Shoes, Glorious Shoes....

As a runner, there are few things in life more thrilling than opening a new pair of running shoes.  They are clean - unmarred by hundreds of miles on dirty roads or trails.  They smell fresh - not yet wreaking from all that sweat soaked into the liner.  Most of all, they feel like heaven on weary feet and are probably the single most important equipment investment you can make as a runner (to have a more enjoyable experience and avert the risk of injury). 

That first run in fresh shoes provides me that "ahhh" moment of relief after running too long in shoes that had broken down in the heel or blown out in the toe....especially since I stretch my shoes out to about 500-550 miles.  Why this post now?  We'll, I just got a new pair delivered today and I'm pretty sure I heard angels singing (at least in my head, because my shoes have been feeling really flat lately and not so comfortable).

The issue of running shoes tends to raise the most questions from novice runners who may ask - "just how long do running shoes last?" or "what kind of shoes do you wear?"

My sad, old shoes.

Answering the second question first, I'm a New Balance devotee....New Balance 1080 to be exact.  I've worn this shoe, in all it's various improvements, for years.  I go through 3-4 pairs a year, at about $140 a pop (ouch!!!!!).  Now, I'm also going to tell my runners it doesn't matter what shoe I wear, it only matters what shoe is right for you.

Every runner, whether new or experienced, should visit a specialized running store to buy the first good pair of shoes and then every couple years, at least, to ensure the shoe is still working for your gait (after all, we all change with age).  I advise new runners not to get caught up in buying the coolest looking shoe or the one that was on sale at the department store (unless you already know that it will work for your foot type, weight distribution, and gait).

My new, glorious shoes

Now back to the first question...how long should your running shoes last.  This actually depends on a couple factors - weight, gait, running surface.  A good rule of thumb is 300-500 miles, some brands or physical therapists will recommend no more than 400 miles.  After a couple pair, you should start to recognize how your shoes impact your run and body as they near the grave. 

Check out this 2016 article from Health, that I think addresses the issue well for most runners:  "3 Signs You Need a New Pair of Running Shoes."

So how do you keep track of the mileage on your shoes?  Well, here is a tried and true method (but it does require that you keep your running shoes for running only, and maintain other shoes for walking, gym workouts, etc):

• Keep a written running log/journal. Identify in your written log when you start wearing a new pair and log the miles and shoe feel after each run.  I do this electronically on MapMyRun rather than keeping a paper journal.  It has the same end result, but MapMyRun will send me email reminders throughout the life of a pair of shoes about how many miles I'm racking up.  Are there other methods you use to track the mileage on your shoes?

So, now that I've talked about how much I love a new pair of shoes, it's time to take that first run!  Happy trails!!!

2017 miles to date:  738.4 miles

Observations:  I'm still struggling with the left leg injuries.  When I feel that tell tale tingling of pain in my left foot that signals overuse, I've pulled back my workout.  I can't afford another turn in the boot.  I'm also unhappy with the calf tendon.  It was feeling better, but then during a HITT workout, it seemed to take a turn back in the wrong direction.  Let's see if the new shoes help out a bit.  If I could transplant my left leg, all would be hunky dory! (though I will admit that the heat is really sapping the energy).

MARATHON TRAINING WEEK TWO:

Monday - 6 miles interval (switched to 5 miles ladder - warmup, 400-800-1200-800-400 with a 400 recovery and cool down....it was hot as Hades at about 110)

Tuesday - 6 miles easy

Wednesday - 5 miles tempo

Thursday - Off

Friday - 3-4 miles easy

Saturday - 12

mile long run

Sunday - Off

Countdown and pain...

Tomorrow morning the diva and I leave for Florida.  It will be her first trip to Disney World - and first race period - and my third Disney race in the past two years.  Today is about putting miles on the log and not making my shin any worse than it already is.  Too bad that isn't really going to happen.

I knew the second I hit the pavement that this was going to be one painful run.  Not 100 meters in I was already feeling the pain radiating up my shin.  Why oh why?  I can't figure what I could have done to cause this.  Hmmm, or maybe its the shoes.  They are rather overworn at this point.  I've been meaning to buy a new pair for a while, but have just been lazy.  Running shoes should be changed out every 400-500 miles...these have more like 600 or so miles on them.  Or maybe my leg just can't bear the weight any longer?  Nah, I'm going with the shoes. 

Note to self - scour the race expo for a good sale on New Balance 1080v and just buy them.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.17
Time:   35:59 (average pace of 8:37 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  ouch...my shin hurts

Hitting 20%...

Tonight after work I had every intention of taking it easy and doing a relatively short 2-3 mile jog. After all, I'm breaking in new shoes (more on this later). However, I just couldn't resist the pull of hitting the 20% mark on my way to logging 1000 miles this year. I said to myself "what's a little bit further when I can pass that milestone today instead of tomorrow?" Well, we'll see what the difference may be.

You may recall a couple weeks ago I was complaining about back pain again. Given my SI joint injury, just a year and a half ago, I was concerned I may have reinjured the joint. That would be disastrous! I'm just now on a really good stretch with no injury and it would really set me back. After several days of running on the new shoes I had, with new inserts, it dawned on me that the pain may have been caused by going too hard too fast in new shoes without properly breaking them in first. I asked my doctor for a referral back to the physical therapist just to be sure, but also switched back to my old shoes for a while. That did the trick. A few days in the old shoes and the pain was completely gone.

So let's fast forward back to today. Today was my first day back in the new New Balance. Granted, I did decide to break in one part at a time, so the new inserts came out and my old inserts went in. At least for a week'ish. Then I may put the new inserts in my old shoes and do the same with those before putting all the new stuff back together. Because the last bout with the shoes caused me such horrible back pain, I figured I would go slow and short. Ha, like I said earlier, I threw that one out the window. So far it doesn't feel too bad, but I guess I'll see if I pay for it tomorrow. When will I learn? Oh well, happy trails!

Stats -
Miles: 4.61
Time: 41:05 (average pace of 8:54 per mile...at least I slowed down a bit)
Location: Lincoln Park and Capitol Hill (need to shake this up)
Feeling: Happy to cross the 20% threshold

Pumped up kicks...

While I hope never to have to outrun a homicidal teens, "better run, better run" is the way to reach my goal of 1000 miles this year. How better to do that than a new pair of shoes to launch into the last 84% of my goal? I'm pretty sure the old Asics (bless their worn down soles) were well past their prime. Thank goodness I got a great gift certificate to Fleet Feet for

Christmas. That gift certifcate helped me get a rockin' new pair of New Balance to take me through to fall...ish. Awesome!

So, I took my rockin' new shoes for a test spin out at Quiet Waters Park...with Jay in tow. While I originally wanted to do a long run today, our early afternoon tasting session at Harford Vineyard & Winery, combined with the new shoes made that a less than desirable situation. With that in mind we set out on a single loop of Quiet Waters, plus the boat ramp loop. We were having a good run until Jay's allergies kicked. I had to leave my tough Marine at mile 2.75...wheezing. I continued on and had a great time winding through the woods, passing all the dogs with their humans in tow and checking out the new shoes. I've also got new inserts, which change the way my foot strikes, that

will take a little time, but I have no complaints. My pumped up kicks are lighter, have a good toe box and so much more fun and colorful than the old Asics. Don't you agree?

One loop around Quiet Waters, plus the boat ramp loop but minus the compost loop comes to 4.65 miles. Not bad for the first day in new shoes. I'll just have to lay down a few more tomorrow. Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles: 4.65
Time: 40:05 (average pace of 8:37 per mile)
Location: Quiet Waters Park
Feeling: A little tight in the sole, but should get better. Great day!