New Shoes
Yesterday was supposed to be a rest day. After ten consecutive days of cycling, running or strenuous hiking, my aging joints and muscles deserved a break. But when the regular workout time rolled around, I felt fine. In fact, I needed a workout...the London bombings had me on edge and I needed to run off some nervous energy. Plus, I had new fresh-out-of-the-box running shoes.
I'm pretty easy on running shoes, since most of my mileage is done on a treadmill. My current shoes are only about 16 months old, and have around 700 miles on them. (I know, that's not much mileage over that length of time, but running isn't my primary workout.) Shoe manufacturers would have you believe that the high tech material in today's shoes breaks down fairly quickly and that you should replace them every six months or so. I suppose that if I was running 60 miles a week, that replacement schedule might work, but I tend to believe it's the mileage, not the calendar, that drives the replacement decision. (Sort of like oil changes in your car; does anybody really change the oil in an infrequently driven auto every three months?)
I'm also picky about what shoe I run in. I wear nothing but New Balance 1122s, size 11D (they run small...really). This is a workhorse of a shoe, meant for heavier runners (which certainly isn't me) and high mileage types (again, not me). It's heavy and clunky-looking and stable as the Rock of Gibraltar, and it's the one shoe I can run in for several consecutive days without knee or foot pain, and thus I stick with it. Some people absolutely hate the 1122 (many cite a lack of cushioning or the weight as major drawbacks), but one's preference in running shoes is quite subjective, as you might imagine.
Anyway, I pulled on the new shoes, laced 'em up and hit the treadmill, putting in four miles while watching Stage 6 of the Tour de France. The shoes felt good, I felt good (well, relatively speaking), and I'm glad I took the time.
Today, however, I think I'll rest.
Probably.
Brian, the 1122s might be a good choice for you. I solved the cushioning issue easily enough by wearing a thicker pair of socks than usual, although changing out the insole for Sorbothane or something similar might also do the trick. I don't like OTC insoles because they seem to alter the feel of the shoe, but that's just me.
I'm 6'6", 225 lbs...
Remind me to be a bit more respectful in our communications from now on! ;-)
Posted by: Eric at July 8, 2005 11:19 AMOh, the other thing I was going to mention is that if your heel is sliding, you might be able to solve the problem with a different lacing style. If you're interested, I can post a lacing diagram intended to address heel slippage.
Posted by: Eric at July 8, 2005 11:20 AMI won't be due for new shoes until next year, and the ones I have now are fine.
I am curious about the lacing pattern, though ... if you've got it handy I'd be interested - but don't make a big deal of it.
I promise not to squish you either way. :-)
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I may have to look into those when my current shoes get retired. Mine are also New Balance, but a different model, (765, I think) and they recently changed them just enough so that the new version doesn't fit right - my heel slides around. I bought one of the last pairs of the old style over the winter...
I'm 6'6", 225 lbs, so I count as heavy when it comes to shoes. And I want to be a high-mileage runner (because I'm in no way a speedy one).
Posted by: Brian at July 8, 2005 10:58 AM