New shoes before WDW Half?

[lenshanem]

I need new shoes. How close to the half can I safely switch over? Can I do this during my taper? Or do I really need to do a long run in them? I've only got three long runs left - 10, 6 and a 12 miler. I doubt I'll get over to the running store until right before my 12 miler, though. And that doesn't sound like a very good idea - to run a 12 miler in new shoes.

DH thinks I can probably wait until right after the half and then get the new shoes. How many miles do most of you put on them before switching?

 

[wtpclc]

Do as many SRs in them as you can before your 12-miler. WIll taht give you at least 2 weeks of runs before the race? Can you get at least a 6-miler in tehm before the half? If so , you should be ok.

 

[wdw4us]

Last year I got mine right after Christmas and I was fine for the 1/2.

I did get about 20+ miles on them before I left.

denise

 

[GirTheGecko]

I encourage you getting them soon so you can see how they run. Get some miles on them so they aren't completely new.

 

[solotraveler]

The recommendation I hear all the time (and use myself) is a new pair one month before the race. That allows you to get some miles in the them and you certainly won't wear them out. So you'll want to buy a pair soon, IMO.

I bought mine yesterday, actually. Brooks actually discontinued my shoes, and the new version (which still fits awesome) is a bright yellow/green. I gues they'll be easy to find in the dark!!

 

[Optimator]

Shan - Are you looking at a new pair of a model that you currently have or a whole new model?

If I'm just getting a new pair of the same I feel pretty comfortable racing in them after only a couple of runs. One LR would be great, but 2 or 3 shorter runs would be fine if that's all that time allows.

If it's a completely new shoe, I'd be sure I get more miles including at least 1 LR.

I know it's probably mostly in my head, but I feel much better running a race in new shoes (and since most of this foolishness is mental, whatever helps is a good thing).

 

[FireDancer]

I think if you get the same shoes as trained in, or at least the current model, you will mitigate some of the drawbacks of adjusting to the new shoes. Sine you know the shoe itself works with you foot that aspect is taken away so it is only the physical breaking in of the shoe you need to worry about. For this I would think the accumulation of miles during you taper would do the trick. The consensus seems to be about 500 miles for a person of average height and weight (what the heck ever that means). It also depends on how neutral the wear pattern on the shoes is. The less even your shoes wear the better the chance that the change in tread shape and how it affects how your foot hits the ground could change your gait enough to cause damage. If you have a good running store in your area they should be able to give you good advice.

 

[Duanerice]

I guess it depends on how easily you adapt to new shoes. Some people take very little time to adapt. For me, it is an issue. Even with the same model and brand, it takes some time for my feet to get comfortable in a shoe. I need at least 30 - 40 miles before I even try a long run in them. That's why I bought my last pair the first of November.

But, everyone is different.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[jam217]

This may not have been the smartest thing to do but it all worked out. Last year, I went to buy new shoes right around Christmas for the Disney half. The running store told me they were out of stock but would order them and would arrive in a few days.

A few days turned into more than a week and no shoes in sight. I was getting desperate. The Wednesday before the half I went to another running store in town and they had them. The next day (Thursday) I left for Disney. I wore the shoes all day Thursday and Friday in the parks, then ran in them Saturday with no problems. But I agree that everyone is different in adapting to shoes. You know your feet best!

 

[lenshanem]

I have around roughly 300 miles on these shoes. I'm thinking I better just wait. I dunno!!!

 

[wtpclc]

Shan - How lonf have you had them. If it will eb over 6 months, I'd change. WIll you be going with teh same style? If so, you'd be ok if you can get over 10 miles on them (not in teh smae run) I would think.

 

[lenshanem]

I've had them since early March, but I was out four months from my knee injury and then my surgery.

When I ran my first half late March that is when my knee gave out. I had bought these shoes I'm running in now a couple weeks before that race.

When I started back up running I switched shoes back and forth and determined it wasn't the shoes that caused my injury. (Or so I think.) But, because of that experience, I'll probably want to try a new model shoe. I've had two of this model. While my knee is better (I wear a knee brace now.) I'm thinking it won't hurt to try a different style.

Decisions, decisons...
I probably need a new pair, I'm just worried the same thing will happen that did at my last half.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I usually change my shoes every 3-4 months. I run like an elephant ... stomp stomp stomp... so my shoes go pretty quickly and my knees can definitely feel when they start to go. I try to give myself a couple of weeks to get use to the shoe just in case ... usually I'm not too worried since I wear the same model/style. That said, the last time I changed my shoes was in the middle of November, a week and a bit before my 10k. Didn't have any problems so I think I was lucky.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I just bought new shoes, but they are the same model I always wear. Wore them today for 8 miles and felt good. But the last pair I bought in sept (same exact shoe) gave me blisters and felt funny for at least 2 weeks. If I were you, I would wait until after the race. Especially if you are going to change shoes completely. I usually buy new shoes every 400 miles and I always have 2 pairs I alternate between. So I buy about 4 - 5 pairs per year.

Becky