Cautiously off the Injury Couch!

[PandaCory]

After 2 weeks of enforced rest (no running, but a bit of cycling/walking), I *think* I may have recovered from my shin splint - yay! I went out yesterday between deluges for a cautious 3km, taking it nice & slowly. Still with my (pictured) beloved old shoes for now, although I suspect they're on the way out - I've been running in them at least 2x a week since Christmas, so would be glad to hear opinions about that. My nice new shoes are still in the box - I take them out to admire them & promise myself I'll start using them soon. Daft really, since I've asked Santa for a new pair anyway 😁. Glad to say there's no pain today, so I'll aim for another trundle tomorrow, maybe a bit further, & see how it goes. Thanks for all the good advice.

[Fionamags Graduate10]

Great news! And get those new shoes out of the box and have a go. That way you might get a feel for whether the old ones are done or not? I think there's meant to be a certain distance that suggests the life of the shoes - but that was probs invented by Nike or Brooks and co. 🤣🤣🤣

[PandaCory Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

I know, I'm also a bit suspicious about the whole "we'll tell you when you need to buy new shoes - from us", but you're right - new ones finally out of the box & on the pavement tomorrow! (Is it bad that I've just ordered my *new* new ones, to be put away for Christmas?).

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to PandaCory]

👺👹 That's meant to be shoe devils.... I'm sure you're on good terms with them? 😁😁

[PandaCory Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

Oh yes indeedy - look! 😁😁

New gutties!

[59er Graduate10]

Great news PandaCory - well done! As someone currently out of action with a back problem (due to wallpaper stripping I suspect) I envy you. Haven't run for a while and just when I plan a run - BAM! I'd say having a pair of trainers 'put away' is a good shout - be prepared is my motto! Hope those new trainers are keeping you off the I.C!

[PandaCory Graduate10 in reply to 59er]

Thanks - hope you feel better soon. I'll give my new shoes an outing later & report back 😁.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

I’m so glad you’ve managed a run with no shin problems, you must be feeling really happy about that! Good luck with the next trundle!

[PandaCory Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thanks - just had a tentative 3k trundle (so apt 😁) & the new ones seem to be doing OK- I've definitely noticed a difference in the cushioning at least.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Shin splints are the devil’s work. Awful things. Glad you got out there and managed a run.

As for the shoes it makes sense to start running in your new ones alongside the old ones, I think. That way you will get used to them first before the old ones get sidelined.

Many runners have a shoe rotation which is supposed to be best for different types of workouts weather and terrain. I just use it as an excuse to buy more running shoes. 😂

[PandaCory Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Any excuse will do for new shoes 😄😄! I'm just so glad to be back out; taking it really cautiously to not jinx things. I'm definitely going to follow the advice & start mixing up the old & new shoes - my old ones aren't too dreadful yet, but I really noticed the difference in support when I went out with the new ones.

[Ian5K Graduate10]

I’ve been reading how Sir Mo Farah goes through a new pair of running trainers each month - but I guess he gets them with sponsorship.

It’s right, shoe age is in miles or kilometres but it depends on the shoe type and the surface we run on. And how we look after them - no sticking them in the tumble dryer ! 😆

[PandaCory Graduate10 in reply to Ian5K]

I think Sir Mo runs a bit more than me 😄😄 - but it would be nice to find a kind sponsor to buy my shoes for me (Sloths-R-Us?). I am guilty of (very) occasionally putting them in the washing machine, but no way in the tumble dryer - unless it's *really* cold outside (just kidding)!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to PandaCory]

No no no PandaCory

[nowster Graduate10]

The usual rule of thumb is to replace every 400-500 miles or so, but that will depend on the shoe and the surfaces you run on.

Look inside at the liner. Is it wearing away? How's the tread on the bottom? How's that wearing?

The other thing is the resilience of the middle part of the sole, the bit you can't see.

You have a new pair to compare "feel" with.

With my current level of activity, I seem to be going through a pair of running shoes every 6 months or so. My first pair of my current shoe style lasted about 9 months.

[PandaCory Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yes, but you're a running monster at the minute (I was in your World Cup team & saw your mad mileage 😁😁), so I guess that makes sense. Having tried the new ones to compare, there's definitely a difference in support in the midsole, even though there's not too much obvious wear in the old ones. I've only done about 300 miles (all on roads) at a rough guess, so they still don't look as battered as my last old pair, but will take advice & start to spell them with the new ones.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to PandaCory]

True! I have done over 55km some weeks. Last week was "only" 46km. 🤣

Whether you replace them is up to you. At 300 miles and 10 months, you may find running more comfortable in the newer ones.

With the style of shoes I wear, any reduction in internal padding is more a matter of comfort when inadvertently stepping on stones that most people wouldn't even notice. It doesn't affect the function of minimalist shoes in the same way as conventional running shoes. I ran the whole of C25K in shoes with no padding at all.

[PandaCory Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Do you wear barefoot shoes? I like the sound of them but I fear with my joint history they might be just too minimalist. I did C25K in my son's old high school gym trainers - proper running shoes, but pretty ancient - by the time I graduated the sole was prone to flapping about (held on repeatedly by superglue), so I figured it was time to splash out on a new pair (of my own 🙄). I'm envious - how do you find the time to fit in so much running?

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to PandaCory]

Yes, I do run in Vibram FiveFingers (toe shoes). I have been wearing them regularly since about 2012, yet only started running last year.

I also have joint hypermobility, and wore orthotics from the age of 15. I haven't needed them since changing to barefoot shoes (but it took many months to transition).

On the minus side, they may have contributed to my ankle sprain at the graduation from C25K, as my ankles aren't supported in any way, and hadn't properly adapted to running at that point.

Where do I find the time? It's my former commuting time and lunchtime breaks. Working from home has its benefits.

When I eventually return to the office, I might even run there occasionally. It's about 9km.

[PandaCory Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Ooh - that's interesting - I wore orthotics for a while when I had horrible plantar fasciitis but since I took up running (& I guess as my legs have become stronger), I haven't needed them at all. I wish I could run to work, but it's 17 miles each way & I'm not that dedicated/insane/fit; and I work in a lab so unfortunately working from home isn't often an option for me. Mr. PC has worked from home for years now, and it's reduced his daily commute by 2 hours - git 😄!

[PandaCory Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Meant to add - that's about 10 months for these ones, so just about there I think.

[PandaCory Graduate10]

Another new shoe photo, because why not?

Yaas - new gutties!

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to PandaCory]

Lovely new shoes 😊👍😀