Saturday, September 8, 2012

Moving On: Saying goobye to a faithful pair of Trail Shoes

It was with a touch of sadness that I retired my Brooks Pure Grit trail shoes from active duty yesterday. It was time. They had faithfully served me through many miles along the trail. Purchased in the fall of last year, they were with me for my first 100K at Weymouth Woods. They hung in there with me at the Uwharrie Mountain 40 miler and several other 50K's in the spring and summer of this year. They had been baptised through many a creek crossing, endured mud baths and withstood sharp rocked jeep and fire roads in multiple states. I never once had gotten a blister when wearing them, even when they began showing signs of breaking down.
     So I found myself driving to the Fleet Feet Running store yesterday, ready to pick up a new pair of Pure Grit. It was when I had slipped on the new pair that I realized just how worn down my old pair was. I knew I had made the right decision, but there was a brief moment of sadness, much like when you have to ask grandpa for the keys to the car, knowing he still wants to drive, but it's just not safe anymore.
 I left the store, drove straight to Umstead State Park and christened the new Grits with an eight mile run. Upon returning home, I set the old pair out on the side porch, their tangy aroma reminding me of all the miles we shared. Since I can't stand to part with them, they will be relegated to light yard work duty. (low drop lawn maintenance)

And so it goes, the circle of life continues! Thanks to my old Pure Grits for all the good times we shared and here's to many more happy miles ahead with Pure Grit Mach two!!

Out with the old.

In with the new!



3 comments:

  1. I feel your sadness reading this! lol. i have an old pair of trail hiking shoes i need to get rid of, but havent' been able to do it yet. but they don't wear down as fast as getting 100K out of them (nice job by the way).
    look forward to checking out your blog - would love to say i did a long distance run someday. but still have a long way to go.
    how long from the time you started w/the idea of doing a long distance run to actually doing it?

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  2. Thanks for stopping by Christine! i had gotten back into running about two years ago when I signed up for a half marathon with some friends. I got bit by the trail bug, and before I knew it, I was running longer distances. I had only a couple of 20 mile runs under my belt before I wound up running 60 miles last September at the Hinson Lake 24 hour run! I kinda skipped over the marathon distance in the process. I love running 50K's, they are probably my fave. It probably took about a year to build up from the half to the ultra distances. Take your time and avoid injury! I have just registered for the Umstead 100 Mile Endurance run in April of 2013. Love your blog btw!

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  3. I always end up saving my old shoes for light duty too (no yard for me, but walking/other exercise/wearing around.) Glad the new ones feel good!

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