Hey all!
It’s BEAUTIFUL today in D.C. and I got in a great 3 mile training run this morning. I did 3 crazy hilly miles in 25:48, for an average pace of 8:36.
Splits:
Mile 1: 9:00 (steep hills of death)
Mile 2: 8:18 (smaller hills + some downhill)
Mile 3: 8:30 (long, gradual hill of death)
My neighborhood seriously resembles a blanket being shaken out. I can’t decide which is worse — crazy steep and short hills, or crazy long and gradual hills. Thoughts? This run involved both!
In other news, I REALLY need new running shoes. I finally just ordered some new ones this morning.
I wear the Brooks “Adrenaline” running shoes, and thanks to the blog I know that I last bought a new pair in January. Normally I wait 6 months before I get new shoes, but they just feel SO dead after running in all the ice, snow, etc. this winter!
I know I need new shoes when my shins start to hurt!
I also wear inserts in my shoes — these also help with any lurking shin splint issues. I wear the Lynco Sports Orthotics, style L400. They provide nice stabilizing arch support. You just pop out the normal inserts in the running shoes and put these in instead.
I buy a new pair of inserts every OTHER time I get new shoes. If you think you might need inserts, too, try going to a foot specialist store and talking to them about it. That’s what I did 
How often do you buy new running shoes? Do you wear inserts?
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Cell Phone Review:
I’ve gotten a lot of questions about whether I like my new cell phone (how did I ever live without internet on my phone!??!) — the Verizon Palm Pre Plus — so I thought I’d do a quick review of it here on the blog
I know not all of you are interested in this, so I created a separate page — click here to see my full review of the Verizon Palm Pre Plus!
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Have a great day, everyone!
I get new shoes every 4-6 months but have never tried inserts. I’m a Brooks girl too! Love em!
I REALLY need new running shoes after this winter in DC!! I normally buy new shoes about every 7 or 8 months. I always wear inserts in my running shoes. I need the extra arch support… I’m a little flat footed.
The weather IS beautiful today!! Can believe its suppose to be in the eighties this weekend! I’m so excited!
i need to find some inserts that work well! i try to do new shoes twice a year, but just depending on the use it could be more! i say if they don’t feel right you should get some new ones
I get crazy shin splints so I can’t run a hard incline without my shins freaking out. I need a new pair of shoes, too, so I’m going to look into these! I haven’t bought a new pair of shoes in YEARS.
For using those shoes all winter they certainly look very spic-n-span! Do you wash them?
I use the same inserts – they save me from always-dreaded shin splints! I try to get new shoese very 6-8 months depending on how much running I do & I get new inserts each time. (I’m 6′ tall and weigh a lot so I wear out the inserts pretty quickly.)
It’s funny – they look so clean in that first picture but in person they really aren’t! They are kind of yellow lol. And that second picture was them brand new!
I go through a pair of road shoes and a pair of trail shoes every month. I do wear an insert from a podiatrist. Yes, yes I know that is a lot of shoes in a year, but I run a lot of miles and go through shoes quick!
I usually wear Asics speedstars for the road and Salomon shoes for the trail.
I despise long gradual hills with every bone in my body! They are murder!
I was wondering about how long to go without new shoes. I’ve always heard 6 months but I bought my last pair in Jan as well and I feel like they are worn out!
I’m just out of my first year of running and on my 3rd pair of shoes. When my feet felt broken (seriously) immediately following my first half marathon, I knew it was time to replace the shoes I’d had for 9 months. (I actually realized in the week before the race, but it was too late to buy new ones then)
I just got new shoes 2 months ago and I don’t think they’re a good fit. They actually slow my pace and have given me huge blisters even after I switched out the insoles, bought new socks, etc. I think I’ve waited to long to exchange them though… another $100 lesson learned…
Since I have hip/knee problems I usually get new shoes every 400-500 miles. But then the physical therapist said I probably needed them closer to 300. And I wear orthotics so always insert those into my new shoes! I can always tell when I need new shoes if my hips start hurting.
Phones with no internet baffle me now. I honestly think if I had an iPhone I would be dead to the world (but probably 100% okay with that because, um, I’d have an iphone!). But I do love my blackberry
As for the hills….eh, I think gradual, long ones are better for hill RUNS. Quick, short ones are better (and omg, painful) for hill Repeats.
Depends on the type of pain you’d like to inflict, I suppose. heh
I also do new shoes every 6 months. I know it when my shins hurt more than usual (something always ails me!) I like Aasics for flat feet/over pronation. They have a thicker cushion in the heel that is deep for orthotics. Mine are custom made by a podiatrist. I have never tried over the counter ones, but custom ones are expensive! They can last a long time if made properly. And even refurbishing them (which I have already had to do) is not as expensive as getting brand new ones.
How interesting that you can refurbish them!
I don’t get new running shoes enough…usually when I notice some back pain, sadly. I need to work on that! I’ve thought the same thing about data on phones…how did I ever make it without email 24/7!?
I love the Brooks Adrenelines! I also probably should get shoes more often – I have also been using this pair since January – I’m just trying to get to my half in June!
I wear the same shoes…love them! I actually just laced up a new pair today. I started using the previous pair in January, but felt like they were lacking support for longer runs. I always think I might be giving up on my shoes too soon, but after wearing my new pair today, I realize that time had come! Now I have a new pair of dog-walking shoes!
I get new shoes every 500 miles (I log every day what I do). Unless the shoe is breakin’ down or my feet develop problems. I do not wear any inserts. FYI, if you haven’t tried Muzunos they are awesome!!! I love the brand because they are light weight, a little cheaper side of the running shoe, and hold up really nicely.
I’ve got 256mi logged on these sneakers from August ’09. I’m definitely due for a new pair of sneakers, but I kind of like the “comfort” of broken in ones, except I do use inserts. The sole itself is completely worn out… what can I say, I definitely 256mi of abuse from running and walking.
i get new shoes about every 4 months- i can tell when they are done. i LOVE hills, but there are not many good ones around here. every time i go home to virginia the hills kick my butt! long hills that just keep going are the best endurance and strength training (i have a love/hate relationship with the trail from key bridge up into arlington).
Ahhh I know EXACTLY the part of the trail you’re talking about. Brutal!
I finally ponied up and bought a new pair myself. I don’t like the inserts, I find that a good thick or thin sock (depending on what you like) works. I also log my fitness, when I remember, so that I have an idea of how many miles I have put on my shoes. Dying to try Brooks!