Break In New Shoes

I bought a new pair of running shoes Saturday afternoon. After my scheduled 15-mile run, it just felt right to buy a new pair of running shoes. My New Balance have an estimated 400 miles. I’ve clocked in about 400 on my Brooks Pure Cadence. For a runner, a trip to the local shoe shop is like Christmas, especially with all the shoe color combinations. I remember in the 80s, we had white on white, black on white, and grey on dark grey. Made it easy to decide.

When you decide to break in new running shoes, it is important to keep your distances reasonable. Say you have a half-marathon on Sunday. You bought your new shoes on Friday. Take it from me, this isn’t the time to take your new shoes for a spin. Before you put 400 miles on your new shoes, you have to start by putting the first 5. This isn’t a huge secret — whether running shoes or a pair of dress shoes, you know better than trying to over push.

Fleet Feet versus Sports Authority

Where you buy your shoes is just as important as to what shoes you buy. Based on what I’ve experienced, go to the people with the experience. You’ll see the difference when you go to a running store like Fleet Feet in California or a sporting goods shop like Sports Authority or Big 5. A general rule of thumb … if there are shotguns on the adjacent shelves, go to a specialist. Every single person working at a running store is a runner also. This makes a significant difference in the level of care they take to fit you rather than sell you a new shoe.

I walked into Fleet Feet with my Brooks. Here’s what I need. Something for both trail and road. Before I take 5 steps into the store, at least 3 professionals ask if they can help. Will to the rescue. I originally wanted an upgrade to my New Balance, however they didn’t have those in stock any longer. My second request is something colorful. Will points to the third row, middle. A pair of neon blue, splash orange Adidas that just came in. Will said Adidas spent years developing this new technology that can help with the areas I’m stressing.

I have pain in my outter right knee and my left arch. These Adidas have a new technology to secure the arches and during stride, the sole actually forces the foot to roll in the appropriate direction to prevent injury. I don’t just try them on — at Fleet Feet they encourage you to go for a run outside the store. Within 1 1/2 blocks, I can feel the difference.

These shoes fit nicely and on each stride, I feel like I’m landing much softer. Keep in mind when I tried these on and took them for a test drive I already ran 15-miles so being light on my feet wasn’t an option. That’s ultimately why I decided to go with these Adidas. And oh yeah, they were so colorful.

Morning weight = 170.5

Today’s Meals:

When Did I Eat:

• 8:15am (Meal 1) — Herbalife Protein Smoothie.
• 11:40am (Meal 2) — More leftovers. That Daisy Fuentes needs to revise her portions. I don’t know how much longer I can eat picadillo. The good news — tons of protein and low in calorie and sugar.

• 2pm (Meal 1.1) — Katy Perry Kettle Corn Pop Chips. They aren’t fried, so I can eat as much as I want, right? Not quite, but these are quite good.

• 6:10pm (Meal 3) — Chinese food galore. Started the meal with an egg drop soup and Herbalife supplements. I continue to take items targeting my specific needs, especially calcium and joint support to name a few.

Today’s Activities:

• Rest day. Tomorrow RunKeeper training 7 mile slow and fast run.

Tuesday, 10-08-2013