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Yay, it’s over! No more long runs until the marathon. Well, I guess after six weeks of running 18 plus every Sunday, ten really isn’t a long run. But who cares, no more, no more until next Sunday. Any last minute marathon advice would be appropriate at this time. You would think this was my first marathon.
I do have one very important question about my shoes. To wash or not to wash? I’ve never had gel shoes before and I’m not sure if I should wash them or not. I really, really want to wash them because they are a very dingy gray and I’d prefer them to be a lovely white. Will it hurt the shoes to wash them now?
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Better to not wash the shoes..Next week is your marathon, do not stranges thinks like wash shoes, or eat food or drink what you never thit before..
When you wash the shoes the shoes is not the same als before..
And drink a lot off water this week for the marathon, don,t forgot to do.
Groet Rinus.
http://rinusrunning.punt.nl/?home=1
Suz,
I would say leave the shoes as they are right now. You need to see the dingy to know the work you have put in over the last few months. Dingy shoes equals fast marathon!! Run Susan Run!
I’d say it’s probably okay to wash them as long as you don’t put them in the dryer but what do I know? If they are treating your feet right I’d leave well enough alone for now.
Don’t. Ever. Wash. Running shoes.
(Changes their fit)-
get new ones of you have to, but I would say run in these unless you have worn the soles or flattened the mid-sole material.
Wash them on hot, extra rinse and extra detergent, dry them on high, then place them in the backyard in a sunny spot. Remove the tongue, add an insole (Gellin’ like Magellan), don’t wear socks, and change your lacing technique. You’ll be in good shape for Chicago.
I was told “never put your shoes in the washing machine” it destroys all the benefits you paid the big bucks for. But if I want them to look cleaner, remove the insoles and take them with you in the shower. You can use an old toothbrush to scrub the outside to freshen them up. Don’t completely soak them just lightly rinse them.
I wouldn’t wash them. No sir ee. You got to keep ‘em dirty… to show all the hard work you put into training!
Don’t wash ‘em. It will change their fit. Just learn to love the steel grey they’ve become.
i’d say no on the washing. dirty shoes means you worked hard and are prepared.
Sounds like all the runner agree, but something I learned long ago in cycling…NEVER screw with ANY of your equipment before an event. It WILL haunt you.
Which is more important to you: Doing well in an event you have spent eons training for, or having “pretty” shoes…..oh wait….nevermind.
I am agreeing with the others don’t wash your shoes.
So NOW you’re worried about hygiene?
Seriously, don’t wash the shoes.
you should see the state of every single pair of running shoes. filthy from all the wading through mud I’ve done over the months. never even crossed my mind to wash them – does that make me a filthy person??
you ran 18+ for 6 weekends straight?! that’s awesome. can’t wait to read about how your race goes.
say hi to chicago for me! it treated me well.
i’ve only scrubbed shoes on the outside if i still plan on wearing them. i only wash them before i send them to charity groups that hand them out to others.
never du nuttin before the race. it’s too late. even if you only scrubbed, you could change them enough. don’t.
back awaaaaay from the shoes.
you’ll get more cred with scummy shoes. after the race, hang them over michael’s side of the bed.
You got ticky? Then no laundry!
I think for you, the neatness side of your brain, washing would be good. Not in a washing machine though! Just the uppers gently by hand with some mild soapy water, then stuff newspapers inside and dry in the shade.
If the street cred side of your brain wins out, don’t wash.
I agree with Ewe…Hand wash just to get the crud off.
The idea of washing my runners is totally alien to me. I’m pretty it says somewhere that you could do serious damage to them if you tried.
Do. Not. Wash. Them.
I have read that washing (machine) your shoes breaks them down. I generally do not wash my running shoes until I retire them to everyday shoes.
Hand washing them I feel is no different then if they get wet on a run, ie.. raining, sprinklers and the such.
Robert
Good luck in Chicago next week! I think I might run that next year. I’m looking forward to your race report.
I never do anything for a marathon that I didn’t do for my 20 miler, so my vote is no wash. But if you do, at least take out the sock liner. I usually buy new shoes a month before my race so that they’ll be fresh and cushiony, but broken in.
This from someone who doesn’t undo her shoelaces
Hmmm, I would never think to wash my running shoes. This is perhaps because of a couple of disastrous experiences trying to wash my kids’ shoes! :{
I’ve heard rinsing them off is OK, in fact beneficial to the breathing properties of the uppers to get the dirt out of the pores, but NO DRYER EVER! I mean if they couldn’t get wet, you wouldn’t wear them in the rain, right? (This advice came from an ultra-distance runner who rinsed out his shoes after every long run.) I always stick mine at the bottom of the refrigerator (outside, where the air filters in) to help them dry faster – a trick my coach showed me in HS track. But then again, nothing new before a race….
On another note, you did your last 10 miler this weekend, and I did my first… You’re gonna ROCK Chicago! Can’t wait for the race report!
Best of Luck this weekend!!!
i hope i’m not too late–do NOT WASH YOUR SHOES ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?!?!?
If washing the shoes will give us another shot at a big gnarly blister picture…. I say go for it! NAW!! Totally kidding! (You are the only other person I know that gets those bad boys and takes pics, too!!) Don’t wash them!