Brooks Adrenaline GTS

Brooks PureCadence

February 15, 2013 by Kristy 18 Comments

I’m loving these shoes…even if they are pink.

I despise pink but they were only $78!

I’m a Brooks girl. I wore Adrenalines for a long, long time before they started to tweak the design (for the worse, in my opinion). So I transitioned to the (slightly) less supportive Ravennas and all was good.

I’m a big believer in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” when it comes to running shoes. So then why try the PureCadence?

I just finished reading Jay Dicharry’s book, Anatomy for Runners (review coming soon). While he did stress “if it ain’t broke…” when it comes to running shoes, he also pointed out that going as minimal as possible could be better. If Adrenalines are as minimal as you can go, then stick with them.

Going more minimal improves muscle activity in your foot, improves balance and proprioception (something I am trying to work on), and improves foot strength. Our foot responds differently in more minimalist shoes. The cushioning of traditional running shoes have made our feet dependent on that support.

None of this is ground breaking news. And I’m not advocating that everyone switch to a more minimalist shoe. For me, I have an issue with overstriding whenever my pace dips down to HM pace. I can feel my right hamstring tighten after a few miles. This hasn’t manifested as an injury but it’s something I should try to fix.

Dicharry’s advice for runners wanting to switch from a traditional shoe to a more minimalist one is to drop your current heel height by ~half. The Ravennas have a 10mm drop and PureCadence has a 5mm drop.

So far I’ve put 17 miles on my PureCadences (2 short runs and a 9-miler this morning). So far, so good. I can definitely “feel more” when I’m running and I notice the difference in weight. I’m hoping that these shoes, coupled with a few tweaks to my form, will nix my overstriding issues. I haven’t been able to do so in my Ravennas.

Did you transition to a more minimalist shoe recently? Which one? I know the PureFlows are very popular. They might be my next pair.

New Kicks

June 25, 2012 by Kristy 15 Comments

On Friday I went to Born To Run (Lafayette Hill) to get fitted for new running shoes. It has been 10+ years since I was last fitted. I have been living a happy existence in my Brooks Adrenalines for that long…until their Adrenaline 12s came out.

When I started training for Boston, I ordered the latest and greatest edition of Adrenalines like I do for (mostly) every training cycle. I immediately noticed that the 12s rubbed the inside of my ankle so bad it started to swell – not ideal for marathon training. I didn’t want to transition to a completely different shoe midway through training so I went back to the Adrenaline 11s and used them for Boston.

Realizing Brooks won’t make the 11s forever, I needed to find a new shoe. I was torn because I loved the Adrenalines and really credit them for my injury-free running (knock on wood). In the back of my mind I was thinking about switching to the Brooks Ravenna. They would probably fit similarly and, although they provide slightly less support, I use orthotics so maybe less support would be OK?

I walked into Born To Run with an open mind and ready to try any shoe they threw at me. Megan (owner) was wonderful and extremely patient as I hoped on and off the treadmill testing out different shoes.

I walked out with Brooks Ravenna Smile The fit was so similar to the Adrenalines. I broke in my new kicks over the weekend and so far, so good. I still haven’t parted with my Adrenaline 11s yet…just in case.

Did any Brooks Adrenaline wearers experience a similar issue with the 12s? I placed the 11s and 12s side-by-side and the 12s are cut slightly higher on the inside which is why it rubbed my ankle.

Are you nervous to try out a different running shoe? I’m a creature of habit and you know the saying “if it ain’t broke…” I’m really hoping the Ravennas continue to be OK.

Thursday Thoughts

January 12, 2012 by Kristy 19 Comments

I woke up this morning to torrential rain, despite weather.com’s hourly forecast assuring me that there would only be a 50% chance of rain at 6AM. Ugh. I’m all for running in the rain (especially when it’s 50 degrees in January), but voluntarily running in a downpour is a bit much. My mind starts spinning. How am I going to fit in my tempo run? I could do it on the treadmill or get to work early so I can leave early and do it then. Outside running (even at night) trumps treadmill running any day. Decision made.

I get into work by 7:15AM and manage to spill my coffee not once but twice. The first time on myself as I juggled 2 bags and an umbrella. The second time all over my mouse pad. I dry off the mouse pad, let it air dry, and stick my planner under the mouse. Ugh.

If today continues this way, at least I have my run to look forward to.

