Doug Freese wrote:
> "Dot" <dot.h@#duh?att.net> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>The way I tell if my shoes are ready for retirement from running is to
>>have two pairs broken in and alternate them with the better pair being
>>used for longer or rockier runs.
>
>
> I do the same but want to add some additional words although I think
> they are implied. I introduce the second pair after about 150-200 miles.
Since I haven't run a complete cycle yet (very close, I think), I tend
to introduce the new pair by about 100 miles, so I always have either
(1) 2 broken in or (2) 1 almost to be retired, one comfy, one just
entering the cycle. This equals 2 essentially runnable shoes at all
times. I think I got about 150 miles out of one of my pairs of Saucony's
Grid Stabils, more like 100 on the others. So I played it safe on my
first pairs of Trespasses to be sure I had something broken in by 100
mi, and that seems to be working. Actually I have 3 pairs in my cycle,
including the ss pair.
Where I am now (approximately)
1 - 350 total miles = 250 normal miles + 100 miles snowshoe running,
hiking, etc. (probably put it for snowshoes before I really needed to;
will probably only use it on soft snow in the future)
2 - 250 normal miles (still feels fine, but will probably start to use
it on hard-packed ss running as #1 is starting to feel flat for that)
3 - 90 normal miles - comfy before snow started and haven't used them
since.
It takes about 25 miles before I'll try a new pair on some of the bigger
or steeper hills around here. That forefoot section needs to be flexed a
lot to get it like my feet like it, and first couple runs don't feel
that great. I've found that some of my AT problems stemmed from stiff
soles - like my Saucony's as well as hiking boots - so I manually flex a
new shoe, then run flat or relatively so for a few runs before I take it
up anything steeper than 10%.
> When a new pair is introduced the difference between the pairs will not
> be much. After about 100 or so miles the differences will be more
> noticeable.
Right. I tend to break them in earlier, just because I like to have 2 at
all times. Initially I'll use the older shoe for longer runs and some
short runs; maybe only using the new pair one day a week for short, dry
runs, just to be sure it's broken in. Once it's comfortable, I may not
use it much (or at all), depending on where the other one is and what
type runs I'm doing. When I start to feel a difference or the older pair
doesn't feel right on gravel downhills, then the newer one gets used for
long runs or the gravel downhills (about like 10% on concrete), and the
older one gets the short, easy run duty. They're still fine for that,
but I like a little more firmness underfoot for some types of running.
>
> Additional hint, especially if you run trails or even dirty roads,
> number the pairs if they are the same model. After both pairs are dirty
> it is very hard to tell the difference and you may mix pairs. I like to
> write the numbers on the back of the heel because they take the least
> beating. Since the numbers are small yet discernable people often ask me
> if markings are Left and Right. 
Yep. Picked up that trick from David (SWStudio) a few years ago (thanks,
David)
Mine are labelled just on the inside of the heel (between
feet, not inside the shoe) on a smooth surface. The other parts had too
much design to mark them reliably.
But this isn't foolproof, as I discovered the other day when I took the
shoes off - one from pair #1, one from #2. The funny thing is, the ss
pair has duct tape on the back to resist wear so I *should* have
noticed. I was ss running on soft snow so any differences weren't
apparent. but yes, I am mentally taking note that #2 didn't feel
different from #1, which may be close to lawn mowing duty. I do think
that's a result of the snow though. #1 feels fine on soft snow.
Actually I almost went out the door without my running shoes the other
day, and did go out without my running socks. Noticed before I had
gotten too far and made a quick trip home.
Brand names of shells isn't the only things I've been messing up lately
Merry Christmas!
Dot
--
"Dream Big, and dare to fail." --- Norman Vaughn
who was with Byrd in Antarctica and whose 99th birthday was Dec 19
