Best running shoe ever! :)

[thom]

The best running shoe is a shoe that fits YOU best, and today I got new ones!

I wish you could all visit the resident "shoe whisperer" if you run. She looks at foot shape, arch, & overall body alignment in addition to things like pronation.

I'm in a totally different shoe -- Brooks Ghost 7. She also said my current shoe was causing my left hip to twist out slightly, meaning I was only really powering from one side when I run. Apparently I've gotten much stronger overall (especially quads, knees) since she fitted me 2+ years ago, so I no longer need the extra lift of the Wave Rider. She also said I should have a lot more potential & speed now that I'm aligned well. Yay, right?! And, this should help my insanely tight piriformis too.

I suppose I sound nuts, but working with this lady on shoes 4+ years ago was what finally helped me overcome a lot of nagging injuries when I first started doing half marathons. So, I'm a believer.

I'm just happy right now.

[labbie]

They're pretty too! Love the purple.

Sent from my XT1080 using proboards

[clseale]

I want a shoe whisperer!!!!

Enjoy your new shoes!

[bella9280]

Jul 30, 2014 19:43:07 GMT -5 clseale said:

I want a shoe whisperer!!!!

Enjoy your new shoes!

Me too!!

[bostonmichelle]

Yay! Enjoy the new shoes!

[boston340]

Wow, that's so awesome! How long did the entire process take?

[libbygrl109]

I want a shoe whisperer! Wishing you lots of happy miles in your new shoes!

[thom]

@mn06 -- Gear West in Long Lake (a bit past Wayzata). It's definitely a drive for me, but worth it.

In general I think their sales people do a good job helping fit shoes, but I always do the full gait analysis with Wendi. It's $40, and you've got to book an appointment online. (I had to keep checking back for about a week until I found an open time.) She didn't do a lot with me on suggested exercises, but she did suggest various stretches and areas to massage out. If you go I think you'll really like her.

gait.gearwest.com

From website:

While we at Gear West will make sure that any shoe you buy from us is the perfect style for you with a perfect fit, some of our customers want a little more help. For those with challenging injuries, constant aches and pains, muscle tightness, and those who think they could improve their performance with some biomechanical work, we offer a specialized Gait Analysis service. Our resident "shoe whisperer", Wendi Morin, performs these analyses, which cost $40.00 and take approximately 40 minutes.

This analysis includes:

Arch and foot evaluation
Muscle weakness and imbalance check
Pelvic rotation check
Leg length discrepancy
Arch support evaluation
Suggested strengthening exercises
Shoe model recommendation including full explanation of reasoning behind shoe pick.

[thom]

And because I'm a dork:

Read to #RunHappy in my Brooks!

[thom]

Jul 30, 2014 21:11:06 GMT -5 boston340 said:

Wow, that's so awesome! How long did the entire process take?

About 40 minutes. I posted a little more info from their website a few replies above. I really wish I could send her to all of you that wanted!

[jordylee]

SHOE TWINS!! (well, as soon as I wear through the rest of my ghost 6's). You'll have to report back after wearing them for a few years and let us know if you notice a difference

[venice2007]

Pretty!!!

[shauni27]

Jul 30, 2014 19:43:07 GMT -5 clseale said:

I want a shoe whisperer!!!!

Me too!  Send her out east, please!

OR better yet...you are in Minnesota, right thom ?  Is she near the twin cities?  I will be there in 1 month, I can find her!!

[jamalynn]

Awesome and the shoes are pretty too! Yay! I need a shoe whisperer. PF is getting on my last nerve.

[jene]

Jul 31, 2014 6:57:25 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Jul 30, 2014 19:43:07 GMT -5 clseale said:

I want a shoe whisperer!!!!

Me too!  Send her out east, please!

OR better yet...you are in Minnesota, right thom ?  Is she near the twin cities?  I will be there in 1 month, I can find her!!

GTG?

[runblondie26]

Ooh, so pretty!

This motivates me want to go out and get fitted again. Goes to show how your running is always evolving and changing.

[tuggyruns]

Jul 31, 2014 8:24:33 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

Ooh, so pretty!

This motivates me want to go out and get fitted again. Goes to show how your running is always evolving and changing.

So true! 

Happy you found shoes that you looovveee! 

[shauni27]

Jul 31, 2014 8:22:16 GMT -5 jene said:

Jul 31, 2014 6:57:25 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Me too!  Send her out east, please!

