I keep thinking it's still Wednesday!!
Happy Thursday! Happy Friday Eve friends :)
Yesterday, I mentioned I was having a shoe dilemma...
It has been a little nutty trying to figure out the right shoe for me. Thank goodness my local (awesome!) running store has a very generous policy of letting you take the shoes for a run and if it doesn't work out, you can simply exchange them. No questions asked.
Brooks Ghost 8
If you are ever in Santa Monica, check out Top to Top running store. It is a true store for runners. They have a huge array of running shoes, clothing, gear and books - you could spend hours in there and never get bored. Plus every employee is a runner and they have a wealth of knowledge! I love that they also have a weekly running group. Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM you will see a big group of runners talking, laughing and then going on a great run together. I used to go all the time and it's really fun. (No, they didn't pay me to say any of this, I'm just a big fan of this store!) :)
My shoe story started on Tuesday. I decided to purchase a new pair of shoes. I am currently rotating between the Brooks Ghost 7 and the Launch 2.
I have been running in Brooks for a few years now. I used to run in only Saucony and at some point switched to Brooks. With that said, I am always open to trying new brands of shoes. I think over time I just bought what I knew worked for me and didn't dedicate time to searching for a different brand of shoe. I do know Asics and Nike haven't been good for me in the past, so I have steered away from those brands...
After running around the store a few times, I decided to give the brand new Ghost 8 a try. I immediately felt like the heel was a bit bulkier than the Ghost 7, but I didn't think it would be a problem.
I purchased the shoes, left the store and immediately went for a 4 mile run.
How did they hold up?
Wow. It was not super fun! I was very surprised, but the shoe felt too bulky and I felt like it was a big effort to run in them. I compared it to putting a ton of bubble gum in your mouth and trying to talk.
Very awkward.
I kept thinking that the run would feel better, but unfortunately it didn't. I finished the run and went right back to the store to exchange them.
What did I try next?
Brooks Pure Flow 4
I have heard so many good things about these beauties! When I tried them on they were very light, yet they had a good amount of cushion in the heel. With the 4 mm midsole drop (7 oz weight), I was curious as to how my body would react to my foot being that close to the ground. The Ghost 7 has a 12 mm midsole drop (8.6 oz weight) and the Launch 2 has a 10 mm drop (7.9 oz weight).
I decided to give them a whirl and took them out on Wednesday for a 5 mile run.
Humm...they felt good, but I kept thinking during the run that I would probably just reserve these for speed work (tempo, mile repeats and track sessions) and use another shoe for every day and long runs.
That night I had some aches that I hadn't had before and I am not saying it was from the Pure Flows, but I just had a nagging feeling that I shouldn't run in these anymore.
Sooo, off I went back to the store today to exchange them for the Brooks Launch 2!
I know this shoe and I love it. I bought the Boston edition pair this spring and tried it out for the first time in August. Love this shoe! Comfortable, with just enough cushion (but not too much) - I could run many, many miles in this shoe.
I am also going to purchase another pair of the Ghost 7, which I first tried last fall and immediately loved!
Last fall was a huge change for me, in that I had been running in a stability shoe, when I really needed a neutral shoe. ----> a big game changer!
So there you have it. If you are looking for a neutral shoe with medium cushioning and a smooth ride, you can't go wrong in the Launch 2 or the Ghost 7.
I am also excited to run outside the box and try some other brands as well!!
Check out THIS article to figure out your foot type!
Our dinner tonight (Swiss chard, rice pilaf and grilled true cod)...
No running today since it was a cross training day! I headed to the gym for time on the bike and elliptical. I also did weights, core and dynamic stretching.
On to the weekend!!
Have you ever had a shoe dilemma?
What did you have for dinner tonight?
How many times per week do you eat out? (we usually order out one night per week)
Happiness Is Running Life!
xo,
Natalie
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