Running Shoes

[tricky]

A question for the runners on here (I know there are one or two).

How often should you replace your shoes ?
I've have mine (New Balance 717) about 2.5 years and I would estimate they've only done about 500-600 miles. I avoid running on tarmac so the soles still look brand new.

[Ed]

Hmm, two views. One says that the sole might look OK but after 500 miles the inside of the foamy stuff will have compressed and degraded, so time to replace. The other says that shoes should last 1000 miles or so if they are looked after properly and that the first view is a myth peddled by shoe companies. Guess which I prefer.

[Blue_SV650S]

They are fecked ... buy some new ones!! ...

I don't know if you get problems with your joints or shin splints etc, but both are awful and inappropriate or worn shoes have a massive impact (pardon the pun :D) on the onset of these ;)

For the sake of ~£80 for a new set (every year by the sound of your mileage) it isn’t worth it …

To be fair, I should practice what I preach … I need a new set … I’m just too lazy to get down the shoe shop and get a new set fitted … :oops:

That is another thing, don’t just buy running shoes, go to a proper running shoe shop and get some fitted for you!! (different shoes are better for diff feet/styles).

I am not sure if they are just in Pompy or if they are nation wide, but I use http://www.alexandrasports.com/ … bearing in mind what I just said, I ought to try and get down there soon myself :oops:

Give them a ring anyway and get their professional opinion on how fecked your shoes are likely to be ;)

[gettin2dizzy]

I gave myself shin splints last week. Haven't run since and they're still really painful :(

[Blue_SV650S]

I gave myself shin splints last week. Haven't run since and they're still really painful :(

When I first started running, I did it in supermarket trainers ... within 2 weeks (running most days and ON ROAD) my shin splints were so painful I had to stop ..

Took about 2 months to get to a state where I could attempt running again ... needless to say by then I had sought advice from runners I knew, and then after recommendation gone to Alexandra to get a proper set of shoes fitted for ME/my style, best ?78 I ever spent! ;)

I now only run on a treadmill (more shock absorption) and in proper shoes ?

[tricky]

That is another thing, dont just buy running shoes, go to a proper running shoe shop and get some fitted for you!!


Oh yes always do ! (slight over-prenation) :D

[sarah]

The book I've been referring to for info and advice (http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Runner-Running-Walking-Fitness/dp/1905744072/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=gateway&qid=1201092806&sr=8-1)says 6 months is the approximate life span of a pair of trainers. 6 months doesn't seem very long though. Presumably there must be load of factors that come into it eg milage, the surface you run on and your weight.

[Ed]

I run in shoes that have done best part of 1000 miles without any probs:cool:

[neio79]

Bollox LOL , i have been running in the same pair if Nike's for just over 3 years, al on raod and no problems at all, no shin splits or aches or pains. SO i would say IMO if they are still holding togwether and not giving you any issues or discomfert at all then keep them. mine are like slippers sooo comfy. they smell a bit mind.

[hovis]

Bollox LOL , i have been running in the same pair if Nike's for just over 3 years, al on raod and no problems at all, no shin splits or aches or pains. SO i would say IMO if they are still holding togwether and not giving you any issues or discomfert at all then keep them. mine are like slippers sooo comfy. they smell a bit mind.

:laughat:yeah......... but in the 3 years you have only run twice (to the chippy & back):smt110

[Blue_SV650S]

...

...

You are very lucky boys ...

The way I see it is the same as with so many things. As an analogy, not many would recommend using very worn tyres on your bike, you CAN and there is a good chance it'll never be/cause a problem, but you have to realise you are at more risk of losing traction, handling, getting punctures more easily doing so ...

Common sense would dictate replacing tyres before you HAVE to (i.e. they are illegal, worse still down past the canvas ;))... also the more miles you do, the more frequently it'd need to be ... finally the more scabby a rider you are, the more you need the safety margin newer tyres give ... (analogous to having dodgy joints, feet etc).

[neio79]

:laughat:yeah......... but in the 3 years you have only run twice (to the chippy & back):smt110

i think not my yellow loving friend!! done mre than my fair share of road running given my job ;)

[Tim in Belgium]

Need to get myself a new set of road shoes, my Mizuno Waves are coming up to 3 years old, and have done a marathon, a 20k, two triathlons, two duathlons and numerous road runs for training, time to demote them to gym duties. On a couple of recent runs my feet have been a little less comfy than normal.

I've a nice pair on Inov-8 off road shoes, great in the mud and on the trails. Going to use them in anger for the first time tomorrow as I'm doing my first ever adventure race, 5 hrs of running and MTBing hell no doubt. My fittness has been going down hill since christmas (food, drink, flu etc) so it's going to be a physical and mental battle. Sorry for the derail.

[grh1904]

Some peeps on here might get away with using a pair of running shoes for a couple of years, but impact damage to the joints doesn't always manifest itself straight away, it could take years before you are aware of any damage and by them its far far too late.

I've done my fair share of running over the years, been a coach at my local running club etc.

Without boring y'all with my medical history, I was forced to stop running in June of last year as my consultant decided the my diabetes was out of control and it was time to start on insulin injections. My weight had plummetted to UNDER 10 Stone. I was told to stop for about 5 months to give my self time to adjust to the insulin and for my body to adjust and my weight to return to normal. I had just bought a new pair of NIKE's at £80 and only run in them about 10 times.

I started running again in November, and found that my cardio was really quite good considering the lay off, and started with a couple of light jogs, buliding up to 5 miles, (but not really pushing it). Anyway after 4 weeks i was back at the doctors as my knees were in agony. It turns out that my weight had gone up about 2 and half stone (just returning to normal), but the extra impact on the knees had given me tendonitis,,,,,,,,,,,,

BUT what really sticks in my mind is the comment passed about my running shoes. Had they not been so new I may have done some PERMANENT damage.

My doctor is also a keen runner (veteran of about 8 marathons and a dozen plus halfs, countless 10k's.), so really knows what he is on about and one of his interests as a doc is fitness/sports injuries etc. I know a couple of sunday footballers/rugby players who only see him if they have an injury.

My advice would be to get shoes recommended by a specialist running shop and change then every 600 miles/12 months whichever comes first. Remember the shoes might feel fine, but you cannot see/feel impact damage until its too late.