Nothing in this post is sponsored. Just me, whining about my quest for running shoes that I like.
The shoes in this picture to the left were the best shoes ever. I still mourn the fact that they were discontinued. And I had no warning so I couldn't buy up every pair I could find in my size before they were gone forever.
Next, I switched to the Adrenaline 22, which had a higher drop instead of the four millimeter drop of my favorite shoe, but I grew to love these, too.
And then I needed to replace them and instead of an awesome shoe that I loved, the soles were marshmallows! Too soft, too bouncy, too everything I couldn't tolerate.
I kept hoping they'd abandon the marshmallow foam, but apparently that's what's selling, so of course they won't.
So my search for a new shoe had been ongoing. Actually, it's been ongoing since the PureFlow was deleted from the company's lineup. I tried 4mm drop shoes from another manufacturer, but the interior was so rough and scratchy that I hated them.
After I lost the Adrenalines, I tried other brands with a similar drop, but they were all either rough or marshmallow and I was sad.
I finally settled into the ASICS Cumulus 27. They're fine. They're comfortable, but the heel flares out and I worry about catching it on a vine or twig or my accelerator while I'm driving.
Then something strange happened. Woot had Adrenaline 23s in one of their emails. Why is this strange? Because I haven't opened a Woot email in about forever. But for some reason, I opened this one. Even stranger? I have big feet, and in running shoes, I size up. They only had two sizes available in the Adrenaline 23s and one of those sizes was mine!
Whoa, baby!
Adrenaline 23 was the last version of the shoe before Brooks put in the marshmallow foam. The last version of this shoe that I will like was available in my size! I bought two pairs immediately. One in some navy blue adjacent color and the other in orchid, which is a pink/purple kind of mix. There was a third color available in my size, but it was orange and I have an aversion to orange. Long story. Off topic.
But my quest for a replacement shoe didn't stop with the Woot treasure. (Another two days until they arrive.) I found a new-to-me brand. Altra Running. Their Escalante 5. It has no drop. I've never had a running shoe with zero drop before, but low drops are better for your knees. I just ordered them literally minutes ago and I already cannot wait to get them!
Keep your fingers crossed for me that I have found my PureFlow replacement.
After years wearing the higher drop of the Adrenaline and now the Cumulus, I will have to work my way into zero drop because apparently it can cause calf and Achilles issues to go from the Adrenaline drop to zero drop, so I'll take my time.
I'm very picky about my running shoes. So picky. I'm expecting to be disappointed with my new find, but hoping for the best. At least I found a coupon and even better? Altra has a 30 day trial period where you can actually wear them for a workout and don't have to return them in pristine condition, so this will give me a good shot at figuring out whether or not they'll work for me.
I'm so excited. And also braced for disappointment.
