A Proper Send-Off…

37 Replies

There is no greater relationship a runner has than with their shoes.

This past Sunday, I had my weekly long run scheduled.  Ten miles was planned, but the weather was brutal.  It was absolutely tipping down, so I decided to cut out a couple of miles and only run 8.  Off I went in my good old Brooks Glycerin 11 running shoes.

By about mile 3.5 to 4, soaking wet from head to toe, I started to get a nagging little twinge in my foot.  Luckily I wasn’t too far from home as I was doing a couple of out and backs on the trail.  After mile 5, I ran on home to put on dry shoes and socks, a dry top, and then headed back out to finish up my last 3 miles, although I was somewhat concerned about what was going on with my foot.

However, once I got back out on the trail, it dawned on me… my good old faithful Brooks were past their mileage.  My feet started feeling much better in the dry pair of shoes I had put on that hadn’t even gone 100 miles yet and I was able to finish my run strong and relatively pain-free. Unfortunately, I realized it was now time for me to retire my beautiful 11’s.

The Brooks Glycerin’s and I go back to 2012 when I got my first pair of running shoes.  I had gone to the local Road Runner Sports store and was properly fitted.  It was determined the Glycerin style was best suited for me, and I’ve been wearing them ever since because, quite frankly, the people in the store were right.  I started with the Glycerin 9’s.  I’ve tried other brands and styles, all to be returned as they just don’t do for me what the Glycerin’s do.  wpid-20151102_210549.jpg

I got this current pair last year before I ran RNR Vancouver in October.  It is now time for me to bid this pair of Glycerin’s adieu.  Thank you, 11’s, for getting me through a year’s worth of races and helping me earn 6 medals.  Time for you to slow down and just walk from here on out… you’ve done your job well, and I am grateful. You will be missed.

37 thoughts on “A Proper Send-Off…”

  1. 50in50marathonquest

    Awesome post!! I’m going to reblog it if I can, or at least write a post that points to this one…farewell blue glycerin 11’s – mine are soon to be retired to walking duty too!! Brooks need to see this photo/article and send you a new pair 🙂

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  2. Tasha

    You seriously run 10 miles at a time? My goodness, you must really be in pristine health…10 miles is certainly not a short distance and is more of marathon length, isn’t it? I’m no runner…at least not a long distance one, but I’m in awe of what you are able to do physically. I would think those shoes would have worn out long before now!

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Hehe, thank you Tasha! I train for half marathons which is 13.1 miles. A full marathon is 26.2 miles. I’ve not attempted that as of yet, because I don’t even like to drive 26.2 miles, 😉 . A good pair of running shoes usually last about 300 to 400 miles, and these babies were awesome, going above and beyond!!!

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      3. wanderwolf

        You’ll get there, soon enough! I imagine having the marathon running bug in your house, it’s bound to catch you at some point.
        And wow, your shoes since 2012 have done a heck of a service! Good thing you noticed what was causing the twinges in your foot, though.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. neveradullbling Post author

        Yeah, I’m sure one day I will get the bug!! Hmmmm, you make good point though! I might need to make some clarification that I’ve only had this particular shoe for a year, haha. That doesn’t sound too good, running in one shoe since 2012, dear oh dear, lol!!

        Liked by 1 person

      1. wanderwolf

        I show my love to my shoes by running in them .;)
        Also, thanks for asking. Yes, my run yesterday was successful. I am devloping slight PF again, but actively working against it. I tried keeping it easy, but my pace went a bit fast (fresh legs, and all). Today will be a better indicator. But I think it will be okay. Thank you for thinking about me!

        Liked by 1 person

  5. mawil1

    It’s sad to retire a pair of faithful shoes isn’t it? Will they be used for gardening or something or into the bin? My first pair now sit under my desk at work – just in case I decide to nip out for a jog in my clothes? Never happened yet!

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Hahahaha, they sit under your desk just in case, :D. I like that! Mine will be used for pretty much whatever until they’re totally worn out. I get quite attached to shoes, so they’ll probably be with me ’til the day I die! How’s that for being a hoarder, hehe!!

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  6. Lynz Real Cooking

    I had to laugh and smile at this post as we have said goodbye to so many shoes! My son just finished cross country and now onto training for track! I am surprised at how quickly he needs new shoes!! I will have to look for this brand! We are always trying to figure out which ones are best! Let me know if you have a recommendation please! Thanks and bye bye shoes! Great post!

