January Miles

How is it possible that January is already over?  If someone can also explain why I was able to go for a run in 60 degree weather in shorts and a t-shirt on the last day of January in south central PA, that would also be helpful.

January Numbers:
Total Miles Ran:  171
Number of those miles that involved me holding a dog and a leash:  38
Number of those miles on trails:  37

On today's run I came to the conclusion that one of the latest pairs of shoes I bought (August or September??) officially need retired.  They must go where my running shoes go to die - dog walking or lawn mowing shoes.  The part that is really hard about this - they aren't old...at all.  They probably only have 75 miles on them, if that, I have no idea, that's not something I keep track of.  They just aren't working for me and I think they may aggravate my left foot which sometimes gives me issues.

When I bought them, while I liked them at the store, they never felt right from the first run.  I was hoping they would be my next 'long run' shoes.  With trail races and Ragnar approaching last fall, I put them aside, and ordered a super cheap pair of the original Brooks Launch online for my fall road shoes.

My first pair of the Launch treated me pretty well so I knew they were a safe choice.  Except, the super cheap pair were actually a half size smaller than what I normally wear...it's all that was in stock.  But, the original pair I had were small too.  The sales person thought the smaller size was better when I bought the first pair.  I went with it and after some breaking in, they seemed to feel OK, but I kind of always thought I still needed my normal size.
 

Then, November came and I had foot issues.  The new Brooks Defyance seemed to aggravate it so I put those aside again.  The 2nd pair of the Brooks Launch was OK but I was convinced this pair seemed smaller and still wasn't in love.  The dog also ate part of the heel on one of the shoes, although that doesn't really impact their use! So, I broke out an old pair of Newtons and along with my trail shoes, this has been my rotation.  Of course, after I took this picture, I realized I actually have another pair in the rotation.  This pair of Kinvara's are over a year old and they have been my treadmill shoes (don't run on it that much!) and they stay inside and nice and clean.

In January, miles were either on the Kinvara on the treadmill in the super early mornings, the very old pair of Newtons or the fairly old pair of Inov-8 trail shoes and sometimes the half-eaten, too small Brooks Launch.  I wore the Newtons on all the longer runs and by far, they have been feeling the best.

I tried again today on the Brooks because I thought with my foot feeling perfectly fine, maybe they would work and I'd like to get some use out of them but it was definitely a no-go, after 4 miles, I wanted them off.  Now that they are out, I'm considering buying a new pair to add into the mix soon...I was really hoping it wasn't going to be the Newtons - too expensive!  Of course, if I'm running on a pair that I bought in 2010, I guess the longevity should counter-balance it!

Four pairs of shoes in rotation - how about you?