rotation right now (Adrenalines/PureCadence (favorite)/PureConnect). My feet are huge, so I have to wear men's sizes. As I've started moving toward their minimal-ish line, I've found that my legs are not happy when I go back to the Adrenalines, which have a much larger drop.

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    1. I'm interested in minimal drop shoes, but not in minimalist shoes. I like a nice cushion. If you ever find a shoe with a more neutral drop that still offers arch support, pronation support, and a soft landing, let me know! haha

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  7. Great post with great questions. I am really digging the Brooks because they are LIGHTER but still provide me support. However, I am still a lover of Asics because they've gotten me through so many distance runs without pain- I have been doing all of my long runs in them still and I use the Brooks for all other runs.

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    1. I like the idea of wearing a less supportive shoe for some runs and training in what I know I like. Which shoes do you wear for your marathons?

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  8. Since I am a newbie, I have just tried Asics gel which I like so far. Yes, I am a huge sucker for the next big thing, but my bank account tells me otherwise...LOL

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    1. All the Asics have gel! Which gel did you get? In general, Asics are great shoes, so I'm sure you got a great pair to begin with. If I had the money, I'd have so much running stuff we'd need to buy a new house just to store it!

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  9. I started with Brooks years ago, switched to New Balance for a while, then back to Brooks. My favorites were the Ravennas but they discontinued that and the "replacement" style was too narrow in the toe for me, so I've been with the Ghosts for a couple of years now. I make sure to always have two pairs in rotation (I get different colors) and now that I'm on dailymile I can track easily how many miles I have on each. I went ahead and bought another two pairs of the Ghosts I'm currently in so that I won't have to change models while in marathon training, after that I'll probably need to head into the store and see if I like the latest version. I wear Nike Frees as my day-to-day walking shoes but find I need a more supportive/protective shoe for running.

    And yes, I'm just as brand loyal with my other gear/accessories, at least until they make changes and I'm forced to find something else.

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    1. I'm really interested in trying the Ghosts eventually, when I start to play with less support.

      It's so frustrating when you have to go into the store to try the shoes you already think you love because they change the versions year to year!

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