Around lunchtime today, I drove to South Boston on a mission: buy new running sneakers.
When I arrived in Southie, I parked my car on West Broadway right near my old apartment building, which looked like it got a little face lift. (I actually sort of miss my old stomping grounds.)
So, a couple of weeks ago, I bought a new pair of sneakers, and, since then, my left knee has been really bugging me. After I run, I feel an annoying soreness at the top of my knee, so I ice it, stretch, and take a little time off. It gets better in just a few days, so I have a feeling my new sneakers are to blame””at least I hope that’s the only issue!
The last time that I had a nagging injury (in my foot), Billy, the owner at the South Boston Running Emporium, saved the day by fitting me for a new pair of sneakers that gave me the support I needed. Since then, I’ve run a marathon and three half marathons in those sneakers, so I visited him today for his expertise.
Billy remembered the Mizuno Wave Inspire 6 sneakers that he put me in back in December, so he recommended a similar moderate-support shoe: Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10. They seem like a good option and felt great on my feet. I really hope these babies do the trick! I have a 5-mile Tempo Run on the agenda for tomorrow.
I can’t go to South Boston without stopping by P.S. Gourmet for an iced coffee.
So that’s exactly what I did!
Blondie iced coffee + new sneakers! Derp.
Ok, so I really don’t know much about finding the right pair of sneakers, but here are two pieces of advice based on my own stupidity personal experience.
Tip #1: Don’t buy sneakers online without trying them on. Additionally, don’t trust the customer service representative on the other end of the phone, who says the Mizuno Wave Inspire 7’s are the same as the Mizuno Wave Inspire 6’s. They’re not, and he’s just trying to sell you a pair of sneakers! Major duh on my part.
Tip #2: Go to a running store and ask a sales associate to help fit you for sneakers. They will watch you walk and suggest shoes based on how your foot lands. Then, try on the recommended sneakers and keep testing them out until you find the perfect pair. For me, it’s all about feeling support along my entire foot. Of course, this is personal for everyone, but finding the right pair is totally worth the time and effort. (I’m still annoyed that I wasted my money.)
Lunch
Once I returned home from my adventures in Southie, I made a quick lunch: Ramen “Noodles” made with spaghetti squash. I sprinkled half of a packet of chicken flavor seasoning over a big bowl of spaghetti squash with flax oil drizzled on top. My gosh, it was amazing! I actually sort of want another bowl right now.
Lunch also included two Sandwich Thins with sunflower butter and chocolate-covered sunflower seeds on top. I also ate a banana on my drive to Southie, but I never snapped a photo of it.
After lunch, it was time to take the pug for a walk.
On our walk, Murphy and I enjoyed the beautiful sights and sounds of spring in the neighborhood.
And, as always, Murphy stopped to check out The Donkey, who, apparently, really embraces the spring.
Murphy had no words.
OpenSky Winners
Sorry for the delay with announcing the winners of my various OpenSky giveaways. Without further ado, here they are!
Camera winner:
- Erin Howley
Book winners:
- Tami Merritt
- Keely McClain
- Sarah Franklin
- Kelly Slaghk
- Kathleen Manis
Congrats, winners! If you haven’t sent me your mailing address yet, please email me at tina@carrotsncake.com. If you have already, you should receive your prize in the next few days. Enjoy!
89 Comments
Thanks for the running shoe tips. Incidentally, I think my current pair are on the last leg. So I need to go lookin again! How do you know of all of these places with so much iced coffee?? I thought we had everything here in NYC but I’ve never seen a place with some many amazing flavors. If you know of any here please let me know 🙂
OMG! I had the Wave Inspire 6 and bought the 7’s thinking they were the same. My feet have been getting tore up and I never had that problem before. I figured it was because I was training for a marathon for the first time!!!! I don’t believe it! Thanks for the post. Its too late now to break in a new pair. Next time I’m on the lookout!
@Becky B: Mizuno made a whole bunch of changes to their uppers this spring – I have been wearing the Inspires for years and have never had a problem, but the new changes make the top of the shoe (all of their shoes, from what I can tell) fit really differently. It blows.
@Becky: Agreed. The 7’s were not nearly as awesome as the 6’s.
