A Marathon Training Staple: The Saucony Triumph 18

Sponsored by Zappos. All opinions are my own.

We are quickly approaching the last quarter of the year. I’m sure I am not the only one who had these big goals for 2020 and felt somewhat derailed months ago when everything pretty much came to a halt in our lives. At least that’s what it seemed like. What really happened was life had to keep going, but with a bunch of alterations and limitations. For runners, the biggest change was the loss of racing this year. This, on top of being limited to solo running for a long time, has been the biggest block to staying motivated. I won’t lie—I got a bit jealous seeing some runners continue on their race training programs and smash their PRs with virtual races. 

Since I’ve never been into racing virtually, I used the summer to build a good base and keep things easy. I am happy I chose this route during these crazy times, because it helped me truly embrace my love for running and how having a more relaxed schedule can still keep me in shape, while staying sane at the same time! Well, now I’m on to the next chapter! The next race I’m signed up for is my hometown race, the Miami Marathon, at the end of January. My new kicks, the Saucony Triumph 18 from Zappos, came just in time to break them in during my first week of training. If you didn’t know, I get all of my running gear from Zappos. They have the largest selection of products and the best customer service. Plus—they offer free expedited shipping and free returns for a year when you are part of the free rewards program. I highly recommend signing up if you love to shop!

Faster Than Ever Before

I’ve ran with the previous Saucony Triumph versions, including the 17s, which were just on the last tip of their lifespan, and I’m happy to say the Triumph 18 are a perfect update to what was already one of my favorite running shoes. I have been using the Triumph for a few years now for the majority of my easy and recovery runs. They have always been my most cushioned shoe, making my feet actually feel recovered after runs. Although most of my long runs have been done at an easier pace, I usually avoided using the Triumph since they felt a bit heavier than most of my other pairs. I was so happy when I felt the much lighter and flexible fit of the Triumph 18! The faster feel is definitely the most evident update.

Thanks to the PWRRUN+ technology, the cushioning of the Triumph 18, is coupled with a lightweight outsole, which makes the shoe a good option for longer and faster runs. After running two easy 7-milers, I wanted to feel this for myself and used the Triumph 18 on my weekend 90-minute run. I threw in several sets of 1-minute pick-ups to test out the speed in the shoes, and I was pleasantly surprised at the springier, faster feel of this update.

Anti-Fatigue at its Finest

The main reason I loved my previous Saucony Triumph pairs is how much they helped with the recovery process after harder workouts. During marathon training, I schedule these easy recovery runs every other day and sometimes in the evening after running hard that morning, and the Triumph have always helped keep my feet and joints pain free. You’ve probably heard and seen me mention before how important the right running shoes are to help prevent injuries and keep you running long. Well, the Triumph 18 are the perfect pair to rely on for your race training. I am prone to plantar fasciitis and have problematic feet to begin with, so I used to train with extremely sore feet and this was a huge limitation to my progress. Yes, my feet still get sore after hard workouts, since I still sometimes wear the wrong shoes for me, but right after just one run in my Triumphs I’m already ready for my next workout. Keeping these shoes as part of my shoe rotation all this time has truly been one big reason why I have been able to avoid plantar fasciitis for a few years now and push harder during workouts.

I’m excited to bring my Saucony Triumph 18 along with me for my marathon training this fall. I’m only on the first week of this structured training block, but I know it will be a good one! After months and months of dealing with this global crisis and feeling unsure about what the near future holds, I am ready to tackle my next big goals! Even if the race does not happen in January, I still want to give it my all for the rest of this year and try my first real virtual race, and shoot for a sub-3 marathon finish. The Triumph 18 is sure to help get me there. Now, go get yourself a pair from Zappos!

Run at Top Speed with the New Saucony Endorphin Pro

Sponsored by Zappos. All opinions are my own.

Are you in need of some motivation to already start preparing for your next PR? A brand new pair of shoes can do the trick! I am always in search of the next great pair of training shoes that will help my feet tolerate the endless miles I put in every week. What excites me the most is when I find the absolute best pair for racing. The marathon is probably the hardest to shop for when it comes to shoes, since the goal is to run the entire 26.2 miles at a fast pace, while respecting the fact that you are running for several hours! This means you need a good combination of supportive and lightweight technology.

I have been wearing the same racing shoes for the last couple of years thinking there was nothing better out there, but I’ve been wrong! Luckily I got my hands on a pair of the new Saucony Endorphin Pro from Zappos and I’ve fallen in love with everything about them. Zappos always has what I’m looking for and as a rewards member I can take advantage of several shopping benefits such as free expedited shipping and free returns for 365 days. They have the best customer service, too, so whether I need to make a return or I have a question on a product I want to purchase the staff is always knowledgeable and quick to respond!

