I never thought I’d be ‘that guy’ who spends ‘that much’ on a pair of trainers!
Midlife Mile
When I started running in my forties, I wasn’t looking for the perfect shoe. I just wanted something that wouldn’t leave me limping by lunchtime. My first few runs were done in whatever battered trainers I had lying around — possibly bought during the Obama administration. They were fine, until they weren’t. One morning, halfway through a very enthusiastic jog (which I called a long run, even though it was 3K), something in my knee twinged. Not snapped or crunched, just… twinged.
That was the moment I realised running shoes might not be a marketing gimmick after all.
So I did what any sensible adult would do: fell down a Google rabbit hole full of words like overpronation, stability, midsole foam, and support rails. I had no idea what any of it meant, but everyone on Reddit and YouTube seemed absolutely convinced that The Right Shoe would solve everything.
Eventually, after more research than I did for my last job interview, I bought the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24. And — annoyingly — they were right. They made a massive difference.
Here’s why I now run exclusively in these things, and why I might cry if Brooks ever stops making them.
First Things First: My Feet Apparently Do a Weird Roll Thing
Before running, I didn’t know that feet could betray you. Turns out mine roll inwards when I run. This is called overpronation, and once I saw it on the little slow-mo video at the running shop, I couldn’t unsee it. It was like my ankles were trying to flee the scene.
This is one of the main reasons I ended up in a “stability shoe” like the Adrenaline. Unlike neutral shoes, they’re designed to stop your feet collapsing inwards. Apparently, left unchecked, overpronation can lead to all sorts of delightful issues like shin splints, runner’s knee, and a deep hatred of stairs.
The Adrenaline GTS 24 has something called GuideRails — basically firm bits on either side of your heel that gently nudge your foot back into line without making it feel like you’re wearing ski boots. The result is support you don’t really notice until you go back to shoes that don’t have it. Then your knees start sulking again.
Comfort Without the Sponge Cake Feel
I’m not a fan of shoes that feel like you’re running on memory foam mattresses. Some running shoes these days are so soft and bouncy they make you feel like a cartoon character. I don’t need that. I’m 44, not in a Nike advert.
What I love about the Adrenaline is that it strikes the right balance. It’s cushioned — especially under the heel — but not squishy. You feel protected, but still connected to the ground. Which is ideal if, like me, you occasionally trip over things that aren’t there.
On my first run in them, I expected the usual calf tightness and that weird ache in the outside of my knees. Neither showed up. Instead, I finished the run feeling like I could do it again tomorrow. That was new.
They Don’t Rub, Pinch or Do Anything Weird
This might sound basic, but the more running you do, the more you realise how rare it is to find shoes that just… behave.
The Adrenaline has never blistered me. Not once. I don’t have particularly narrow or wide feet — just bog-standard, midlife man feet — and these hug the right bits without squashing the wrong ones. The tongue stays put, the heel doesn’t slip, and I don’t need to lace them in some obscure YouTube-recommended loop just to make them feel secure.
It’s the kind of shoe that you forget about while you’re running. And when you’re trying to focus on your breathing, your form, your playlist, your dodgy knee, and that bit of nipple chafing you hoped wouldn’t happen again — trust me, it helps to have one less thing to worry about.
Durability (Because I’m Not Buying New Shoes Every Month)
I’m not a high-mileage runner — I do maybe 20 to 30 km a week — but I like my gear to last. I don’t want to be buying a new pair of shoes every time the moon changes phase.
My first pair of Adrenalines lasted well over 800 km before I noticed the cushioning had softened and the outsole started looking a bit bald. That’s solid. I’ve had other shoes that felt tired by 500 km and made my joints feel older than they already are.
These hold up well, even when I’m running on a mix of tarmac, pavement, and the occasional uneven trail where I question all my life choices.
They Don’t Look Embarrassing
Look, I’m not doing this for fashion. But I also don’t want to look like I borrowed my dad’s orthopaedic trainers. The Adrenaline has that low-key, classic runner look — nothing flashy, nothing weirdly neon. I’ve got the grey and navy pair, which go with every outfit I own (mostly shorts and regret).
They’ve also got loads of colour options if you’re more adventurous than me — which, to be fair, isn’t hard.
Things I Don’t Love (Because No Shoe Is Perfect)
A few gripes, just to prove this isn’t a love letter written under duress:
- They’re not cheap. You’re looking at around £130 retail, although they often go on sale if you’re not fussy about colours.
- They run a bit warm. On hot days, I do notice my feet cooking a bit. Not enough to cause problems, but if you’re running in Dubai, maybe skip them.
- The naming system is ridiculous. GTS 24? GTS 23? Which one has the slightly firmer midsole? No one knows. It’s like trying to remember iPhone versions.
Final Verdict: They Just Work
I’ve tried other shoes. A few felt okay. Some were cheaper. Some looked trendier. But I keep coming back to the Brooks Adrenaline GTS — now the 24 version — because they keep me running without pain, without drama, and without mysterious knee twinges.
I don’t need shoes that promise 4% performance gains or contain carbon plates from space. I just need shoes that let a 44-year-old bloke get out the door, run a few miles, and come back in one piece.
That’s what these do.