Runner Therapy: Learning Experience, Backup Sneakers
I have been running in a few old pairs of running sneaks for weeks. Ok, ok….full disclosure…months. I know its wrong. Me of all people-I know it can cause injury. But here’s the thing:
I run in Newtons. For 2012, Newtons came out with a new line that I find dreadfully uncomfortable. So I need my 2011′s. For months when I have time I have searched and searched for 2010 or 2011 Newtons in my size. Every time, I come up short. Its like when the 2012′s came out there was a conspiracy to rid the world of the 2011′s so they didn’t have to be sold on sale.
So this week, with NYC Ironman 4 weeks away and my last long runs rapidly approaching, I was in full panic mode. I know the importance of not changing your shoe model in the last month or so, so I scoured the internet. Alas, I located them! In bloody ol’ England. Ugh. So $400 later, there I was shipping 2 pairs of running shoes to the US. Two pairs of bright neon colored Newtons that look like a Clown threw-up on them.
But then I panicked again. Surely they wouldn’t arrive by the time I could do a few walks and a few short runs in them before my long run? All the way from England? No way.
So what did I do? I scoured the internet again until I found another pair in the US in hideous neon lime green and had them shipped 2-day mail…another $300.
Today my package from the UK arrived first. Go figure. At least now I have 3 pairs to get me through the next few years until I decide what hopefully less obnoxiously colored sneaker to switch to next!
The take home? 3 months or 300 miles on sneakers. Have a backup ready earlier than expected. When getting used to new shoes, walk around in them for several days whenever possible before your first 3-4 mile only run. Repeat this scenario again, ideally 3 runs under 6 miles before busting them out on a long run. Your body, and your wallet, will thank you for it!
Don’t you HATE when your favorite running shoe is discontinued or changed altogether?
- Marisa
(Marisa, a MS PT SCS ATC, is a member of iRunnerBlog’s team and writes the Runner Therapy column, she is a physical therapist in private practice in midtown NYC called Dash Physical Therapy. She one of only a dozen or so physical therapists in the state of NY to be board certified in sports.)
I have been here before. My craziness kicks in before a race and before you know it I am in my own head, have spent stupid money on new sneakers and in the end it was all fine.