Superhuman Results

I don’t like to encourage the thought that a shoe can “make you faster” because at the end of the day, it’s our bodies that have the talent and ability. We are the ones who put in the effort and energy into our paces and performance—not the shoe. BUT I do believe a shoe can make faster running feel a little more tolerable and help us more efficiently take advantage of the energy that’s bounced right back to us from the ground. My first impression of the Saucony Endorphin Pro was how lightweight they are—only a bit over 6 ounces! I pretty much forgot I had shoes on at all after a few miles of my first run!

They are equipped with a few speedy features, such as the SPEEDROLL technology that is made to propel you forward with a quick response once you strike the ground. As a runner who usually intensely lands on her heel, I was impressed with how much softer my landing was in these shoes. The Endorphin Pro forces you to land more towards the mid and forefoot in a way, without tiring you out from the change in form. When it comes to faster paces during long races, you want to feel like you are propelling forward instead of bouncing up (which wastes energy by the way!), and these shoes do just that. With the addition of the carbon fiber plate, which provides that boost of power from heel strike to push-off again, fast running does not feel so hard.

The Ease of Maintaining Paces…

This is every runner’s ultimate goal—to feel like they can sustain their marathon pace for the entire race. Although I have not run a marathon yet in my new Saucony Endorphin Pro, my longest run in them, 90 minutes, was enough to show me this superpower. For about two months now I plan out a 90-minute progression run on Saturdays. My goal is to run the last 20 to 30 minutes of this run at or around my goal marathon pace. These days with the intense heat we have outside, this goal is definitely not an easy one to hit. My effort is what counts, but I would love to see the numbers on the watch one day! Well, on my most recent Saturday run in my Endorphin Pro, I actually hit my goal without any difficulty at all! If you are a runner, these mini accomplishments can make your day! I will mention again: the effort and ability to hit these goal paces come from my body, but the shoes sure do make it feel easier!

Comparing these to my former racing shoes, I have to say the Saucony Endorpin Pro is significantly more supportive and cushioned. The PWRRUN cushioning makes long runs comfortable and keeps foot health a priority. So far I have not had any soreness in my ankles and feet as I normally get with my old pair. As I mentioned earlier, the combination of comfort and lightweight speed is the ideal shoe description for marathon racing, and the Saucony Endorphin Pro are equipped with the best of both worlds. In a nutshell: This pair is light, fast, and efficient—what every marathoner needs!

Endurance Train Like a Pro with the Saucony Ride 13

Sponsored by Zappos. All opinions are my own.

With zero races on my schedule and several months to play around with my training program, I decided these hot summer months are a perfect time to improve my endurance. This may sound crazy since it’s the most uncomfortable time of the year to be running outside for hours. Good thing I don’t mind the hot weather, but it does make running feel harder and less enjoyable sometimes! What helps is reminding myself of my purpose every morning before heading outside. Some days that purpose is for my mental or physical health, other days I run for a specific global cause, and other days I run for the views!

I’ve got several runs under my belt in my new Saucony Ride 13 from Zappos and I have to say I was surprised at the amount of cushioning they had, because when I took them out of the box they felt extremely light, similar to my racing shoes that have almost zero cushioning! I chose the Coral/Alloy color, but it was a hard choice since Zappos also has three other sleek color options that I’ll probably get my hands on as well! You can find almost anything you are looking for on Zappos, and as a rewards member, you can get anything you order in a day or two with their free expedited shipping. The other perk is the free return policy, which is for an entire year! So if you order something and don’t like it or it doesn’t fit right, you’ve got a long time to return. 

Consistency is Key

Most of you know I get my runs in no matter what. Over the years, I feel this consistency is what truly built my tolerance for the marathon, and, believe it or not, my improved paces. Although I don’t recommend a high mileage program to everyone, safely increasing what you are doing now is beneficial for building endurance. The most important part of this is making sure you gradually and safely build up mileage. This means making sure you wear the right shoes for YOU. Marathon training requires longer runs than usual, so it’s vital to wear supportive and cushioned shoes so that you can prevent injuries and recover faster. Almost nothing feels worse than having sore feet and ankles for days because you chose to wear the lightest and least supportive shoes on a long run thinking it will make you faster!

