It was my eighth anniversary a few months ago. I couldn’t believe that I, who hated running, not only started running from the beginning, but kept going. This is simply a miracle. Stuck in a nostalgic moment, I started thinking about when I first tried running, how much I know about running now, and how much it has changed for me. From the type of running I do, my mindset, even the running gear, running kit and running training shoes I wear.
You see, early on in my running journey, I didn’t worry about what shoes I was running in. . My criteria are cheap and cheerful; they ideally cost around fifty pounds, and I want them to look good. Oh, how naive I was. The same goes for my running gear. Oh my god, this is the girl who shows up on her first run with a handbag because she doesn’t know where to put her stuff. Well, yes, I am indeed that girl!
I didn’t know any of the major running brands, I didn’t know what Strava was, what a split or PB was, and I certainly didn’t know you could buy road running training shoes and trail running training shoes. Newbie, not even close.
Fast forward to today…I wear cross country training shoes the same way my kids wear them from the weekly store. I care about what I put on my feet. I know how important it is to wear the right shoes for the terrain or distance you are running. I know comfortable clothing can make a huge difference in how you feel when you run and prevent those dreaded scrapes. All of these are important. To be honest, while I don’t want to take out a mortgage on any of this stuff, I do value the belief that you get what you pay for more now.
Through my job as an adidas blogger, I have the very difficult task of testing their gear from time to time. When this month’s campaign was sent to me, the Adizero range immediately caught my eye. So, let’s take a look:
What is adizero?
Before we get into the product I chose, let me tell you a little more about Adizero. Therefore, Adizero strives to make products as light as possible to minimize mass loading and thereby optimize athletic performance. I mean it makes sense, the lighter you weigh, the faster you run.
It all started back in 2004, when Japanese craftsman Toshiaki Omori joined the team. Omori pays close attention to foot anatomy and knows that the ideal shoe needs to support the foot but also make the wearer feel invisible. Shoes must take into account materials, weight, cushioning, different running conditions such as distance, terrain and speed. Not only that, they have to look good and respect the job.
Adizero was in development for 4 years until Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie tested a prototype of the Adizero Adios men’s running shoe the night before the 2008 Berlin Marathon. He liked the feel of them so much that he decided to wear them in an actual race and ended up breaking the world record by 29 seconds.
Now, I’m not saying you’re going to set any marathon world records out there, but hey, depending on the type of running you’re doing, there’s an Adizero shoe for you. Whether it’s the Takumi Sen 9 for short, fast runs, the Boston 12 for mid- to long-distance runs, or the Adizero Adios 8 for a small, all-around performance shoe, the adidas Adizero has you covered.
Adizero Adios 7 shoes
I chose the Adizero Adios 7 shoes because I like the fact that they are touted as an “all-around shoe” – I feel like I’m a bit of an “all-around shoe” girl. I chose the prettiest color combination they have (Pulse Mint/Silver Metallic/Core Black) because well, why wouldn’t you? , Core Black)/Beam Yellow/Solar Green and White Tone/Palace Green/Blue Dawn).
These are not hardcore trail shoes, let me be clear. The lightweight mesh on them lets all kinds of mud and other gunk get inside, and in fact, you can see your socks through the open mesh. But as you can see from my photos, I took them out on a sandy trail on a dry day and they were more than up to the job. In fact, they are more like road or track shoes, but they are also suitable as occasional trail shoes from time to time and are therefore sold as good all-around shoes.
Besides looking like an absolute dog, these women’s running shoes have tons of features that will make your runs look easier, and goodness knows most of us can do that!
Features include:
- breathable mesh – Keeps your feet feeling fresh – Maximum ventilation while still providing all the support.
- LIGHTSTRIKE PRO midsole – Soft foam cushioning designed for dynamic performance.
- torsion bar – This gives the shoe more flexibility, giving the foot support and freer movement while running.
- Adjustable lace closure – Means you can tighten the laces to suit your preference
- light – Each shoe weighs only 189.7 grams (UK size 5.5), lighter shoes allow you to run faster.
- Recycled materials – Like many Adidas products today, the Adizero Adios 7 shoes are partly made from recycled materials, which helps to solve the plastic waste problem we face.
I love them because they are one of those shoes that you take out of the box, put on your feet, and it feels like they were made just for you. They fit like a glove and are fully operational. The jury is still out on whether they will make me run faster…I’m not really a fast girl. But they’re comfortable, they’re cute, and they’re light on my feet, which in turn makes me feel light and bouncy while running, so I think they deserve a spot on my regular running training shoe rack (yes Yes, I have so many pairs of running shoes!
