Running for Your Life: Shoe Talk

When it comes to running, it took me awhile to be a gear head.

Nevertheless,

  • Am Fitbit-less

  • No mobile phone with earbuds

  • Thirty years of running every other day, in a ratty T, slump shorts, grotty ballcap – wearing shoes until they literally fell apart.
In recent months I’ve learned my lesson on that last point. I can’t say there is any athletic or health benefit to looking slightly more spiffy in T, shorts and cap. But in the past few years I swear by some gear that has kept me running for my life, now in my fifth decade. That’s compression socks (to keep shin splints at bay), patella bands below my knees (to help cushion joint shock) and Brooks Defyance running shoes.

I tried for longer than I should have the neutral strike shoe, Asics Gel Kinsei. The shoe seemed fine at first, but was easily the least durable runner I’ve ever worn, and am firmly convinced that my stubbornness in using them for my usual eight months to a year contributed to all the injuries I suffered last year (primarily Achilles tendonitis, severe knee injury). Now, though, I’m back in Defyance, and the injury threat has fallen into the background.

So here’s the word of caution. If you’ve found a shoe that works for you, stick with it. Oh, and don’t use that sixty year-old body like a thirtysomething. Even if your shoes aren’t showing too much wear, change them at four hundred miles or every eight months, whichever comes first. You won’t be sorry.


Next: Running for Your Life: Sub-Two Gurus