Tough Runs Made Easier

The Saucony Ride 13 is an ideal distance-training shoe since it is made with all-around cushioning—even the upper has a light, thin layer of compressive cushion. I felt the shoe had a more ‘fitted’ feel to it and kept my foot in place, even on my 90-minute run this week. A soft and responsive ride is what you want when you are running long and the flexible TRI-FLEXthat creates the outsole of the Ride 13 makes this happen. When I start to get tired in the second half of my runs I notice the pounding of my steps more on my joints. One aspect of this pair that helped soothe this impact is the sensation of the shock being distributed throughout the entire foot rather than just at the heel, where I normally land first.

Runners often get confused as to what ‘responsiveness’ really is and why it plays a role in our performance. It’s basically the way a shoe returns energy to your step. We put our energy into our foot strike onto the ground and a good shoe bounces that energy right back giving you a spring to your step, making running feel easier. This is ideal for summer running, since, as I mentioned at the start, running can feel hard during this time of the year!

The Saucony Ride 13 is a great option for runs of any length, but I’ll be using these for my medium to longer runs. Since they truly have good shock absorption on top of their responsiveness, marathon paced miles will feel smooth, too! If you are looking for a neutral pair for every day runs, the Ride 13 is an excellent choice. The heel offset is 8mm, which is ideal for runners who are either returning from or prone to injuries. Don’t forget to check out the other colors and everything else Zappos has to offer. Their rewards program is waiting for you!

Shoe Review: Saucony Triumph 17

Sponsored by Zappos

All Opinions are my own.

If you’re a runner you know that in order to run your best you have to invest in the best gear. This is tricky since the fit and comfort level of everything we wear varies from one runner to another. I’ve gone through years suffering from plantar fasciitis and a long process of trial and error rotating shoes to find what works for me. I now know that my feet do best with a shoe that is not only made of light material to help me run fast, but also cushioned well to help protect my feet. I was excited to get my hands on a pair of the Saucony Triumph 17, especially since every other pair I’ve worn from the brand has only helped my running performance.

I am skeptical about ordering a brand new style of shoes online, unless it’s from Zappos. As a Zappos Rewards member I get access to several perks, including free expedited shipping and free returns for 365 days! This is a relief because if the shoe doesn’t fit, I can return it without worry. The 24/7-customer service team is exceptionally knowledgeable about all of their products, so I know I am going to get what I need and fast!

Since shoe rotation is important to vary the load through the joints every day, you want to make sure you choose the right ones for each type of run you do. I typically opt for a lightweight pair for my speed work and a cushioned and supportive pair for easy and long runs. After trying the Saucony Triumph 17, I realized this pair is perfect for both worlds. This is hard to find in a shoe, but the shoemakers and designers for the Triumph did an amazing job when building the updated Triumph.

Powerful is an Understatement

One update made from the previous Triumph version is a significant drop in weight. Taking the Triumph 17 for a 15-miler, I was impressed by the responsiveness given that there was a good amount of cushioning as well. The new PWRRUN+ cushion is the reason for the 28% weight reduction in the shoe. This technology also gives more spring with every step—I felt as if I was able to react quicker during the push-off phase. It usually takes a while to break in running shoes to not feel a stiff sole, but with the Triumph 17 I felt they were flexible from the very first run. I was happy to read that this new foam also lasts longer, which is a plus for a high-mileage runner!

Cushion Without the Bulk

Initially I thought these shoes would only replace my recovery run shoes because I felt the visible cushioning would make them seem heavy, but it was actually the opposite outcome. I am happy to be able to use these for all types of runs because rather than the cushioning getting in the way, it assists with fast running while providing maximum cushioning. The FORMFIT design of the Triumph adapts to your foot in the most comfortable way. I felt as if the shoes were hugging my feet for my entire run! Although not every shoe fits every single person perfectly, the technology of the FORMFIT seems like it will conform to any foot. This is important for runners since the last thing you want to feel on a run is your foot shifting around in your shoes, which will only cause blisters and soreness.

Taking the Saucony Triumph 17 for a spin around the track for 800 meter repeats, on a 6-mile tempo run, and on a 15-mile long run was good enough to give these a 5-star rating. I tend to get sore feet after long runs and plantar fasciitis issues when I’m at the peak of my training seasons, but I think this pair will be a life savor for my feet during these last few weeks before my marathon! These will definitely be a staple for all of my recovery runs, since they make my feet feel refreshed and ready for the hard work to come. If you are looking for a shoe that gives you support without limiting your pace, add the Triumph 17 to your rotation and you won’t regret it!