I’m an Altra Ambassador for 2013!

I’m excited to announce that I’ve been selected as an Altra Ambassador for 2013!

If you haven’t been paying attention, I absolutely LOVE my Altra Zero Drop shoes. I currently do 95% of my running in either their Instincts when I’m on the roads, or their Lone Peaks on the trails. Since transitioning to their shoes at the beginning of last year, I have had no foot problems or other injuries whatsoever. That’s right – not a single blister or black toenail to be found here! I’ll tell anyone and everyone who is willing to listen about how great these shoes are.

So when I heard that they were taking applications for their 2013 ambassador program, I knew I had to apply. While I was on vacation with my family in Florida to run the Disney World Goofy Challenge, I got the magical email telling me that I had been accepted.

So what does this mean for me and my blog? First of all – no, this isn’t going to turn me into some corporate shill, where every post is an ad for Altra. I wouldn’t have applied if I didn’t truly love and believe in this brand. I have been wanting to get back into blogging at least a little more regularly, because I do miss it, and I believe that this opportunity will give me some extra motiviation to do so, whether I’m writing specifically about Altra or not.

Who is Altra, Anyway?

If you’re not familiar with the Altra brand, they’re a small independant running shoe company based in Utah. The specialize in “zero drop” running shoes, meaning that there is no difference in height between your heel and toe, whereas the average running shoe is somewhere in the 12mm range. This barefoot-like feel helps to promote a more natural running form, similar to something like Vibram Five Fingers, but with padding to offer your feet more protection from the ground.

My favorite feature of their shoes is the wide toe box, allowing your toes to splay out more naturally, instead of being crammed into a pointed end like most typical running shoes. Previously, I had problems with getting blisters between my toes from them rubbing together. Since moving to Altras, I have been completely blister free. The same goes for getting black toe nails – they are not a runner’s badge of honor, they are a sign that your shoes don’t fit properly, that your toes are being jammed into a narrow toe box.

My Altras are, far and away, the most comfortable running shoes I’ve ever worn.

Thanks so much to Altra for giving me this opportunity. This news makes me even more excited to see what 2013 has in store!