Happy Hump Day! (That word gives me visuals of other things...sorry!) I don't know about the rest of you but I only have one pair of running shoes! I have seen some blog posts where runners have multiple pairs of shoes in their rotation at any given time. I am thinking that I should try that but when I look at the cost of my shoes I am not sure if I want to do that.
It took me some time to find the perfect pair of shoes and I am probably not quite done yet. I went from Nike's to Mizuno's and so far so good. I have heard great things about other shoes and I really want to try the Brooks Ghost out before I make the final decision to stick with my Mizunos. I tried the Ghost's on at an expo and they were so comfortable but I know that the true test is running in them.
I usually retire my shoes around the 400 mile mark so it was time to say goodbye to my old Wave Inspires and hello to my new ones. I broke them in on a 7 mile run on the treadmill last night.
Questions
1. How many pairs of running shoes do you have in your rotation any any given time?
2. What is the rule(s) for breaking in a new pair of shoes? Do the same rules still apply if your new shoes are the same brand, style, etc as the ones you are retiring?
3. How many miles do put on your shoes before you retire them?
4. Any opinions on the Brooks Ghosts?
I have no idea how many different pairs of shoes I run in. I've found with Mizunos that one run is enough to break them in.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I ran in my new Mizunos I think I ran a 15 miler and probably should not have done that. Luckily it didn't bother me at all. I wore my new shoes once so I guess they are broken in now!
DeleteI only run in 2 kinds of shoes. I have the Saucony Virrata or Kinvara 4 for my shorter distances and Saucony Ride for my longer distances. Before receiving the first two to test out I ran in ONLY Saucony Ride. I'm with you...they're expensive! I retire them after 400 miles too and I can usually tell because my ankles and feet start to hurt. Then I use those shoes as my gym shoes. I have been using the Saucony Rides for 9 years...religiously!
ReplyDeleteUsing retired running shoes for gym shoes is a good idea. I had not thought of that. I usually just get rid of them. I have been hearing a lot of talk about the Kinvara 4's lately which makes me want to try them.
DeleteIf you have shoes that you love, I don't see a problem with sticking with them. I rotate because I like to wear Nike Free's but I'm not certain they're the best shoes for my feet. I rotate them with stability shoes.
ReplyDeleteI tired stability shoes in the past and they just did not work for me. I got really bad shin splints the very first time I ran in them so I never tried them again. The Mizunos I run in now are really comfortable and offer a little more support than the Nike's that I used to wear.
DeleteI have 2 pairs that I rotate. Ghost 4 And ghost 5
ReplyDeleteI have a pair mizunos wave inspire but I think they contribute to my current knee problems....I love my Ghost 5!!! They don't make it to 400 miles though ...my Ravenna used to last 400 but the Ghost have more cushion and I have to change them sooner
I like the Wave Inspires but want to make sure that they are the best shoes for me. I really want to try the Ghost 5! I guess 400 is the magic number to retire your shoes since everyone seems to agree on it. How is the knee and IT band?
DeleteI have four pair in rotation right now, all Asics. I had one in rotation until my PT offered the advice that multiple pair could help my shin problem. I got a pair for my bday and Christmas which helped break up the cost. Now it is easier to keep up on multiple pair.
ReplyDeleteI retire mine at 400 unless they are a little softer shoe, then I just go by feel.
I really want to try some Brooks or Mizunos out, but every time I get fitted, I just walk out with Asica again! What is your fav stability Mizuno shoe?
You are the shoe queen anyway so having four pairs in rotation does not surprise me :) I like the Wave Inspire's by Mizuno but I am not sure that they are really considered a stability shoe. I think they are in between a neutral and a stability. I think I need to have at least two pairs in rotation so I might have to so that.
DeleteI rotate two pairs--alternating days. Usually one is a newer pair. For the last nine months or so, I've been in Brooks Pure Flows--went to them when my back injury had me doing low miles anyway--I figured that was a good time to get used to lower profile shoes. I just bought my first pair of Pure Flows 2 and ran in them for 7 miles yesterday--they did fine. My plan is to alternate them with my old ones so that they'll still be nice and cushy for the Eugene Marathon on April 28. Good luck with your shoe quest!
ReplyDeleteEugene is so close! I know you are going to do really well and get that BQ! I think I am going to buy another pair of shoes and start doing the whole rotation thing. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI only use 1 pair at a time too! I typically break mine in gently too, usually with a few treadmill runs, then an outdoor short run here and there and after a few weeks, I can do a long outdoor run...BUT this time I got my new shoes in Feb and while I broke them in fine. I did a hard FAST one miler after only having them a few weeks and for some reason the shoes were really hard on a bone on the top/side of my left big toe and that set me back for awhile =( Now its the bone on my right foot!! Thankfully I can wear a callus protector over that bone when I run and it doesn't bug me TOO bad.
ReplyDeleteI usually retire my shoes between 350-400 miles. My knees/ankles always let me know when its time =)
Sorry that you had that setback. I hope it is better now. Maybe you should try other shoes just to make sure that you have the right shoes that work for you. I think we all agree that retiring shoes at no more than 400 miles is a good choice.
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