I’ve never had a running shoe problem. Almost since the day I started running more then two miles, I went to a specialty running shoe store, was fitted with a pair of Brooks Adreneline and wore them though five marathons and countless other races. I probably went though 25 pair through those years and should have counted!
My trusty Revennas got me though many races and PRs. What happened? #TrailRunningIsDirty
About two years ago, I had another gait analysis done because I was getting some pains in my foot as I was revving up to break a 1:30 half-marathon. I was told at that time I didn’t need all the stability the Adreneline offered and was outfitted with the Brooks Revenna. They were pure bliss from the start with just a hiccup or two when they made “small changes” to the upper.
All runners hate when the shoe companies make these “small” changes because sometimes it ruins the shoe for you forever and you start stalking running shoe web sites where you can find the old version, and you stockpile them like the apocalypse is coming, since it feels like one when you are a shoeless runner.
The happiness of being shoeless should not be confused with the shoeless runner. Very different.
Last January I started training for my sixth marathon. I was turning 40 and had not run a marathon in eight years. I’m not sure if those two things have something to do with my current shoe issue, but I’m guessing they do.
I developed peroneal tendonitis in my left foot and my right one was going numb around mile 15 or 16 of my long runs. It’s hard to run well on two bum feet.
I did a ton of physical therapy for the left foot and discussed with my coach getting a shoe with a wider toe box, to help with the numbness, as soon as possible.
Two weeks ago, I walked into the Fleet Feet in Longmeadow, MA. Sometimes when you’re on a quest for the perfect running shoe, you have to go to another state. Actually, because Connecticut is so small, and because of where I live in the state, going to the Fleet Feet in Massachusetts is closer then going to the one in Connecticut. Go figure.
Literally waiting for the store to open and logging my “buying new gear” on Wellcoin so I get points!
I planned to arrive at the store when it opened at 10am. Now, I’m not sure if you read about how I feel about being on time, but it especially applies to businesses. If your store window says you open at 10, then you open at 10. I was there at 9:45 but, I have issues.
10am: Nothing
10:05: I start re-checking the store web site even though I’m staring at the store window with M-F 10am written on it.
10:10: I’m getting super pissed off because I have another appointment (with my coach!) and obviously cannot be late. I call the store and decide at the last minute not to leave a nasty message. It took a lot of willpower.
10:12: Two people finally roll up in a convertible who look like they may own the store.
The woman apologizes profusely and proceeds to tell me they were in a meeting discussing a new client they are going to sponsor though a race. The client represents a battered women’s shelter and she actually took them to one so they could see exactly what raising money for this organization would mean. She is visibly rattled and I feel like an asshole. Luckily I’m used to this feeling so I quickly move on.
Walking into a running shoe store for me is like a real housewife walking into a plastic surgeons office – endless possibilities. I love seeing all the shoes, sports bras, socks and hydration systems in such pristine conditions just waiting to be abused though countless miles of sweat and strength. I know. I have a problem.
I block all of it out and with tunnel vision I explain my history, issue and what I need in a running shoe. Jill is the woman’s name, and she immediately throws her stuff down and jumps in to help me. She has me walk barefoot, up and down the length of the store, as she watches from ground level. She takes several measurements of my bare foot, both sitting and standing and explains to me the reasons for each.
She tells me I need even less stability then the Revennas and, this is always the best part of getting a new and different shoe, descends down the stairs and then reappears with several boxes of shoes she thinks will work for me.
Now I get to run in all of them like Cinderella.
She saves the best for last but prepares me for the shock:
Jill: So, I have another shoe that I think will be great for you. It’s non-traditional but this company is really upping it’s game with running shoes.
Adidas Energy Boost
Me: What the…??? I’m not playing soccer, I’m training for a marathon.
Jill: I know. I get the same reaction every time but just try them on.
And that was it. It was down to a pair of Sauconys (I was so close to getting them Tina!) and the Adidas. I was desperately trying not to judge them by brand name so I put one Saucony and one Adidas on each foot, and headed out the door.
It was no contest. Hands down Adidas. I’m still in shock.
Could these shoes be any more boring?
So I am now running in Adidas running shoes (which is just weird to write) and loving them. There is absolutely nothing in the upper to cause a blister, my feet are staying awake for the duration and I actually love the color because it’s really no color at all and therefore matches everything. Win.
I have done speed work, a 14 mile long run and have run on trails and roads with zero issues.
Is it also possible they fixed my heel strike? #MagicShoes
I have learned two things:
- Don’t judge people for being late.
- Don’t judge a shoe brand before you’ve run in them.
