How I Find the Right Running Shoe…for Me
From Ghosts to Gizehs, This Is the Real Story of How a Running Mom Chooses What to Wear on Her Feet (And Why It Might Not Be What You Think)
It starts with the moment you dread—when your go-to shoe changes.
I pulled the Ghost 17s out of the box, laced them up, and immediately felt it.
Too tight. Narrow ankle. The heel didn’t hug gently the way it used to.
Cue the mild panic: “Wait, did they change it?! Please don’t tell me they changed it.”
Because if you’ve had a go-to shoe for years (hi, Ghosts), you know how personal it feels when the fit changes. It’s like someone moved your furniture without asking. You want to trust they knew what they were doing… but also, why fix what wasn’t broken?
(I mentally got over changing the heel drop but, the heel cup too? Even I have my limits!)
Why This Matters More Than Just the Shoe
If you’ve been around here a while, you know I don’t speak in absolutes. I’m not the Kool-Aid girl. “Always,” “never,” “everyone”—those words rarely cross my lips. And that applies hard to shoes.
Especially when you’re postpartum, perimenopausal, or navigating the weird in-between seasons of motherhood and movement. You can’t just follow the trends or buy what your favorite influencer is pushing.
(Looked cute. Bought it. Hurt your feet. Regretted it. Rinse and repeat.)
You’ve got to figure out what works for you. Your history. Your mechanics. Your mileage. Your mood.
My Shoe Shelf Right Now (aka Controlled Chaos)
- Brooks Ghost 16: 12mm heel drop. Reliable. Comfortable. That extra drop helps my Achilles. Love. (I smile every time I lace up)
- Brooks Ghost 17: Slight change with the 10mm drop, but that ankle and heel cup? Narrower. Not sure yet. Jury’s out. (Wish it didn’t have to be so hard!)
- Brooks Glycerin 22: 10mm heel drop. Soft, a little more plush than the 21’s, but my go-to walking the dog during kid practices/rehearsals shoe.
- NoBull Outwork Trainers: 4mm drop. Cute for the gym. Not my running shoe because of the stiffness. I used to skip them if I saw a run programmed in a WOD, but I’m more adaptable now (mostly because I forget to look at the workout when it’s at zero-dark-thirty aka 5:30am) Wear my old ones for work & it gets the job done.
- Rabbit DreamCatchers: 4mm drop. Was hoping I could love these for a more cushioned work shoe to run with clients. Felt like I was on a see-saw after years of higher drop shoes. Still haven’t decided yet whether they’re the right fit for a work shoe.
- Barefoot at home: Because pollen and city sidewalks don’t mix; and once you have babies & start a shoeloess household, you never go back.
- Birkenstock Gizehs: 0mm drop. My summer go-to for everywhere except the pool I’m not a flip-flop hater unless you’re on a metro escalator or running through an airport. Then we’ve got problems. (I want to be able to run in an emergency without worrying if I’m going to lose my shoe…IYKYK)
I Don’t Believe in “Forever Shoes”—I Believe in “Right Now” Shoes
I’m not out here searching for the one perfect running shoe. I’m looking for the shoe that works right now—with where my body’s at today. That means factoring in my current strength, tight calves, neuroma, training load… all of it.
And since those things change? So do my shoes.
My work shoes have to be versatile. I might be walking, running, demoing, squatting—or doing all of that in the same hour. Especially when I’m out on the trail with a postpartum client, joining them on their very first run back. (Yes, I actually run with them. It’s part cheerleader, part security blanket, part translator for all the “is-this-normal?” feelings.)
And let’s be honest—those first runs aren’t about pace or distance. They’re about boobs bouncing in new ways, extra jiggle, random leaks, weird sensations, and so many feelings. My shoes need to support all of that—physically and emotionally.
My running shoes now? I’m looking for more cushioning to support recovery, especially as I get older and want to wake up not feeling like I got hit by a truck.
My walking shoes need to be reliable—able to handle long miles and work with whatever outfit Northern Virginia weather throws at me. (Tank top in the morning, parka by lunch. You get it.)
But here’s what’s really shifted: me. I’ve learned to be more adaptable. I used to judge a shoe within the first 10 seconds of putting it on. Now, I try it more than once. I give myself space to adjust. I ask: Is it actually wrong—or just unfamiliar?
It’s okay if it feels different. I don’t need an exact replica of last year’s version (even if I’ll still grumble when they tweak the fit between models).
What matters most is that I stay curious—and let myself evolve with the shoes, just like I do with everything else.
A Little Shoe Storytime (and a Dose of Privilege)
Growing up, I didn’t have a whole lineup of sneakers for every activity. I had my school shoes and a single pair for running. That was it. And it was a huge deal when my parents bought me a second pair just for cross country and track. Even bigger deal when I got a pair of track spikes.
Fast forward to now and yes—I have shoes for lifting, running, walking the dog, and going to the grocery store. And I know that’s a privilege. I get to choose based on what feels best for me that day and that activity. That wasn’t always the case.
I joke that I’m the Imelda Marcos of my household—but I never forget how lucky I am to even have that problem.
So Here’s the Moral of the Story
- Adaptability matters. You don’t have to love it on the first run. Sometimes your brain just needs a minute to adjust. And sometimes it’s OK to like what you like.
- There’s no universal “right shoe.” There’s only what’s right for you—right now.
- Your body gets a vote. And it might change its mind. Be okay with that.
- Don’t fear new gear. Try it. Evaluate it. And if it’s not for you, that’s okay too.
So tell me—have you ever had that panic moment when your favorite shoe changed? What did you switch to, or are you still mourning your old faithfuls? Let’s swap stories in the comments.
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