I've run 321 miles in these shoes. That's probably more miles than I've run in any three month period in my life. These sweaty beasts have been my training partners since July 1st.

You'll see that I wrote the date 7/1 on the inside heel. That's the date I took my first run in these. Once you've made running a part of your life, you forget when you purchased your last shoes, and how long you've been running in them. Shoes vary by runner, but I usually need a new pair once I step over the 300 mile mark. I've learned that writing the date that you start with a pair of shoes on the actual shoe is a good way to remember just how old they are. Every pair of running shoes has an expiration date.

These shoes took me through one of the best summers ever. I ran in these while on tour, driving from Maine to Miami with Humongo Nation, through some of the hottest, most grueling runs around Lake Waramaug, and even on a fun run in Las Vegas. More importantly, these are the shoes that got me ready for my very first NYC Marathon. These are the shoes that built my confidence, gave me the experience and helped to build stamina to survive the upcoming 26.2 mile festival of pain.

I now have a new pair, with a 10/1 date now scribbled on the inside heel. They'll be worked in nicely by the time I hit the starting line on November 7.

If you're interested in my old shoes, you can now find them at Goodwill - but honestly your money would be far better served by making a donation to the American Heart Association to help cover my donation/entry fee into the marathon! I've already spent all of my money on shoes. ;)