The Running Thread--2024

[camaker]

Quick question about running shoes.

I was out for a 7 mile run today and was thinking about how fast the January MW is coming up (I'm running the half January 11). This got me thinking about how many miles I've put on my sneakers since I bought them (almost 400). I've got about 9 heavy weeks left of running before MW (about 100 miles of running left to do based on some quick math).

So here's the question (he asks finally). Should I buy a new pair of sneakers now so that I can break them in before January 11 or should I just keep running (just keep running, just keep running!)?

I totally wrote this with a Wes Anderson script going through my head until the end when Dory suddenly popped out

A good pair of running shoes shouldn’t need to be broken in. You should really only need a couple of runs to make sure there’s nothing unusual about the new pair before committing them to a race. I’ve gone as far as to pull a new pair out of the box on race day, but I don’t really recommend that.

How many miles do you normally get out of a pair? I’d suggest sticking to your normal retirement schedule at this point, bringing in the new pair when you’d normally switch over.

 

[SarahDisney]

Quick question about running shoes.

I was out for a 7 mile run today and was thinking about how fast the January MW is coming up (I'm running the half January 11). This got me thinking about how many miles I've put on my sneakers since I bought them (almost 400). I've got about 9 heavy weeks left of running before MW (about 100 miles of running left to do based on some quick math).

So here's the question (he asks finally). Should I buy a new pair of sneakers now so that I can break them in before January 11 or should I just keep running (just keep running, just keep running!)?

I totally wrote this with a Wes Anderson script going through my head until the end when Dory suddenly popped out

My take would be to get a new pair of shoes and use them for some of your runs but not all of them. New shoes shouldn't need much time to be broken in but it never hurts to do a few runs in the shoes before the race just to make sure they feel good. You can keep training in the old shoes until they're ready to retire, but I personally (and obviously this is a very personal thing) would not race in ready to be retired shoes or shoes that I haven't worn yet.

 

[Naomeri]

Note to self: don't run 6.5 miles and then sit cross-legged on the floor to organize Halloween candy Standing up was an adventure

 

[run.minnie.miles]

Quick question about running shoes.

I was out for a 7 mile run today and was thinking about how fast the January MW is coming up (I'm running the half January 11). This got me thinking about how many miles I've put on my sneakers since I bought them (almost 400). I've got about 9 heavy weeks left of running before MW (about 100 miles of running left to do based on some quick math).

So here's the question (he asks finally). Should I buy a new pair of sneakers now so that I can break them in before January 11 or should I just keep running (just keep running, just keep running!)?

I totally wrote this with a Wes Anderson script going through my head until the end when Dory suddenly popped out

As my shoes wear out, I start to get “random” aches- usually a knee, shins or hip. Everyone gets different mileage out of their shoes, but I think especially as you get into longer runs, fresh shoes are a good idea!

 

[nancipants]

I am definitely getting new shoes before marathon weekend, but it's mostly an excuse to get new shoes.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Quick question about running shoes.

I was out for a 7 mile run today and was thinking about how fast the January MW is coming up (I'm running the half January 11). This got me thinking about how many miles I've put on my sneakers since I bought them (almost 400). I've got about 9 heavy weeks left of running before MW (about 100 miles of running left to do based on some quick math).

I’m going to take the “9 weeks of running…about 100mi” as you’re doing a lot of walking, because otherwise you’re averaging 9mi/week?

So here's the question (he asks finally). Should I buy a new pair of sneakers now

The answer is always yes.

I agree. If you can afford a new pair of shoes (and maybe a 2nd pair during the Black Friday sales?) get them. I’ve never regretted having extra shoes, and when I have an older pair that I’ve been using a lot, and then put on a fresh pair for a run, if feels soooooo much better. It’s that whole boiling a frog thing…my shoes start letting me know they’re maxing out when my legs are more tired on a run, or I have more niggles and odd achiness than I would normally have.

Others have already covered that shoes don’t really need “broken in” any longer, but I do like to wear them a few times to get the laces and their tightness situated since that’s something that usually takes a few runs for me with new shoes. And also if the shoe version has changed, it’s a good idea to run in them a few times to make sure something didn’t change that your body doesn’t love.

 

[prncssjas]

Good morning, I hope everyone is well and enjoying their fall races. I am awful at staying consistent with reading the boards but I love it when I come back and see how folks are doing. I know Wine and Dine is right around the corner--wishing everyone the best race weekend ever.

