New (Blue) shoes and happiness - With added downpour.

[Whatsapp]

I have been really looking forward to today's 5k run, since I treated myself to a new pair of runners on Sunday. The trainers in question are Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18 in the extra lairy colours of blue and orange - mainly because that was the colour they stocked. More on the trainers here: brooksrunning.com/en_gb/bro...

However, given the price tag they really needed to perform today to justify themselves. I brought them as I had recently noticed wear on the right sole at the heel of my current trainers - does that make me a heel striker, but only one side? Also, I had started to really feel stiff in my legs after my runs and was looking for a shoe that offered both better cushioning and support (high arches).

Well, I headed out with optimism this morning - quite a feat at 5.30 am - and begun my customary warm up walk. First impressions were that the trainers were not as light and floaty as my last pair. I ws owrried they were going to feel like diving boots. However, I brought them for sturdiness and support. So it was all down to how I felt running in them.

When running they felt good and solid, without being heavy or clunky. Also as I began my run the heavens opened, stopping only as I finished my run. I take this as a good sign. It rained on my wedding day. That drop in temperature helped and the run was one of those where you just feel great.

As I looked at Strava after my run I see that I managed a PB today of almost a minute better than previous (where's a speed challenge month when you need it). Now I'm not going to put this solely down to the new trainers. I had been running on the edge of my PB for a few weeks, held back only by the hot weather, so it was likely I would get there when the weather finally broke; but I was still surprised by the margin of 49 secs.

So both the rain and the new trainers contributed to today's' times and needless to say there will be longer runs than this to really test my new runners - but the signs are very promising.

[Tbae Metric Marathon]

Great post.Great PB.

Dave,you better save something for October Speed Challenge.🤔😂

Brillant 💥🏃‍♂️💥

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Tbae]

Ha ha, looking forward to those Autmunal runs

[Hidden]

Oh, I say those are gorgeous.

My shoes are wearing on the heel too and I’m a neutral gait and forefoot strike. I think it may be from the walk at beginning and end of runs. I’ve been filmed running and I can feel i mid to forefoot strike, so it isn’t the running.

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Why, thank you.

I have never had gait analysis as I am a sceptic, so I don't know what my gait would be classed as. Just seemed intresting that it was only my right heel that was worn. I have suffered pain in that foot, specifically the heel (plantar Fascitis) and wondered whether the two were connected.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Time to graduate to warm-up jogging, then 😋

[pinkaardvark Half Marathon]

I tend to flick my heels a bit when I walk and run. I have a neutral gait but because of the flick I tend to wear one side more than the other. I have walking boots that are very worn on the outside sides of the heel far more than the inner.

With regards to heel striking, many people who think they forefoot strike from having watched gait analysis videos don't realize that they're running form changes significantly with speed, above 7mins per km I'd imagine that nearly everyone is a mid foot striker, but up the speed and stride length and the heels start to come out. Watch people running in the gym(most are slow) and you will see this.

Heel striking isn't the bad thing is was made out to be though, current research shows many 'barefoot' runners heel strike and a lot of the barefoot science is really just made up snake oil science. Trying to change gait can cause more injury than it supposedly cures.

If you do wan't to determine why you wear the sides, it's probably best to get someone else to watch or video you running than try to do it yourself though as the act of observing yourself usually changes things

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to pinkaardvark]

Thanks. I have never had a pair of shoes or trainers wear out like that before. So its curious. My first pair wore at the toe, so I bought a bigger size next time. This pair wore on the heel, so my new ones are more sturdy.

There is a lot of conflicting information out there on running form. Which tells me that no one really knows the answer. I am sceptic of gait analysis for many reasons. So I tend to go for the best advice I have had, which is: buy the trainers which fit the best.

[misswobble Marathon]

Have fun in your lovely new shoes 😃👍🏃‍♂️

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble its amazing how a new pair of trainers can reinvigorate you. Or perhaps I should say, put the spring back in your step....

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

The way in which I overpronate wears the outer edge of my heel dreadfully, less in my running shoes than my regular shoes luckily. Although I'm a midfoot striker on the whole, when I land my flat feet shift my weight to the heel before lifting from the mid section so there's a wee twist motion with each step which wears my shoe away. It was mad to watch zoomed in onscreen, my giant cobblers bill suddenly made sense when I saw my feet in action! Naturally, that's likely not what's happening to you because everyone is built completely differently, and I guess if you've no other issues then it's merely a bit annoying to wear your shoe away. It's just interesting that such an imperceptible movement when looking at me walk normally can have such an effect on my footwear!

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to Sqkr]

Yes, I am not reading too much into it. I have had plenty of socks over the years wear a hole in one sock and not the other. My last pair of trainers wore a hole in the toe, but only on one shoe.

I just pity your cobbler who lost a good customer!

[APScotland]

Wow!! 49 seconds off a 5k! That's huge!! Do those shoes have invisible wings too? I'm appreciating the cooler weather too ... went for a gentle 4k today, and didn't need to wear a pre-soaked buff on my head. I even felt cold once I'd cooled down and was back in the house ... I think I've gone soft after all the excessive heat for the past 3 months x

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to APScotland]

I felt cold this morning when I went out which was lovely. I did some intervals and got more good times. I think the heat has made our bodies really work hard and has hopefully made us stronger runners.

Though I think the shoes may just be a bit magic...