Thinking out Loud: Shoes and more!

~ Alanna

 I’m linking up with Amanda again for Thinking out Loud! I have a few random thoughts that I’d like to put out there. Honestly, I always have random thoughts, so I’m loving this whole thinking out loud concept.

Screen Shot 2014-11-11 at 8.49.52 PMI don’t want to be too greedy but I’d love to get a 2nd pair of running shoes as a backup. They aren’t cheap by any means, but I feel like it may be a worthwhile investment. Especially for instances like Rock’n’Roll DC where my shoes are saturated for days. I do hold on to my previous pair for super emergencies but they are pretty much shot which is why I had to get a replacement pair to begin with. So I really prefer to not use them. I’m currently wearing Nike Structures which I’m loving so far. For the last few years I’ve been wearing Brooks Adrenaline, but honestly I hated the latest colors that they came out with for the latest Adrenaline. I spend enough time in my running shoes that I want to love everything about them.

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Since having the gait analysis done at the expo last weekend, I am considering the Brooks Ravenna for a back up shoe. It seems like it would be good for my overpronation and it’s fairly light weight. It looks on paper and even comes in a color that I like! As far as price, it’s right around what I would normally expect to pay for a good pair of shoes. They also recommended the Transcend for me, but those are bit more pricey than I prefer.

Is it sad that I can’t remember the last pair of normal shoes that I purchased?! I asked for new running shoes for Christmas and a race entry fee for my birthday. I’ve got my priorities!

I’ve tried the waffles before and wasn’t impressed with either their flavor or their ability to provide me with extra energy for my run. I stopped into Dick’s Sporting Goods on Monday and upon seeing some decided to give them another try. They are about $1.50 each. This time I tried the vanilla flavor. I really liked it and had a great run after eating it. I may have to reconsider them as a possible fueling alternative.

Is it a good idea to have more than one pair of running shoes? Anyone have experience with the Brooks Ravenna?

13 thoughts on “Thinking out Loud: Shoes and more!”

  1. I highly recommend you get a second pair and then rotate them. A day with one, a day with the other, etc. It’s good for your body and it will help keep you injury-free. Also, it doesn’t cost anything extra since the two pairs will last twice as long as a single pair of shoes. Good luck!

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  2. I love your blog name!! I’m the wrong person to ask about more than one pair of shoes… I have and hoard several pairs! but yes, I rotate generally between 2 pairs – one for short runs and one for longer runs and races. Then I always have an older pair lying around for general gym workouts. Don’t have experience with Ravenna but bought a pair of Brooks Ghost this winter and I love them!

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  3. I didn’t feel like waiting in the run analysis line at the expo…I probably should have! The shoes I have been running in are Mizuno Wave 10s-they are super light and that is why I love them. Not a fan of the colors but the lightness sold me! They are all but discontinued now 😦 -so I need to find a new pair that are just as light hopefully. I hate spending alot of money (over $90) on running shoes but I might have to suck it up…we will see. I think I am going to go back to Road Runner and get my gait analyzed again.

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    1. I got there right when they opened the expo on Friday so there was very little wait time otherwise I probably wouldn’t have bothered. I also had it done several years ago at Potomac River Running in Rockville before it closed. I do hate spending a ton of money on shoes but my running shoes are pretty much the only shoes I ever buy, so I cut myself a little slack there. I also hate when things I love get discontinued! It’s the worst! I run into that with my favorite lotions all the time it seems like.

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  4. I highly recommend buying backup shoes. It’s a good idea to rotate your shoes so they don’t wear out early, and you can also get different styles for different types of runs. I currently have a stability pair for long runs, and a lightweight pair (Brooks Pureflow 3) for short runs and speed work. I just retired my Ravenna’s and I loved them! I also used to wear Adrenaline so I think you would like them 🙂

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    1. Great! Thanks so much for the advice Gretchen! I’ve been thinking about investing in the 2nd pair for a while. It’s just hard to break down and actually spend the money. Do you use inserts at all in your shoes?

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  6. Ok, so It took me a while to convince my hubby that I needed to rotate shoes, but it actually means more time before having to get a new pair, so now he gets it. And shoes are so critical! I end up with injuries when I wear mine for too long. As for honey stinger waffles. I LOVE them. I typically eat them before a long run. They are too messy during. I prefer the chocolate ones!

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    1. I tend to get injuries with old shoes too. The waffles are a little messy, so I can see not wanting to eat them during a run. I’ll have to try the chocolate next!

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