I wanted to share a thank you post for @DopeyBadger . Yesterday, I ran the Detroit Free Press International Half Marathon on a beautiful, crisp, and sunny fall day in Michigan. I went into this particular race as trained up as I could be--consistent with hitting my mileage, a lot of hill work, the right amount of speedwork and the majority of miles done in my easy pace. It was a great training block. I had two goals for this race--a PR and more importantly, a sub-two hour finish time.

The course is spectacular--you start in Detroit at 7am (to Eminem's "Lose Yourself," which is the unofficial race anthem), around mile 3 you go over the Ambassador Bridge to Canada (through border patrol/customs) and after a few super fun miles in Windsor, you have the underwater mile coming back to the US. It's pretty darn amazing.

I was being paced by a great friend who runs with my running club and I was holding steady for the first 10 miles but as I approached the last 5k, it was starting to get really tough and I knew that I had to dig pretty deep to keep my pace up. I thought about all the people in my life who supported me and all the nuggets of information that @DopeyBadger has provided over the years about how to mentally work through the space when it gets hard.

I crossed (just barely, more like collapsed? ) the finish line in 1:58:30 (which was a 3 and a half minute PR). After chasing this goal for THREE years, I was shocked, thrilled, and light headed at the same time. I needed 20 minutes in the medical tent before I could stand up straight but I recovered just fine. Running is the most amazing and yet heart-breaking journey. I turn 50 next month and to be able to do this brings me immense joy.

DH and I have been doing RunDisney races since 2016 (usually princess or marathon weekend) and we love it. But I am hoping now, when we go to run Princess weekend in 2026, I will finally be able to join him in Corral A without making him drop back to join me. I apologize if that sounds like such a frivolous thing -- it's not meant to-- only to share that some things are worth waiting for.

Wishing you all best in the upcoming RunDisney season!

 

[nancipants]

Way to go, @prncssjas! That marathon/half is one I'd love to do someday.

 

[prncssjas]

That marathon/half is one I'd love to do someday.

You really should put it on a bucket list! It's a great race (although I am biased, being a MI native).

 

[michigandergirl]

Congrats @prncssjas !! What great weather and a beautiful day for a PR!!

I saw the finisher medal on Instagram and and was wishing I was there.

 

[kps7795]

I crossed (just barely, more like collapsed? ) the finish line in 1:58:30 (which was a 3 and a half minute PR). After chasing this goal for THREE years, I was shocked, thrilled, and light headed at the same time. I needed 20 minutes in the medical tent before I could stand up straight but I recovered just fine. Running is the most amazing and yet heart-breaking journey. I turn 50 next month and to be able to do this brings me immense joy.

Congratulations on your great accomplishment! There's something very special when you're striving toward that goal and see the official time. Great job getting a 3 1/2 minute PR!!!

 

[Scootin'By]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I am strongly leaning towards getting a new pair of shoes (because why not?! )

I’m going to take the “9 weeks of running…about 100mi” as you’re doing a lot of walking, because otherwise you’re averaging 9mi/week?

My long runs right now are 7.5+, plus at least one maintenance run of 2-3 miles per week. So yeah, a lot of running
And my long runs are increasing too, of course. So by mid-November I'm hoping to be running 10 miles or so.

Shoe shopping, here I come!

@prncssjas Congrats!!!

 

[StarGirl11]

Well today was chair fitting day. Which for us wheels goes a bit different than just looking for a pair of shoes for runners.

I am up in the cycle of Grants for a new Racing chair. So I needed to go by one of the companies to see if they could make it since I am a wider body racer. And will be for at least a few more years. Since I don't start losing in the hips area until I am under 200. And we are probably a year at the soonest off from that range. Know this from previous experience with weight loss.

I'm not the first one on the plus side to come in with the request. But I am the first one that already had an old racer I could bring in so they could see what they were working with.

If it comes down to it I just go back to the same company as last time. But fingers crossed that the engineering side gives the green light to make the racer. I've had a couple of hiccups with the cycle but for the most part things have gone well.

And in the end even if it turns out they can't. This won't be a complete flop. Was able to find a few things that will improve the center of gravity and thus 'turtling' (when we go front wheel over) chances will drop. Along with finding a way to improve my ability to push and thus gain speed. A lot of racers can go from the 3 to six to get up to speed. But even in full bend over I can usually at most go from 1 to 4 oclock. I don't know if the extension will get better with weight loss but at the very least with rims closer to a day chair I will be able to actually generate more speed.

I find out next week if we're good to go. And then begin the process of submitting applications for grants to cover it. If all goes well I'll have a new chair by next summer.

