You can have all the gadgets in the world, the best running clothes but if you don't have a good pair of shoes, you probably aren't going to run very far which is probably why we are so attached to them.
I know, this is news to you right? (HA!) I can't tell you how many pictures I've seen of runners displaying their collections similar to mine (that's just what is in the closet. There's more in the garage).
When I look at that picture, I know there are 2 pair right off the bat that are "retired". I don't run in them anymore yet they still live on, taking up room in my closet. Every now and then I pull them out, think about taking them for a spin then put them back.
So if I'm not running in them, why am I not donating them or throwing them away?
This question was truly the topic I was thinking about. Why am I (and probably many of you) so attached to these shoes? I came up with some theories..
1. Cost. They were expensive and I feel like, although they are not good for running anymore, they are probably good for casual wear.
2. Beauty. I just like looking at shoes.
3. Memories. (This is what I'm going with). Every one of those pairs of shoes has logged hundreds of miles spanning months or years of my life. If those shoes had a recorder in them, they could tell you about all the memories we shared. One of those pair helped me get through my first relay race ever. One of those pairs helped me get through my first trail run ever. Multiple pairs helped me solve numerous life problems and ALL of those pairs witnessed our family moments.
Maybe a runner's shoes are like a man's recliner or old underwear. We just can't let them go. They have served us so well, we are loyal to them.
My questions are: do you have a collection like this? Why do you hold on to them? What should my next addition to the collection be?
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I agree totally! There is so much blood, sweat, and memories associated with shoes it is hard to let them go!
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a collector of items, but since I work for a shoe brand I have a few pairs laying around! Check out www.SkoraRunning.com for your next pair ;)
ReplyDeleteI think you need some more. Let me know when you are ready.
ReplyDeleteMy first pair of "real" running shoes was an old pair of Adidas that were actually my cousins old shoes that her mom gave me when I was visiting one weekend. This was either senior year of high school or freshman year of college, and I'm fairly certain they were actually tennis shoes and not running shoes and were WELL broken in. Oh and she didn't tell my cousin she had given them to me. I kept until this summer when I finally parted with them. That's 7 years! On already worn out shoes that I wore out even more. They weren't cute, were dirty and run down, but had been with me for ages and even got me through Belize and Guatemala in 2010. I was SO sad afterwards but felt better when my roommate reminded me they were being donated and not thrown away, so someone else that didn't have shoes would be given these. I still think about them though!
ReplyDeleteYou sure do have a great collection!!! I mainly just love looking at them!! Lol. Shoes are pretty and all pairs are so different! That's why I love em!! Spa <3 have a great day!!
ReplyDeleteI can't even say why but I have a hard time letting go too. All my old pairs sit insole-less (I wear orthotics so the insoles get taken out) in the garage. I always think they're going to come in handy someday like when I need a pair to wear on a super muddy run or for gardening or something. Wishful thinking...
ReplyDeletei love running shoes... but i think i love boots more.. i seriously have so many pairs.. those furry ones in every color.. flat ones in every color... high heeled ones in every color blahhhh!I actually bought a new pair yesterday!
ReplyDeleteYes!! My shoe/sneaker collection is out of control. I think it drives my husband nuts. I have the hardest time parting with shoes that I no longer run in. I end up walking around in those or something. I have a hard time letting go for sure.
ReplyDelete