I’m Not a ‘Fast’ Runner, But These Sneakers Shaved Two Minutes Off My Mile in Two Weeks

If I’m being honest, I’ve never been the type to crush a 5k—or even think about running one. In fact, I’ve always considered myself a rather beginner runner—slow and steady. And running hasn’t been a part of my regular fitness routine for years. But as a fitness instructor and enthusiast, I know that running has countless benefits, so I set a simple goal: run one mile every day for four weeks. 

For the first two weeks, I was wearing the wrong shoes—heavy, unresponsive, and definitely not helping my mile time. Then, I tried a pair of Brooks running sneakers, and in just two weeks, I shaved nearly two minutes off my mile time. My time dropped from 9 minutes, 56 seconds down to 8 minutes, 2 seconds. If you’d told me that was possible for my slow feet, I would’ve laughed. But here we are. 

So, what was the difference? It was all in the shoes. Right off the bat, I could tell Brooks’ Glycerin Max Sneakers were different. They’re not just lighter—at 9.5 ounces, they feel like they’re built for speed. When I hold them, they almost feel weightless, and when I’m wearing them, it’s like I’m walking on clouds instead of pounding the treadmill. (I’m so ready for the weather to warm up so I can take them outside.)

The fit is perfect—snug at the midfoot but with plenty of space in the toe box for my toes to spread out naturally. The high ankle tab keeps my feet locked in place, and the padded tongue prevents irritation or blisters. No slipping, no rubbing—just a secure, supportive fit that feels like it was made for me.

But the best part? The cushioning and shape. It’s by far the most bouncy, responsive shoe I’ve ever had. And you can trust me on that—as a fitness editor, I’ve tested at least 25 pairs of shoes in the last two years alone. The Glycerin Max has this rocker shape that promotes an effortless heel-to-toe transition. I actually felt lighter, more fluid, and way more efficient on my runs. The bounce-back and soft, springy feel often kept me going for longer than my 1-mile goal—and I don’t even like running that much. But it honestly felt like these shoes were doing half the work for me, and I was getting the credit.  

As a slow and steady runner, I wasn’t exactly expecting a drastic improvement in my times. Honestly, I care more about the post-run endorphins than I do about running a 6-minute mile (maybe one day?!) So I was genuinely surprised when my mile went from 9 minutes, 56 seconds down to 8 minutes, 2 seconds in just two weeks of wearing these shoes. There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but that genuinely excites me! As a neutral runner (meaning I don’t pronate or roll my feet inward or outward when I run), the combination of responsive cushioning and the rocker shape worked perfectly with my stride, making each run more efficient—and enjoyable! If you’re unsure, you can determine your running gait here. 

After two weeks of running in the Brooks Glycerin Max Sneakers, I can confidently call myself a runner again. I still have goals to shave off my mile time, but they feel possible now with these shoes. Whether you’re training for a marathon or just trying to make running a habit (like me), these sneakers are a total game-changer. They’re lightweight, ultra-responsive, and insanely comfortable—making running feel less like a chore and more like something I actually look forward to.