Connecting With My Brooks

Brooks Pure Project: Pure Connect

After 2 solid runs in these kicks I think I am ready to talk about them. I don’t want to jinx myself but I think we may be forming a pretty good relationship.

Likes So Far:

* They hug my arches. This is a big deal for me. My arches are so high that when I make a wet foot print the only reflection is my heel and toes. Freaky, I know. Prone to injury? You betcha. Kicking butt still? HECK YES. I can wear these shoes WITHOUT inserts. AWESOME. Fact: I have tried out many a pairs of shoes and these are the only ones (to date) that I can wear without inserts. YEEAAAAHHHH! 

*They are light and flexible. No clunky heel, no crazy over the top cushioning. Just a nice shoe that breathes and gives but still offers just enough in the mid/forefoot so that I know I have a shoe on. My foot feels less like a robot and more like a foot.

Dislikes:

*The only thing that has me weirded out so far is how small this shoe runs. I originally went up a full size (from my street shoes) and had about the width of my pinky finger to the end of the shoe. After my first run (5 miles) I realized that if I went any longer my foot would swell and they would be way to small. I exchanged them and went up a size and a half and ran 7 miles yesterday. Golden. They do feel kind of big when I put them on (I now have the width of my thumb to the end) but when I was running they were fine. Even if I relaced them to make them wider in the forefoot I think I still would have had to sized up.

Not sure if it’s just my weird little foot or if anyone else has had to size up in these shoes.

They will certainly stay in the rotation. After my first run I liked them. After my second run I liked them more. Although I am still recovering from achilles tendonitis I feel no pain when running in these shoes. SCORE!

~

Today’s Workout

After a decent 7 mile run yesterday today was a crosstrain day.

25 min Moving Stairs (AKA The Moving Stair Monster. It’s a beast).  I finally graduated to level 16. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing. I may or may not have called the stairs a jerk more than one time. There may or may not have been witnesses. The rules of the gym are no cussing or grunting. Jerk is totally acceptable if muttered under your breath. Anything goes at 5 am. I can’t promise sunshine and puppies.

1/4 mile walk to cool down. After taking a beating on the stairs I walked it out. I also needed an excuse to plug into the TV because I saw there was a shooting in a local suburb that is virtually crime free. Thought it was weird so wanted the deets.

35 minutes free weights. Mostly focused on arms and shoulders. Felt like I had noodles attached to my body afterwards. I think that means it was a good workout!

10 minutes core. That was all I had left in me. I.was.done.

Tomorrow I will take the new Kinvara’s for a test run. They are shocking pink. Like, glow in the dark pink. Like maybe perfect for 26.2 at night in Vegas. Like maybe PR shoes?!?!

What was your workout today?!

Anyone purchase new sneaks lately? Reviews?

Any other good news to share?