When it's time to retire your running shoes.

Do you have different levels of running shoes?

 R to L: Fully functioning, Treadmill only, Retired

In packing for the Princess Half, I came across an upsetting revelation. My favorite Purple PureFlows really need to be retired. Thank goodness for randomly looking at the bottoms (disclaimer: please don't follow my example). I knew it was bad when I compared the tread to those I retired many months ago (and now only use to run errands) and those had more tread. Yikes! Remember that knee pain? No. Wonder. I was hoping they could get me through Princess -what's 13.1 more miles?!- but after seeing the seriously worn down rubber, I just can't do it in good conscious. That, my friends, is a sure way to get to Injury Land, instead of  Willingly- Ready-For-A-Break Land, where I would like to be going after this weekend.

But like the typical girl I can be, I'm a tad attached to these- and for good reason! These were the shoes that got me through both of my marathons. I spent longer than I should have a minute being sad about it, but still packed them as my park shoes. I feel like they need one more woo-rah! before I retire them for good. Fine. I need it.

Running lesson for the month: 

Training for two marathons will run down your shoes faster. So will running in minimalist.

But all is not lost! I have backup. I bought a couple of pairs on super sale last month. Sidenote: Who knew size 10.5 was such a popular running shoe size? I wanted to buy every color, but these were the only ones available.

YaY! for Super Sale when the annual new version comes out.

Do you get attached to your running shoes? 

Do you have a specific cycle to getting new shoes?