As I am gearing up towards road race season my training runs have told me something…I need new sneakers. Normally this would not be such a big deal but this time around I am at a loss. For the past three-ish years I have been running in Under Armor sneakers and I love them, love to the point where when I found out they were being ‘redesigned’ I went to the outlet and bought the last 3 pairs in my size. I have been trying to keep my shoes alive with a rotation and insoles but alas my knees and shins have let me know the time has come to retire my loves.
I waited very patiently for the ‘new version’ of my sneakers to come out and my suspicions were confirmed. Boo! They are no longer the sneakers of my dreams! So now the quest begins and, for once, I am not looking forward to shoe shopping.
My discovery of these Under Armor sneakers came through a trial/survey program I used to belong to, I opened my secret package and there they were all shinny and new, ready to be tested and reviewed. It was fate. In the past I have worked my way through Nike, New Balance, Adidas and Mizuno with no luck. All I ended up with were blisters, shin splints, pain in my heel and a lot of time spent in line returning sneakers. I am a neutral runner so I don’t need much in the way of bells and whistles but I am not so sure where to turn.
Here comes the ah-ha moment…wait for it…wait for it…
Enter the John Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo.
A.K.A the Marathon Expo.
Turns out I am a lucky girl when it comes to timing. Marathon Monday is fast approaching, 11 days away to be exact, and with that comes the weekend long swag-fest that is the expo. Very proud to say I made out like a bandit last year and plan to do the same this year. The clever folks at the BAA set up bib pick up within the convention center so you can’t help but be tempted to poke your head in and look around. Then it happens, with your bib and t-shirt in hand you get sucked in to the aisles of nonstop awesomeness. Shoes, clothes, drinks, snacks, accessories, trips, prizes, presentations, seminars, pamphlets and photo-ops, oh my!
I have run the BAA 5k in the past but am not running this year but I will still make my pilgrimage to the expo. Who knows this year I might come home with some sweet new kicks!
Wish me luck!
Leah
No comments:
Post a Comment