New Shoes

[Kate]

I'm doing a little math (not my forte, but it's easy math) and figure that by September end, my running shoes will have about 500K on them.
As I am registered to run the PEC 1/2 at the beginning of October, should I be looking at breaking in a new pair of shoes before then?

[Sandy]

Depends.  You can usually get 500-800k on a pair of shoes so it depends on you, your injury history and how your shoes feel.  They will need to be replaced soon after your race, at least before you start back to running again after your recovery period.

[chattyfeet]

Sandy, correct me if I'm wrong, and I'm sure someone will, but in this day and age, if you are wearing the right shoes, one should not have to "break in" shoes.  I haven't had to break in shoes in 20 years.  I stick with the same shoe each time I buy a new pair.  I could run 20 miles the first time I wear them and they'd feel like I'd had them forever.  However I suppose if you're trying a new pair/new style it may be different?  but like I said, in this day and age it seems the days of having to break in new shoes should be behind us... 

[Sandy]

No you shouldn't have to break in new shoes.

[Kate]

I've never had to "break in" my new shoes.  Even when I tried the Newtons (where the factory recommends you break them in a little at a time just because the shoe encourages you to land differently), I didn't have to break them in.  Went out and ran a 10K (ok, I know, not all that far) with no problems and they instantly became my primary shoe.

I am back in my Asics Kayanos ... first shoe I wore in my new running life and I will not change from them again (if it isn't broke, don't fix it).  And again.  When I got them, I just put them on and out I went.  No breaking in.

So ... I wasn't worried about breaking in a new pair of shoes.  With my joint health, I was just starting to think that maybe it would be a good idea to have (almost brand new) shoes for the half marathon itself.  Especially since with my longer runs now being over 15K, I am finding that my hips tend to be a bit achey the day after.  But I think that's just me.

[Sandy]

I figured.  If you find your hips are achy you could always get the new shoes and put it into rotation with your old ones so that you are having a different level of cushioning and support every time you run.  Wouldn't hurt.

[Kate]

Thanks Sandy.
Your 'phone will ring shortly!

[The Moose1]

I was going to say "nothing new on race day", but I think you already heard that speech.  Good luck at PEC.

For the beginners reading this, "breaking in" shoes isn't required, but if you've never worn a shoe in training, and there is something wrong with the shoe, or the way it fits,  you're going to have a really bad race.  Especially if it's a half marathon or longer.

"Race what you train."  (did I get that quote right Sandy?)

Mike

[Sandy]

Yes you did Mike.