Buying Shoes Before Race Day

Without fail, one of the things a shoe fitter guy like me deals with, is the person who comes into a running store, and wants to buy a pair of shoes days before their half or full marathon. This is a no-no for so many reasons. Let me restate though.....I'm talking about the person who is not simply replacing their shoe with a fresh version of their shoe. I am talking about the runner who wants a whole new shoe, one they haven't trained in for their race.

Ideally you want at least 50 miles on your marathon shoe, and about 25 miles on your half marathon shoe prior to the race. the latest you want to get your shoes is about 3 weeks before race day. I have been asked many times, "What's the worst thing which could happen in a new shoe on race day?"

This is not a complete list, but pretty substantial:

Blisters
Heel pain
Arch pain
Burning sensation in balls of the feet
Shin splints
Cramped toes
Achillies Issues
Knee pain

My question back is, "Why do you want to risk all that on race day?" Race day should be the celebration of training, and not dealing with issues because you bought a shoe the day before a big race. Last thing you need is to deal with issues, because you had to have a new shoe after 6 months of training in one shoe.

Now here is an interesting question. What if the shoe the runner has is two years old, and they have pain? Can they get a new shoe the day before? I go back to my earlier stand. Why take chances on the unknown?

Remember get those shoes in enough time to have some miles. Your training will have been for nothing if you injure yourself in a new shoe on race day.

Charlie