I went to Runner’s Edge (my local runner’s shop) on Friday thinking I was going to buy some new running socks but ended up not only with new socks (Thorlos — love them) but with a new pair of running shoes in the process.
I explained to the guy helping me (I felt bad for him, I am a nutty runner when it comes to talking about my feet and my running shoes) all about why I thought I needed new socks and maybe, just maybe, new running shoes too.
I thought I just needed a pedicure but when that didn’t help, I thought maybe it was my socks, like maybe I needed more cushion and padding up front to prevent that burning-type feeling that sometimes occurs.
After we chatted for a bit, here’s what I was presented with:
My Energy Boosts may not offer me a wide enough toe box. Their sock-like fit which is one of the main reasons I love them so, may give me the feeling of plenty of space but they are still a narrow shoe.
OR
I may need more support in the toe box.
OR
I may need to go up another half-size to get more room.
Long story short, rather than trying on the next size up in the Energy Boosts, I ended up walking out with a new pair of Brooks Glycerin 13’s half a size up from my usual full size up.
I ran my best half marathon to date in a pair of Brooks Glycerin 10’s so perhaps these will work for me? I don’t know.
I am not totally ready to talk about these running shoes just yet as I only ran 3 miles in them. I love how they feel, until I run. My feet missed my Energy Boosts pretty quickly….. so we will see what I end up doing.
Moving on to my workouts from the week…
Monday – Pre-Run Yoga & 6 Miles
I went with an interval workout, starting off easier and gradually getting faster with each mile, alternating .50 easy, .50 speed. If only I wrote down the exact workout I made up so I could share it!
Tuesday – 7 Miles & Pure Barre Tone in 10
Uneventful treadmill run, I think I average somewhere around 8:50 overall.
Pure Barre Tone in 10: Seat & Abs < – my favorite one from the series of Tone in 10 Workouts
Wednesday – Cross-Training Day
Pure Barre Tone in 10 Combo:
- Full Body
- Thighs & Seat
- Thighs & Abs < – so hard!
In the gym:
- 20 Minutes Elliptical
- Free weights
- 20 Minutes Elliptical
Thursday – 7 Miles
Thursday treadmill runs have become my day to play with the incline. This worked well for me today because I wasn’t feeling like I could push my pace, at least not for the first 5 miles <- PMS week tends to slows me down.
No real plan was followed, just inclines between 0.5 – 3.5 while adjusting the speed between 6.3 – 7.5 throughout the run.
Friday – Pure Barre & 5 Miles
My plan was to do a Pure Barre Mile High Series DVD but I couldn’t get the DVD player portion of the Play Station to work! Ugh.
So, Pure Barre Tone in 10 Combo instead:
- Full Body
- Thighs & Seat
- Seat & Abs
5 miles on the treadmill right around 8:55 pace.
Saturday – 13.50 Miles (Outside!)
I was so happy to run outside even though my pace was all over the place and slower than it’s been in a while.
So many things at play today contributed to a slower than normal pace:
- I haven’t run outdoors in 8 days and it was my first run this year with lots of snow on the ground around me.
- I had to dodge ice patches and weave on/off the path to avoid colliding with dog walkers (the snow narrowed our path so you couldn’t fit to pass someone else)
- I got my period (bleh!)
- Trying new running shoes
I ran the first 3 miles in the new pair of Brooks but went home to switch to my Boosts because #1 – you shouldn’t run long in a new pair of running shoes and #2 – by the third mile, my feet weren’t thrilled. Ugh, I hate experimenting with running shoes!
Sunday – Pure Barre
Part of me feels like trying the Brooks out again for a few miles outside this morning. I really don’ think they will work for me but I need to give them a chance!
[bctt tweet=”New running shoes & workout recap #running #runningshoes #Brooks #runhappy #workoutrecap #purebarre @pure_barre #fitfluential “]
The Cookie ChRUNicles 
So many people love the glycerins that I will be interested to see what you think. Sock like feel is great, but it really can cramp your “style.” I personally love the way Brooks shoes are made–they fit my triangular feet–as well as Nike. The Mizunos don’t really seem to fit my feet thus far.
I liked the glycerins – for someone else.
Hope the new shoes wind up working out for you – such a bummer when we put the time and $ in and then they don’t! I also ran 13 outside yesterday and I know what you mean about dodging the snow. It wasn’t bad but it might have slowed me down, especially in the beginning when it was still dark. I’m just glad I finally ran longer than 10 miles!
That’s nice that you have a “path” to run on! Does it actually go for 13+ miles?? I have a few pairs of thorlos socks and I like them when its really cold out otherwise they are too thick for me. Recently I have been loving Features but I have only tried 2 pairs over the past month or so. Hope the shoes work out for you!
Love my path! It circles the inside of my community so no way is it even close to 13 miles. I just run lots of loops but don’t mind at all, it’s so easy and comfortable. I really like these new thorlos – they aren’t think like the traditional thorlos socks. I have to check what they are called exactly.
I am a fan of Balega socks and PhD smart wool socks. The Merino blend is great for temperature regulation, wicks away moisture and keeps my feet blister free. Can you tell I work at a running store?
Today is my off day so I’ll do some cross training and then go to work. That is a workout in itself haha
Have a great week!
I do have a pair of the balega but I think I like these new thorlo ones the best. time will tell!
Switching shoes and adjusting can be really tough, it took me awhile to settle into my current rotation (one kind for short weekday runs, one kind for long runs) – many months and like 5 different styles and brands!
It is so tough! I am good on the recovery run shoes, it’s my main shoe that I must LOVE.
Switching running shoes is always a weird transition! My feet get so used to the older shoes. When I first tried my Pure Connects they felt weird until I put about 25 miles in them. Hopefully yours begin to feel better after a few more runs!
Ugh, new models are the worst! It’s so hard to adjust to a new shoe, especially when you aren’t so sure they are the right shoe for you. I went back to return the Brooks and bought the Boosts in next size so I am hoping for a good run tomorrow.
The energy boosts have such a narrow toe box but oddly enough so do the Glycerins. If you were looking for a shoe with more room in the toebox, I do find it interesting they put you in the Glycerins. The energy boost is being updated next month so maybe that will be a better fit for you!
Thanks for your help! Finding the shoe can be tricky especially when you have worn one model for so long! I went back to the Boosts just now, I will let you know when I try them how they work.
I love Feetures running socks, they are my favorite by far! I did my 3 mile recovery run today and was finally able to get outside! I’m a big fan of the Saucony Ride 7’s, and I think I’ll be in the market for a new pair of running shoes soon–I’d like to check out the Brooks Launch. I actually tried the Boosts when they first came out and wasn’t a fan, but I’m open to trying them again!
Love the boosts, I recommend you try them again.
Nice to be able to get outside for a run, particularly the long run, even if it meant you had to go a little slower. Good luck with your new shoes, hope they work out for you. I’m always very apprehensive about new shoes so I can relate! 1000 mile ankle socks are my favourite go-to socks 🙂