19 replies to this topic

[MikeIafeta]

Team, I am now the proud owner of a pair of ASICS GEL KAYANO Runners. (Had to call the paramedics though as my wallet 'flat-lined' after losing the 'tug-o-war' with the $230.00 I had to fork out for them!!! ;) )

It gets slightly worse ...

My wife (God Bless Her), ain't too happy about the amount I spent. <_< Our conversation went EXACTLY like this:

Wife: So are your new shoes better?
Me: Yes dear. I should be able to run so much faster now.
Wife: Well for $230.00 you better well be flying!

So my question is: How can I get good mileage out of them before having to upset my wife again by buying a new pair? Also, what are your best 'shoe-care' tips? Finally, what is the best way to break the news to your spouse that you need new runners?

Thanks In Advance - Mike
ps. I actually went for a 5k hard run tonight in my new runners and ran a horrible 40min 45sec ... AAAgggghhhh. If my wife finds out ... I'm in a 'WHOLE NEW WORLD OF SHITE!!!" <_<

[John Dawlings]

One possible training tip is to tell your wife what a terrible run you had in your new shoes. I would imagine you would then get a very intensive work out being chased around the house. In addition, your reflexes should improve as you duck saucepans and rolling pins.

[42.195]

Mike, firstly you can get Kayano's cheaper than that. Check places like Rebel Sport, Athlete's Foot half year sales (2 per year) and Melbourne Sports Depot in the city (often great prices). Sports Mart is another place worth checking. Stringers on the Internet is another option.
The key to making shoes last longer is to not run in them every night - rotate 2-3 pairs.
The shoes I plan to run a marathon in will be run in by running 10 - 11 k.m in them 4 days a week for 3 weeks. Then I will start running 21km in them twice a week for a few weeks. Then I will add a 31 km run to the 2 21 km runs for a few weeks. They are then cherry ripe for my marathon.
They then become my training pair for my next marathon, dealing with my 21km and 31 km runs. Once the cushioning starts to wear I will then use them for 10 - 11km runs until I feel the cushioning is rooted.
I tend to have 3-4 pairs of runners in varied condition (new to almost stuffed) that I regularly rotate.
I don't wash them, clean them or do anything else to them apart from doing the laces up before runs and undoing the laces after runs. They have one job in life, which is to help me train for and run marathons. They are not required to look good, only to feel good!!
I hope you enjoy the Kayanos - I tried one pair and didn't like them. I prefer the 20XX range. Currently running in 2080's, and will begin breaking in the first of my 2 pairs of 2090's after the Perth Marathon. The 2090's were purchased on special at Rebel Sport for $129.95 each - it pays to shop around!!
Good luck with the Kayanos!!!
P.S If they get soaking wet I will stuff them with newspaper to remove the moisture, but mud doesn't worry me.

[cjr]

Start to wet her apetite for the lean mean athletic body you will develop with the help of your new shoes.....

[Dang]

It appears the cheaper Asics, due to excess stock with Asics are reflecting the decline in sales of the 2090,this year, against its competitor in the Adrenaline.It appears that sales of Asics to regular runners is declining so there is older 2090 models around from early 2003 stock from china.IMHO the ASICS image is also suffering due to the "Grey Imports " of inferior Asics models , for runners.

[RunWolf]

I've found it's a lot easier to "forget" to tell how much I've spent on new shoes, or even that I am buying new shoes (or top, or cap, or socks, or running tights or shorts)
Besides compared to visits to beauticians, hairdressers, shopping with her mum etc - a new pair of shoes is relatively inexpensive and a whole lot healthier. :D
I remember buying my first real pair of runners last year, thinking - #@$@! how can a pair of shoes cost so much. Now it seems normal. So just keep running and buying new shoes and soon it will be a way of life.

[RunWolf]

You might also like to try this:
"Honey, I've been thinking that now I've started running that I'd really like to have a go triathlons. So I just need to go out and buy a bike $2,000+, some cycling shoes $200+, cycling shorts and top $200, gloves, bike computer, pump, tools, spare tubes, lights, helmet, bike rack......"

After ducking the pots and pans, "So, I'll just get the new shoes then?"

[Grey beard]

Mike one way to maximise the value from a pair of shoes is to track your running (eg see http://www.davidhays...log/runlog.html ). That way you will know when they need replacing rather than having to guess. With care you'll get 800+ kms out of your Kayanos, which works out at about 28 cents per km. Cheaper than a gym!

I use 2 or 3 different pairs at any one time depending on what I'm doing - I like good cushioned shoes for long runs (I tend to use concrete paths, so the extra shock absorbency helps), an older pair for general/shorter running (up to 10 km) and my lightest pair for racing. That way I also rotate them, so as 42.195 says, they tend to last longer (I think mainly because they dry out properly between runs).