I was out the door for my run by 4:15PM. I’m not the best after-work runner but I was aiming for 8 miles total, with 6 at MP (8:15-8:20 pace). Success! MP splits: 8:17, 8:13, 8:17, 8:19, 8:15, 8:14 <– consistency!

Other random thoughts…

I love Running Times. I just got my first 2 issues in the mail this weekend. Way better than Runners World, if you’re a run nerd like me. No fluff, just good articles with quality information.

I’m not so in love with my Brooks Adrenaline 12s. I know, this is blasphemous. I’ve been wearing them for 2 months now with no issues (note: I’ve been wearing them for 11 years with no issues as well). This past weekend, the right shoe started to rub the inside of my ankle the wrong way. My inner ankle is now swollen and sore. I switched back to my Adrenaline 11s and I’m fine. Comparing the 2 side-by-side you can tell the 12s are cut higher on the inner ankle than the 11s. Waaaah! Now I’m running in an old pair of 11s while my new pair of 12s sit in my closet.

Is anyone else super excited about the Olympic Marathon Trials? I would love to be in Houston, spectating and soaking it all in!

Is it true there will be no live coverage of the Trials?

Is anyone else having a similar problem with the Adrenaline 12s?

Thursday Ramblings

August 24, 2011 by Kristy 12 Comments

My Garmin Does What?!
So last week I wrote about pace smoothing on my Garmin 305. I’m still a bit peeved that my (instant) pace jumps around so much, even when I have it set to the “most” smooth. So I did a little research and found that lap pace is more accurate (i.e., your average pace within that lap/mile). This wasn’t a huge shock…I have heard of this before. But the huge light bulb moment was when I realized you could customize your display! For real?! I had this watch for 2 years and I’m just realizing this now? I cannot wait to try this out on tomorrow’s LR. I customized it to have distance, time, (instant) pace, and lap pace. I do like having (instant) pace on there to ensure I don’t go out too fast, even if it is a little off. By the way, I re-set my pace smoothing to “least”.

Grrrr, Brooks Adrenaline GTS
Dear Brooks, I’m a devoted wearer of your Adrenaline GTS shoe and have been so for the past 10 years. But why oh why did you decide to use these fancy shoelaces that clearly are not functional. I always double knot my laces and during 3 of my last 4 runs these stupid laces have come undone (this has NEVER happened with any of my prior Adrenalines). I cannot afford to waste time during my marathon retying my shoes!!! Yes, they are a cute purple color but they suck. Please go back to the boring old white laces that stay knotted.

120082_593_a_LG — is this how i have to tie my shoes so they don't come undone?

(via)

Keep On Voting
Thank you for voting for RTLR for CBS Philly’s Most Valuable Blogger Awards! Keep those votes coming (you can vote once per day here). Many of you asked if I know what place I am in. I don’t 🙁 Very little information was given and I assume I won’t know anything until September 9 when the contest ends.

Question: Do you wear Brooks Adrenaline GTS? Did you notice anything funny with the laces? I’m going to have to swap out these fancy laces with an old pair for my marathon.

What does your Garmin display look like? Did you customize it?

Random Thursday

June 16, 2011 by Kristy 7 Comments

6/16/11

5 miles easy / no Garmin

Does anyone know how to transfer your Garmin split times from the Garmin Training Center to a post? Or, am I clueless? I’ve tried the good ol’ cut-and-paste but that doesn’t work. I have the Garmin 305…maybe it can’t be done with that model? I find that hard to believe though. Any help would be appreciated!

So I’m halfway through Born To Run (LOVE IT!) and they just talked about barefoot running. I’m shocked to say this but I found their arguments (they were pro-barefoot running) very compelling. I’m a tough person to convince too; I’m both flat-footed and bow legged. I rely on both my beloved Brooks Adrenaline GTS and orthotics to keep me injury-free (and it works…I’m one of those “mutants” that Chris McDougall refers to). But now I can see how barefoot running would help someone battling chronic injuries. As a coach I shouldn’t be so close-minded. I’m not about to jump on the barefoot bandwagon (if it ain’t broke…) but I definitely want to read more about it.
Not 1 but 2 people Googled “we love Chuck Bass” and got directed to my blog. Awesome.

Do you or someone you know run barefoot or in VFFs? What do you think of the whole barefoot running phenomenon?