February 6, 2014

Brooks Transcend Demo Party

If you haven't heard, Brooks Running launched a new shoe called the Transcend, and they think it's a big deal. They have been running a space-inspired ad campaign that included the first video magazine advertisement in Runner's World and an awesome page about it set up on their website here. They were also hosting a bunch of midnight launch parties across the country, and I was lucky enough to attend the one in Baltimore last Friday at the local downtown running store, Charm City Run . It was a demo run at 11 PM followed by a party and the officially launch of the shoes at midnight when they would officially be available for purchase  I only have run in Brooks shoes, partially because I love them and partially because I've won a handful of pairs through various contests and giveaways so I was super excited to demo their new shoe. I used the Brooks Ravennas for marathon training, but have since switched back to their Pure Project minimalist line, which I prefer for shorter distances.

I showed up at right before 11 PM on Friday night, and the store was decorated with streamers and some Brooks inflatable furniture.  I immediately went to get a pair of shoes to demo and got a women's pair in hot pink (see the colors here), which I LOVE, especially since I feel that Brooks shoes don't always come in the flashiest colors.
Brooks-Running-Transcend
Photo from brooksrunning.com
The Brooks regional sales rep described the shoes as having unique pressure zones, lots of cushion, and guiderails in the shoes that act like bowling bumpers.  Pretty much if you need stability you can activate it, and if you are neutral you won't tap into the guiderails-pretty awesome, in my opinion. Just walking around the store in the shoes, I loved how comfortable they were. They felt lighter than the Ravennas and had a nice soft, bouncy cushion.
Brooks-Running-Transcend2
blurry shoe shot-see how bright they are?
After the Brooks reps talked the group went on a chilly 3.82 mile run along the Inner Harbor where you wrote down your predicted time beforehand and ran the route without a watch or anything. Whoever was closest to their predicted time won a pair of  new Transcends. Sadly it wasn't me-someone was within 10 seconds of their time, which is crazy close. I was about 3 minutes faster than I predicted because I tried to run a slower pace.

After the run there was yummy beer, sandwiches, and snacks all provided by Brooks along with lots of Brooks goodies to grab including freeze-dried ice cream (Neapolitan flavor!) to market the Transcends.  I even had a little coozie for my post-race beer :)
Brooks-Running_runhappy

 At midnight when it was officially February 1st a guy bought the first pair of Transcends sold, at least in Maryland, but possibly the nation (depending on timing of course)!
Brooks-Running_runhappy2
my Brooks swag
Anyways I'm not sponsored by Brooks or anything ( I wish!) but just wanted to review this really fun and unique event for this shoe.  I only ran once in the shoes, which felt different from what I have been in running in so I can't judge too much, but I did really love the shoe's cushioning and way my foot felt when it hit the ground. I can't justify buying a new pair of shoes right now, but I'm definitely going to keep this in mind for when I need to pick up some new shoes for marathon training in the summer!

Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored by Brooks, but is merely my observations about the running shoes and the event. As always, all opinions are my own.  

Have you ever been to a running shoe demo event? What is your favorite color running shoe?

19 comments:

  1. how fun! you have to tell me about events like this, i should have gone! do you know the hell to toe drop on the transcends?

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    1. Okay I definitely will next time! I think it's an 8mm heel to toe drop.

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  2. This event sounds like a lot of fun! I too only wear Brooks and am curious about these shoes. I would love to test them out before committing to a purchase.

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    1. Definitely try to test them out-they were so comfy!

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  3. This sounds like a lot of fun! thanks for sharing. I have never tried Brooks before. But I LOVE the color!

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    1. You should check out Brooks next time you pick up shoes!

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  4. Sounds fun - I wanted to go but my poor body can't handle running very much right now. I definitely want to try those out (yay Charm City Run gift card Christmas present) or the Pure line in general - want to maybe switch from my Adrenalines.

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    1. Understandable-let me know if you have any questions about the Pure line, I have like 4 pairs from that line!

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  5. Haha that awkward moment when I showed up and didn't know that's what it was... whoops. I wish I had gone on the run slash stayed because it would have been fun! Brooks puts on the best events of anyone I've seen. I'm always impressed!

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  6. I really want to try this shoe. I like the Pure line, too, and I run long distances in the original Brooks Pure Cadence. I wonder if this comes even close...

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  7. I wore Brooks wayyyy back when I first started running and agree they usually looked like my dad's shoes...then again I have a huge foot. :) love the pink!

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    1. Yeah I'm usually a little disappointed because I like Brooks but they are never as flashy and fun. This is great though!

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  8. I wish I could've attended something like this! I'm DYING to try the Transcends... they sound like the shoe I've been waiting for! Haha Hope I'll get to try them soon

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    1. I was really excited...now I just figure out how to save up money to buy them :)

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  9. Those are some cool looking shoes!

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  10. I love Brooks' events. Always a ton of fun. I run in their Pure Flows. I might have to check out the Transcends next time I'm in a running store...

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  11. I run in their PureFlows, Pure Connects, and Ravennas-definitely try on the Transcends!

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