Monday, August 2, 2010

Out with the Old in with the NEW!!

 After having another terrible week with my IT Band I finally decided that it was time to replace my running shoes. 
I have been running the same running shoes since starting my running journey in December 09. 
'They' say that you should be replace your running shoes 300-500 miles or 6 months whichever comes first. I'm not sure who "They" are but I'm sure they would know better then a newbie runner such as myself.
My NewBalance740 have served me well over the past 8 months but I most definitely was past due for a new pair.  Don't you think? 
I have a mild pronation and my feet are on the flat side. I also need a shoe with a wider toe box as my feet are bit wide.
After some research I narrowed it down to the Brooks Adrenaline GTS10 and the Brooks Ravenna. 
Turns out the Ravenna's are hard to find here in Toronto, no one seemed to carry them. BOO!! 
I did end up trying the NewBalance 760 which are the newer model of my current running shoe, and found that they were fine.
I have to say I really liked the feel of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS9 and GTS10. I didn't really find a big difference in both shoes, they felt very much like the same shoe. 
I did however LOVE the price difference and in the end the cheaper shoe won. You can't beat Brooks Adrenaline GTS9 on sale for $79.99 cdn compared to the GTS10 at $149.99cdn regular price. 
Say Hello to my New Running Partner
I love the smell of new shoes in a box... 
Brooks Adrenaline GTS9 is also environmentally responsible with it's biodegradble midsole and recycled Shoes laces. Traditional midsoles can last up to 1,000 years in a landfill, however once a pair of Brookes with BioMoGo hits an active enclosed landfill, the midsole is converted by common soil microbes into useful humus and nutrients 50 times faster. 
Which makes this a more eco-friendly shoe. 
Now lets hope it will help me get over my IT Band issues and the next 300miles will be fairly pain free 'fingers crossed' 
Ah yes and the IT Band... what can I say, I've seen my PT twice now in the past two weeks and I was getting better, but as of Tuesday I've been in pain. 
I have been very good with doing my IT Band Stretches and Strengthening exercises everyday, EXCEPT Tuesday where I skipped... and that's when the pain started!! I Suck!! 
I know I only have myself to blame. 
I have 25 days until my next 5k Race, it's time to get serious and say goodbye to this IT Band issue!

Happy Running

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hope your new shoes work well for you! IT Band- get better!

Claudia said...

Thanks Rio!!

David H. said...

I hope the new shoes work out for you. Have you gone to a running store to get properly fitted? The GTS line is good - I've had a couple of them, but I like the Ravennas much better. If you ever get a chance to get a pair, check them out. Have you tried www.holabirdsports.com? Not sure if they ship to Canada or not.

Claudia said...

Hi David, I did get fitted at the running store. I remember you tweeted me about the Ravennas and I had no luck finding them in Toronto.
I will check them out on my next trip across the boarder for sure.
Thanks for the link.

Anne said...

I feel you about wanting the pain to go away already! We'll get through this :)

Hope the new shoes help!

Andrew Opala said...

The shoes look very fast. I think you will run better with them.

Unfortunately if you don't run fast enough you bio-degrade with them! :0 Just kidding - new shoes are cool.

I wish you good training in getting ready for your next race! I hope you can use your IT Band issues to good use in your training. Maybe calling on other parts of your body to take on some of the load ... dunno. My wife tells me this is possible. She's an RMT and a Feldenkrais Practitioner.

Good Running!

running librarian said...

I love my Adrenalines! You might want to check out roadrunnersport.com I have ordered my last 3 pairs of shoes through them. They have a really good return policy and if you sign up for the VIP you get some nice discounts that will pay for the VIP in no time.

Jill said...

Hoping the new shoes help. Definitey time to replace them, but also hoping they are magical on the ITB! Remember, do your stretches :). BTW, I wore the Ravenna's for a few months, and though I loved how they felt, I don't think they were right for my feet and may have caused a stress fracture :(. Happy Running :).

trainers shoes said...

I love that running shoes
thanks for sharing it
can you share about importance of
running shoes?

Marlene said...

I hope your new Brooks work out great for you!

Jess said...

Hehe, I think it's so funny that I'm a runner and know nothing about when to switch out shoes, what kind of pronation I have, all that stuff. I kind of just...run. Then again, I don't have shoes. I don't know how often you have to replace Vibram FiveFingers but let's hope not any time soon!

Hope your IT band issues go away!

I will say, after your 5K race, try switching to a midfoot strike. It will take a very conscious effort in the beginning, especially with shoes, but it's way more natural plus your knees are bent instead of extended (like when you heel strike) so the pressure will actually be naturally diverted.

Continue stretching and icing :)

Heather said...

Good luck with the new shoes - I love my adrenalines! I've run 2 half marathons in them.

Linzi @ Destination 26.2 said...

Yay for your new running shoes! My feet are ALWAYS happy when I get new shoes. :)

Therese said...

Hey there! Saw you followed me on Twitter and am excited to have a fellow Toronto blogger to add to the list! I LOVE getting new running shoes! I feel like I'm running on clouds for the first couple of weeks! :)

It also looks like you and I were at the same races this year! I did the Harry Rosen 8k and Sporting Life! Rock on!

RobinLK said...

Yay! Love getting new kicks! :)

Lisa said...

A few months ago I got fitted for running shoes and ended up buying Brooks Ravenna. I LOVE THEM! They are so fantastic. I won't buy anything else.

Tori said...

I love my Brooks shoes!! Great choice!!
http://fitoriblog.com/fitness-gear/shin-splints/