I felt so good after my race yesterday I decided to go muck it up and buy new shoes!
No. Actually, the theory behind good running shoes, is that they only become necessary (a) if you have an extreme running issue you need to correct or (b) you’re running long distances. Evidently few of us have neutral running styles. Styles that won’t hurt our body. Luckily, most of the time those issues won’t bother you on 3-5 miles stretches. On the other hand, having a bad running issue for 8 miles or longer can cause joint pain and other fun things. Since I passed the 10-mile mark in my training, I’ve had minor hip and knee issues. Considering I’m only going to be adding distance to my runs for the next few months, I decided now was a good time to have my run analyzed.
I went to Fleet Feet and learned I have “overpronating feet” which is the most common of common of running problems. Pronating is good. Overpronating is bad. So - they brought out four pairs of shoes with motion control to try to keep that from happening. I had the $90 shoe on one foot and the $130 dollar shoe on the other one. I said, “Well…I like them both…” and the wonderful girl said. “Does that other one feel $40 better? If not…get the cheaper one.”
Which is exactly what I did. But aren’t they hideously ugly? She said if I run in them for two short runs this week, I should be fine to wear them to the Turkey Day Race on Thursday. Evidently running shoes are made so they don’t need much to be broken in.
So, I am now the proud owner of fancy running shoes. I asked her how long they should last and she said “300-600 miles, depending on the surface you run on.” I laughed and said, “Forever, then.” I mean, who puts that many miles on shoes? That’s, like, A LONG WAY. She smiled and politely pointed out that if I am currently running about 20 miles a week (or more) then it would only take about 4 months to cross the 300-mile mark. And in reality - my distance will get to the point where I might be running as much as 40 miles a week before the marathon. “Which might have you in here needing a new pair of shoes before your marathon.”
Holy Shit. She’s right. I could possibly run 300 miles between now and my marathon in February. HOLY SHIT. Is it too late to back out?
When I saw 300 I thought “oh she’ll need new shoes in a few months”.
And YEAH for her. She didn’t try to sell you the more expensive shoe. They don’t look ugly to me and I like the blue.
Do you have insomnia again?
I have a pair of hideously ugly Brooks shoes too, but they make my feet feel oh, so wonderful. I don’t pronate, but I have impossibly high arches, so Brooks are the only shoes I’ve found that keep my arches from aching after a hard workout.
I’m thinking she shouldn’t have shared that information with you!
Zoot I’m OVER pronator too. Mine our hideously ugly Sacony’s (hurricane’s) my all time fav fav fav running shoes. I’ve had 4 pairs.
I did have one pair of Brooks that only lasted for the training of and actually racing of a half marathon in the middle of the winter.
They’re comfy though eh?
I over pronate too. I went too long between shoes (I calculated 3500 miles -eeek!) and had unbelievable foot pain. Seriously. By the way, I think I may have mentioned this before, but I was about to give up running after all these years, but you have inspired me to keep going, even I can only manage a run or two a week. I ran a race last week and am contemplating the Turkey Trot on Thursday. You have no idea how much you’ve made me to love running again. Thanks!
i liked that the Fleet Feet talked to you about your shoes. That’s one of the reason’s why i don’t exercise like I should. I know I have high arches in my foot and 99% of the time I wear the wrong shoes so my feet start to hurt and then within 20 minutes I have charlie horses or searing pain running up and down my legs. Just thinking of walking will bring up the pain memories and I just don’t think it’s worth it.
I don’t think they look ugly — they make your feet look fast. And wow, you’re putting the miles on your shoes like most people put on a car!
Awesome shoes=Awesome Marathon Runner=Zoot!
Way to go!
Try to buy online once you are sure you like this style. If you find a good price, buy more then one pair b/c they might stop making your style.
This is funny because I was just wondering what shoes you were wearing… I am off today to find some as your bug has bit me and I can no longer resist- thanks a lot…
Oooh.. I like the shoes
They look ~fast~!! You can just see them zooming you to the finish line 
Compared to my Brooks Ariels, yours are positively cool-looking. But they do work on my overpronating feet.
300 miles–cool! I won’t run that far in a year.
I know it would be an extra expense, but sometimes it’s nice to have two pairs of shoes and alternate wearing them. Then you would only have, say, 150-250 miles on each pair and get to wear comfortable, familiar ones in the marathon. They do break in quickly, but I’d still eliminate as many variables as possible on that 26.2 mile run. Congratulations on all of your achievements so far! We are so proud of you!
Hey, I’m going to Fleet Feet here tonight because I’ve been having problems with my left achilles heel when I run and someone recommended them to me. I’m so glad they sound like they are nice there, because I still worry about about not being a “real” runner. I’m not running a marathon, but I am trying to do 15 miles a week.
So were the shoes hideously expensive?
Dude, you think those are ugly? Make the blue part bright orange and you’d have MY shoes!