You may remember that a few months ago I declared that I was breaking up with my Brooks. I talked about how they just weren’t working for me anymore. The pure line was too narrow, the Launches had too much of a heel to toe drop, and I didn’t want to go with anything heavier. I started experimenting with the Saucony Kinvaras, but knew that I would need to continue looking for the perfect shoe.
Well, since that time, my shoe of choice has been all over the place. Each time I had a setback in a particular shoe, I become afraid to wear that one again. How ridiculous is that?! Even though I knew the shoe wasn’t to blame, I didn’t want to take any chances. So at the end of July when my foot flared up again I was nervous that the Kinvaras had played a part in that. (Even though I had a few weeks of good runs in them before my foot started hurting again).
I ended up back in the Launches, telling myself I would wear them now and suffer through the “heavier” feeling until I was completely healthy and could transition back to my lighter shoes of choice. Then I discovered the New Balance Vazee Pace. I had tried these on in the running store a few months ago, and found them on sale at Running Warehouse for just over $40.
I loved how these shoes were lighter, but had good arch support. I fell in love for about 3 weeks before I had another setback and stopped wearing them. Back to the Launches I went.
Then one morning I remembered that I had a pair of Pure Flow 4s in my closet that I had never worn. I had heard they were supposed to be a bit wider than previous models, plus it was getting cooler out so I figured my feet would be a bit smaller than they are in the summer. I tried them on and they fit like a glove. I immediately remembered why I love the pure line so much. I headed out for a run and felt the best I had all summer.
I have worn the Pure Flows for all of my runs for 2 weeks now. They do squish my toes together a bit more than all the other shoes I have, but it may be worth it if these really are the perfect shoes for me. I am trying to not assume that these shoes have helped me to run better but I do think I have become somewhat superstitious about shoes lately.
I am scared that I will have another setback while wearing the Pure Flows and then have to stop wearing them. Of course, there are plenty of other reasons why I don’t want to have anymore setbacks.
I do think there will be a place for all of these shoes in my running rotation, and I need to get it out of my head that any of these shoes are the cause of my problems. All I know is that when I put the Pure Flows back on, it was like I suddenly remembered how running shoes were supposed to feel.
I spent the summer trying to find which running shoes were best for me, and somehow ended up right back where I started.
[Tweet “I take it all back. My running shoe search leaves me back where I started! @runningoutowine #coachescorner #tuesdaysontherun”]
Does anyone else have such difficult relationships with shoes?
Do you become superstitious about a running shoe if you have a bad run in them?
I’m linking up with No Guilt Life, MCM Mama Runs, and Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Tuesdays on the Run and Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs for the Coaches’ Corner!
meredith @ cookie chrunicles says
omg running shoes are such a sensitive and personal topic! and a nightmare you need to find a new shoe. the kinvaras do not work for me, the heel drop is way too low. I’ve been in the boosts for almost 3 years now and live in fear of the need to switch because it’s so hard! I do need a new easy run shoe as my pair is totally burned out yet I haven’t bought a new pair yet because I have been so consumed with the bar mitzvah that I forget during the day lol. but I need them and do not even know what I want. sometimes I want to try something new and then I realize how hard that is when they don’t work out, or trick me for a few weeks until I realize they aren’t working. I have one pair of brooks in my closet from a few years ago. I never loved them but always want to try again.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Its so hard to try new shoes but also good to branch out so you have other options!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
Hey, our needs change, our bodies change! I kinda hope one day I’ll be back in Brooks–I loved them!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Exactly! Brooks keeps changing so their models much that Im sure one day you will find a pair that works for you!
Marcia says
Oh I hope they continue to work for you! I’ve definitely had injuries that drove me completely away from a shoe brand. When Mizuno changed their Creation, that totally shook me up as that had been my long run shoe from the beginning of time. I scrambled to find something else. I’ve tried to love Brooks many times but I just can’t get over 6 miles in them.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Its so frustrating when a shoe model gets drastically changed!
Lesley says
I’ve blamed shoes too. I got hit with ITBS when Asics changed the line I was wearing, and it wasn’t a good fit for a lot of people. My LRS said Asics dropped the ball that year. I ended up back in that line, style #3, and ran my 10k in May in those, but then Asics changed the shoes entirely and they were too narrow and too short. I’m in New Balance right now and those are going well.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Glad you found something that works for you. Its frustrating when shoe models keep changing!
Michelle @ Lively Chicken says
I get nervous about shoes too. When I had some knee problems earlier this year, I bought a new pair of shoes and have not gone back to my old pair since. Even though my intention was to rotate the new pair and the old pair. I’m just scared that my old shoes we causing my knee problems as they were neutral shoes and I think I need more support. After my marathon is over, I might try doing some easy runs in my older shoes because I could definitely still get some more miles out of them.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
I guess it make sense that if we get injured in a certain shoe that it scares us away from them for awhile! Especially if we find something else that works.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
I am back running in Ghosts, which I did quite a few years ago. I also like lighter shoes, and I loved my newtons — but then wasn’t sure if they were causing my ankle pain.
After this half, I’m gonna try my newtons again! So no, you’re totally not alone.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Its good to know that Im not the only one who goes back and forth between running shoes!
Ana says
I was just having a fight with my sneakers the other day and was thinking of your struggle!
I started wearing Nike Free last fall, and they were great! NO issues of any sort. I got another pair of Nike Frees, and then added Brooks Pure Flows 4 to my rotation. Well, my issues started when I added the Brooks! Heel pain, and calf pain. The sad part is that it took me 4 months to figure out it was the Pure Flows!
