In the midst of lamenting my physical woes, I failed to mention something any runner would deem exciting yet nerve racking at the same time: new shoes.
Way back in the day I was a Mizuno gal and upon moving to California I sought out new shoes and found myself in Nike Vomeros. The Vomeros are a neutral shoe that are cushy beyond belief and welcomed my wide feet. I didn’t have many complaints, but perhaps naivety is bliss in this scenario.
When I was working the Chicago Marathon expo and couple of weekends ago, I made my usual loop around the expo and stumbled upon a bit of expo marketing genius by Brooks. I will be the first to admit that their marketing lured me in and did everything it set out to do (kudos, Brooks).
Unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, their expo space mimicked the pearly gates and welcomed runners into “Pure Running Heaven.” The space literally had fluffy white carpet, a harpist, their new Pure Project shoes atop of pillars and treadmill gait analysis by staffers in Greek-like garb.
One of said staffers asked if I would like to get my gait analyzed for a chance to win a free pair of Brooks Pure Project shoes and get a free CD of running music. Being the curious expo-lover that I am, I signed myself up.
After a couple minutes running barefoot on the treadmill and a video replay of my stride, my horrible pronation was re-confirmed and they recommended a stability shoes. Wait, what? A stability shoe! I thought I was a neutral girl through and through – the folks at my local Fleet Feet even confirmed it. The Brooks staffers assured me that I would probably be a candidate for a stability shoe and I should check them out.
While I was hesitant of the sales ploy, I thought what the heck, I’ll move into their other, “regular” expo space and try on a pair. Usually, when I’m searching for new kicks, I’ll go through every pair on the wall and end up right back where I was: in the Vomeros. But this time it was different, I slipped on the recommended pair of Brooks Adrenalines and whoa…this time I literally entered the pearly gates.
My foot felt snug, yet wide enough for my foot. My heel didn’t wiggle and I could feel the structure of the shoe that I never had before.
I must admit, I was confused. Purchasing new shoes, a new brand and new structure altogether is a scary thing to a runner who is used to their gear. But when they told me about the expo discount, threw in a pair of free socks and once I tested them out a bit…I caved. I am now the owner of a pair of Brooks Adrenalines.
Before I left, I also asked them about the CD that I was given at the gait analysis to see if I had a winner. I gave it to the staffer, he looked and it, up at me again, then announced to the crowd, “WE HAVE A WINNER!” Hot damn – I had won a pair of their new Pure Project shoes! I won’t get them until December, but can’t wait to try these new babies out!
Thus far, I’m extremely happy with my Brooks Adrenaline kicks. I did contemplate if they could be contributors to my hip issues but the doc said no. I’m going to continue with these as my go-to shoes and will report back once I get the winning pair.
Happy Running!
P.S. I was not compensated or contacted by Brooks at all for this post. Just a product review that I love and wanted to share with you all.
I love that shoe, I am also a pronator.. They solved my knee issues I was having from having the wrong shoe.
Seriously, you are one lucky runner! I didn’t know you have wide feet, but I do, too, and the perfect fit is one of the million reasons I love the Adrenalines. Can’t say enough good things about them, really… I could go on for several more paragraphs! Looking forward to hear about your experience with the Pure Project shoes.
I have the Brooks Adrenaline also and I absolutely love them! And I am so jealous that you won a pair of PureProject sneakers! I really want to try them out!
The nice thing about the Adrenaline is they’ve got a bit of stability to them, but nothing TOO heavy. They hold up pretty well mileage wise too! I ran in these for about a year or two until I started transitioning away once they started feeling too…narrow. But they treated me well otherwise.
oh, the brooks adrenaline….it is hands down the most popular shoe at my store! i wore it for a long time and loved it, but have since switched to a neutral shoe with an insert and many of my little nagging issues (like mild shin splints) have become a thing of the past. we got the new pure line a couple weeks ago…not too sure what i think about them yet. i’ll be curious to hear your take!
“Pure Running Heaven”- Love it.
I mostly wear the Brooks ST Racers and Launch but am eager to try out their Pure Project Line. I have a pair of Connects but I am wary to try them too much so close to the NYC Marathon…
Oh yeah! Love my brooks! Started wearing them last January and they are the best! I have the Ghost 3s and I am afraid of the Ghost 4s. I worry they changed the shoe and I wont like it. I am glad you found something that works for you – I am so jealous you won the new Pure Brooks shoes!!
Im on my 3rd pair of adrenalines. Ive strayed, but i always come back. Congrats on the win.
I ran in the Adrenalines for almost nine years, and I looooooved them! I don’t even want to know how many pairs I went through, as I’m sure it was a ridiculous amount. After I developved IT band issues, I switched to the Ravenna (slightly less support) and I’m in love. Brooks is a great company (their expos are always fabulous, I remember in Boston it was a combat medical tent and I wanted to ask them if they were hiring nurses!), and I love their shoes. Good choice! I’ll be interested to hear what you think about the Pure shoes when you get them…I’m pondering a pair myself.
At least you caved for something logical instead of a WAND at Harry Potter World. WTF am I going to do with a wand? But, at the moment I bought it, I NEEDED it.
Oh how interesting! You must have been shocked at the analysis results! I have run in the adrenalines, too. When I needed more support, they were awesome. I got my Pure Projects last week – Pure Connects! AMAZING. I never want to take them off. I’m racing this weekend in them, too. Enjoy yours – I’m sure they’ll be even better since they’re FREE.
OH I love Brooks shoes. I have soo many of them. I just got the PureConnect and love them, and I train in the Adrenalines usually. I also have the Defyance (neutral). I am having IT band issues and find that they go away when I wear the defyance even though I am def. an overpronator. I too have wide feet, so the Ravenna was to narrow, but I may get it again.
I too need a stability shoe and have wide feet. I’ve tried Asics & Adidas Supervnova Sequence, but nothing was working. Two weeks ago I got the Brooks Adrenaline and LOVE them so much. You said it right–feels like heaven
My Adrenalines are the shoes that I wear when I want running to be nice to me. Love them!
I run in Adrenalines and absolutely love them. I hope you like yours too!
OK, between you and Aron, y’all are making me question my running-life-long affair with Asics. I wear a stability shoe already (2160′s) so maybe these will be on my wish list (will have to ask my doc at my appt on Wed)…yeah, just what I need, more items on my wish list!
HA!
Hope the hip heals quickly so you can get back out there and enjoy your new shoes!
LOVE the review…keep them up because I pretty much want to know what you think about all of the gear you use:)
I LOVE MY BROOKS ADRENALINES! So so much. I have flat feet and am a severe over-pronator and they are wonderful. I own 4 different pairs of them. Plus they’re pretty. And blue.
I’ve been wearing Brooks Adrenaline for years and I love them! The only issue I have? I probably don’t replace them as often as I should, so before I do, I end up needing to insert heel pads to avoid shin splints.
You are a very lucky runner! Do let us know how you get on with the Projects when they arrive! Happy running in your new shoes!
Love love love my Brooks Adrenalines – I’ve been loyal to those suckers for years
And I put a pair of Pure Project shoes on my Christmas list – yippee!! Happy running!
Brooks had a pretty impressive marketing scheme going at the Las Vegas Rock n Roll expo last year too…must be there thing…marketing, that is.
Of course I mean their (not there)
I’m on my third pair of Brooks Addrenalines and love them. No more knee pain. Mine are silver and purple.
You are one lucky runner! Extremely jealous of the new Pure Project Shoes! Happy running!