Adizero 7/8 leggings
I’m picky about running leggings. I want them to be high waisted, stretchy, comfortable (obvs), and dark (as much as I want to feel positive about myself, I’m still naturally attracted to darker colors on my lower body because I think It makes me look slimmer) and pockets, they have to have pockets. Adizero 7/8 leggings available all these things. Long live!
First, I want to talk about the feel and fit. You’ll find these leggings are so comfortable that they feel like you’re not wearing them at all. Like the sneakers, they’re made from a range of recycled materials (more so in fact, as they contain at least 70% recycled content), and the stretchy nature of the material makes the leggings feel like they hug every part of the body. contour. I don’t know about you, but when I’m running, I don’t want to be tugging on my leggings that have crawled up my butt, pulling them up because they’re about to fall down, or pulling them down because they’ve slipped down. Wrinkled. There is no such problem with these leggings. Details like the perforated fabric behind the knees mean you put them on, run, and they’ll stay put.
In addition to comfort, these leggings also get high marks for practicality and functionality, as they have laser perforations in the main sweating areas, which means optimal air flow, which will make you feel better. Fresh for longer, helping you stay cool and allowing you to focus on your run. High waisted is always a winner for me because I want a contained feel like I’m not shaking around all over the place. And pockets, oh my god, pockets, running leggings aren’t running leggings unless they have pockets. They come with zippered side pockets and waist pockets, so you can safely store items like your car keys and phone, and anything else you might need to store while running.
The color is called Aurora Black and is a lovely inky dark indigo with a neon green Adizero logo on the calf. A completely flattering color combination that I haven’t seen too many in running kit. I like that it’s black, but not the standard black, which is what I often choose. I ordered a medium and I’m almost a size large 12 and they fit perfectly.
Adizero running vest
Everything feels like it matches, the last product I chose from the Adizero range is the Adizero Running Tank in Aurora Black to match the leggings, but you can also choose from black and demi-sparkle (a cream/primrose yellow ). Like leggings, the fabric is very cool and lightweight. Like literally, you hold it and it feels like you’re holding the air. The top has perforated air vents throughout, making it perfect for summer runs because you won’t overheat if you wear it.
The racerback has tape on the interior wear points to prevent chafing. If you’ve ever suffered from chafing, you know this feature is an absolute must-have. In the summer, you’re more likely to get bruises due to the combination of heat and sweat. From personal experience, I can say that chafing is not an issue. It’s painful and petty and will keep you up at night. Avoid at all costs. Thankfully, the Adizero running vest features adidas’ sweat-wicking AEROREADY technology, which helps wick moisture away from the body to keep you dry, thereby reducing the risk of chafing.
This vest has reflective details on both sides to make you stand out, and its relaxed fit makes it very comfortable to wear. When I choose a running tank top, I always go for a low-hanging tank top – it hides my bum and means I don’t have to worry too much about the panties I’m wearing, either. The fit is great, sitting nicely in the middle of the hip and very flattering.
But to me, the lightness and breathability of this vest make it stand out from other running vests I own. Luckily, this fabric dries very quickly in the wash, which is a good thing since I’ll be wearing this top a lot during the summer!
final thoughts
Look, I’m a trail runner through and through. It’s the mud, the ever-changing terrain, the scenery, the quiet, the escapism, the pure joy that you just can’t get from road running. However, it’s not always possible to stay on track. Sometimes I need to fit in a quick run so I don’t have to spend 20 minutes cleaning myself and the dog up because we’re both covered in mud. I don’t know if a pair of sneakers and lightweight running clothes will make me run faster. Maybe a popping candy milk chocolate bar dangling in front of my face might (I blink like that chocolate!), or I might not get home in time for dinner, but hey I’m willing to give it a try.
All I know is that the girl who ran for the first time eight years ago, in some ways she still lurks. Because I still care about how my sneakers and running gear look. I mean don’t we all? but what have What has changed is now I need them to behave well too. I must say that this Adizero kit that I have got my hands on, it makes me happy whether it is old or new Very happy.
*Products given by Adidas
About the Author
Becky Stafferton is a full-time content creator, online publisher and blogging coach. She continually strives to promote a realistic, sustainable and positive image of how to live a healthy life. When she’s not writing or reading her teenage diary, you can find her running in muddy puddles, hiking in the forest, making lists, letting out an ancient groan, renovating her brand new house in the country, and squatting , like her life depends on it. She is also the owner of BlogWell, her blog coaching company that teaches bloggers how to optimize and monetize their blogs.
