Comments on: simple life | bourgeois running

By: Andrea

Andrea — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:29:40 +0000

Two words, Jonathan: Plantar fasciitis. I used to be a runner. Then I ran for about 6 years in tennis shoes that my sister in law gave me because she didn’t want them any more. I don’t know how long she had them before I got them. I still have problems with my feet.
You NEED things that keep you healthy. If you keep running you really do need new shoes. If that means you have to trade in some other luxury for them, then do it. You do not strike me as a frivolous spender and honestly, what I know of your family there isn’t a great deal of out flow of cash on “extras” (the very temperature of your house in the winter is an indicator that you are doing your best with what you have). I mean that to say, functioning running shoes are not just a luxury if you are going to run 13 miles this year. It seems to me that if you continue to run in worn out shoes you run a risk of being forced to quit running due to some avoidable injury. If you keep running in your old shoes and damage your feet you won’t be able to use any of that other stuff and that would be a true waste.
Here’s what you do: say Thank you Lord for my feet and thank you that I can buy shoes to take care of them

By: MizM

MizM — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:22:57 +0000

Oh, how to tread lightly here: I understand the desire to not “indulge” in pricey running shoes when there are so many with far greater needs. Maybe you’re doing the equivalent of barefoot running by this point. But chances are, you’ve worn the shoes so badly and unevenly now that you run a real chance of hurting yourself. That’s ultimately going to cost more than the new shoes! One of my knee docs (and there have been several in 20+ years of on-again/off-again running) advised spending what I could afford on shoes, and then extending their life with an insole replacement. (Eventually, though, it’s the midsole that breaks down.) I think running is just about the least bourgeois sport you can engage in – until you start “gearing up” with GPS and HR monitors, etc. Put that money into new shoes! (Half Marathoning must be in the air this year; I’m doing the same thing.)

By: Joe BW Smith

Joe BW Smith — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:51:14 +0000

I’ve been running on and off (mostly on) for about 25 years. I appreciate your thoughts. The benefits of running for me–including my primary time of prayer–seem to far outweigh anything negative that is communicated to society. As someone who has dealt with injuries–good shoes are the one piece of equipment that prevent injury, especially considering the urban terrain. I buy new shoes regularly, and I don’t wait for the tread to wear out or the shoes to fall apart. The benefit of the shoes wears out after about 400 miles, give or take a few. Terrain matters on the life of the shoe as well.

By: jonathan

jonathan — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:10:02 +0000

thanks, it seems that it is exactly in life decisions that are as basic as these that our commitment to God/world is decided. Obedience isn’t just about being a missionary in Africa but about the right choices, where we are today. Especially when the everyday questions are usually the most gray without clear distinctions.

By: Bet Hannon

Bet Hannon — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:51:12 +0000

I hear you, Jonathan. I’ve been thinking about this a lot too–mostly because of the changes in my economic status. When I was a local church pastor, I set my own schedule, and it was fairly easy to make time for running. Now, I’m scrambling a little more to earn a living, and when the school substitute calls come in, I have to ditch running. I’m stretching the life of my running shoes (they are 2.5 years old now)– really can’t afford new ones, although my knees are telling me that I may have to break down and splurge soon (I tend to wear down the outer heel with my over-pronation). But I’m still a gadget-lover, so I have my GPS and heart-rate monitor and my .mp3 player (I’m listening to nerdy podcasts too).