Skip to main content

The Shoe's The Thing

I guess technically I'm tapering. I ran 22 miles on Saturday and this week's long run was 14 miles. So that also means the taper crazies are on the horizon.

I thought I might be getting an early jump on things when my calves and shins both hurt after my Monday run. Then I decided to check the miles on my shoes. I can't remember the exact number, but I know it was in the 470s. Most of my Kinvaras have been retired around 450 miles. And most of the time their retirement coincides with some sore calves and shins after a few runs. So I think it's time.
The worst is when the shoes still look pretty good, which this pair does. And they are a little sentimental because the hubs bought them after I first qualified for Boston because they are blue and yellow (BAA colors) and I wore them to run Boston last year. They might be a pair that gets a permanent spot in my closet because I can't bear to part with them.


When I began wearing Kinvaras several years ago, I did some research on how much mileage you can typically expect out of your running shoes because I was switching to a more natural running shoe and knew it was different depending on how much cushioning the shoes have, how often you run, and other factors.

Here's what I found:
  • Your body will tell you when you need new shoes. Clearly I have found this to be true. You'll start having little aches and pains, like shin pain, tight arches, sore knees or even achy hips.
  • Most running shoes last between 300-600 miles. Because that is such a big range, it's important to consider the factors that affect it. Lighter runners tend to get more mileage out of their shoes than heavier runners. Also the weight of the shoe is a factor. Typically you will get less mileage out of a lighter racing shoe than a heavier trainer.
  • Keep an eye on the tread. When the outsole begins to look smooth, it's time for a replacement. However, keep in mind that the outsole will wear out faster if you run on pavement than if you run on trails or grass, so don't let this be your primary determining factor when replacing your shoes.
  • Keep an eye on the midsole of your shoe. As you run, the midsole becomes compressed over time and you eventually lose the cushioning in this important part of your shoes.

Comments

  1. I always hate retiring a shoe, but it is fun to get new ones too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am a Kinvara girl too! Aaaannnd I'm right there with you, time for new shoes, my calves keep feeling sore.
    Isn't it such a treat to run the first time in your new shoes, after running the last ones to death? It feels like clouds! Wish they could be new for every run!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.crossfit sneakers

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love your comments! They make my day, so be sure to let me know you stopped by. And I always try to respond to your comments, so let me know if you have any questions for me or if there is anything you want to see on here!

Popular posts from this blog

Carpet Burn On My Butt (and a giveaway)

After two lame, pathetic, lackluster weeks of running, I woke up excited to run yesterday. And today, I wore my running clothes all morning in anticipation of my nap time run today. Even in spite of sore glutes and tired quads from getting in some P90X Core Synergistics last night, I couldn't wait to get moving on Millie. I am a planner. Today I had a plan to get my run in while my girls slept, and my day was organized accordingly. I am also a creature of habit. The first thing I do when I roll out of bed every single day is make my bed and my girls' beds. If I do something else first, it throws off the entire morning. I am a creature of habit when it comes to my running routines as well. There are a few things that differ depending on whether I am running on Millie or outside, whether my girls are asleep or not, and whether or not they are joining me in the jogger. Yet, no matter when, where, how far or with whom I run, some things are always the same. My hair goes into a pony

I wasn't sure going in...

Yep, I'm checking in. Why? Because I did something completely out of my comfort zone that I wanted to share with you. Last week I went to a place near Salt Lake called Dexa Body, where I got a DEXA Scan. For those unfamiliar with what that is, I asked Google to help us out:  "Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry  ( DXA , previously  DEXA ) is a means of measuring  bone mineral density  (BMD). Two  X-ray  beams, with different  energy levels , are aimed at the patient's  bones . When  soft tissue   absorption is subtracted out, the  bone mineral density  (BMD) can be determined from the absorption of each beam by bone. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is the most widely used and most thoroughly studied bone density measurement technology." Since that is pretty medical sounding, here's my take. A DEXA Scan is a tool to measure your total body composition. It specifically breaks down the regional composition of your lean and fat tissue. It gives a fat distribution

Social Media: Some good, a lot of bad, and way too much ugly

There are a lot of good things that come from social media. We can connect with people we have lost touch with. We can unite as a group (runners!!) with a comment interest. We can promote a good cause. Sadly though, what social media does best is makes us feel bad about ourselves and makes us feel negatively towards others. This isn't just my opinion, although I can unquestionably support the truth behind this based on my own experience. I have spent way too much time feeling bad about myself as a result of comparing myself to others based on their Instagram or Facebook versions of themselves. And there are several people I have started feeling negatively about or have become completely annoyed with because of their IG and FB posts. It isn't just me though. There are actual studies that can back me up on the negative impact social media can have. I have read dozens of articles reviewing many different studies that show the overwhelmingly negative (vs. positive) effec