New Running Shoes

I finally did it, I ordered a new pair of running shoes! After my last post about my running shoes, I thought that maybe I didn't need a new pair quite yet. I mean, they only have about 400 miles on them... I thought maybe I could push them a little further. This weekend, I gave my shoes a good look—and I didn't think they looked half bad. I mean, they didn't have holes, the soles didn't seem to be too flattened out... they were still treating me great. And then I ran 8 miles Saturday and after feeling like I was running on the concrete in practically bare feet, I knew it was time for a new pair.

When you're training for a marathon—or any race for that matter—it's so important to be conscious of how your shoes are taking the training. Has the padding on the soles (especially under the ball of your foot) flattened out and compressed? When you press on the cushioning, does it bounce back into place? But most importantly—since you can't judge shoes by how they look—how do you feel when running? Are your feet sore after long runs? Do you have shin splints? Do your knees and hips ache? These aren't always signs that your shoes need to be replaced, but if you've run anywhere between 350-500 miles, general runners' guidelines suggest it's time for a new pair.

I love my Mizunos, so Sunday evening I ordered a new pair. I had been running in the Wave Elixir 8 in Electric/Lime Punch/Anthracite, but this time I picked the same shoe but in Blue Atoll/Blazing Orange—because it's fun to change it up, right? I selected 1-day shipping—since I was ordering them later than I should have and to leave enough time to break them in—and they arrived yesterday. I went for my first run in them this morning and man did they feel good. I have two more runs before the big day Sunday, so I think they'll be broken in just fine. Oh, and remember how I didn't originally think my pink Mizunos looked half bad? Now that I have the new shoes, I can see that it was definitely time to replace my old ones—they look warped, stretched out, and the soles are totally compressed... there's hardly any cushion left!

The only thing I have to do now is put in my race-day laces. My pink Mizunos originally came with black laces, and I put in the neon yellow laces for the Sawtooth Relay. Can you guess which color I picked for the blue Mizunos and the City of Trees Marathon?