A pair of running shoes typically last about 300 – 500 miles. I have no idea how many miles my Dyad 7’s had, but I do know that one day, not too long ago, I jumped off the treadmill after a 4 mile run and felt like I ran in my work shoes. Regardless of the mileage a shoe has seen, that is a huge flag that is it time for new shoes! (words just about any girl loves to hear!)
I loved my Dyad 7’s; I had run 3 half marathons in the style (not the same pair, just the same style) but midway through training for my last race I had started to notice that I was getting a pretty significant “hot spot” from extra pressure on the top of my foot. I compensated through re-lacing my shoes to be able to relieve some of the pressure, and that really did help, but I traded off the extra stability and “wrap” that I loved so much about the shoes.
So last weekend we headed up to Tortoise and Hare on a New Shoe Mission. Huge shout out to the staff there, they are all great! So great that we got to chatting and I forgot to ask any questions for a blog post at all (luckily WO still needs new shoes, I’ll sneak in a few questions then) After a new round of measuring, being observed walking barefoot, talking about the distances I was running, how the Dyad’s were working for me, and any aches and pains I had been experiencing, they pulled out a few pair for me to try.
All in all I tried 3 different pairs. Two they pulled for me based on what I like about the Dyad’s and taking into consideration my higher in-step, and the New Balance Fresh Foam that I wanted to try. I was able to rule out the New Balance fairly quickly. They will be great for shorter distances, but not for me at a half marathon distance. I did ended up choosing the Brooks Ghost 8’s over the Glycerins.
Things to remember when going in to get fitted for shoes (even if it isn’t your first time)
- Tell your “story” I was greeted with “So tell me a story” – know what you like about your current shoes, challenges with your current shoe. Your average weekly distance, anything on the calendar – it all helps them make sure you are in the best shoe for your foot.
- Don’t freak out if they recommend a different shoe. Your feet change, especially if you are really working hard and putting in miles.
- Be brutally honest. Just because they may recommend something, it might not be for you. If you don’t like the way the shoe feels for any reason, share. They can only work with the information you give them.
- Don’t be afraid to look silly. It may mean walking around the store barefoot or in two different shoes. It may mean running in two different shoes. It helps when you can’t tell which pair you like better, since you can feel the differences!
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