The Same But Different

 

Two years ago when I started running I bought new shoes at the chain sporting goods store. Then I joined a 10k training team and was encouraged to get fitted for running shoes at a speciality running store. I did and came home with Saucony Guide 3. I loved them from the first mile and now can't believe I planned to run in those other shoes. I found a second pair on clearance on Amazon and bought them. I've been alternating those two pairs ever since. (I've been running sporadically, so it's not as many miles on them as there should be in two years.)

 

Now I've REALLY been needing new shoes and Santa (Mom/Dad and my in-laws) gave me money for Christmas. I debated on going it alone to find a pair myself, hunt down another pair of the same 'ole model (found one on Amazon) or head back to the speciality store.  Since I was first fitted when a was just beginning running I thought how I run now might be different. They are also expensive to be going it alone and making a mistake.  Finally, the reviews I've read online suggest that there have been big changes from the Guide3 model to the current Guide6 model. So I headed back to the speciality store. I anticipated coming home with a different brand (probably Brooks.)

I bought the Saucony Guide 6. It's very different than the other two pairs I have. I did a 3 mile run this evening. Well, running would be exaggerating. I finished 3 miles.... with tremendous right foot pain. That might be an issue with my foot more than the shoe, but even so, I'm disappointed. It was not love at the first mile.  I'll keep trying to break them in but at this point I don't see 26.2 miles ever happening in them.

I did try on a pair of Brooks which felt like I had a lump under the ball of my foot. Also tried a pair of Asics which were awful. My toes were banging into the top of my shoe. (I do wear Asics to work though.) I think loosing a toenail in this process would be interesting, but I don't plan to buy shoes I know will damage my toes!  

Bummer!

Lupus donations here!