 

[PrincessV]

On the topic of shoe wear, I’ve got the oddest phenomenon happening that surely only runners could appreciate…

I have two pairs of the same make and model, different color ways. Pair 1 is nearing what, based on all previous shoe experiences, is its natural end of running life. So I’ve swapped Pair 2 in, first for a few short runs, and now for all long runs, while Pair 1 handles short distances until retirement. This is the natural order of things, right?

Well, Pair 1 is defying all laws of running shoes and getting MORE and more comfortable with every darned run! Both have been comfortable right out of the box, or I wouldn’t be using them at all, but Pair 1 has suddenly and unexpectedly become even better than it was before! For those who follow motor sports, it’s the equivalent of a hard tire being pushed past the graining into a whole new life as a soft. The only hitch is that Pair 1’s tread is nearly non-existent: the sole is there, but all the little grooves are smooth, so traction is an issue in wet conditions. I just know I’m going to have to “box box” them soon, but I’m really enjoying this weird new experience lol!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Continuing the shoe-talk:
I wore one of my older pairs for a walk (with the puppy) and then a run yesterday. And for the rest of the night, every time I stood up it felt like I had run for 4 hours. Creaky. Sore. Achey. Stiff.

I have new shoes being delivered today (trying the NB rebel v4 instead of my trusty 1080s) so I’ll be interested to see if that makes a difference in my legs.

 

[LorrieAnn5]

On the topic of shoe wear, I’ve got the oddest phenomenon happening that surely only runners could appreciate…

I have two pairs of the same make and model, different color ways. Pair 1 is nearing what, based on all previous shoe experiences, is its natural end of running life. So I’ve swapped Pair 2 in, first for a few short runs, and now for all long runs, while Pair 1 handles short distances until retirement. This is the natural order of things, right?

Well, Pair 1 is defying all laws of running shoes and getting MORE and more comfortable with every darned run! Both have been comfortable right out of the box, or I wouldn’t be using them at all, but Pair 1 has suddenly and unexpectedly become even better than it was before! For those who follow motor sports, it’s the equivalent of a hard tire being pushed past the graining into a whole new life as a soft. The only hitch is that Pair 1’s tread is nearly non-existent: the sole is there, but all the little grooves are smooth, so traction is an issue in wet conditions. I just know I’m going to have to “box box” them soon, but I’m really enjoying this weird new experience lol!

As silly as it sounds, I have heard that sneakers need recovery periods between runs too (just like our bodies), so maybe now that you have more time between uses of Pair 1 it's getting a full recovery and is able to perform better (at least in dry conditions and temporarily)

 

[Professor_Cookie]

It’s not the closest I’ve been to being hit by a car. That title goes to actually being on the car’s hood (bruises only) with a wrecked bike about 15 years ago. But yesterday while crossing at a crosswalk in the early dawn hours with my noxgear blazing and headlamp on, the right turner on my side waited for me and the left turner on the other side took that as their cue to gun it and then immediately gnash the brakes, as my hands came up in a “What the h?” gesture and I shouted “do I need more xxxxxxx lights on for you buddy?”

Fun times.

 

[The Expert]

It’s not the closest I’ve been to being hit by a car. That title goes to actually being on the car’s hood (bruises only) with a wrecked bike about 15 years ago. But yesterday while crossing at a crosswalk in the early dawn hours with my noxgear blazing and headlamp on, the right turner on my side waited for me and the left turner on the other side took that as their cue to gun it and then immediately gnash the brakes, as my hands came up in a *** gesture and I shouted “do I need more xxxxxxx lights on for you buddy?”

Fun times.

That is terrifying! So glad you're okay. I can't believe they didn't see you -- sounds like you were lit up like a Christmas tree!

 

[Professor_Cookie]

That is terrifying! So glad you're okay. I can't believe they didn't see you -- sounds like you were lit up like a Christmas tree!

As well as being the same general size and shape of a Christmas tree!

 

[nancipants]

It’s not the closest I’ve been to being hit by a car. That title goes to actually being on the car’s hood (bruises only) with a wrecked bike about 15 years ago. But yesterday while crossing at a crosswalk in the early dawn hours with my noxgear blazing and headlamp on, the right turner on my side waited for me and the left turner on the other side took that as their cue to gun it and then immediately gnash the brakes, as my hands came up in a “What the h?” gesture and I shouted “do I need more xxxxxxx lights on for you buddy?”

Fun times.

Glad you are okay!

Opposite sort of story, but this morning I was turning left out of my neighborhood (it was light out already) and I almost hit a bike that was crossing in front of my neighborhood. I slammed on the brakes and cursed at myself for not seeing him. Then, after turning, I realized that since my light was green he was crossing on a red and didn't even bother to hit the button on the crosswalk. I don't get people!!!