Didn’t run today, however....(👟👟👟)

[CBDB]

(Will add pic later, as currently I get error messages when attaching pics)

... the whole family got their feet fitted out with running shoes after a trip to a dedicated running shop!

My 1-year old generic running shoes were replaced. And yes, ahem, yes the shoes they replaced were from Aldi, now making way for specialist trail fitted ones. My first fitted shoes! I know, I know, I should have done this ages ago, but Covid and a long journey to a dedicated running shop kept me from it. And good old Aldi and its generic running shoe got me from 5k to 10k. But boy, do the new ones feel bouncy.

Hubby’s 5-year old ASICS road running shoes were replaced, and we’re hoping this will contribute to resolving his tight calf muscle issues.

And teenage son got his first dedicated running shoes, after having started with hand-downs from his father. We reckon his growth has stopped now, so these shoes should last.

We ran on the treadmill, had slow motion videos explained to us, did normal squats, single leg squats, ran and walked outside and tried all sorts of shoes and different makes, but we ended up all with the same hybrid trail shoe, designed to be well suited for easy and less technical trails and also supporting road. Makes sense, as we all run mostly the same routes. The make is New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V6.

It set us back quite a bit in money, but if it helps with hubbies calves and my knees, and if it keeps sonny motivated to keep running, it must be ok. We seldom spend that amount of money, so it felt a bit odd and indulgent.

And of course we are asking ourselves why running shoes really have to cost that much. After all my £10 Aldi shoes got me to 10k.

But at least once in our running lives we might want to know what it feels to have a fitted, modern and specialist running shoe. If we want move back to our generic low-cost versions or chose older models, we can always do that. I certainly cannot think we’d spend this kind of money regularly.

But I know now for sure that I and hubby have a neutral gait, son has a slight over pronation. So good to know if we chose shoes online in the future. And I might stick with these New Balance ones, as they just felt great.

Any suggestions how to break them in?

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Brilliant news that you are all now kitted out, I did chuckle when you said they should last a while - keep running short distances if you want that to happen, mine last 6 months😂. If you compare the cost to what you would pay eg gym membership or a round of golf they are an absolute bargain 🙆🏻‍♀️ I always just put my new shoes on and run, but I’m on my 3rd pair of the same shoe. Maybe wear them around the house for a bit to notice any boggles then you should be able to return them before marking them on outside runs. Happy running 🤗

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you. Yes, I am apprehensive of this being a slippery slope. 😏 Now I am spoiled, will I ever go back to cheap shoes? 🤨

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Never😂

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

I hadn’t thought about it like that, Grannyhugs, comparing shoe cost to gym membership! Wise words 😊👟.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

Great day for all then! You really shouldn't need to "break" them in. Just get out there!

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I did! Bounce bounce bounce bounce....

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Fantastic!! New shoe day is always a good day!! 👍🏻😁

[Over62]

Simply wonderful…I know you’ll all enjoy the benefits of this investment- enjoy!

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Over62]

Both sonnny and I have broken in our shoes now, only hubby has yet to break his in. They feel great!

[Over62 in reply to CBDB]

Just wonderful 🤔when’s hubby out for a short run?

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Over62]

I broke him on our last (not)Parkrun 😂😂🥲😢. He has issues with his calf muscles again, and we’re hoping that new shoes will also help. But he is giving his recovery a few more days.

[Over62 in reply to CBDB]

You were clearly too tough on him🤣🤣sorry to hear his calf is still causing problems, be great for him to try out the new shoes and see if it helps in a few days 🏃🏻‍♂️👟

[RunWillie Graduate10]

Enjoy! ❤️🏃‍♀️

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to RunWillie]

Thank you! 😊😁

[orangeguy Graduate10]

A trip to the running shop to try on different shoes is very worth while. I did that years ago and came away with a pair of Saucony Triumphs, the price made me wince a bit but even so I have been buying the same shoes ever since as they they seem the perfect shoe for me.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

Yeah, I’m fearing that might be a thing for me too! 😁👟

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

The good thing is once you know exactly what you want and don't need to try them on you often find some good deals online.

[Fionamags Graduate10]

Wonderful - you deserve it! Great to see that your son is still running too. You must have inspired him. Enjoy the shoes - they make such a difference.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

Yes, and he’s broken in his new shoes just this morning, after walking indoors with them this weekend .

[drun]

I just ran normally with my new shoes. They say running is free and when you buy all your gear it ain't certainly a cheap sport. Shoes are obviously the most expensive, I did buy a cheap running shoe in the Factory Shop for about £35 and they lasted about 5 months I ran about 15km a week, not bad I thought.

I did feel better when I had my gait analysis knowing that I have the right type of shoe when I run. I guess it's about saving up for the next pair.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to drun]

Yeah. Me too. It’s nice to get confirmation on of size, fit and pronation. Next year I can buy the same model again, so hopefully cheaper.

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Woohoo! New shoes! 👟👟 🙌🏼

Why not spend money on your hobby?!?

I was well pleased to find a proper running shop hidden away in my local town centre…and treated myself to a gait analysis and new runners during C25k. (I had an extremely ancient pair of ASICS, complete with holes!)

Defo worth it 👍

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

What a find!!!! I wish ours would be that close! And holey shoes ......

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

.... these were the ones I finished C25k in! 🤣🤣🤣

Holey Shoes

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to CBDB]

😱😱😱

[Hidden]

Congrats on the new shoes! I think I will have to go see for new shoes in a few weeks or so too and they will also be my first shoes that I will buy after a check and test and such at a running shop. My past shoes all have been bought on sight (ooh pretty, pink shoes or ooh pretty, black shoes). But they all fit me well, so I do hope the shop won't sell me shoes that feel awkward on my feet because else I had better bought a pair on my own.

Either way as for the breaking them in part, I have been told to start off with running 1 short run a week with them for a bit (using the old ones for the other runs) and building it up slowly and gradually. Enjoy!

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the breaking in tip. Ran a 3k and a 5k in them, so we’re getting there.

Looks: yes, I fear I do not like the look of most running shoes. And neon is not something I like, but if they fit, who cares about the looks, I say.

[Newbie59]

Watch out for sales coming up! Now you know your shoe and fit you can jump in quick and bag the bargains

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Newbie59]

Nice tip! Will keep an eye out 👀! 👍🏽

[CBDB Graduate10]

Here our three preciousssssssss....

Three pairs of shoes

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Oh I like the red ones 🤩