I ordered a new pair of shoes from the local running shop - yes, I could have ordered exactly what I wanted online but wanted to support the local store. Shoes (exact same model and size I have now) were supposed to be in last week but are now due in late this coming week. I had hoped to have a chance to wear the new ones for at least a few miles before a marathon next Sunday.
I’m a firm believe in “never do anything new of race day”. So, here’s the question? Do I wear brand new shoes marathon day (keep in mind, identical model) or wear the old shoes (that have about 300 miles on them)?
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN’TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT. I ran in new shoes (had worn same model for a year) for my first marathon. Oops! The trainer kept swearing at me for a week, since I had to come in for daily blister cleanings. The following week of training really sucked too. I also thought I was in the clear with a “new” pair of racing flats that I had done a couple of shorter runs in. Nope! I had to drop out of a marathon, because the blisters were so bad around mile 15. Always, stick with stuff that’s broken in and you know will last 26.2 miles “problem free”. Good luck!
I know it’s sad and not what you want to hear, but like the others said, stick with what you know. Marathon day is not the day to try anything new. Chalk it up to lesson learned, and next time order shoes further out.
It’s not uncommon for me to order my race day shoes 2 or 3 months out, then break them in just enough so I know they will work, but they are practically new on race day.
Heck no. Something you never expected could be different. Even if they are exactly the same I wouldn’t run 26.2 in the same day to “break” them in! Wear the old ones (they’re not that old).
Another no vote. I ran a half marathon 6 weeks ago in brand new shoes and it was painful. I got to the race check in and realized I left my intended mid mileage shoes at home. It just so happened that I had a purchased a brand new pair earlier that week and had not taken them out of the box or my truck yet. So instead of going home (local race) to get the old shoes I ran in the brand new ones. It was not fun and it was only a hafl
I’ve run many marathons, many many half marathons, and all 3 of my IM marathons in brand new shoes. Of the same brand, style, size I wear. I’m wearing a brand new pair of shoes in Boston. Never had a problem. Ok, so they are brand spankin new, I run in them for 20 minutes the day before the race. I don’t wear brand new shoes in HIMs because i race sockless. I’m more worried about a seam rubbing my foot funny there.
That’s a great argument for a third shoe. Wear the two and sniff one for the new shoe smell. The fumes from the new plastics might make you go faster (for a couple minutes).
I am a “no” vote too, however- if it’s the EXACT same style and model, you will probably be ok. Otherwise I’d say no way in hell.
Even things you don’t think will matter can make a difference when you run 26.2 miles (or even 6 miles). I once bought a fuel belt at an expo before race day a thought “ok, what could possibly go wrong with this. I will be fine.”
After to stopping to pick up my bottles about 6 times (it was a Nathan belt that had 4 small bottles, and with all four of them filled it really bounced around while I ran), and feeling the thing “bounce” up and down on my waist for the first 3 miles, I got so annoyed I tossed the thing in the woods at about mile 5, and went to retrieve it after the race. With two bottles, it works just fine- with all four bottles filled, it’s just got to much wait and recoil. Not really a serious cautionary tale here, but still reminded me not to do anything new on race day, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time.
I’d worry more about wearing new spocks than new shoes. If the new shoes are the same brand and model, so long as you can duplicate the set up from the old shoes, I don’t know that you’d have a problem.
I’ve run many marathons, many many half marathons, and all 3 of my IM marathons in brand new shoes. Of the same brand, style, size I wear. I’m wearing a brand new pair of shoes in Boston. Never had a problem. Ok, so they are brand spankin new, I run in them for 20 minutes the day before the race. I don’t wear brand new shoes in HIMs because i race sockless. I’m more worried about a seam rubbing my foot funny there.
X2.
20+ marathon medals later, including Boston, and I wear my newest shoes to race in.
Shoes lose significant cushioning and rebound in their first 50 miles of wear; new shoes = faster times and less pain.
I agree that I wear my newest shoes… however, even though I continually buy the exact same model/size/etc, I still break them in with 2-3 runs before race day just to make sure the laces are right, no rough seams, etc. Planning ahead makes that very easy to do.
have you ever gone for a run in brand new shoes and noticed a difference such that it created a problem that would occur/increase over a longer distance? personally, i have not.
Last year I bought a brand new pair of PI’s the week before the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon. They stayed in the box until I put them on race morning. Ran 26.2 without any problems whatsoever. My time was only 3:50, but I’m a MOPer and that’s about what I expected so the shoes worked just fine for me.
How often have you had to return new or stop using new shoes b/c they didn’t work for you. Probably not many so all in all you SHOULD be fine. But you really should put in a few miles with them before something as long as a marathon. I once got a pair of a style I’ve worn for years without issue, that had a slightly messed up heel…longest 10k of my life.
Good on you for supporting the local store. But they’ve let you down here. I’m assuming someday you’ll need another pair. I’d order those now (somewhere else) so you can have them broken in by race day.