Happy Monday! Well, I’m back in Chicago and back at it… but I keep reminding myself that in less than 2 weeks I’ll be in Charleston for a friend’s wedding, and then in 4 weeks I’ll be home again! I think I can, I think I can…
As I mentioned briefly in my post yesterday, I got a new pair of running shoes! I’ve been wearing Asics, which I bought in June, wore through marathon training in September, and then bought the updated version 4 weeks out from the marathon.
I ran the marathon in these shoes and I really loved them. However, they are a stability shoe and one of the most supportive stability shoes that Asics makes. After going over my stride with my physical therapist, she says it looks pretty good. I hit the ground flat and don’t seem to have many issues. Since I’ve been having IT Band issues since wearing these shoes (I also realize it’s since upping my mileage considerably as well for marathon training), I thought it couldn’t hurt to try out a neutral shoe.
For those of you who aren’t quite as fluent in running speak, there are generally 3 types of shoes: Stability, Neutral, and Minimalist. I already know I’m not a big fan of minimalist and that would be a HUGE jump for my feet. These are the shoes with the least amount of padding. Stability shoes have more padding and are made for people who pronate, and or turn on the side of their feet when they hit the ground. Neutral shoes are the in-between.
I decided to head to Dick’s Sporting Goods since I’d been there earlier in the week and saw they had a huge selection of shoes. I tried on a few myself and then managed to find a sales manager who knew a lot about shoes. After talking with him about various brands and options, I decided to try out a new brand: MIZUNO!
I’ve worn Adidas, Asics, Brooks and Saucony but I’ve never tried Mizuno. After hearing about them on Hungry Runner Girl and STUFT Mama, I thought it was worth a shot. Plus, my mom offered to get me a new pair, so I thought it was worth the risk!
The pair I chose is the Wave Rider 15:
From their website:
What makes Wave Rider 15 different?
By combining the best qualities of every Wave Rider that came before it, Mizuno has created its masterpiece with the Wave Rider 15. While the pendulum in running may swing from one extreme to another, the genius of the Wave Rider 15 is found through its harmonious balance of a lightweight feel, wrapped-to-foot fit and exquisitely smooth ride, ultimately producing a brilliant running experience.
I tried them out for a 1 mile run on the treadmill and I was a little nervous, but once I got into the groove I found I really liked them.
They feel like they’re molded to my feet, and I’ve never run in such a light shoe! We’ll see how they work once I’m able to put a few more miles on them.
Do you stick to one brand of shoe, or do you try new ones?
Are you training for a race right now, or have you run one recently?
Hey Katie! Your old shoes are my current shoes. 🙂 I’m a little Asics-obsessed, but I’ve also had Mizunos in the past. I would say that for the most part I stick to these two brands. Good luck breaking in your new sneaks!
Thanks, and I do love my Asics!
Love the color of the new shoes! I am an Asics girl.
Haha I was excited they were such a fun color!
I trained for my half marathon in the exact Asiacs you have on above and liked them at the time but did have some IT band issues. This summer, I bought my first pair of Mizuno Waveriders and have been wearing them ever since. I’m a huge fan!! Hope you enjoy them too!
I hope the transition works out as well for me too!
Those shoes are so pretty!! I REALLY need new runners. I keep putting off buying them because they are expensive, but it means that I am still wearing shoes that I wore all over India and Thailand, eewwwwwwww!
Hahaha might need a new pair! And yes, I was so excited they came in such a fun color!
I’m an Asics girl too, but I got a pair of Mizunos to try out at the gym on the elliptical and treadmill. So far I have no complaints, but I have not been outside running in them, so that will be the true test.
No races to train for here. Up in ND it is deathly cold already :-(. Happy Running 🙂
Ah I bet it’s cold up there! I hope your Mizunos work out too!
I ran my half back in September…I haven’t given any thought into next races…yet.
Love your new kicks! I love my Mizunos. That said, I’m always open to trying out new things 🙂
I’m glad to hear you like your Mizunos, I’m excited to put some miles on mine!
i bounce around between my asics and my brooks but i tend to like my brooks glycerins the best and i stay pretty loyal. that being said i want to have my gait analyzed because i’ve noticed my calves and shin splints have been acting up a little.
oh also – glad you have a lot to look forward to in december and i know you can make it through the semester just keep pushing!
When do you come back for Christmas?!
Yay for new sneakers! Although I started out running in Asics, I now ONLY run in Mizunos. I don’t think there’s any chance I’ll ever go back. I just got a new pair a couple weeks ago aimed more toward stability (which I desperately needed) and I’m loving them. They’ll take me through training for my next half marathon. I hope your injury heals fast, I know how frustrating it is!
Thanks, Megan! And I’m glad to hear you like your Mizunos!
I ran in Asics for my half back in October and all through training, and I ended up getting injured twice with them. I went and got re-fitted for shoes over the holiday break and walked out with Saucony Cortana 2’s and was torn between those and the new Mizuno Wave Rider 16’s. I ended up getting the 16’s at Dick’s on Friday during the black Friday deals. Love them!
Ahh yay! I’m glad to keep hearing such good things about Mizunos!
I need new running shoes badly! Love these!
I’ve learned the hard way to go get new shoes right when you know you need them!
I only run in Mizunos and have for five years with no injuries. They are my favorite by far. I think you will find you love them, or at least I hope so.
Good to know!! I hope they work out as well for me too!
