Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Drinking the Kool-Aid...

Saucony Kinvara 2
Saucony Shadow Genesis
I've been really wanting to try some Newtons...my neighbour swears by them. I've watched youtube videos and read blogs about them.  HOWEVER, here's the kicker, I live in the middle of nowhere and there isn't a running store that carries them within a 150 miles of here.  In fact, there isn't even a REAL running store. I have a Dick's Sporting Goods & that's all folks :-P. They are too much $$$ to mess with ordering online to just try them on for feel & size.  So, since this is not in the cards right now & I currently have over 400 miles on my Asics Cumulus'....I really needed to just PICK SOMETHING, or stick with the same old thing.  After trying on almost everything they had, I narrowed it down to these 2: The Saucony Kinvara 2 or the Saucony Shadow Genesis.  They both felt pretty good on & I was definately partial to the sweet orange colour of the Shadow Genesis.  It was kind of a tossup.  It came down to two things: First, I looked at the treads.....which looked like it was going to slip less as the conditions deteriorate into winter & what kind of mileage are they going to tolerate.  I went with the Kinvara's because, whether it turns out to be true or not, the tread looked a bit more 'rugged' & then went with an unconventional test opinion.  Thing 2 has run in Kinvara's since August.  A full muddy, rugged, XC season plus training.  At his level (Grade 8) they are not allowed to wear spikes.  I figured if he could run muddy, hilly trails in them and post some great times, then they ought to be able to handle what I dish out to them!

I took them out for 10K today.  All the reading I've done said you should only run a mile or so and ease into more minimal shoes, but being the crazy runner that I am, I figured that I've already been working on my midfoot strike for months now so I wanted to give them a real run.  I went slow and easy, but the verdict is "AWESOME"! I feel good.  No calf pain.  They are so light I hardly feel like I'm wearing anything at all.  I'm very happy with these shoes so far.  Plus, I can buy 2 pairs for the price of one pair of Newtons! I still would like to try the Newton distance shoe, but will wait until I find myself in a big city with a real running store.

They match my socks!
I want to find some 'winter shoes' too, but that is a whole different shopping day! What do you wear in the snow?????? The same shoes, or something more rugged and trail worthy?

7 comments:

Penny said...

I wear the same shoes all summer and winter. I had a pair of the Kinvara's and loved them but not enough cushion for me. Was having a terrible time with the balls of my feet. I'm working on getting another miminalist shoe and am now looking at the New Triump 9 or the Cortana a little more cushion.. Decisions, Decisions. I hate having choose one I want both. Congrats on that 10k in your new shoes.

Love the new header picture.

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

I wear the same shoes year round. I have been running in Asics Kayanos for YEARS and want to go more minimal. I have been considering the kinvaras so thanks for this great post about them! :)

Nelly said...

Awesome on the Kinavara's! I've been wanting to try these shoes out as well! I still haven't had a chance to try out the Newtons yet.

Michael said...

Awesome! Hope they work for you. I swear I should work for Road Runner Sports, but just a suggestion - they are a great online store and if you sign up to be a VIP - which costs you a whole $1.99 for life - you get 10% off, free shipping, and a 90 day return policy......well at least they exchange for something else. Might be worth a chance if you can't make it to the store. Plus you can get them alot cheaper than at the store with the discount.

The Green Girl said...

Aw, I hope these work out and become the shoe for you, girl!

Karin said...

Buck up and buy them both. And then you'll have some time to save up and find the Newton's, and then buy them too. You are a Runner with a capital R and need options, to go with your socks..... never mind the footbed, arch support and fit....plus you'll need to have something to wear when you start going off road, and something else for pretty days.

It's like golf, it's not just all about the game, it's more about the outfits. That's what everyone says anyway.

PS. I have a Spartan Race for us to run...

The Unexpected Runner said...

OMG Karin, you make me laugh EVERY SINGLE TIME! For you I will do mud... Bring on the spartan ;)