Bryan's Running Blog

December 07, 2025

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Location:

Nashville,TN,USA

Member Since:

Sep 18, 2006

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

2:55:40 marathon (1997 St. George). 1:20 half marathon (1997). 5:00 mile (1997).

Short-Term Running Goals:

Sub 5-minute mile. Run Music City Marathon in April. Qualify for Boston in October (ideally get below 3 hours). Run Boston marathon 2008.

Long-Term Running Goals:

See above. After I've done that, then I'll retire. Well maybe not. I want to run the NYC marathon sometime and I want to do some triathalons.

Personal:

Married with 2 kids, born in 1975. I live in Brentwood, Tennessee (just outside Nashville).
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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Thu, Dec 21, 2006
Total Distance
7.50

54:47 ==> 7:18 pace. Slept in a little today (7am), and ran south in the light thru Crockett Park, along the River trail, into Brent Meade along Devens Drive, and then back. I was a little lethargic at first. Two miles into the run on the river trail I decided to pick up the speed and ran 5:45 pace for 2/3 of a mile. I slowed down when I got to the end of the river trail, doing a relaxed run for a little while, and then did another fast mile (1.06 miles in 6:00, that means about 5:40 pace), and then just ran home. I didn't feel like going fast for an extended period of time, but it was nice to go fast.

I bought some heel raisers this morning after my run. My left achilles heel has been a little stiff lately. It felt about like this (maybe a little worse) 1.5 months ago, but I bought some new shoes and it went away. I have ran about 250 miles in my new shoes. I hope to get around 500 out of them. How far do other people run in their shoes? I was told to get new shoes every 300-500 miles -- by the lady in the running store and also by a guy at my church who is a podiatrist. Running can be expensive if I buy a new pair of shoes every 300 miles! The podiatrist said that the heel raisers might help. I typically run on the left side of the road which is a little sloped -- maybe it also has something to do with my left achilles heel hurting a little. Any thoughts?

Comments
From Paul Petersen on Thu, Dec 21, 2006 at 12:22:43

I usually get 400-500 miles on a pair of shoes. Careful with the heel raisers. You may need to stretch the achilles and calves, and heel raisers do the exact opposite: shortens the achilles. Of course I do not know your exact situation, but just a word of caution.

Crowned roads can be a problem. If possible, try to mix up your running surfaces to give your body variety and reduce repetition injuries: roads, sidewalks, treadmills, trails, grass, etc.

From Maria on Thu, Dec 21, 2006 at 12:39:11

I generally get no more than 400 miles on my shoes. Even on the most cushioned ones. I'm pretty hard on shoes, and by 350 miles, the outside of the heel and certain spots on the forefoot are pretty worn down. One time I got a little achilles problem when my shoes had 370 miles on them. I backed off, changed the shoes and didn't have the problem any more. Yes, it can be expensive if you run high mileage, but it sure beats taking time off due to injury. It also helps to take 2 pairs and alternate them - it helps them "rebound" and they may last longer.

I agree with Paul about crowned roads. If you can't avoid them, try to switch sides or change direction to create more even load on your feet.

From Zac on Thu, Dec 21, 2006 at 16:16:52

Crowned roads have given me trouble in the past. It's a little more dangerous, but you could try running on the other side of the road to mix it up. I totally agree with the mixing it up idea. Every surface has pluses and minuses and its good to try them all. I wish the trails weren't so muddy this time of the year (or snowy).

I traditionally run way too many miles in my shoes. My old high school coach is a very consistent 70 mile per week runner. He hasn't missed a day in about 25+/- years. Anyway, he would always get free test shoes from Nike (they liked his consistancy) and if I remember right, he would typically put about 500 - 550 miles on the shoes before he would mail them back to be tested.

From Zac on Thu, Dec 21, 2006 at 16:33:37

You could also be running too fast. You haven't been seriously running for very long and you've been doing some pretty quick runs. If your achilles hurts, I would do some lazy, slow type runs for a week or so and give it a chance to heal.

From Zac on Thu, Dec 21, 2006 at 18:28:24

My shoes have about 418 miles on them and I swear I just got them. I've barely eaven broken them in. I guess, after 500 miles or so you probably should look at your shoes and if they're ok than try a hundred or two more. I don't know.

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