This week I’m going to stray from our Tuesdays on the Run topic of Best Running Books because I’ve been off on a blog field trip and the details are too good not to share!
Us runners love our shoes. Recently I was invited to visit my local New Balance Store, have a fit and gait analysis done, then shop for and take home the perfect pair of running shoes. Pay attention because you have a chance to win the very same awesome opportunity plus a discount so read on!
I’ve known of the New Balance brand for ages. Many of my cross-country-running friends back in high school wore New Balance. Heck, I even had my own light blue pair back in the day. But somewhere, over the years I kind of forgot about New Balance. I’m embarrassed to admit this but I didn’t even realize there were New Balance stores in the Chicago area. My bad.
For the record, the New Balance store near me is one of five that are owned and operated by the same family, which I kind of like:
- Hyde Park
- Lincoln Park
- Oakbrook Terrace
- Orland Park
- Schaumburg
I hit up the Schaumburg store, which is closest to me up here in the Northern suburbs of Chicago, and met Mike, the store manager.
We got the party started by learning more about my feet with a foot analysis. I’ve had several gait analyses in the past but never one that started with a sensor.
I stood on the sensor and an infrared image of my feet appeared. It assessed my arches and how my weight was distributed through the bottoms of my feet.
Next Mike observed, recorded, and reviewed my stride. He determined that a neutral shoe was best for me, which is exactly what I’ve been wearing. Boom!
After collecting all of this data, We discussed shoe options that would be best for my needs.
If you’re a long-time reader you may remember that I had a falling out of sorts with my marathon shoe at NYCM in 2014. Since then I’ve never been totally happy with the long-run shoes I’ve tried so I really hoped I’d be lucky enough to find a love match at New Balance. As you might imagine, Mike got an earful. It was fun to geek out on running with someone who totally “got it”. Turns out there were two strong contenders and another shoe that I bet would be so perfect for speedwork….would you look at that purple?
So what shoe did I choose?
The Vazee 2090. The Vazee ended up coming home with me and I cannot wait to take them for a spin. They’re a little lighter than what I’m used to. A little more fun.
Can they keep my feet happy through 26.2 in Berlin? I hope so!
Overall the entire New Balance experience was a great one. Mike is a true expert and was very patient as I went through my deliberations. It’s great peace of mind to know there’s a local running store I can feel good about going to with any running issues, needs etc. You can be sure I’ll visit again soon…plus there’s a certain base layer calling my name…one can never have too many of those in Chicago, right?WIN IT!
Enter here to win a free fit analysis with your own New Balance Fit Specialist, your choice of New Balance shoes (up to $175), a $50 New Balance gift card good toward shoes or apparel. Note: Winner must be able to visit one of the five Chicago-area New Balance stores listed above to redeem the giveaway.
Save $10 off your in-store purchase with #NewBalanceChi10. Hurry: Offer expires 12/31/16.
Have you had your gait analyzed? Any surprises? Have you tried New Balance Shoes?
This discussion was sponsored in partnership with New Balance Chicago. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own
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I have 1 pair of New Balance shoes that I like but they are pretty light, so would be good for speedwork whenever I get back to that. I actually just looked up New Balance in Baltimore and found there is one nearby that I never knew about!
I would so love to win this, but I don’t see a trip to Chicago in my near future. 🙁 ah well.
I actually like New Balance a lot — I’ve run a few halfs in them. I hope they carry you through Berlin well!
I’ve had my gait analyzed several times, always with different results, but they do always put me in neutral shoes.
I’ve had my gait analyzed a few of times, it’s interesting to see how different shops perform the analysis. I’ve had it done by look at my running (outside/treadmill), video my running (at PT), look at my old shoes for patterns on wear, and the infrared technique. I’m always told I’m neutral.
What a fun experience! Those shoes look HOT!!
What a cool opportunity and those shoes look great! I’ve really enjoyed wearing New Balances this past year as I was pretty new to the brand for running, to be honest!
The most recent gait analysis I had done was the most thorough, in my opinion. It was at the Route 66 expo, and the Brooks people were the ones who did it…using all kinds of sensors (on my thighs, calves, and I think also near my achilles) and video taping of my feet and legs. It was interesting! I’m amazed at the number of people who don’t have this done! I wish I lived in your area, I’d love to check out this store!
What a fun field trip! I love the shoes you picked! Would your daughter approve of how bright they are?…haha
Oh how fun! I’d love to try those shoes. Do you think my Asics will get jealous?
When I was refitted for shoes this summer, I went with the New Balance 860s first, and now I’m trying the Brooks Ravenna. I ordered another pair of NB 860s to have once I wear out the Ravennas. They were good shoes this summer and I really hope the next version didn’t change much.
Nope. Never had my gait analyzed. Probably should. I have worn New Balance but they wore out quickly and they weren’t as wide in the toe box as I would have liked.
Hope yours get you to the Berlin finish line.
I love New Balance! This is another great reason to stop by their store location rather than ordering online. I love the way Mike measured out your foot to give you the best possible running shoe!
Thanks for sharing this great info! I need to stop by a NB store!!
I have not tried New Balance for running, and I’m not real sure why not. I use to love NB in general before running. I think I need to change that!
Those new shoes of yours do look pretty cool! Love the color too!
FUN! NB were my first running shoes. They didn’t work out, but that’s okay.:) That’s a FIERCE picture of you, wooooooo!
What an awesome giveaway! I haven’t been fitted in gosh, 15 years?! That would be amazing!
What a neat experience! I buy my running shoes on Amazon. 🙂
What a fun time! I entered your giveaway because my parents live in Chicago and this sounds like a great excuse to visit them …. I mean I’d visit them and fit this in. Man, BUSTED 😉 Love the pair you chose! So pretty!
I hope you like them! NB was a sponsor for ZOOMA this year and I loved my running shoes they sent! This is a cool prize!
I don’t think I have ever run in New Balance shoes! Looks like a fun event too
Sounds like a great experience! Its so important to have a foot analysis done and to determine the best shoes for each of us. No two people, or their feet, are alike.
Looove those shoes! I’ve seen a few runners in my area with them and I’ve been eyeing them 😉 I’ve had a gait analysis done many times, but never with a fancy machine – how cool!
Happy you found a great pair of shoes! I wish I lived in Chicago so I could enter the giveaway!
I work in a running store, so I regularly go through analyses, especially when helping train new staff members. I have a pair of 860v6s which are pretty nice, although they’re not my go-to shoe. So glad you had such a great experience and that you found something you will love!
What a cool experience. I love the shoes you picked!
Ooh! I wish I lived close enough to Chicago to enter… awesome giveaway. And what a fun experience! There is definitely nothing like having other runners who ‘get it’ and can listen to you vent.
I would enter if there is no expiration to the Chicago visit. I could use another excuse for a weekend in the second city! 🙂 Hope your new shoes are working well so far.