Running Shoes

Happy Friday!

Welcome to another edition of Fit Five Friday with My First 5K and More, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, Zenaida, and yours truly!

Today’s post is inspired by a recent exchange with my husband who’s been complaining lately about calf pain after each run. When I asked how long had he been running in those shoes and received a somewhat blank look in response, I reminded him that running in shoes past their prime could cause discomfort and lead to injuries.

While I’m always game for a new pair of running shoes, the general “rule” is to replace them every 300 – 400 miles. That mileage range depends on several factors including the terrain you run on, your running style, and weight. Consider these 5 signs that it might be time for new running shoes.

Fit Five Friday – Is it time for new running shoes?

Appearance Matters — This one may seem obvious but if your shoes look like they have seen better days, it may be time to retire them. Don’t just pay attention to the wear of the tread, also look at the wear and tear (literally!) on the uppers, especially at the seams and the collar of the shoes. Did you know that creasing along the outer midsole is a sign of compressed cushioning?

High Mileage — So even if you don’t track your mileage, if you pay attention to the date you purchase your shoes, you can come up with a rough estimate of how miles you’ve logged on those shoes. It’s also important to bear in mind that not all miles are created equal – the surface you run on matters. Treadmill runners can probably go to the higher end of the mileage range vs. road and trail runners.

Too Many Activities — Do you use just one pair for all activities (road running, trail running, cross-training, and walking)? There is something to be said for using your shoes for their intended activity – i.e., use your running shoes just for running. And, if you run on both roads and trails, be sure to have appropriate shoes for each surface. Your run shoes will break down faster if they never get a break because the midsole foam never gets a chance to bounce back (typically it takes a day for the foam to recover). So if you’re a run streaker, you’d be better served to have a couple of pairs of shoes in rotation.

Experiencing Pain — The age of your shoes may not be the cause of your discomfort but it’s definitely something to consider. If you’re feeling joint pain (hello knees and hips!), pain in your feet, or significant muscle fatigue, it may be time to start shopping for a new pair.

Blistering — Blisters come from ill-fitting shoes. If you are experiencing blisters when you didn’t before, it may be a sign that your shoes are losing their shape.

Is it time for new running shoes? Five things to consider. #FitFiveFriday #bibchat #runchat #runningshoes Click To Tweet

Do you track the mileage on your running shoes? How do you decide when to retire your shoes?

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Running Shoes – My Current Favorites

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I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say that a runner’s search for the perfect running shoes can sometimes feel like a neverending quest. Too often, just as you find your ideal shoe, the manufacturer decides to tweak the design for the following year’s model and then it no longer has the same feel, leaving you to start your search again. Sound familiar?

I’ve been down this path a couple of times. Thankfully, my latest quest seems to be on track.

Running Shoes – My Current Favorites

Back in January, after coming off a year of injuries, it felt like the right time to return to my favorite local running store for a fitting. It had been ages since I’d gone through the process, but it was well worth the time. The end result was a brand new pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19.

These shoes provide solid support and are nicely cushioned, though, at 9.6 oz, I do find them to be a tad heavy. I always like to have a couple of pairs of shoes in rotation, so when I came across a crazy sale on the GTS 18s in February, I picked up a pair.

Now yes, the support mechanism of the 18s varies from the 19s, but I find both pairs to be comfortable, and have had no issues rotating between the two.

Sharing my favorite running shoes on this week's Tuesday Topics! #runchat #ASICS #BrooksRunning Click To Tweet

Then along came ASICS

As I started training for the Run to Remember half in the Spring, I wanted to find a lighter, more responsive shoe for speedwork. Enter the ASICS Gel-DS Trainer 24. And, oh my gosh, it was love at first run! I ran 5 miles in them right out of the box and, of late, I have to say I find myself reaching for this pair more and more.

There are so many elements I love about this shoe:

a roomy toe box with a narrow enough heel so you don’t feel like you’re sliding around
lightweight, knit upper which fits like a glove
designed for overpronators, they feel supportive without “over guiding” or too much weight
fun, fresh design (seriously the photos do not do the colors justice!)

I never expected to love these shoes as much as I do – especially on my long runs! I’m now debating whether this will be my marathon shoe or whether to go with the Adrenalines.