I guess I could add “don’t be so judgmental” but that’s just silly.
Learn from me people. Go forth and wear Adidas!
FYI – Adidas is not yet paying me to write posts like this.
For all the locals, Fleet Feet in Longmeadow kicks ass.
What do you run in and why?
Did you have any clue Adidas made running shoes?
Are you judgey about being late and/or certain brands and products? I totally was so this is a safe space.
I used to ONLY WOG in my vibram five fingers.
FOR YEARS AND YEARS.
and now?
I wear the biggest shoes around 🙂
HOKA.
and I love.
I absolutely love my HOKAs and they are my go-to recovery shoe because they are like two pillows for my tired feet!
I ran in the Adrenaline’s and Ravenna. But then the Ravenna caused serious blisters on my big toes and I made the switch to Saucony. With all my recent foot problems, it’s been suggested that I try another shoe. One that Carla mentioned above.I’m not sure I can go there BUT if it means running…
I absolutely love the HOKAs for recovery and I could definitely see myself running in them if I needed the support. And, yes to whatever you need to do to get back to running! I would run in swim fins if they worked 🙂
I love that you ended up going with the running shoe that you never would have thought to go with and sounds like you had a pretty great experience after all, which made it all worth it in the end 😉
HI JANINE! I have missed you. Can’t wait to read all about your Disney adventures 🙂
We sell adidas at work and honestly they are fantastic. They make one of the longest lasting shoes and have really upped their game. 2-3 years ago these shoes weren’t great and they never saw the light of day. i think you’ll really like how bouncy they are!
I can understand that though. When Newtons changed their concept I had to undergo a new shoe transformation. I finally found a few pairs I like from Saucony and Asics but it took a long time.
I’m so glad to hear you say that as I have been waiting for your expert opinion 🙂 It sounds like there is a lot of Saucony wearers out there now… interesting.
Oh wow! I totally was not expecting that to be the brand new shoe!! I can’t judge people for being late, although I am on time most of the time I have often stacked way too much in my calendar when I am late. I’m so excited that these worked for you!! It’s hard to switch from something you know so well. I can only think that you have gotten better in your running and that’s why you need less stability? Either way great choice and excellent service from the Fleet Feet staff!!
I know, right? Crazy. And yes, I am definitely guilty of stacking the calendar and trying to cram it all in! Hopefully that will subside with the boys in school all day. And yes, I think my feet have found more stability over the years which is a very good thing! I beat them into submission :-)…or ran them?
You never know, huh? I’m so glad you found the right shoe for you! Now go buy three more pairs just in case they change things up! ; )
OMG I know! My thoughts exactly!
You know what my favorite part of this post is? The word “yet”. “Adidas is not YET paying me,” I so hope this post gets to the right eyes – if anyone deserves to be a brand ambassador, it’s you! xo
I always think big Carly…and I like to laugh at myself 🙂
When I first started running and went to a running store and had gait analysis, I was told I need a stability shoe and put in brooks adrenaline and it was ok but would get pains in my lower shins. At some point I decided to try the Nike Free 4.0 and it has been perfect for me. Everyone tells me you can’t run forever with no support in a barefoot shoe, but since then I have tried saucony triumph, newest asics 360 degree whatever it is called, a mizuno, and all give me pain. I run in Nike free 4.0 with no pain at all. I buy them a few at a time and keep stocked in my closet. For me to try a different shoe after other failed attempts now, I’d have to be given them for free to give them a try.
If it works, why change? I ran in the same shoe until I had a reason not to. It gets boring but running pain-free does not!
My first pair of running shoes, oddly enough, was a pair of adidas racing flats. Not the best choice for a trainer, but they were on clearance and I knew nothing about gait analyses, neutral vs pronation, etc. Many moons later, I now run in sauconys. I’d be open to trying adidas again though.
They really have upped their game, according to all the shoe guru’s but they were totally off my radar. I obviously suggest giving them a try.
I absolutely love Adidas!! And got the running shoes right when they came out. Sadly they didn’t work for me – I had running injuries forever till I found Hokas and those and my Nike Pegasus are what I run in. I’ve been ALL over the place with shoes so I totally get it. Now that I found the right recipe for me I ain’t fixing $hit unless it broke. lol
EXACTLY! Buy all the pairs!!
Surprisingly my light weight trail shoes are Adidas. I play soccer and love the brand but was still surprised last year to buy their running shoes.
Wow! Very cool. I feel like I need to form a support group for Adidas running shoe wearers 🙂
i was introduced to adidas boost brand about a year and a half ago. their shoes are awesome. glad you found them – enjoy!!
