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18 weeks of Marine Corps Marathon training kicks off next Monday which meant I needed to get some new running shoes.

My current shoes (Brooks Ravenna 3s) were overdue to be replaced despite only getting them in February. Plus the Ravenna 3s were not the most not stable or cushioned shoe. In light of my heel spur and plantar fasciitis I wanted to get the best shoes possible for my feet and stride. 

I gave myself a pep talk as I drove to the store to not let color or visual style keep me from getting shoes that were the best option. And boy am I glad I gave myself that pep talk because I got some UGLY shoes. 

Before I get into shoes, let’s talk about the running store. I was very attached to my small local running store in Auburn. Since I’ve been here I’ve kept hearing good things about a running store called Pacers which has 6 stores in the region. There is one by work and also one by where I live. Last night I decided to go to the one near my house. 

The shop was quite busy at 6:30pm. Some people were shopping and others were just hanging out – I learned there was a 7pm weekly running group. In fact they have running groups that meet 3 times a week. Tonight’s running group stopped every so often on their route to cross train. How cool! 

Anyway after a few minutes a saleswoman was able to help me. I gave her a rundown of my situation and she then recorded me on the treadmill in my Ravenna 3s. I already knew I over pronated and told her that, but after she recorded my run she measured my heel/ankle/mid knee pronation angle with cool technology built into their system. 

In my shoes (see above picture) I was in the 168 degree range. She said ideally you want to be between 172 and 174 degree range. After I told her I was a womens 11.5 in running shoes and she went to the back to grab some shoes. I was SHOCKED when she came with a stack of 5 pairs of shoes. I said there is no way you have that many 11.5 womens. I was correct they were all Mens 10s and 10.5s. TYPCIAL. 

I tried on 3 different types of Brooks. Visually I really liked the Glycerins and they were cushy, but when we looked at the pronation angle on the treadmill it was better, but still room for improvement.

I don’t remember the style name of the second pair Brooks, but the cut on the box wasn’t good for me. 

We then tried the Trance 11s in both a 10 and 10.5 mens. The 10s fit my right foot, but seemed a little snug on my left foot and since my left foot is my problem child we went with the 10.5 mens.

The Trance 11.s got my pronation angle to the high 172s. The saleswoman and I had a good conversation about what my feet and stride tell her on the video verses the wear of my shoes. My strike looks like it is a heel strike and rolls on video, but the wear of my shoes and her watching me run outside shoes I do hit midfoot. The midfoot of my shoes are VERY worn, yet the heels look new. She thinks how my feet move IN my show could be part of my pronation issue and having a more stable shoe will help. 

The Trace 11s seem comfy, Pacers has a 2 week return policy on their shoes, so I am going to try and so some short runs to prep for the start of marathon training.

New shoes have given me a positive outlook on running. I had been feeling pretty down in light of my heel pain. However I will wear expensive ugly shoes if it means my heel feels better!