Fit-to-Fat-to-Fit Blog: New shoes

You never really know how worn-out your running shoes are until you get a new pair.  I ran for the first time in my new Brooks Beasts (fat-boy running shoes as I like to call them) and it felt like I was running on pillows.  I took a look at my old pair (which have been retired to walking around in and lawn-mowing duties) and they were visibly worn on the outside heel of both shoes. I’m what’s called an overpronator. I run on the outside of my feet.  But the shoes served me well. I haven’t tallied the milage on them yet, but I got over 450 miles on them since April 1. I was wearing them when I ended up in the Buffalo River by surprise on Good Friday. They have been soaked and worn.  But they served their purpose well.

If you’re looking for new shoes, I recommend a good full-service running shoe store. Why? The people who work in the store are trained to fit you and are usually runners themselves. You may pay a few bucks more, but it’s cheaper than knee surgery. I’ve worn the same type of shoes since San Diego.  My wife teases me, but I’ve had minimal knee trouble in 18 years of running.  I told her, “when it comes to shoes and wives, I know when to stick with a good thing.”  She wasn’t amused.

I ran 5.25 miles this morning.  Yes, it was hot. Yes, it was humid. Once again, I went sans shirt (yes world, behold my pasty skin covered with scars!).  By .7 miles, I was sweating like it was execution day. My new shoes got soaked just like rest of me.

So my old shoes and I are about to head to the Neshoba County Fair.  We’ll both be covered in red dust by tomorrow night.