OR better yet...you are in Minnesota, right thom ?  Is she near the twin cities?  I will be there in 1 month, I can find her!!

GTG?

I am not sure I will be able to swing a GTG--I will be there with my husband for a quick wedding.  We will be staying away from the cities for most of the stay and then just like 4 hours in the cities before going to bed early for a 5 am flight--let me look at my agenda though and let you guys know!

[thom]

jordylee -- fun! Have you been running in the Ghost awhile?

I think I already noticed a difference this morning. I could totally tell my left leg was working differently (a little harder) so I think these shoes will help "even me out." I already ordered another pair so I can rotate & run exclusively in these. So. Much. $$.

[thom]

shauni27 --

Check out their website for the fitting w/ Wendi here:

gait.gearwest.com

It's kind of hard to get an appointment, but she only books out 30 days so you could watch for a time. It would be cool if it worked out.

Also; yes to a GTG sometime in the future. It seems like last time we tried everyone's schedules got nuts.
P.S. I think breezy8407 & I are both planning on Esprit de She Maple Grove in September. If anyone else is looking at that race you should sign up!

[breezy8407]

Jul 31, 2014 9:41:37 GMT -5 thom said:

shauni27 --

Check out their website for the fitting w/ Wendi here:

gait.gearwest.com

It's kind of hard to get an appointment, but she only books out 30 days so you could watch for a time. It would be cool if it worked out.

Also; yes to a GTG sometime in the future. It seems like last time we tried everyone's schedules got nuts.
P.S. I think breezy8407 & I are both planning on Esprit de She Maple Grove in September. If anyone else is looking at that race you should sign up!

Umm that Gear West is not at all inconvenient for me. I think I remember you telling me about your shoe whisperer a while back. 

I love my Mizuno WR's, but I hear the latest release is bad. I was thinking of getting refitted after my current shoes are worn. 

[shauni27]

Jul 31, 2014 9:41:37 GMT -5 thom said:

shauni27 --

Check out their website for the fitting w/ Wendi here:

gait.gearwest.com

It's kind of hard to get an appointment, but she only books out 30 days so you could watch for a time. It would be cool if it worked out.

Also; yes to a GTG sometime in the future. It seems like last time we tried everyone's schedules got nuts.
P.S. I think breezy8407 & I are both planning on Esprit de She Maple Grove in September. If anyone else is looking at that race you should sign up!

I will be long gone by then, damn!

[jene]

breezy8407 thom @mn06- Is anyone doing monster dash?

[breezy8407]

Jul 31, 2014 13:42:49 GMT -5 jene said:

breezy8407 thom @mn06- Is anyone doing monster dash?

I am! I'm doing the 1/2. I technically started training this week. I should probably go sign up. You mentioned doing the 5k, right?

[jene]

Jul 31, 2014 13:47:28 GMT -5 breezy8407 said:

Jul 31, 2014 13:42:49 GMT -5 jene said:

breezy8407 thom @mn06- Is anyone doing monster dash?

I am! I'm doing the 1/2. I technically started training this week. I should probably go sign up. You mentioned doing the 5k, right?

That's the plan right now.  I may run it with the stroller, it will depend on how big A is by then if I can still have him in the car seat adapter.  If not, we'll have to see how good his head control is by then.  

[breezy8407]

Yay! We will have to try and meet up.

/hijack

[thom]

Jul 31, 2014 14:03:30 GMT -5 breezy8407 said:

Yay! We will have to try and meet up.

/hijack

It's a good hijack.

Apparently Monster Dash will be the place to be for H&F this October!

[jordylee]

Jul 31, 2014 9:36:41 GMT -5 thom said:

jordylee -- fun! Have you been running in the Ghost awhile?

I think I already noticed a difference this morning. I could totally tell my left leg was working differently (a little harder) so I think these shoes will help "even me out." I already ordered another pair so I can rotate & run exclusively in these. So. Much. $$.

I ran in the ghost 4's, hated the 5's (so I hoarded ALL of the 4's), and now I'm in the 6's. I'm debating whether to hoard all the 6's since they're on sale, or go ahead and switch to the 7's. I have two unopened shoe boxes in my closet BUT I WANT MORE!!! It's a sickness, lol

I'm glad you are already noticing a difference!