I need to buy new shoes within the next month. I am very excited to go out and buy my very first running shoes at a running store. I will keep both pieces of your advice in mind.
Haha omg Murphy. Loved the black-and-white effect. Makes it all the more dramatic!
I’d never gotten a real shoe fitting until this last winter, and wow does it make a big difference! It really does put a spring in your step, and not weird aches or pains anywhere. I run in my Brooks Ghost 3, and couldn’t be happier 🙂
I totally agree with your two guidelines for buying running shoes. I have the world’s flattest feet, but with the right pair of shoes I have 0 arch pain. I used to feel like the archless portion of my foot was ripping as I walked or ran for long periods of time. Enter Brooks… I am due for a new pair of shoes. Good shoes cost money, but are totally worth it!
This post couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m halfway through training for a marathon and have been having knee discomfort and some metatarsalgia issues in one foot, so I went to my local running store for new shoes this afternoon. But the guy was NO help. He’d only suggest the model above the Asics I already have. He didnt’ bring me any other shoes to try, or watch me walk, or even recommend that I try them out on the store’s treadmill. He said that if I was having a problem with my foot, it was probably just overtraining and shoes wouldn’t make a difference. It didn’t seem right. And I still bought the damn shoes from him. Anyway, after talking to my husband tonight and reading this post, you bet I’ll be going back to the other store location to return the shoes tomorrow (that did not even feel good on a walk tonight) and insisting on better help.
I’m going shoe shopping tomorrow. I had my first pair of running shoes for I years, and I got new ones in July. Based on my mileage last year, I should have bought new ones again in October!
Love that black and white pic of Murphy. Makes me want a doggie so badly! Someday soon…
And I love the colorful chocolate-covered sunflower seeds. I’ve never tried ’em, but I might just have to add them to oatmeal. 🙂
I love running shoes (and shopping). There’s something about new workout gear that makes me incredibly excited to hit the pavement!
Asics are my brand of choice for running shoes- they always fit me great and have given me no problems yet! Never thought about using spaghetti squash as ramen- always just associate it with marinara sauce- good call!
Since you bought the shoes today and are planning on running in them tomorrow, what suggestions do you have for breaking in new shoes that fast?
@Erin: I guess I don’t! I was just going to start with a shorter run and see how it goes.
The donkey reminds me of a house around my kid’s ped’s office; they have 3 penguins in the front yard that they dress up and have a little theme going on. A few weeks ago they were all dressed in hula skirts.
I love Mizuno running shoes! I’ve learned to buy nothing else!
This post totally reminded me that I need to get new running shoes! I’ve been running in my current pair for months longer than I should have!
I hope your new pair work out for you. 🙂
@Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin: Thanks! Me too! 🙂
I agree that getting fitted for running shoes makes all of the difference! I am just starting out with running (on week 4 of Couch to 5k) but good shoes make all of the difference!
I think I need new running shoes as well. My knee gets super sore when I run. I want to go to an actual running store and hopefully they can tell me whether I pronate or what.
Fun sites on the walk! Hope you have a good day!
Nice! I’m paying a little visit to Billy this afternoon. Time for some new kicks.
@Yellaphant: Billy rules!
I’m lucky to have Road Runner Sports nearby. They do fittings that include walking on a treadmill while a camera films your foot falling as well as walking on a surface that measures the pressure on various parts of your foot as you walk. Plus they have at least 100 varieties of womens running shoes. I’ve sworn off buying athletic shoes anywhere else.
I’m with ya on the Mizuno 7 Wave Inspires NOT being the same as the 6s. I bought the 7s, and like them ok, but the 6s are WAY better.
I have learned my lesson buying shoes online. Running store is worth the drive and a few extra bucks. You should be able to send those Inspire 7’s back.
I want to go to that iced coffee place when I am in Boston in June for a wedding! All the flavors sound so amazing and I am always jealous when I read about it on CNC 🙂
Buying running sneakers is totally stressful for me! I couldn’t find the right ones for the longest time. I wish it was like Sephora — buy it, try it out, and return it if you don’t like it!
As I’m sitting here almost DROOLING over that bowl of squash, mmmm. I just picked up one from the grocery store today actually and wanted to mimic a similar top-ramen-esque recipe, tell me how you went about prepping and baking it?