The absolute worst nightmare for a sightrunning guide is to become injured – it is not just your passion you have to put on a halt – it is your business. My surroundings would probably categorise me as paranoid on exactly this point and rightfully so.
That is also, why I pay a lot of attention to my footwear as when running 80-100 kilometres a week in varying paces (read: other people’s paces), then injuries are naturally a risk.
I am lucky to be sponsored by Altra Running Danmark, as I receive shoes that suit my running style and keep me injury free.
Altra Provision 2.0
My favourite running shoes this summer for my tours have been my Altra Provision 2.0. This is a stability shoes and the added stability has been beneficial for me for two reasons.
- I pronate on especially my left food, so when sometimes running 6 hours a day, then it is beneficial to have a bit of support
- I run with people at varying paces and when you are guiding a 21 km tour at pace 7.30 min/km, then you appreciate the extra support – at least after a few hours.
The extra stability comes from a slight elevation of the middle sole and the Altra Provision 2.0 has the Stability Pod Technology which means that there are three points in the sole that has extra stability so that the foot is better supported.
The Altra Provision 2.0 have the fantastic signature traits of Altra Running such as the wide toe box and zero drop. This means that there is plenty of room for your toes to move while running and as I naturally run mid/forefoot, then the zero drop is perfect for me.
The shoes are medium cushioned, which makes them not too heavy ( 235 grams) and still provide a bit of cushioning. I run on quite a bit on cobbles and the cushioning ensures a comfortable experience without losing the feel of the surface. Also, running in the city centre there is always the risks of broken glass or plastic and the cushioning protects my feet.
One thing I really like about the shoes, but that has no effect on the functionality of the shoe are the shoe laces. They are quite thin compared to competing products, but still easy to tie with cold hands, and they are plenty long to do double knots.
The Altra Provision 2.0 has a quick drying upper mesh, which means that if they get wet, the shoes dry quickly. It has been raining quite a bit in Copenhagen this summer, and when you are standing with soaked feet by the Royal Palace, knowing that you have more tours to do, then also knowing that soon your feet will be dry again, is quite nice.
For the detailed driven readers, then below are the technical specs of the Altra Provision 2.0:
- Weight: 235 grams/8.3 oz.
- Cushioning: Moderate
- Ideal Uses: Road Running, Walking, Light Trail Running, Cross Training
- Designed to Improve: Running Form, Toe Splay, Excessive Pronation, Fallen Arches
- Platform: Zero Drop™ Platform, FootShape™ Toe Box
- Stack Height: 25 mm
- Midsole: Ultralight EVA/A-Bound™ Blend with InnerFlex™
- Outsole: FootPod™ Outsole with StabiliPod™ Technology
- Insole: 5 mm Contour Footbed with Stability Wedge
- Upper: Quick-Dry Air Mesh
In addition to Altra Provision 2.0 I run in the Altra One2 (now there is a 2.5 version of this shoes) for my shorter and faster runs. I will leave another day for reviewing the One2, but let me tell you already now, that they are great to run in but most importantly they are fun to run in.
If you would like to know more about the Altra Provision 2.0 or any other Altra shoes then visit their page here: www.altra.dk
Thanks for reading this far.
Happy running,
Lena
Altra Running has made a great video where they present the Altra Provision 2.0 and you can view it below:
