I wasn’t going to bother with a review of the shoe until I recently pulled out my Cortana’s I picked up a few months back. The other day while looking at what some may call obsession, “my shoe collection”. I picked up my Cortana’s and actually debated wearing them again. The first time I tried on the shoe I loved the feel of it on my feet, comfortable, supportive and light weight, I could not wait to try them out. I few days later I ran with the regular gang from RF Orangeville, nothing long just some simple speed work. It was a fairly cool evening so I put on some thicker socks. The run was great, I thought to myself these shoes are definitely worth the $169.99 Saucony charges, after all “technology” is not cheap. My training for an up coming half was becoming more focused and some runs obviously more intense. After a few runs I had noticed some minor blistering on my feet, nothing out of the ordinary I thought… after all my feet and the abuse they’ve seen this is nothing new. I’m breaking in the shoes, so I told myself. Well… race dace had come and the Cortana surely must be ready to go I had thought. Kilometer 1 – 13 not bad, right Ray? Wrong! I noticed early on the blisters where getting worse. This had happened once or twice before, no big deal I thought I run through it and tend to the buggers later. 14 – 18K wow! Really how bad can these things be, surely there must be a little foot left that’s not being attached by these shoes… 21.1 finally it’s over… lets take these bad boys off and take a look. Can’t be that bad I thought, I probably was looking for a reason for a sub par performance. The moment of truth! As I slid the shoe off I notice the red die on the shoe had covered my sock… only to realise the shoe was black inside… YEP… Blood, booth feet, the blisters grew, had babies and through a party! Needless to say, I did not run the next few mornings. Still stubborn I assumed I did not break in the shoes in properly, after all did I mention the $169.99 price tag! Reality set in over the next few weeks, these shoes were evil! Not one run took place, 5, 10, 20k that I did not blister, even a sad 3K on the treadmill! I laid them to rest. Well a short time later I had an opportunity to speak with a Saucony Rep regarding the shoes and I expressed my frustration. Surprisingly he had actually acquired a pair himself. More surprising he had the exact same issues. He went on to mention he thought the shoe was to roomy and his fix was purchasing an insole. What the heck I thought… $169.99 what’s another $40.00. So now my $209.99 shoes will help me win the Mississauga Half right! lol…. hardly…. a few more runs with my blister factories and I called it quits for them. I must be crazy, I tried them on again this past week end, not for a run but as something to put on while volunteering for a locate event (Chase the Tornado… awesome vent!), I should have known better…. blister city after only a few hours of walking! So back to my title… The Box or The Shoe…, I think the box would have been a better choice over the shoe… give it to your kids… they’ll make something out with their brilliant minds that will surely bring a smile to your face, well worth a $169.99, the shoe on the other had will not make you smile! Saucony, I love ya! but you failed here…. but to show there’s no hard feelings… I’ll be happy to lend you a pair of shoes!
Old friends can turn on you as well. My Mizunos have recently gifted me with some awesome blisters on race day, from two different models.
Obviously the shoes had not changed, but what about the runner? Ample hill and strength work had preceded my races. It is likely these shifts in muscle balance have upset our foot mechanics.
So perhaps give it a bit more time. You may find your feet have not yet completed adapting to a stronger running style. This may explain the shifting and rubbing within the shoes, especially at race paces.