New Shoes

I took a look at my running shoes on Sunday night, after my 10 mile run. I have put over 300 miles on this model, the Brooks GTS Adrenaline 9. The results of this examination led me to believe it was time to purchase a new pair. The inner toe of both shoes (but especially the right) was worn down to where there was almost a hole. This is partly due to the fact that I occasionally drag my right foot after it strikes the ground, a lingering result of my cervical disc problem I had in 2001 (that left me partially paralyzed on my right side for a few months).

The Brooks GTS Adrenaline 9 was my third pair of shoes since I began running; I originally began with Asics Gel Cumulus 10's, but those shoes were too neutral, and I got occasional calf injuries. In November, after I completed physical therapy for my calf, I did a treadmill test at the Potomac River Running store and it was determined that I not only had an underpronation (as determined when I first bought running shoes), but I also had an overpronation. A stability shoe, therefore, would hopefully keep my foot in balance.

Almost 5 months later, I can say with confidence that this was correct. I have not had a recurrence of the calf strains that plagued me in 2009. The Brooks GTS Adrenaline 9 was the perfect shoe for me.

So last night I went back to the store and purchased a pair of Brooks GTS Adrenaline 10 shoes. Surprisingly, the shoes were $5 less than the pair I bought last November, and these are the newer "model". And they fit just as well as the 9's that I will retire today.

Tomorrow's 5 mile morning run will be my first test in the 10's, but I don't forsee a problem. For a guy with an underpronation and an overpronation of the feet, balky calves, and wide feet, I'm thankful that I found a pair of running shoes that seem to address all of my issues.