Racing Heart

****DISCLAIMER: everyone's feet are shaped differently, and because I say that this shoe works or doesn't work for me, doesn't mean that it'll work for you. I intend on telling you about the structure and feel of the shoe and giving my opinion. Take it as you may.**** Saucony Triumph ISO: Category: Neutral/High Cushioning Fit: Mostly similar to the standard Saucony fit, (not too snug throughout), however this Triumph does hold the foot a little better in the heel and midfoot. Cushioning: Soft! I thought Saucony's powergrid cushioning was soft. The new PWRGRID+ cushioning is a lot softer. Heel to toe drop: 8 mm Weight: 9 oz Price: $150 Comparable shoes: Adidas Energy Boost, Brooks Glycerin, Asics Nimbus Company says: The Triumph delivers the plushest, most cushioned running experience we have ever created. The revolutionary ISOFIT upper morphs to your foot for a sock like feel, providing superior comfort and allowing the shoe to m...

Race Date: May 4th, 2014 Race Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Race distance: 8.8 miles Race Website: http://www.corridorrunning.com/races/mall-to-mall/ Awesome shirt design I wanted to do this race for a while because the shirts were pretty cool. I had also heard from a few people that this was a fun race that was different enough to make it stand out from the rest. What makes it so different? Rather than competing to be the first runner across the finish line, this race is a prediction race. This means that when you register, you have to say how long it will take you to get from Lindale Mall to Westdale Mall (every year it rotates, Lindale to Westdale then Westdale to Lindale). You also have to take into account that the race is on sidewalks and at every intersection, there will not be cops stopping traffic, rather you have to follow the rules of the road and stop when the crossing sign says stop. It was also a neat adventure trekking across Cedar Rapids and on t...

****DISCLAIMER: everyone's feet are shaped differently, and because I say that this shoe works or doesn't work for me, doesn't mean that it'll work for you. I intend on telling you about the structure and feel of the shoe and giving my opinion. Take it as you may.**** Adidas Supernova Glide 6: Category: Neutral/Cushioning Fit: Glove-like fit in midfoot and in heel, roomier in toebox Cushioning: Soft! Contains the new Boost cushioning, which is much softer and more responsive than the old EVA foam.  Heel to toe drop: 10 mm Weight: 8.8 oz Price: $130 Comparable shoes: Saucony Triumph, Newton Energy, Nike Vomero, Brooks Ghost Company says:   These women’s shoes turn every run into the run you’ve always wanted. The all-new boost™ midsole has an amazingly bouncy feel without being too soft, and that makes for a light, fast and just plain fun run. And with a textile and mesh upper and TORSION® SYSTEM support, these shoes breathe well and off...

****DISCLAIMER: everyone's feet are shaped differently, and because I say that this shoe works or doesn't work for me, doesn't mean that it'll work for you. I intend on telling you about the structure and feel of the shoe and giving my opinion. Take it as you may.**** Brooks Ghost 7: Category: Neutral/Cushioning Fit: Looser fit throughout, hugs in midfoot slightly Cushioning: plush-like. A lot softer than the previous models. Heel to toe drop: 12 mm Weight: 8.6 oz Price: $120 Comparable shoes: Mizuno Wave Rider, Asics Cumulus, Saucony Ride, Newton Energy, Nike Pegasus, New Balance 880 Company says:   The Ghost 7 is a triple threat of balance, cushion, and lightweight materials. Hitting the sweet spot for millions of runners, this neutral running shoe for women gives you the stuff to kick back for miles on end, or lean in and pick up the pace. We’ve maintained the horseshoe-shaped crash pad, full ground contact, and omega grooves in the...

****DISCLAIMER: everyone's feet are shaped differently, and because I say that this shoe works or doesn't work for me, doesn't mean that it'll work for you. I intend on telling you about the structure and feel of the shoe and giving my opinion. Take it as you may.**** Mizuno Wave Rider 18: Category: Neutral/Cushioning Fit: Snug in heel and midfoot, glovelike in forefoot Cushioning: stiffer in heel, soft in forefoot Heel to toe drop: 12 mm Weight: 7.8 oz Price: $120 Comparable shoes: Brooks Ghost, Asics Cumulus, Saucony Ride, Newton Energy, Nike Pegasus Company says: The new Wave Rider 18 is designed to maximize and balance forward momentum, which can result in positive change both internally and in the world we run in. I say: This model of the wave rider definitely makes me like this shoe more. In the previous model of the shoe, I felt that opening the mesh made it sloppy in the forefoot. This new upper hugs the door more, just as th...

****DISCLAIMER: everyone's feet are shaped differently, and because I say that this shoe works or doesn't work for me, doesn't mean that it'll work for you. I intend on telling you about the structure and feel of the shoe and giving my opinion. Take it as you may.**** Asics Kayano 21: Category: stability/High cushioning Fit: snug in the heel and midfoot Cushioning: The Kayano has the  signature  Asics stiffer gel cushioning in the heel, but the forefoot is much softer than previous models.  Heel to toe drop: 13 mm Weight: 8.9 oz Price: $160 Comparable shoes: Brooks  Transcend , Saucony Hurricane Company says: The new GEL-Kayano 21 is updated with nothing but the best in ASICS technical innovation, featuring the next generation of FluidRide™ and an Ortholite X-40 sockliner for the lightest and most luxuriously stable ride yet. Mild to moderate overpronators will enjoy a more comfortably secure upper, uniquely designed with ...

