When most people think of “team” training, it’s relatively simple and straightforward. You need…
- exercise clothes,
- headphones,
- a music player,
- a bottle of water and
- a pair of running shoes.
Sounds pretty simple, right? However, when it comes to running shoes, you need to remember to get good quality shoes that are designed for the type of activity you are doing. Also, you want to make sure you change your shoes often enough so that they provide the cushioning and support you need.
How Often Should You Change Your Running Shoes? Let’s go over a few things, so you know the best time to switch to a new pair…
1. Your running mileage. The biggest factor that determines the lifespan of your running shoes is the number of miles you’ve traveled. Consider that the average pair of running shoes should give you a value of around 300 to 500 miles, this can give you a relatively good indication of how long you can go. If you’re running an average of 20 miles a week, this should equate to around 15 to 25 weeks of use.
Keeping track of your miles, both running and walking, is important so you know when you’ve run out of time in that pair of running shoes. If you’re doing most of these miles on the treadmill, your shoes may look brand new, but keep in mind that the padding in them may be anything but new.
2. Your body weight. The next factor to consider is your body weight. Generally speaking, the heavier you are, the faster your shoes will wear out. There will be more stress with each step you take, mainly wearing down the padding as you run.
If you weigh more than 150 pounds, you may only reach the 300-mile mark in your shoes, while if you weigh less than 150 pounds, you may be closer to the 500-mile mark.
You’ll have to judge for yourself how your shoes feel as you run in them day after day. If you start noticing joint pain, this is a good sign that it may be time to trade in those shoes for a new pair.
3. Where do you run? Lastly, think about where you are running. Are you running mostly in open areas or are you running in woods and off-road trails? If what you’re doing is essentially flat-road racing; you can get a bit more life out of your shoes compared to if you are running on not-so-even ground. Your shoe’s support and stabilization will be tested more in those scenarios, leading to faster wear.
Keep these points in mind as you go through your training sessions. Having a good pair of running shoes is vital to your success, so it’s essential that you don’t overlook this critical element.