My first ever pair of running shoes were a hand-me-down pair from my older sister—too small, but they got the job done. My next two pairs came from my older brother and my best friend—both pairs sizeably too big, but I managed.
The first pair that I could actually call my own I paid for with my paper-route money—purchased on lay-away, of course. So, when I have been fortunate enough in my career to be provided with running shoes, trainers, or the like, I have always had a deep appreciation and understanding of how fortunate running has made me.
It is why, when I have been sponsored or provided with running shoes, I have always held on to a few extra pairs at the end of each contract. Preparing for the inevitable part of my career where I would not be sponsored. Still a privilege I do not take lightly.
It is why I am incredibly grateful to get to try out new shoe models and tell you all about them here at iRun.
As of April 1, 2021, I was able to wear whatever I wanted on my feet. I still had a few pairs of Under Armour shoes that I could continue to wear, but I was also ready to see what other brands had done over the past few years. As life would have it, April was also when all of my stuff from Canada arrived down here in Denver—which meant I would be reunited with my small stockpile of shoes.
The new fancy kicks would have to wait. I had my past to run through.
Since then I have been doing the majority of my mileage runs in shoes made between 2012-2016. Some brand new, some with a few miles on them already. No carbon plates or fast foam.
In my collection are a pair of Saucony Kinvara and Pro Grid Triumph from 2013, several pairs of Asics Nimbus from 2014-2016, and a few other models whose names I have forgotten (and cannot even find on the internet anymore!) I couldn’t tell you what pair of shoes to go buy right now. I don’t know what I’d buy if I walked into a store. I’ve been sidelined for five years from the shoe game and grew up in hand-me-downs. I don’t know the name of the best racing flat and I can’t tell you the names of the different foam technologies and carbon-plate science.
I’m excited to find out.
I think it is going to be interesting these next few months—going from the accidental crash course of the shoe technologies of my former career to the updated technologies and the start of something new. The first shoes I’m reviewing are the Puma Women’s Deviate NITRO, come back for my review this month.
Lanni Marchant is a two-time Olympian and one-time fastest female Canadian marathon runner of all-time. If you’ve tried running in a shoe you love have a shoe review you want to share with Lanni Marchant, put your comments down below. To follow Marchant on Instagram, go to @lannimarchant.
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