I have found a good pair of shoes that I have used exclusively for several months (5). I was a bit gun shy of switching because I had experienced IT band problems going to a new pair at the end of last year. Increased speedwork contributed to this, but I was past the problem in 3-4 months with PT, laying off speedwork and reducing the number of miles per workout. Nevertheless, the fear remains that I could resurrect these IT band issues if I move to new shoes.
So a couple of questions–> Does it make sense to stick with a single pair (same pair- racing, training, etc.) or better to have a stable of two, three, or more that you trade in and out of every other workout, or week, etc. This would be an on-going scenario where you are always switching between a couple or more pairs. Presumption, of course, is they all have the same support/fit as needed.
Second–> When getting new shoes, does it make sense to taper or phase out of the old ones and slowly start training with the new ones.
I usually recommend and also have several pairs that I rotate around in. Big difference in my turnover, speed and surface material when I’m doing a track workout vs. my long run for 2.5 hours on the roads or a trail run. Those would be 3 different shoes. Race shoes are another set entirely (maybe just a lightly used version of my fast day training shoe), but mostly for the mental aspect of it.
I have lots of patients that seem to get into ITB issues when they start “track work” with their typical, overbuilt motion control everyday training shoes that many running stores have them in. I’m still not sure exactly why and it may have nothing to do with the shoes (likely not), but I am seeing a definite pattern lately.
I have three pairs I rotate regularly, one race pair I rarely train in, and two other pairs of trainers I use on a rare basis. I read some time ago that rotating running shoes helps them last longer as the midsole has more time to rebound. Is it true? I have no clue, the tread is usually what spells the end of shoes for me. Probably the best part of trading out shoes is different shoes for different days. Nike frees for short fast days, light fast trainers for long fast days, cushioned shoes for long slow days. Works for me, even though I am slow.
Oh does my wife wish I would throw some shoes away…
I use 3-4 pairs of shoes a week. One for my lunch runs (Brooks Adrenaline). The workout is either a recovery run or a tempo. Another shoe is for weekly intervals on dirt trails or track near my house (Mizuno Elixirs, I will use these for any XC races this fall). For my weekend long runs I use another pair of Brooks Adrenaline and if I do any “speed/ races” I will use another pair of Mizuno Elixirs.
rroof, at an allcomers this summer I made the mistake of wearing new Elixirs on the track. My feet were killing me afterwards. Not sure if it was due to the combination of new shoe bounce and the track bounce. I went back to the older shoes for the remainder of the series and I felt much better.
As for keeping old shoes, it depends on the use. Old beefy trainers, toss them. The heal is too big to use on the track or trails. Performance Trainers (DS Trainer, Elixir, Axioms) you could move to the track or trails. IMO.
I currently use two pairs (identical) one is @ home, the other one is @ the office and I rotate those guys trying to have similar mileage on both guys…
Fred.
He has several shoes he trains in: trail, lightweight trainers for road tempo runs, racing flats, trainers… he’s a shoe nut.
When he is in a base building phase though, he does rotate. He has 2 shoes that he’s really found he likes and work well for his incredibly high arches and rotates them (that way they dry out some too!!)
For me: I put in b/w 40-50 miles per week. I have one pair of training shoes, but if I could, I would have 2 pair and rotate (ESP in the summer when I sweat so much), but they would both be the Brooks Addiction. I have really particular feet. I also have a pair of lightweight trainers I occasionally do a speed workout in (I tend to forget them) but they are also my 1/2 marathon, marathon, 1/2 IM and full distance shoes (Asics Speedstars), and then racing flats for 5k, 10k, sprint, and intermediate distance races (Brooks Racer STs).
***If you have had IT problems, I would stick with the shoes and inserts that work best. Having 2 pair couldn’t hurt, but PLEASE make sure that you are getting new shoes every 400ish miles… if they are substantial shoes, if they are cushion or lightweight, I would suggest 300-350. It is incredibly important that your shoes’ structure stay firm, and keeping new shoes on your feet is how to do that. ESPECIALLY with IT problems. My running partner pretty much took herself out completely for 6 weeks, and then it took her another 4 months to get her stride back because she wouldn’t change her shoes out soon enough. She was afraid of change (they discontinued her old version). Qualified for Boston, but missed it. It’s been a long road.