And now, I haven’t been able to find my size for the Nike Frees! Still struggling here!
I hope the brooks continue to work for you! I totally understand about your sneaker superstition, I’m the same!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Thats too bad that the pure flows gave you problems! At least you figured it out. Hopefully you can find the right Nike Frees soon!
[email protected] says
I am totally the same way! Any time I have a setback I always link it to the shoe, although I doubt that’s really the cause and I know deep down it’s more biomechanics. Plus it’s always fun to buy new shoes for the rotation 🙂
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Haha exactly! Im glad you can relate!
Megan @ Meg Go Run says
Dang your legs look shredded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Thanks to those instagram filters:)
Suzy says
Omg I’d be the exact same way if that happened to me! I’ve been in Asics Nimbus for SO LONG and I was so scared of trying a new shoe because what if I got injured?! I finally tried the Launch and love them but even still I make sure not to wear them 100% of the time. I have to eeeeeease into it.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Its definitely scary to try something new but I also want to have options in case they go changing models on me!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
I can so relate! I have struggled with having the right running shoes and knowing whether I should keep buying the same pair or try something different. I’m thinking about that right now…I’ve noticed my main training shoes feel a lot tighter in the toe region so I’m not sure if I should size up. There are just too many options when it comes to shoes!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
I wish that more brands made wide shoes! I think alot of us find that many running shoe models are too tight.
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says
I don’t blame you on being superstitious! I was a bit nervous after my podiatrist told me that my arches may change after my sprain, but thankfully my Kinvaras have been feeling good still. I loved the Brooks Pure Flows and Connects and was SO disappointed when the new Pure Flows 5s did not feel right the moment they went on my feet.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Im so nervous about trying the 5s. At least my 4s are brand new so I have some time before they will get worn out.
Karen says
You know i feel your pain…literally. I have tried and return more shoes than I keep count of now. I wish someone would let me design one!
I love my Brooks Pure Connects – foot sits in them great, I love the cushion, the arch, but I do feel like my toes get a little mushed when my feet puff up and then my foot pain starts. I feel if they were a tick wider they would be perfect. My Doc, the runner, suggested I go to a man’s shoe but that particular one doesn’t come in mens 7.5, but the Pure Flow does so I feel like at some point I will try it.
I am actually running in a mans shoe now lol but it is working. My toes not being close together is buying me more pain free time on my feet.
I am glad to hear something is working for you!!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
I really wish the pure line made wider shoes! I think that would make alot of us happy. Thats a good idea to try a mens model! I may need to look into that.
Lindsay Loves Running says
I get superstitious about … everything (example, I always have bad runs when I wear my Camelbak vest). I would have had a really similar reaction to your situation, but am impressed with the variety of shoes you’ve accumulated! I tend to overly-invest in one and buy a gazillion pairs for fear they won’t make the next model the same or it won’t work for me. I’m a running shoe hoarder 🙂
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
The problem is I was wearing the pure line for so long that I did start to hoard some of those models! Thats why I had those extra pure flows in my closet. I am really hoping I can keep wearing the connects too because I have at least one extra pair of those.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
Shoes change so much, even within the same model, it’s hard to stay on top of it all! I still can’t say for sure what works best for me… I tend to stick with Mizuno and occasionally mix it up.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
I am already starting to worry about the new models of the shoes I have started wearing. I am finally figuring out what works for me, but those shoes will probably be changing again by the time I need to buy a new pair!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
I am all about my Asics Gel Nimbus. I’ve worn them for as long as I can remember. I strayed once, when I won a pair of Saucony Glides, and after a week of those, it was back to my beloved Asics. I’ll never cheat again…
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
At least you know what works for you!
Sarah @ BucketListTummy says
I think depending on the day, some shoes will just feel better than others! I’ll switch mine out if I’ve had a few bad or painful long runs with one pair, though I’m not sure if those runs were due to the shoes or not!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Yea I know what you mean. Some days I put on a shoe and it just doesn’t feel right! I guess its good to have a few options.
[email protected] says
That’s great that those shoes you feel have been helping. I agree that the pure flow is a bit narrow in the toe and that is way I stopped wearing them. I have been in launch. I guess they are a big heavier than the flow but I never considered them to be a heavy shoe.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
It sounds like a lot of runners have gone to the Launch because the pure flows are so narrow. I guess they’re not that heavy, but they definitely have a bit of a higher heel that the flows which felt strange to me at first.
Sana says
heeheh this is how I feel about running in general. I TAKE IT ALL BACK!!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
I think as runners we say that ALOT!
Lauren says
Luckily most shoes work for me or I just haven’t had any major problems. I wasn’t really running in Brooks and then just ran in the Launch 3s and LOVED them for Philly RNR and my marathon-no pain or anything despite being bad and literally only wearing them for 16 miles before the marathon. Shoes and preferences are fickle, haha.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Some days I really love the Launch, so I hope they can be a part of my shoe rotation! I think they just took some getting used to.
Rachel says
I have a crazy relationship with shoes. So much so that I have five in rotation — all different kinds. I wear two of the same brand but they’re different styles. I used to be a one-brand woman but now I change ’em around! 🙂
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Im starting to get that way too- I just feel so undecided! A shoe can work for a few weeks and then all of a sudden it just doesnt feel right anymore! At least we have lots of options to choose from.
Kristy from Southern In Law says
It’s so frustrating how just one slight difference in shoes can either make or break your runs – but I really really reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllly hope these continue working for you, girl!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
Thanks- I hope so too!