the end of an era

My faithful Nikes after approximately 560 miles

In 2010, I decided to challenge myself. I had done 3 5k's, 2 of which I hadn't even mustered up the energy to train for. So, naturally, I set my sights higher... 10K. To do so, I bought myself a new pair of running shoes and started tracking my running to see what progress what made. These Nikes were my splurge. $90 on my meager underemployed income was a big splurge indeed. Especially on a challenge I was not certain I'd even succeed in.

Fast forward 1.5 years later and those shoes saw about 560 miles of roads, trails, mud, snow, ice, rain. These shoes saw me finish that 10K, do several more 5K's, a 7K, a 7 miler, another 10K and ultimately a half marathon. These shoes are what took me from wannabe to runner until I had to face reality that my shoes were breaking down. My feet were starting to hurt after long runs. I had to face the facts that these shoes would not survive my next half marathon training rotation, or if they did, I stood a big risk of injuring myself.

So, goodbye dear Nikes. You're officially retired from running. Your new status is that of the recreational shoe. 

stay tuned for:  the shoes that will carry me onward