My first year running {2011} I wore a pair of Nikes that D bought me for Christmas. I have no idea what they were called, or if they were even made for running. I ran {and trained for} five races in those shoes. In 2012 I decided I needed "real" running shoes so I bought a pair of Brooks Adrenalines that were on sale after Christmas at Dick's. I ran {and trained for} five races in those.
Never was fitted, no idea if I needed stability, neutral, whatever. I'd heard of them before, they were on sale and they were pretty. Good enough for me. Several bruised toenails later, I've discovered two things: I need my shoes a half size bigger {who knew?} and I don't need a stability shoe. Neutral is the way to go.
Since I'm planning on running a boatload of miles this year {and it was time to retire the Adrenalines} I started looking for new shoes. I saw the Brooks PureFlows on sale and had my mom buy them for me for Christmas.
I hate them. And I can't even really tell you why. I just do. Because
RoadRunner Sports is so awesome I am able to exchange them, so the PureFlows are in a box waiting for the mailman and the Adrenalines have been taken out of retirement. Because I'm impatient, I ordered these yesterday:
Brooks Ghost 5s. They will be here on Wednesday. And because I needed to do an exchange {instead of a refund} on the PureFlows because they've been worn, I ordered these this morning:
Mizuno Wave Rider 15s. I've never tried on either of these shoes so I have no idea how they'll fit. Also? I'm now broke.
I know I should go to a running store and get fitted {RoadRunner, please open a store in Michigan!!} but I'm lazy. Surfing the net, pressing "Add to Cart" and crossing my fingers is much easier.
Which shoes do you wear? Do you love them? Were you professionally fitted?
I have been fitted, but I never seem to love the shoes I buy. I still get injuries, still get pain... I feel like it's all a crap shoot now!
ReplyDeleteI used to swear by Brooks Addiction, now I'm trying Mizunos, and they aren't too bad, but I think I can feel them losing support very quickly, which isn't good.
I had a good chuckle at your post - running shoes are an addiction (and an expensive one at that). I hope you like at least one of the pair you bought!
(and Playmakers is by far the best running store in Michigan. If you're ever in East Lansing, worth it to stop. Worth the drive just to go there, too. Running Fit sucks, doesn't it??)
The only running store near me is Total Runner. It's not bad, but it's so small and their prices are really high. I will definitely have to check out Playmakers!
DeleteIf my Mizunos lose support, the good thing is I can send them back! :)
New to your blog-noticed your post about the Ghost 5s. Just got a pair of Ghost 5s 3 weeks ago! Loving them. I was fitted a year ago and ended up in Saucony Ride4-love, love, loved them!! When I went back to the running store and tried the new version Ride 5-they were TOTALLY different-hated them. So I returned them and asked to try a Brooks shoe. I had read some reviews on the internet and it looked like the Ghost was the closest to the Saucony Ride. Well, so far so good! But I have learned-if you find a shoe you like you should buy another pair before the new version comes out-just in case lol. I think my next pair might be the Brooks Glycerin-guy at the running store said it was like the Ghost big sister-very similar but with a little more cushioning for longer runs-thinking I might want them for my first half!
ReplyDeleteI hate that they change the shoes each version. Why mess with a good thing??
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