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Why thank you Lynn!! 🙂
      Yes, definitely he needs to try Brooks. They’re labeled one of the best by Runners World magazine. There’s a link to the shoe website in my post. I also like Saucony for shorter distances. But my variation stops there. My husband has run in Mizuno, Nike (Pegasus are supposed to be awesome), Brooks… but his favorite now are also Brooks. The Glycerin’s give the most cushion, so your son really really needs to try them! Good luck on your hunt! It’s daunting, I know, hehe!

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      1. Lynz Real Cooking

        thanks so much! we live in a small town so not many choices. He tried Brooks last time but not sure which type.There are so many different types as you know!! which Brooks would you recommend? At this point he trains maybe one hour a day? Not sure how much that equals in miles. Thanks for your time:)

        Liked by 1 person

      2. neveradullbling Post author

        Oh Lynn, I am happy to help anytime at all!! A good all around Brooks shoe is the Ghost. They go short or long, as long as he doesn’t have any stability issues as they are a neutral shoe (does he pronate or supinate=stability issues). I personally love the Glycerin’s. They are also a neutral shoe and perfect for long distances as they are cushiony. We always order our shoes online, and if they don’t work for us, we’re able to send them back no problem. Both Brooks and RoadRunner are generous with their return policies. 🙂 Hope this helped, but if you have more questions, I’m here for you!!

        Liked by 1 person

  7. aidyl93

    How sad!! I absolutely hate having to get rid of shoes. I think my current ones (I’ve had for five years) are going to be getting their goodbye soon too. Holes are in them, and one of these days they’re just going to plain fall apart! I’m glad you didn’t do any damage to your foot by wearing them longer though! And at least you have lots of fond running memories in them. 🙂

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Sigh, yes, it’s sad! I hate giving up shoes. Actually, I think I’ll keep these forever though. 😀
      And your poor shoes… they’re like an old friend, aren’t they! Giving up shoes sucks because you can never find a pair just like them again!!
      And thank you! No, no damage thankfully! I ran today and had no pain, so yay!! Onward I go!! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. aidyl93

        Yay, I’m glad it didn’t affect the running at all! Yes they are like an old friend, they’ve been everywhere you’ve been; just think of all the stories they could tell! (probably good they can’t, they might start talking about things you don’t want them to. 😉 ) Hopefully the new shoes will become a close replacement!

        Liked by 1 person

  8. breidengale

    I totally get that!! I have this beautiful pair of pink Avia that I used ONLY for my Zumba classes and I finally had to give them up this year. My new ones are nice but no where near as pretty and happy. Yet, I still haven’t actually grown them out… they sit on the floor for me to gaze upon with happy memories. 🙂 Your shoes have served you well.

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  12. Left Foot, Right Foot, Run!

    I’m just here, catching up on some old blog posts that I’m following…don’t mind the constant emails letting you know that I’ve “liked” a post! I just read in the last post that you switched over to the Brooks Launch 2’s and that you were previously running in the Glycerin’s and Rides. I too have the same shoes. When I was properly fitted, I was put in the Saucony Ride 6’s. I got a good 600 miles out of them before I started having some foot issues. I got fitted again, this time for the Glycerin 12’s, and I liked them just as well. The Rides had just too many miles on them, even though it was hard to let my first pair of running shoes go. My 12’s were reaching the end of their life and I was planning on 12 half marathons, a full marathon and a triathlon in 2015, so I knew I was going to need another pair sooner than later. That’s when the new Launch 2’s were released and they were $50 cheaper than the Glycerin’s. So I switched over to the Launch 2’s. I love them! But I got the yellow and purple colored ones. In January I ran the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, again, I was going to need some shoes, just for rotation purposes, because you race 4 days in a row! I found some Glycerin 12’s online for only $80 at finishline.com and then I found some original Launch’s (not the 2’s) at 6pm.com for only $40. Those two combined with my Launch 2’s that already had, worked well for my Disney race. Also, my pinky toe, especially during my long runs, tends to blister. During the Disney races, I just used some of my Body Glide on my toes before slipping on my socks, and that helped a lot!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      I love that you share all this with me!! Thank you!! I think I’m going to go back to the Glycerin’s for my races. My feet were so torn up after Maui!! I’ve never had that problem with the Glycerin’s! And I really need to try that little body glide trick on my toes! Good job on the Dopey challenge! I really want to do that one year!!

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