My new running shoes

I’m running a 5K four weeks from today, and decided last week that it was about time to invest in a new pair of running shoes. I don’t take purchases like this lightly, so I did a lot of research before narrowing it down to three different styles/brands… Nike, Puma, and New Balance.

After weighing the pros and cons, I finally decided on the New Balance 760 from the Lace Up for the Cure Collection. This shoe is the official shoe of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and just one of many different products that all feature a pink ribbon – the universal symbol of breast cancer awareness. This unique line also features apparel, accessories, and other types of footwear.

New Balance has been a proud partner of Susan G. Komen for the Cure since 1989 (21 years!) and will donate 5% of every purchase to the foundation, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000. The Lace Up for the Cure retail promotion runs all year long, but of course there’s a special focus this month, October, as it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

So why did I choose the New Balance 760s?

• 5% of the retail price goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
• Affordable (I paid less than $70).
• Cute color combination.
• I may be wrong, but I believe that New Balance is the only manufacturer that still makes their athletic shoes in the United States. Not all their shoes, but a big percentage.

It’s always a little nerve-wracking to buy shoes online. What if they don’t look like the photo? What if they don’t fit? What if they’re uncomfortable? Road Runner Sports had the best price, as well as a 90-day “Wear ’em & Love ’em” guarantee that allows you to run or walk in the shoes for up to 90 days, yet still exchange them if you’re not completely happy with them. This definitely put me at ease.

Thankfully, I’m very happy with these shoes! My feet feel well-supported and the shoes are super light. 9 ounces or so. The colors are vibrant – bright fuchsia, metallic titanium-like silver, black, and white. The inside lining is printed with pink ribbons. They look good and feel even better.

I’m impressed with Road Runner Sports as well. It’s the first time I’ve ever bought from them, but I will definitely do so again. I even joined the VIP program (only $1.99 per year!). I ordered the shoes on a Tuesday morning and they were on my doorstep by Thursday afternoon. Two days (2 days!!) after I placed my order, and this was with free shipping. I also got a personal phone call from a customer service agent a few days later, checking in to see that I was happy with my purchase. Nice.

And get this… literally 1 hour after I placed my order with Road Runner Sports last Tuesday, I saw an email in my inbox from a New Balance PR rep, offering to send me and my daughters all new shoes from New Balance so that we “can stay active together…” The new truebalance shoes for me, and fun sneakers for the girls. A complete coincidence, yes, but a true sign that I made the right choice by choosing New Balance! I’ll have a review of the truebalance toning shoes up once I receive them and have broken them in a bit.

So that’s my story. New running shoes make me that much more excited to be running a race on Thanksgiving. Now I just need a cute outfit. Hmm… definitely something pink. 😉

On that note, you can get free shipping on any Lace Up for the Cure purchase at shopnewbalance.com through October 31st! For more information about New Balance’s involvement with Susan G. Komen for the Cure please visit www.newbalance.com/komen.