Friday Finds: New Balance + MyStryde
On Wednesday I attended a fun event hosted by New Balance at MyStryde in the North End. I was interested in popping in both because I'm a runner (MyStryde is a brand new indoor running studio) and because I had never set foot on a treadmill before -- no joke! I think this has been due in part because I like running outside, and also because I've held a vision of Bill Murray a la Lost In Translation in my mind. I was convinced I'd be treadmill roadkill!
Turns out, I didn't die! At least not from falling off a treadmill. I was, however, properly exhausted after a killer class where the instructor pushed us through different elevations and speeds. A lot of sweating happened. And it was, admittedly, pretty gratifying to watch the numbers tick by on the treadmill.
New Balance outfitted me with some gear to try at the event. I've been running very happily in their Vazee Pace since the fall; in fact, I've been so happy with the shoe that I bought myself an extra pair for Christmas. On Wednesday I ran in their new Fresh Foam 1080, which was developed to be a super plush neutral ride. The full jury is still out as I need to run outside in them (and also try out a wider width -- I've unfortunately been suffering from some bunion problems recently) but I was very happy to not feel at all lead footed, given that the Vazee Pace is 6.5 ounces (184 grams) and the Fresh Foam 1080 is 8.9 ounces (252.3 grams). And they are indeed super cushy!
New Balance is also unveiling their Trinamic Performance Compression Collection in mid-February and it's GREAT. I tested out the short sleeve shirt + capris -- they are super comfortable and breathable and the style lines are super flattering. I'd need to take the Trinamic gear for a longer run to check on chafing but I didn't feel any weird rub spots during the miles I logged Wednesday night. This image shows the pretty perforation and style lines of the top and below that you can see the head to toe ensemble (albeit a little blurry!) in this image of me with my dear friend Audrey of Mom Generations. We were SO SWEATY. And afterwards, we went out and ate ALL THE CARBS in the North End. Yay, carbs!
Finally, I also wanted to give a nod to New Balance's Hydrotec socks. I bought a pair at the Boylston Street store last weekend. As I mentioned, I've been having some recent problems with my bunions and wanted some thin performance socks and these have been working really well for me.
Image credits: all images via New Balance and MyStryde, with the exception of the image of Christine Koh + Audrey McClelland.