This is a somewhat 'weekly' post for the runners of LoseIt.
All levels of runner are welcome here, from first timers to experienced marathoners. We welcome someone who just ran for the first time or is just starting couch to 5K (r/c25k) as eagerly as someone who has thousands of miles of experience.
This post is for sharing your weekly progress or excitement with running. From training you got in this last week, your first run, a virtual race, or a real race, we'd love to hear what you did. Got a running related NSV (non-scale victory), we'd love to hear. Have a question or need advice, we are here to help.
In addition to sharing your progress each week, I ramble on about some topic related to running. This week's topic - when do you need new shoes?
Disclaimer: You don't need new shoes to run!
There's a lot of misinformation about running out there. Myths and bad advice abound. One particular bit of misinformation is that you need new and expensive sneakers or trainers or running shoes to run.
You don't need new running shoes to run. You don't need expensive running store shoes. You don't need anything special to start running.
But you do need comfortable shoes to start running in. If you have comfortable sneakers/trainers/runners now and are starting to run you are all set. Use what you have -- they will do just fine.
When do you need new shoes?
Your shoes are worn and years old. If you've got a pair of shoes that look like the ones on the left in this picture, labelled done, you need new shoes.
These poor things have 2500+ miles on them or 4000+ km. I use these New Balance 940s (M13 - 4E Width) for walking and hiking in and I walk quite a bit. These are 14+ months old. I do a fair bit of walking, running, and hiking. Here's my Fitbit step-chart.
Most running shoes should be replaced every 500-1000 miles. I tend to wear out my walkers well beyond their welcome. But my running shoes at 600-700 miles usually look quite worn as well.
Your Running Volume is beyond beginner levels. You are running more than 30+ minutes and three or more times a week. Essentially, if you have finished C25K it is time to consider getting dedicated or new running shoes/trainers.
Your feet feel beat up at the end of regular run. Now if you are a beginner runner, then this isn't applicable. Your feet need time to adjust. But after running for 5 years now, I can feel when my shoes aren't doing as much for me -- and need to be replaced.
What does this feel like? My feet at the end of my run feels like they have been beat with a bat on the bottom a little (or a lot).
Now there's lots of minimalist runners out there that likely say that working through this is the key to having stronger feet and better running. That's a different convo.
Your running terrain needs something new so you can run better. Trail running may have your running up muddy hills. Regular shoes aren't going to be the best choice here -- you may need something with crazy grip and that doesn't fill up with mud.
Note -- most trail running isn't muddy and doesn't need anything special in terms of shoes/sneakers/trainers.
You want to go fast over a shorter distance. This type of running requires different shoes than distance running. Track spikes or more minimal racing flats are common choices here. But the vast majority of runners doesn't need these outside of high school, college, or Olympic track and field training. I see some very fast 5K runners, think under 18 minute, using racing flats.
When don't you need new shoes/sneakers/trainers?
When you are starting out -- as I mentioned above, just stick with your current comfy shoes. Why now? Well, you are adjusting to running in general. It's all gonna suck and it is going to be tough on your body and feet. Go slow and easy and don't run too much too soon and you will be fine. You need time to adapt -- you don't need better shoes to do that.
When you are going to be running trails -- you can stick with your regular running shoes at first. Don't compound the change to new terrain with new shoes. Don't change things up unless you see you need it. Most trail running is just more technical running on pack earth trails. You'll do best at first running on these trails in familiar shoes.
As you get more comfortable and go faster on trails decide if you need something new. For example, I only run in something different if it's beyond a little muddy. (And in Portland, Oregon, it gets a little muddy a lot.) When I first starting trail running and I got a muddy patch, I slowed down and went very carefully through. As I got more confident and wanted to stride right through particularly down or up muddy/slick spots then I needed something else.
For a race -- don't change anything, stick with your regular running shoes at first. You should run in what you train as a beginner. I run in my trainers now after thousand and thousand of miles.
If you are running 20+ miles, 30+ km a week, then you might run most of the time in softer trainers and then race and do speed work in a less cushioned shoe.
Socks Update
I'm still working through my socks shoot-out. Of all the running stuff you can buy, the one indulgence I have is running socks. I've got a bunch of Balega, Fitsok, Darn Tough, and Feetures now.
Here's the list of socks I'm trying out over the last few weeks --
- Rockay Accelerate Anti-Blister Running Socks
- Injinji Run Lightweight No-Show
- Drymax Hyper Thin Running Mini Crew
- Under Armour unisex-adult Run Cushion No Show Tab Socks
- Swiftwick – MAXUS ZERO Golf & Running Socks, Maximum Cushion
- Darn Tough Men's Run 1/4 Ultra-Lightweight - X-Large Eclipse Merino Wool Socks for Running
- Smartwool Men's PhD Run Cold Weather Mid Crew Light Elite Merino Wool Socks
I've logged multiple runs in all but the Darn Tough and Under Armor socks.
Weekly Update
How did you week go? Training for a race? Get in a great run? Have your first run? Finish a week of C25K? Let us know!
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source https://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/nz7j1n/running_with_loseit_6132021_when_do_you_need_new/
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