****DISCLAIMER: everyone's feet are shaped differently, and because I say that this shoe works or doesn't work for me, doesn't mean that it'll work for you. I intend on telling you about the structure and feel of the shoe and giving my opinion. Take it as you may.**** Nike Structure: Category: Stability Fit: With the new flymesh technology on the upper, the fit is like a glove. The upper holds the foot in place just as a sock would. The added flywire on the midfoot provides a snug fit throughout the middle of the foot into the heel. Cushioning: Nike zoom air  cushioning . Stiffer in the heel, softer in the forefoot.  Heel to toe drop: 9 mm Weight: 9 oz Price: $120 Comparable shoes: Brooks Adrenaline, Saucony Guide, New Balance 860, Mizuno Wave Inspire, Asics 2000, Adidas Sequence Boost Company says:  The Nike Air Zoom Structure 18 Women's Running Shoe features added firmer foam for increased stability, along with ultra-responsive...

So like I stated in the introduction, I am going to do a shoe review every once and a while, so I thought I would start with the shoe that is like home to me. ****DISCLAIMER: everyone's feet are shaped differently, and because I say that this shoe works or doesn't work for me, doesn't mean that it'll work for you. I intend on telling you about the structure and feel of the shoe and giving my opinion. Take it as you may.**** So the Saucony Echelon 4: Category: neutral/cushioning Fit: looser throughout shoe Cushioning: soft Weight: 9 oz Heel to toe drop: 8mm Price: $130 Comparable other shoes: Brooks Dyad, New Balance 840 What the company says: The echelon is designed for runners seeking additional support and cushioning from a neutral training shoe, as well as orthotic wearers. What I say: The echelon is the first shoe I fell in love with. They fit my flat feet and provide an arch that doesn't force itself too much into...

Race Date: April 13th, 2014 (This will not be the same date as next year will be, they have changed the date to June 14th, 2015) Race location: Marion, Iowa Race Distance: 13.1 Race website: http://www.marathonforshoes.com/ I chose this race for quite a few reasons. 1, The location was only 15 minutes away from me, 2, The price was phenomenal, 3, my work is one of the main sponsors, and 4, I was told by a lot of my customers that the previous year was a lot of fun. I will have to say that this has been one of my favorite races that I have done so far. The half marathon was a smaller bunch compared to the other races that I have done in the past, only having 350 total finishers, however no one was ever running alone. Another great aspect of this race was that every water stop was phenomenal. They had a lot of enthusiasm for the participants and were there to support us. The course wasnt too hilly, mainly rolling hills, but nothing too steep. However, the course do...

Race Date: June 14th, 2014 Race location: Grinnell, Iowa Distance: 13.1 miles Race Website: http://www.grinnellgames.com/run.html This race was a terror for me. I chose this one because of the proximity to myself and also because of the price (45$). Personally, I did not like this race at all. For me, I do not like running in circles and should have backed out once I saw the course map. The race is a 6.5 mile loop that is done twice. To some this may not seem bad, however what makes it as bad as it seems is that many of the spectators do not realize how many loops you have done and as you run past the finish line the first time, they cheer you in as if you're finally done when you still have over half the race left to complete. The course is also hilly in spots as well, with the hills coming out of no where. The mile or 2 runs through a neighborhood with rolling hills, then comes a long gradual incline with a short, fairly steep decline on the back side. Turn a cor...

Race date: August 9th, 2014 Race location: Stillwater, MN to Hudson, WI Distance: 13.1 miles Race website: http://www.finalstretch.com/running-races/gopher-to-badger.html So what did I think of this race? It was a good overall course, there were approximately 2000 participants this year, so the race was not overly crowded or under-packed. The entry fee was a decent amount as well-only 35$ for early sign up. Like I previously stated, the course was nice, there were not any sort of steep inclines or sudden drops. The most interesting aspect of the course was having to cross the La Croix river on highway 94 on the sidewalk. For those who have a fear of bridges, this might not be the race for you. There were portions (miles 6.5-8) which were desolate and boring, and around mile 7, there were dump trucks passing through that were carrying dirt, making it hard to breathe, and whether or not this aspect will be here for the following years is unknown to me. Besides the mi...

Hello! So I thought the best way to start this blog off would be to introduce myself. My name is Kelsey, I am a collegiate runner who also spends her time working in a specialty running store. As one of my passions is running, I enjoy running different races in the community, and also across the United States. I figured since I run at least 10 races a year, I could share my experiences and thoughts about the race to all of you. I might also do a shoe critique here and there to add a few more things.  Enjoy my blog and happy running!