As usual, I am late to the party, but I absolutely love them and really had no clue Adidas was making such strides (pun intended) in their running shoes!
I absolutely hate it when people are late or stores are late opening but I think in this case it was totally legit that they were late! Also, I’m not a big runner and I usually just use the shoes I get from blog events for free, but I’ve pretty much never heard of anyone buying Addidas for running shoes. However, I like that you put aside your feelings for brands and really found a shoe that works for you. I think we get caught up in the hype of what should work for us in xyz situation instead of what really does.
Absolutely! I know I had certain brands in mind when I walked in and Adidas was not even on my radar. I think I’m more open to things in my old age too 🙂
I have no adidas running shoes and haven’t owned any adidas footwear since my middle school soccer cleats. I was also fitted in Adrenaline, but haven’t worn either the ’15 or the ’14 because I hoarded two pair of the ’13 when they were discontinued, and then switched to wearing the Pure Cadence. I’ve been wearing mostly those, with a nod to the Mizuno Wave Enigma 5 (which I got via BibRave Pro and like, but not for over 5k), and a pair of Reebok that I only wear on treadmills (they have more squish, but not as much of a structural upper). I wore a pair of Saucony to the point where the treads were getting messed up, but those were short-distance shoes too–I need more bend in the sole, since I have big, giant feet.
At this point I’m thinking my feet get hot and tired on the long run because I don’t quite have enough sqoosh under my toes/metatarsals and I’m basically smacking them on pavement all the time. I’ve tried Hokas, and even after trying on a bazillion pair and picking the ONE pair that fit, they cause weird ugly bad painful blisters in places I do not get blisters. Too bad, because they are not cheap. So I’m still ISO the perfect shoe for distance.
Oh I can so relate to trying all kinds of shoes and the blisters, just all of it! I hope you are able to get a pair that works for you. Good luck and thanks for reading and sharing!
No waaaay. Adidas! One of my fav shoes (but for style purposes, not running. hehe.) I just started back running after not doing it for a really long time. I’m currently running in Nike, which is crazy because I’ve always found them uncomfortable until now. I am up to about 3 miles on my runs and feel like I can go a lot farther (8 miles is farthest I ever ran in my life 4 years ago) . The running bug has bit me again. It’s only a small bite, but nevertheless, I have been bitten.
LOVE IT!!!!! And if the Nikes are working, just run with it :-)))
I run in Brooks, but we just bought my son a pair of Asics. Then he needed spikes, so that pair is Saucony. We went to Roadrunner Sports, and I tell you – the people that work there are just too happy. It’s a new world for me, Allie…I’m a little scared.
Because running makes you HAPPY :-))) Embrace your new world Dana!!! LOL!
Hooray for new shoes!!! I would have never guessed Adidas, but so happy you got something perfect for you.
It is hard to let the brand obsession go, but you got a great shoe because of it.
I think we have to be open to the possibilities!! Happy Running!!!!
Yes, absolutely!!
I have three brands that I’m running in right now but I’m definitely an Asics girl. I love them and never want to take them off my feet. But I also have a pair of Mizuno Enigmas that I love “almost” as much and a pair of Adidas Ultra Boost for speedwork! I love the Adidas too but only for speedwork. Anything over 6 miles and the ball of my foot starts to hurt. Glad you went outside the box! I know a ton of people that love them!
That is so awesome that you were already speeding it up out there in Adidas! You are just too cool mama 🙂
I ve never been to a race where you have to step on a scale before you are allowed to start– your results are based on your time and no one factors in your weight when determining that number. While it s true that a leaner athlete can run faster, it s a fine line between lean and thin.
Not sure where this is coming from based on what I wrote but yes, there is a fine line between “thin” and “lean” which the elite athletes will tell you at length! Taking care of your body is rule number one…then running shoes.
Thanks for reading and for your comment.
I’m reallyyyy behind on blog reading but had to comment because I love my Energy Boosts! I marathon trained in them last year. This year I tried to play around and maybe find something else, but since I had no issues last year and love the feel, I’m back in them again! I still love my Brooks pure projects for shorter runs and have been enjoying my Mizunos for recovery runs,but the Adidas are great for long runs. However, every other shoe feels stiff to me now that I’ve been spoiled by the bouncy, cushioned Boost foam.
I’m so jealous that you have about three different pairs of shoes you can run in! I don’t know when my feet became so sensitive but yes, the energy boost are super bouncy and I think I would have a lot of trouble going back to Brooks at this point.