First dates are weird.  They’re awkward, sometimes nervy, full of scrutiny and/or naiveté and they never seem to be truly predictive… that is unless we’re referring to my first date with the Mr.  …  which is totally another story not for the eyes and ears of the blogosphere.

First dates with running shoes – they kind of follow the same steps.  Awkward. Looking for faults. Hyper aware. Hyper Sensitive.  All the while hoping I’ve found something for the next long-term journey.  Yes, I over analyze the getting to know you part of testing out new running shoes. and by the way, I am completely unfaithful to only one pair of shoes at a time. I prefer a rotation.

In truth, it takes me about 50 first dates miles with a pair of running shoes to really know if I love them, can have a one-night-run with them every once in a while, add them to the rotation or if I absolutely cannot run with them.

Here’s a little journey of my first 50 miles with the Saucony Kinvara 4′s.

Standard theMFDre disclaimer here – I was sent a pair of Saucony Kinvara 4′s as part of my relationship with Fitfluential.  That said, all opinions are completely unbiased and totally my own.

Pre Date Jitters: Warning: You’ve been Matched. And this date might totally #kickassimus.

Random package arrives on my doorstep…I’m a sucker for presentation and believe first impressions are everything.  They look good, they feel good, profile looks good and they weigh mere ounces each.  I think I might want to make out with these shoes.  {Side note – I’ve run in Kinvaras before – liked them so much they came to Boston with me – so was kind of like a second first date – knew it was not going to be a bad one…but as everyone knows, time away and change is not always for good}….so off we went on 50 first miles.

First Date:  Miles 0 – 7 – our first track workout together.  Well, they’re certainly bright.

Date #2. Miles 7-13, a six-mile speed sesh through the neighborhood.  That date went FAST.  Still bright and total lightweights, but perhaps a bit stiff? I’ll give them another run.

Is it too early to take them on a weekender?

Guess not.

Date #3.  miles 13-17 – four miles through the oppressive heat of Leg 1 during Ragnar SoCal.  It was a brutal run.  I had no time to focus on this date – I was in self-preservation mode – trying to get through this leg of the relay.

{image courtesy of Steph}

And the dates continued….

Miles 17-20 -  a three and a half mile shakeout run pre-Big Sur. They were my B shoes for the weekend. Second best. The date before the date… you all know you’ve done that before.  Right?

 pleasesayIwasn’ttheonlygirlthatdoublebookeddates.

Miles 21-25 – an early morning 4 mile -14 legger with the homies.  These shoes really know how to work a crowd.

Followed by back to back 12-mile and 10-mile turned kickassumus runs in crazy headwind this past weekend.  And a 5-mile date with RP last night.

It was on Sunday’s 10 miler, that my crush with the Saucony Kinvara 4 became real {again}.  They weren’t an instant sell.  They started out just kind of meh.  Sure they were bright and fun – and I love bright and fun.  But I wasn’t sure they had much depth to them — perhaps because they’re so incredibly lightweight???  Or is that just the secret to them???

On Sunday’s 10-miler, I realized I never knew they were even there.  Despite the force of the headwind, my feet continued to connect with the road and whiz along, super responsively and without hesitation.  They glided over the sand-blown beach path without presence, and despite being so lightweight they delivered enough cushion that I never felt the pavement. I realized that I was running faster. better. stronger. And I liked it.

It was on Sunday date, that the Kinvara 4s became a permanent rotation in my “stable” of shoes and that running in highlighter yellow shoes is totally kickassimus.

{MF Dre}

and ps. the Mr.’s been obsessing over these.  his review coming this weekend.