As well as the specials 42.195 mentioned, you can also buy pretty reasonable shoes at factory outlets (eg New Balance in Wangara Rd Sandringham). When my son was growing at a shoe size every few weeks we refused to spend more than $50 on a pair of runners and went to NB a lot, so I also bought a few pairs for myself over the years and think they are good value for money, if not quite top shelf shoes like Kayanos.

[Stu Mac]

Mike, the subject of spending 200+ is always interesting with the other half. I use a few techniques, firstly try not to tell her, save for them and buy them at places like Leo Russells or Springer Sports, never paying more than 200 for Kayanos.

I do strongly endorse alternating your shoes, this will enable you to run further.

Good luck and keep up with the ducking skills.


Stu

[Action]

42.195 is on the money. I am currently rotating 3 pairs (2090, Adrenaline, Reebok Lite). Letting them "rest" every day or two allows the midsoles to fully expand and recover from all that compression. Perhaps a key point to extending the life of the shoe is to use it only for running - not gardening, not going down to get the paper, not around the house - just running. Mine do get a wash in the washing machine - but only at about 1000k as a retirement present. They scrub up pretty well. They then become the gardening/shopping/every day shoe. So, I get about 1000k of running out of a pair, then at least another year of happy retirement activity before they are really stuffed.

So, Mike, they might only be good for 800-1000k of running (say 6 months or so depending on rotations), but tell your other half that they have at least another 18 months of general purpose wear, so for your Kayano's that is less than $10 a month! Bargain. A lot cheaper than putting cash on the bar.... :D

[GaryO]

G'day Mike,

I'm sort of with lonewolf on this one. You know the sort of thing: "New shoes? What new shoes? Ohhhh! Those new shoes." :D I actually do most of my running at lunchtime during the week so my wife rarely sees my runners. She is also not likely to be seen at the side of a course cheering me on, so I think you've really got the better end of that deal.

In answer to your question though about breaking the news is to look at the alternatives. If you're going to run those distances then you need good runners or you'll get injured. How many trips to the doctor/physio does it take to make up for the difference in shoe prices? I'm sure your wife appreciates the changes in your life since you started running & there's probably a bit of a shock hearing that one pair of runners can cost that much. Hopefully she'll get used to it. On the bright side, now that you know the tricks about buying runners, the next pair will only cost $180 or so & so you'll be able to boast about the $50 you've saved. ;)

The advice from 42.195 is pretty much on the money too, especially about rotating multiple pairs of shoes. I'm just not sure how you're going to explain to your wife that you need another new pair of runners while there's nothing wrong with the current pair. :unsure:

[Obi-Wan]

Mike,

I think that you can get more wear out of your shoes if you rotate them daily. I never wear the same pair 2 days in a row and I reckon they last longer. Also why don't you suggest that when your due for a new pair that your wife can get something that she want that's of equivalent valve? For myself, I put money aside each month to fund my running purchases, if I don't have the cash then I don't buy anything. My wife also get the equivalent amount to buy the things she wants and we never have any arguments about what the other buys. Basically what I'm saying is try to budget for them. Good luck.

[MikeIafeta]

Once again, great sound advice team. Thanks to all!

Action, you're right on the money. $230.00 over the bar would of lasted a bloke like me about 3 hours!!!

I will tell my wife that I need to purchase 2 more pairs.

I will catch the next shuttle to Mars and let her know from there!!! ;)

Cheers Team - Mike

[Obi-Wan]

Dang, what are the 'Grey Imports'? :unsure:

[Dave]

Obi-Wan, a grey import is a product brought into the country but not through the normal distributor agent. Some companies will go out and buy in bulk a model that is not ranged for Australia from a distributor in another country and then import them and sell them here.

[weary]

I tell my partner by buying new running shoes I'm saving money on visits to the physiotherapist.

It's true, and she generally buys it. I also remind her of how grumpy I get when injured.

adw

[tim]

I am lucky to buy a good pair of shoes every 12 months so they are the least of my worries. My problem is buying stuff online. Like fuel belts and books and platypus bladders and Timex watches.

My wife suggested I cut my visa card up but I told her about "one click" buying and now if I see something I like I can have it at the click of a button.

Then a man comes to the door weeks later with a present for me. It is like having mini birthdays every few weeks.

Except for the visa bill and the conversion from US dollars not to mention the postage!!

So my advice is go to Amazon.com and start buying. Then the cost of your shoes will look less by comparison.


tim

[Rhino]

My current system if effective, but a little expensive. If I buy a new pair of runners, she buys a new pair of shoes. Both are happy that way!

[BDC]

Mike, if you are worried about cost try buying your shoes from Leo Russell's Sports Store in Preston. Cash only but you will pay about $180 for your Kyano's. They stock only Asics and are a small store but they one of Victoria's largest sellers of Asics as a result of their prices. Needless to say they are not popular with the big sports stores.

[Obi-Wan]

Mike,

For even cheaper Kayanos, who not go to the Vic Market. I'm not sure of the actual price but it will definitely be less than $180.