New Shoes for the Marathon - is it too late?

[escape]

I finished my 10-miler in preparation for the full marathon this past weekend and my feet were killing me afterwards (bottoms of my feet, mainly but some pain on top and ankles). They hurt a little the weekend before as well but nothing like this. I'm beginning to think that my shoes are breaking down faster than they should be. Of course, my problems could be something else - I don't know.

I think I bought these current pair in late August and I had thought about getting new shoes a couple of months ago but several people said that my shoes should be okay for the the WDW full. I'm going to go to a running store on Wednesday to get a professional opinion but if I do end up buying new ones (the same exact kind I'm using now), do you think it's too late to W/R in them in 2 weeks?

 

[cewait]

youch......

It could be the shoes, it could be injury. If you are desperate then possibly go with new shoes. I would be afraid of blisters about 13-16 miles into race making for a long day. If you and your running store go with them, run a little longer this weekend than scheduled…say 2-3 extra miles, but make them s-l-o-w. You are attempting to break them in not train. Also, lube up your feet well. Concentrate on the balls of your feet, and arches and possibly any other place you have blistered in the past.

Good luck as it is really tough to think about going the distance in unproven shoes. On the bright side Wednesday is much better than the day before at the expo.

Personally, I ould work with my current shoes but it's really up to you.

 

[escape]

Thanks for your input, Charles.

I should add that I did get a new pair of shoes 2 months ago but they are a different brand (Asics) than what I had been using (Brooks). I wore them for a couple of weeks and I just didn't like them as well so I went back to training with the Brooks that I bought in August. Several folks (seasoned runners) said they ought to be fine for the marathon - mileage-wise. However, within the last couple of weeks, I've been reading customer reviews about my current shoes (Brooks Adrenaline GTS 7's) and several have mentioned that they tend to "break" down faster than most shoes. That's why I'm wondering if the shoes are the source of my problem. *sigh*

 

[princessrunner]

Susie: I bought my last pair of shoes in August also and they probably would be fine for the half but, I ended up getting a new pair because I don't want to risk an injury during the half. I just got them on Friday and ran 8 miles in them Saturday, 4.5 miles yesterday and they feel good. Remember that it is not necessarily the time line in months that matters with the shoes, it is the mileage. I can usually manage between 200-300 miles on a pair of shoes. I have had my last 2 pairs of Nikes break down at about 180 miles and my knees start hurting. I switched brands and so far, so good. Good luck and I hope it is a simple fix like the shoes and not something else!!!

 

[cewait]

Thanks for your input, Charles.

I should add that I did get a new pair of shoes 2 months ago but they are a different brand (Asics) than what I had been using (Brooks). I wore them for a couple of weeks and I just didn't like them as well so I went back to training with the Brooks that I bought in August. Several folks (seasoned runners) said they ought to be fine for the marathon - mileage-wise. However, within the last couple of weeks, I've been reading customer reviews about my current shoes (Brooks Adrenaline GTS 7's) and several have mentioned that they tend to "break" down faster than most shoes. That's why I'm wondering if the shoes are the source of my problem. *sigh*

I think that I would purchase the new pair as long as they are the same model. Work with themand make a few runs in them but make sure to bring the old shoes also. More than likely these shoes should break in fast but you can't be sure. Again lube is your friend in this marathon.

If you are not tracking miles make an immediate resolution to track shoe mileage. I use an electronic log to keep all my data from the shoe used, weather, weight, distance, course to what I was feeling that day.

Also, if you are thinking another distance race, or ven if you plan on continuing running, consider alternating a couple pair of shoes at a time. It takes a couple days for the elastomers to recover and for the shoe material to dry. By alternating shoes you will get a few extra miles out of both pair.

Good luck with your trip to the shoe store.

