So I bought a pair of Brooks online during lockdown and have run 200k in them since. But as a new runner I had no idea if they were right. No blisters, no pain. So they seemed OK.
BUT today I went to get a proper fitting. And discovered my Brooks are 1/2 a size too big. And the inserts I was using were overcorrecting overpronation, possibly causing some IT band tightness.
Walked away with some new Hoka shoes in a slightly smaller size, with some soft arch supports. And promptly ran my 5k PB!
1. Shaved nearly 2 minutes off my time - sub 41 minutes (yes, I'm slow, but that was fast for me!)
2. My pace was similar for every split instead of getting slower and slower with each km.
3. My cadence was very slightly faster, and my stride was a little longer.
So happy! Hope to run 7k on Monday...
Can't say I love the color of the shoes but there wasn't any choice...