Yay for new shoes! I stuck with Asics for quite awhile, but made the switch to Brooks with my last pair and fell in love. I’ll never buy another brand!
I’m glad your Brooks worked out so well! I like mine for walking around, but they’re too wide for my feet even though I bought narrow!
I don’t have much brand loyalty when it comes to running shoes…I’ve run in Asics, Brooks, New Balance, and Mizuno and out of the four I think I liked my New Balances the best, but I’m in no way opposed to trying out other brands. I just got a pair of Wave Rider 16s a couple of weeks ago, and I haven’t run in them enough to have a good idea of whether or not they’re good for me (I’ve only done 2 miles in them), but I mostly like the feel and they didn’t bug me, which is always good!
haha definitely good that they didn’t bug you! And I don’t have any brand loyalty either, I like to try new things!
I’m glad to hear you like the Mizunos you picked up! I’ve been wearing the wave riders for about 5 years (since the 10 series I think!) and now am wearing the wave elixir, which is their minimalist shoe. SO AWESOME!
I’m glad to hear you like mizunos too! I had no idea so many people loved them!
I just got my first pair of Mizuno running shoes in the summertime and I am loving them! I feel like they support me so well.
I’m glad you like them!
I’ve run in the same Asics as you… for years! I love them, but I’m thinking about trying out some new brands since I’m not training for a marathon at the moment.
I figured it would be a good time to try a new shoe since the furthest I’ll be going is a half marathon in the foreseeable future.
I started out in Asics, tried Brooks VERY briefly, and now run only in Saucony, specifically Kinvara right now. I <3 them and don't know if I'll ever change. I ran my second marathon in them yesterday and had great success – for me. I'm glad you found a shoe that works; that's such an important part of running!
That’s great that you love them! I had some sauconys last year and loved them, I almost bought some this weekend but decided to try out Mizuno!
Such a great quote by Dumbledore! Something to remember during the last 3-4 weeks of school and finals!
Definitely! Haha I’m going to try and keep it in mind!
I only wear Brooks! I’ve tried a few other brands and had sub par experiences (losing toenails is not fun). I’ve also run in the Adrenalines for years and always liked them!
Haha well I’m glad you haven’t lost any toenails in Brooks!
Love the colour of them! Haha, can you tell I’m more into my fashion than my running 😉 I’ve been working out in my converse, now that I’m not running so much I’ve been wearing them for strength based workouts as the flat sole is great for grounding down your feet in moves like squats and deadlifts
I definitely need to get some good minimal shoes for weight lifting, I tend to just use old running shoes!
I´m a Brooks fan all the way! I ran my first marathon in them in 2006 and nevered switched brands, I fell in love!
I´m currently training for the Miami Marathon on January 27th. So excited!
Good luck on marathon training!
Purple shoes! I love that Mizuno knows we’re tired of white 🙂 Sadly, I’ve never really like Mizunos. I wore Brooks Adrenalines for years but then with my hip issue I needed even more stability. Now I’m in Asics.
Haha Mizuno knows where my head is at with fashion!
I’m not a runner, and, as such, don’t know anything about running shoes, but they sure are pretty 🙂
Haha I have to agree on that point!
I’m thinking that I’ll need to move to a lighter shoe eventually. My shoes are so heavy (because the saleslady said that I need the support), but I feel like that’s why my knee hurts now! So frustrating! I like the color of these shoes!
I thought I could give it a try, it can’t hurt me more than I already am! Haha plus my mom was paying, so no money loss!
I loved running in Brooks for a while and now I have a pair of sacouny’s and I am in love with them. I had a pair of wave riders this past year and I loved the feel of them. I love the purple color too 🙂
haha you like a lot of shoes! I guess that’s a good thing!
I don’t think I’ve ever bought the same brand of running shoe more than once…I’m all about expanding my horizons, apparently :-p
These might have to go on the list, mainly because I adore that colour!
Definitely add them to the list!
Love your new kicks! Bright colored shoes always motivate me to go on a run. I tend to switch up the brand of running shoes that I buy. I guess I haven’t found “the one” that is perfect yet!
I love switching too, it’s fun to try new shoes!
I’ve heard such good things about Mizunos!
I usually buy Saucony, but for my current pair I decided to give Asics a try and I don’t really like them as much. I bought a new pair of Sauconys last week but I’m waiting to wear them because I might need to switch to a more neutral shoe and buy inserts. I’m waiting to see what the orthopedic doctor says!
I hope your new shoes work out well!
I loved the Wave Riders when I tried them…but then realized that the toe box was too small for my funky feet. I actually still have the pair that I only got about 50-70 miles in before they started bothering my feet. They’re a size 8.5 – if they’re your size I would be more than happy to send them your way. I do thikn they’re a great shoe. I just have crazy wide toe needs. Oh, the things we learn about our feet through running shoes. Haha!
lol that is my size! They actually work well for me because I have a really narrow foot, I was surprised I didn’t have to get them in a narrow!
[…] While I was at the store picking out my new Mizunos, a woman near me was practically shouting about how ugly the shoes were that the salesman brought […]
Nice new shoes! I hope they help help with the IT band issues.
My first running shoes were Saucony and then I switch to Asics on my third pair. I have been running in the same ones you were, the 2170s most recently. I’ve been seeing a doctor about my calf pain and she thinks I have been over stabilizing my foot. I just got a new pair of Brooks so we’ll see if things get better.
Fingers crossed for both of us! 🙂