Man oh man

[seventhe]

So there are two things I have been meaning to post on for the last week. One is unions. The other is crafting, specifically knitting. Instead, today I'm going to post about running shoes.

Last Friday when I did my long run (7.5 mi), my feet hurt. Pretty badly. Frankly my everything hurt - it was a long run at the end of a long day of being on my feet at the end of a long 50 hour week. But my feet were incredibly sore and I'm pretty sure that means I need new shoes.

You're supposed to get new shoes every couple hundred miles, when you're running this much, or you can hurt yourself. So I'm pretty sure it's about that time.

I went to Dick's and tried on a pair that was incredibly comfortable, but they did not look like running shoes - more like trail runners, maybe, or even hiking shoes (not boots at all!)? They were - thin, light and thin and a lot more fitted to the foot. Merrell Siren Stretch, which apparently has a Vibram sole (Vibram being the company of the Five Fingers, aka, the running shoe that looks like a toesock). They weren't normal sneakers with the bulk and the sole and the cushioning, but hello, they were so comfortable.

I was pretty worried about getting them, even though they were comfy as hell, because I didn't want to get a shoe that didn't have the right support for something as high-impact as running. I found another pair of (traditional) running sneakers I really loved - a pair of Brooks Adrenaline, which I've seen get really good reviews before.

Then I found out that the Dick's return policy is 90 days, with receipt, light wear and tear totally okay. So I bought them both and plan to try them out - on the treadmill, for light wear and tear - for a week each to see which I like better and/or if it is worth keeping both.

I am sure you can tell by this post what an exciting weekend it has been. :/

Comments

[zen_monk]

I've been meaning to get a pair of new running shoes. What I do, and I'm pretty sure it's the incorrect thing to do, is to use only one pair of shoes for just about everything including running on a treadmill for exercising, and now that they're getting understandably worn I'm thinking of new shoes. I currently wear the Reebok Shape-up walking shoes.

Since you seem like an expert on this, what do you think of Natural Balance shoes? I first saw them on the History Channel and thought that maybe I should give those a try. I think that all companies should use the Modern Marvels VA to sell stuff :3

[zen_monk]

Correction: "New Balance" shoes.

[novel_machinist]

Well that's good knowledge for future!

[seventhe]

I have had pretty good luck with New Balance! I haven't had a pair in the past two years, but I ran with New Balances all through high school and thought they were pretty decent and supportive. (recently I've been looking for a pair to help with my stride, which is why I changed it up a bit, because I like to experiment. not because there was anything wrong with them!)

[lindorie]

*ears perk up* Knitting? Did someone say knitting?... :3

[katmillia.livejournal.com]

If the shoes are anything like my Free Runs, they are designed to give you a lot less support but be more like running without the bulkiness of a big shoe. Basically, watch out for taking them on surfaces that aren't smooth? I don't know if they are as much as my Free Runs, but you can really hurt yourself if you are running and you hit a rock or a particularly uneven surface and your ankle rolls a bit because they won't have that support on them. (and they work so many different muscles, lmao) But I definitely want to hear about how they are.

I did not know I was supposed to buy new running shoes. D: I've definitely put over a couple hundred miles on my Shox. But I can't afford new running shoes! jaksdfjdsfjsakd my life is full of sadness

[first-seventhe.livejournal.com]

I have no idea what the Merrells are supposed to be like - they FEEL like they are supposed to be like that, less shoe overall and a lighter feel, but when I look them up they are listed as like trail running shoes which I would think would be MORE... something. IDEK, I cannot find a lot of information on them and I'm not sure if that's good or bad. fffffffuuuuuu internet don't fail me.

And I'm not sure what the lifetime is, because every shoe/runner is obvs different. I just know I've seen like anywhere from 300-500 miles is time to change. I don't really pay attention to that, I just start paying attention to when my feet start hurting like BALLS and I figure that is a good time to change. My last pair didn't last very long but then again it was "only" a $50 pair (I don't want to say "only" $50 because that is still a lot for me to sink into something like shoes but RUNNING SHOES ARE REALLY DAMN EXPENSIVE)

[katmillia.livejournal.com]

Oh my god tell me about it, I own 2 pairs of actual real running shoes and they were $200 together, not to mention my Nike + iPod I use with them. :((( This is actually why I pretty much have to keep buying Nike+ shoes, because it's the only thing I have to gauge my own distance/speed. And obviously I'm not going to be sinking money into anything else at this point, since I don't *have* the money. Though I really, really would love to buy new running shoes that are a different brand and get a new tracker that does stuff on it's own. /wistful thoughts

[jennyclarinet.livejournal.com]

Let me know how those shoes work out. My brother was telling me that he runs with $300 Asics. He said he might get me a pair for the half, although I'm not going to count on it. Still-that's a lot to pay for shoes that are just going to get worn out.

I don't keep track of the amount of miles I'm putting on my shoes, so I'm not sure if I'll know when it's time to replace them. I suppose when my body starts hurting in new ways (like with you and your feet), that will be a good indicator!

[first-seventhe.livejournal.com]

Haha, yeah, like I said to Katy, I kind of figure my feet will tell me when it's time to look at new shoes. I was kind of sad that these ones went so early but they were a more inexpensive pair so maybe that's kind of just what you get.

For $300 I would hope they would make me fly!!

[first-seventhe.livejournal.com]

I KNOW RIGHT. That was actually the one thing about the Nike+ - I don't have the right iPod and um there is no way I'm buying a new iPod AS WELL AS the Nike+ and the shoes. My Garmin was a decent price for what it does, and there are other models that do less and cost less too; I just figured if I was spending the money I should spend a little more and get something I wanted.

BUT SHOES. WHY. I AM JUST GOING TO RUN YOU DOWN UNTIL YOU FALL APART ON ME. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

[jennyclarinet.livejournal.com]

Seriously. I like the Asics that I get from the discount store just fine!