I bought a pair of SEPs as a holding place until I could find a pair of AN%s at the recommendation of my local shoe shop. There was no Nike availability on the horizon, so I figured I’d use the Saucony’s to help the transition. I had been running in Brooks Ghost exclusively but like a lot of runners, I was determined to get some of that ‘free speed’. I’ve used custom orthotics for the last few years.
The Brooks is a completely different shoe from the Saucony(much less the Nike) but after a few sets on my treadmill I felt comfortable and took them outside for long-ish run. Instant impression is legs were fresher 10 miles in and the byproduct was a very encouraging pace for the 13 mile total. This impression hasn’t changed in the couple of months since. I used the shoe for my weekly treadmill interval set and the LR but recovery miles done in the Brooks. The orthotic fits in either, interchangeably.
Behold, an email from Nike about AN%s available through the website. I did one test run on the treadmill and then took the Nike’s out for 15 miles with the orthotics. Bouncy, lots of ankle strikes, and finishing time was roughly what I’d hoped for. But the Nike’s aren’t fitting right; lots of toe discomfort. I’ve been back to the orthotics doc and he molded inserts that I’d use only in these shoes - I’ve run in those once and the jury is out.
So, tomorrow is a virtual Thanksgiving Half that I’ll be running in the Saucony’s. I think that what I’m learning is what others have already written; Nike’s are fast/kinder on the legs in a long run but might not be the cure for everything that ails you. I still want them to work; the plan is to swap around the inserts(it’d help if I could concentrate on mechanics enough to stop whacking my ankles) but I’m really starting to think the Saucony’s are easier to live with.