 

[scoolover]

I just got a new pair on Saturday and heard something pop in my knee yesterday one mile into a light run. It was my first time trying them out. I an ignoring it, hoping the pain will go away. I guess that my words would be of caution but perhaps if you get the same kind (which I didn't) it will lessen the chance of a problem. Good luck

 

[westcliffemom]

Susie, I'm in the same boat with the shoes! I thought I'd be okay for the half, but they wore out too quickly! So, I'm doing a few walks with the new ones to make sure they'll be alright. They are the same make/model. I really don't have any choice, as my feet really hurt after my long walks with the old ones, so I'd be miserable after the half (okay, that might not be the only reason I'm miserable

 

[tigger2esq]

see this is why this past summer I bought two pair of the same exact shoe. I rotate them for my runs and track the mileage. I started in pair #1 with the intention of using pair #2 in the actual race. I used pair #1 for my long runs for the first 2-3 months of training (and pair #2 for the short runs) and a few weeks ago switched so my last few long runs were in #2 and my short runs are in #1. (I marked the inside of the shoe with a sharpie so i knew which shoes were which....). its also nice to have a fresh pair of shoes in case one pair gets wet or otherwise yucky... I will probably bring bth with me to WDW next week so I can use pair #1 for the 5k on Friday...

 

[hoosmi]

I had the same shoe panic. I had two different models for Goofy, but just decided I don't like my Sauconys. I decided to get a second pair of the other model (Adidas). I got the new pair of Adidas last week. I've worn them for several 3-4 milers and one 8 miler. I'm doing the Goofy, so I think I'll use the newer pair for the half and my older ones (maybe 80 miles on them) for the full.

I don't know if it's any comfort since I haven't gone over 8 miles, but I can't tell any difference between the two pairs. Speaking of which, I need to go buy some new laces or something for one of the pairs so I don't look down and see a little "1" on one foot and a "2" on the other race day! Probably wouldn't matter, but would really mess with my head!

Good luck!

Jen in GA

 

[cewait]

I had the same shoe panic. I had two different models for Goofy, but just decided I don't like my Sauconys. I decided to get a second pair of the other model (Adidas). I got the new pair of Adidas last week. I've worn them for several 3-4 milers and one 8 miler. I'm doing the Goofy, so I think I'll use the newer pair for the half and my older ones (maybe 80 miles on them) for the full.

I don't know if it's any comfort since I haven't gone over 8 miles, but I can't tell any difference between the two pairs. Speaking of which, I need to go buy some new laces or something for one of the pairs so I don't look down and see a little "1" on one foot and a "2" on the other race day! Probably wouldn't matter, but would really mess with my head!

Good luck!

Jen in GA

I mark on the month-year of my first run on the back of each heal of my shoes. That way I can hopefully make sure that I am in the correct pair of shoes. I do like the idea of two colors of strings as a quick ID.

 

[chimera]

I have two pairs of ASICs Nimbus that I rotate. My LR pair is green, my SR pair I got really cheap on closeout...they are bright, scary tangerine orange. No chance mixing them up!

 

[wdw4us]

My shoes were worn out from training last summer. I usually powerwalk but being afraid of getting swept,I started to run some too. I purchased running shoes. I found that my new sneakers were giving me trouble and what I thought was pain from running was actually pain from the sneakers. They just weren't right for me.

I went to purchase another pair of my "old" sneakers but bought another pair of Nike Cross Trainers. Both pair of Nike's have never given me a blister or needed breaking in. Put them on and went! My daughter has the same sneakers and again, no problem. My shoes look fairly new and I have worn them for less than 20 miles but I'm pretty sure they'll be just fine for the 1/2

denise

 

[escape]

What an idiot! I guess it's true - it is taper MADNESS!

The reason I say that is because I bought my shoes in the 2nd week of October, not August. Big difference. That's why people told me I should be ok mileage-wise. Duh!

I did buy another pair today. On sale, too! Same exact shoe. I compared them to the ones I have. The padding/liner in my old ones (Oct. shoes) were pretty worn compared to my new ones. The bottoms were also starting to wear thin. I'm going to take both pair to WDW. I ran 4 miles in the new ones tonight. Felt good. However, I know that 4 miles is not 26.2 miles.

Charles and others - I've learned my lesson. I will record my mileage from now on. Plus, I won't wait so long to get another pair. Probably in another month or two I'll get a new pair so I can alternate shoes.

Thanks for all the advice.