Last year I was in a similar situation. I order a new pair of runners about a month before Tink last year. My runners went through a update even though they were the same Mizuno Prophecy They did feel like my old ones. They put my one foot to sleep, I tried every kind of lacing technic nothing worked. I had brought my old ones with many miles on them just it case. When I was at the expo I did the mistake of buying a new pair of shoes ASICS Kenzie they felt really good. In the morning I got dressed for my half and looked at the 3 pairs of shoes the little voice in my head said go with what you know. I laced up my old ones. To make a long story short I complained so much about the new changes to the Prophecy's the store I go to took them to the Mizuno Rep and they sent me a new pair the latest update. These are fine now have done all my training in them.The ASICS I bought I gave away they were not right for me bad decision on my part. When I got on pavement I sounded like a duck running a slapping noise and not very comfortable. I should know better just wasted money.I won't have time to go anywhere before I leave in a couple days.I guess I'll bring both pairs with me and just make a decision on Sunday which one sounds like the lesser of two evils.
Anyone?
Wish I could help! I don't get in until Friday afternoon either, and I'm stressing the New Balance thing.
Sorry, Friday afternoon for me too. I know at Princess this year when I got to the expo Friday afternoon, they had all the pins left, that is about the only thing, but they had a lot of pins. I am hoping this is the same as well since that is what I am after!
If you can stomach it, go with your old ones. If you know that you're going to feel like chopping your toes off by Mile 9 and run the risk of not finishing, then go with your new ones. It sounds like the new shoes haven't been fully broken in yet (which can take weeks), and wearing thicker socks won't do anything (unfortunately). There are special blister prevention pads that you can buy at any old drug store, and those are worth every penny in my opinion (they're honestly miracle workers in preventing blisters).
I've never had a problem getting pins for any of my races at the Disneyland Tink Expo, and last year I didn't show up until Saturday afternoon. I think you'll be fine in getting the pins you want, since they should still have enough by the time you get there (just check by the cash registers).
For me, it depends. Aside from the blisters, are the new ones better on your feet than the old ones? I'm running in my older shoes (Nike Free 5.0) with moleskin instead of the Mizuno Sayonaras, because the short term blister potential is preferable to the longer term knee and shin pain I get from the Mizunos.
For our group at the Shamrock Half, we went with orange instead of green to stand out. Red might work, too.
It's pretty easy to get into the family greeting area from DTD, but honestly, it's even easier to pick a DTD meeting point. She can find a spot along the route to see you towards the end, then maybe meet up at Rainforest Cafe or the movie theater. It will all be crowded, but then you don't have to search for each other.
