General Fitness & Nutrition: Do you think my running shoes are worn out?

So I got a new pair of nice New Balance's in the middle of July and I've put about 320 miles on them so far.  For the past week and a half or so, my right knee and the in-step of my feet have had a decent amount of soreness/pain after a run and I've had to scale back my miles per week from around 30+ to around 20.  Runs over 4.5 miles start to really wear on me when I usually churn out 8-11 miles with a decent amount of ease.  They're definitely starting to feel a little less cushioned.  Is this a pretty good indication that I need a new pair of shoes?  Thanks.

-Dan

yes

I agree with HTH, and would also like to add, that as time goes on, you may need additional support in the shoes you do wear.  I recently had an extensive fitting at a reputable running store, and found that my needs have changed since I started running ten years ago.  I recommend going to a really good running store and have someone who knows running fit you.....its worth the time.

If you have to ask the question. they are.

When you alternate between shoes, you give them a "rest" to recover, after constant pounding, to their original shape. They will both last longer than if you bought two pairs and used the pair A every day and when they wore out used pair B. Alternate them daily (if you go for daily runs) (ie. Pair A Monday, pair B Tuesday, etc.) to get the most useful likfe out of them.

alternating between 2 different pairs of shoes also changes your biomechanics slightly. this can help to prevent over-use injuries as well as letting the shoes "recover"

 

 

@ rebeloutionary :

 if you alternate between different pairs , you will feel the difference faster between  the "used" ones and the new. You will find out yourself if you need to change / to buy new...

 greetings,
Nancy

Try the twist test. Simply grab the ends of your shoe and twist it. If they twist easy in the middle then the midsole is worn out and its time for new shoes.

I use that, the presence of a new ache in the legs, and >300 miles.

Pete

I'm lucky to get 300mi on a pair. I'm pretty hard on my shoes and put a good pounding on them too. I have learned the 2shoe plan and personally it works pretty good to me.

Both are the exact same shoe, just different colors. I alternate throughout the week and try to equal the mileage on them. Keeps them from stinking so bad, from wearing out so fast, and makes them actually last a little longer (well seem to at least).

But, if your feet are starting to hurt from runs, then yes, it's time for some new shoes.

i'm 6' tall, weigh 195ish, and run on the balls of my feet.  after 200 miles, i start to notice a difference in my shoes, by 250 i can tell they're on the way out, and at 300, retire them to 'walking around' duty. 

i run in the asics gel 1140s, and have been primarily running in themand their predecessors for the past 10 years or so.  they're pretty basic, and fairly durable.  i also can't get them in the good running stores cos they're too basic, as all the more expensive shoes stuff their heels with cusioning and such that are useless to me.  

i should clarify that "by notice a difference" above, i refer to the feel of the cushioning.  after 200 miles, they feel a litle... flatter... like they absorb impacts just a little less readily.  by 300 miles, i feel more beat up after a run than i do when the shoes are new, although outwardly, the shoes look pretty much fine.  

i think my question to dwillis would be what do you mean by "go through"?  also, are you buying lightweight racing trainers (liek the asics DS trainer), or regular trainers - the asics nimbus, perhaps?  the lightweight shoes won't last as long, especially since they sacrifice the forefoot cushioning the most, i think.

finally, do you run in the rain or through puddles, and subsequently toss the shoes in the clothes dryer?  that'll break down your shoes lickety-split!