Running Shoes

When I ran my first race, a 5K in August, 2008 I wore a pair of "running shoes" that I purchased at the Shoe Company. Well anyway, the resulting Achilles Bursa injury took me a few weeks to get rid of. After that, I went to the Running Room and got fitted for a proper pair of running Shoes. The resulting shoe was Brooks Trance 8

I wore a few pairs of these and had no problems with them at all. When the Trance 9 came out, I switched to those



I can't say I liked them as well. There's nothing wrong with them I don't think but I did prefer the 8's. Well when they released the 10's I was super excited. The reviews on the shoe were great. Apparently the shoe is super improved and well designed, and comes in this really pretty colour!

So what's the problem? The problem is no one in Canada is carrying this shoe! Running Room cut down on their lines, so stopped carrying the Trance. I contacted Brooks and complained...told them I was going to switch to Nike's. They were very nice and said that they'd have them shipped to a store for me to try on and purchase. When I called the store though, they were nice enough to explain how high the price point on the shoe was going to be. In the USA, the shoe is $140 so to pay almost $200 for the same shoe here, not something I can do. Everyone is selling the Adrenaline which according to the internet is a comparable shoe to the Trance, but a lower end model? Thing is...price tag on the Adrenlaine at most places is $159!

So I essentially paid the same or more money for a shoe that according to Brooks is supposed to be less expensive then the Trance....

I ran 4 miles on the new shoes last night (which are also 1 full size bigger than the Trance's...don't get that either), and the jury is still out. I guess they are fine, there were no immediate pains or discomfort but they just aren't my shoes. I guess I'm just bent about having to switch shoes.

I have tried shopping online for the 10's but with cost of shipping and duty etc. they are still to expensive. I was in Chicago a couple of months ago, held a Trance 10 in my hands and didn't try them on. Figured I'd wait and get them at home (dumb)....

So anyway, how attached are you to your shoes? Are you willing to be adventurous and try new brands? I tried on some Suacony's, Addidas and New Balance yesterday before I bought the Adrenaline's but they didn't feel right. The Adrenalines felt the best....but they are still not my Trance's....