New Shoes and a Waffle

[PDIGC]

I had been putting off buying a new pair of running shoes because I really wanted to have a gait analysis and hadn't found anywhere in Gran Canaria that offers that service. So I waited until I visited back to the UK earlier this month and made an appointment at a store in Bath. I was really impressed with their attentive service, the technology used and all the piles of shoes that the assistant patiently suggested for me to try out. She had me running outside in each pair along an undercover arcade next to the store - even mixing pairs on each foot to compare. So, I am now the proud owner of a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23. They will replace my first ever pair of running shoes I purchased last September - Saucony Triumph 19, that have served me well and clocked up 1300 km over the past 12 months! I would have preferred a more funky colour but hey! The upper on my old pair had turned brittle, with holes forming (probably because of the heat here), but what I hadn't noticed is just how compressed the sole had become until I ran in the new pair. I would strongly recommend a gait analysis to anyone who has never had one. Admittedly I did initially feel a bit self conscious with people probably wondering what I was doing, but quickly got over it! I had never been totally happy with my previous shoes, but they were the best fit I could find in a non specialist store here. My new pair are so much more comfortable. I took them out for a 10k spin while in the UK as my small contribution to the running world cup - not that it helped unfortunately!

I also purchased a pair of bone conduction headphones from Amazon while visiting - surprisingly there were Amazon delivery lockers in the entrance of the Premier Inn I was staying in! I really wanted a pair of Shokz but I wasn't prepared to pay that much without having tried them, so I opted for an unknown brand (to me) but are apparently their No.1 best seller from Hanmer for just under £40 and I have to say I'm really impressed with them and I'm also now using them for my online Teams calls for work as well. I've got nothing to compare them to, but for the price I'm very happy.

Happy Running everyone.

Bob

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

All geared uo and ready to go in those sassy noo shoos! On you go!

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Nice post! I recently got the Adrenaline GTS 22s and after a period of adjustment from Hokas I am really pleased with them. Every now and then I consider bone conduction headphones, but so far haven't succumbed 🤣

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate10]

Thanks for the description of the gait analysis, PDIGC ! I might just look around here in Cologne to compare what various running stores offer...

Enjoy your new gear!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I’m a Brooks adrenaline fan too. I’m glad you found a shop that allowed you to run outside, as it makes such a difference. I don’t enjoy running on a treadmill in a hot shop. Out local independent shop does the same. You will find that black shoes are great when you retire them from running to walking. You can always buy some bright green laces to jazz them up if you want a bit more colour.

I love my shokz (just the basic model) and often use them when gardening too.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

A gait analysis is a good investment PDIGC and it sounds as though you had an altogether profitable and enjoyable visit ! Happy running and listening!

[RollingPea]

That was a well-planned and executed effort to obtain specific items of gear you needed to stay injury-free and enjoying your running PDIGC. It does take effort sometimes doesn't it? Well done, it was clearly worth it. And thanks for the advice about headphones.My first pair of trainers served me well for these last 18 months/500+ km. But like you, I had begun to notice they were not quite 100% right. The holes in the uppers were indicating to me that the soles were probably compressed beyond their sell by date - time for a new pair. So, I bought pair #2 last weekend. This involved a 10 km bike ride to the shop in extremely muddy, tree-obstructed, post-storm conditions. The reward was that the shop was fairly quiet. Plenty of unpressured time for discussion with the shop staff, and lots of trying on of different brands, with only one thing in mind: comfort. In the end, the something-not-quite-right about the old pair turned out to be that I needed a 1/2 size bigger than my first pair! The old ones had been ok with thin summer socks, but basically too tight with thicker winter socks.

We live and learn! New size, new soles (yes, the oldies were horribly compressed), running feels wonderful again.

New Saucony running shoes.