Thursday, July 20, 2006

New running shoes is an emotional event

I bought new running shoes today. I stuck with the same kind that I've been using forever...the Asics GT 2110. It took me a long time to make peace with these shoes when they discontinued/upgraded my beloved GT 2090s, but I've finally become a true fan of this shoe. I was long overdue for a new pair. At best guess, I last purchased shoes in January, which means that my old pair is well past the recommended 500 mile change out point, but they were so good to me I never so the need to replace them. I usually listen to my body to determine when it's time to switch shoes though, and I was just now starting to have some slight aches and pains...so I knew it was time.
As exciting as new shoes are, I always feel kind of sad tossing the old ones. In fact, usually I don't toss them...usually I wash them and then use them as errand running/yardwork/whatever else strikes my fancy shoes. But this last pair...seriously they were ate up. So I pitched them.
I felt a little wave of nostalgia as I tossed them...and I actually stood in front of the trash can with them and contemplated what type of excuse I could fabricate that would allow me to justify keeping them. In the end, common sense beat out sentimental value.
Goodbye old shoes, you have served me well. Wearing you, I ran my fastest marathon ever. Wearing you, I became a "real" racer. Wearing you, I never got a blister or had a serious ouchy. Wearing you, I lost my first two toenails...May your replacement shoe be as good to me as you were.

2 comments:

MNFirefly said...

I have not had to buy another pair of shoes since January too, but I have not ran again a month ago. I could bear the thought of pitching them.

Anonymous said...

you could have used them as yard shoes.