Challenges for Running

So recently, about the last few weeks, my left hip has started giving me grief. Mostly after runs that last longer than 2 miles. Those long 5-6 mile runs have really done a number to the point where I go to do some ab exercises where I need to lift my legs and it's painful.

I've been trying to keep it easy and now am planning to buy new tires for my bicycle trainer so I can do that for a week or so to let the tissues heal.

Then Mike said something to me last night, something I had not thought of.

I was griping about the possibility of not running for a few weeks or at least not long runs and he said, "Could it be your shoes? How old are your running shoes?"

I looked at him in awe, like, 'I just bought those not long ago.'

I thought about it and it was right before some of my April races due to needing new shoes after a mud run. I said, late April. He looked up how long running shoes lasted and gave a scientific answer as to how the cushion and padding in the shoe should bounce back etc. So I grabbed my shoes and checked the bottom. (They look pretty worn honestly)

Worn the nubs right out of the ball of the shoe

So I looked, poked and prodded my shoes and handed them to him to do the same. I remember something about shoes lasting about 300 miles. So 20 weeks x 15 miles a week (on average) = 300 miles. Yeah they are right up there and ready to be replaced. So now the hunt for new shoes begins. This should be interesting as I can't say I have a preference on brand let alone I'm a cheapskate when it comes to purchases. I will buy expensive name brand shoes if they are highly discounted. Much like I have my last two pairs (not having spent more than $40 in the last 10 pairs of shoes I have used to run in.)

So let the adventure and challenge of buying new running shoes begin.