Saucony Endorphin Azura Review: Your Latest Shoe Obsession?
Over the past year, brands have shifted their focus toward a different kind of “perfect” shoe. Along with chasing the fastest super shoe on the market, they have been building affordable, race day-inspired trainers that can handle nearly every run on your schedule. Shoes like the Evo SL and Mizuno Neo Zen have shown there is plenty of demand for a versatile workhorse that does not carry a premium price tag. Saucony’s answer is the new Endorphin Azura. But in an increasingly crowded category, is this a shoe worthy of becoming your latest obsession or is it just another trainer destined to be forgotten? Let’s find out.
From the Pitch to the Pavement
Soccer has officially taken over my summer. For the past week and a half, the World Cup has been a mainstay in my home. My mornings start with match previews, my afternoons are filled by group-stage drama. But as I’ve sat glued to the screen, I’ve realized I’m not just watching a tournament. The deeper I get into this World Cup, the more familiar it all feels. Because, in a lot of ways, the World Cup and all it represents is exactly like running.
Diadora Gara Carbon 3 Review: Built for the Big Stage
While the Azzurri have struggled to recapture past glory on the world stage, Italian brand Diadora has been busy building something of a resurgence of its own in the running world. Enter the Diadora Gara Carbon 3. Diadora’s flagship racing shoe arrives with a hefty $320 price tag and promises Italian craftsmanship, a rigorously tested midsole, a supremely comfortable upper, and, unfortunately, a colorway with all the flair of a nil-nil draw. Has Diadora improved upon the Gara Carbon 2, or has it followed the Italian national team into disappointment? Let’s find out.
The Runner I Keep Chasing
This past week has featured two runners on each run. The one running down the road.
And the version of me from 3 weeks ago. The version that was not recovering from an illness. The version that was not worried about his training leading up to the Peachtree Road Race. The runner who did not think twice about heading out the door to tackle whatever the training plan had set.
Runner, Interrupted
What started as feeling under the weather last Sunday eventually turned into a pneumonia diagnosis by the end of the week. One doctor visit became two, fevers came and went, and instead of tracking miles I found myself tracking temperatures.
The Emotional Journey of a Long Run
What even is a long run? It’s an answer that changes over time. Long runs are relative. Your experience, race goals, and free time all play a role in what a long run actually looks like. There’s no right or wrong definition. And while the distance may change, the mental and physical experience stays surprisingly consistent.
New Balance 1080v15 Review: Attack of the foam
Last summer Ellis and I worked our way through the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This spring has been the Star Wars saga. As I write this, we are in Revenge of the Sith, and he is impatiently waiting for the origin of the Obi-Wan “hello there” meme. Watching these with him has changed my perspective on the prequels. I used to pick them apart scene by scene, but seeing his excitement has made it easier to just enjoy them.
Saucony Ride 19 Review: The Tribe Has Spoken
The show Survivor had a chokehold on my house growing up. Every Wednesday night at 7, we all found our spot in the living room, and once it started, that was it. No talking, no distractions; season after season. I had the official book from the first season, a Survivor watch, and at school, we […]
Mizuno Neo Zen 2 Review: More Grounded, Still Fun
Thirty-one years ago, Disney released its greatest animated movie: A Goofy Movie. Rewatchable, endlessly quotable, and featuring the iconic song “I2I,” it’s a classic I’ve loved sharing with my sons. But did you know there was a sequel? Six years later, An Extremely Goofy Movie arrived. Not quite as chaotic or full of “goofy” energy, […]
Brooks Glycerin Flex Review: Gotta Run ‘Em All
Pokémon has officially taken over my house. Every room has at least one stray card, and it has quietly turned into an unspoken competition between me and Ellis. Do I have more running shoes than he has Pokémon cards? I’m not one to lose a competition, and with the cards quickly stacking up, it only […]