I know you'll think I'm just being flippant with this question, but I'm truly asking for input on this:
Four months into barefoot running has firmly convinced me that I won't be running in shoes again, at least in the traditional running shoe I'd become accustomed to (the jury is still out on the whole Vibram / InvisibleShoe / minimalist thing). But, like every well-duped shod runner, I've accumulated a small fortune in running shoes, being a complete sucker for that buy-two-pairs-and-alternate-them thing.
The half-marathon I'm running in January asks that runners consider donating their "gently used" old running shoes so that they can be given to, well, I guess anyone who doesn't have running shoes? Anyway, this is my dilemma. I have plenty of gently used shoes, even a completely unused pair or two, also being a sucker for the buy-extras-if-you-find-a-pair-you-like-because-they'll-probably-be-discontinued thing. If I simply throw them out, then I'm wasting a boatload of money, as well as risking the wrath of my better half. But if I donate them, am I not being just a wee bit hypocritical if I believe (as I do) that running shoes are the root of all (running) evil?
Can you help a brother out with some clear thinking?
BTW, on this afternoon's run, I noticed a woman walking on the other side of the street but in the direction I was running. When I hit my midpoint and turned back, I saw this same woman, now walking toward me. God bless her, she looked as though she'd never run a day in her life, but I also saw as I approached that she was staring right at my feet. As I neared, she said to me, "Why are you running without shoes?" Without skipping a beat, I replied, "Because I don't like to walk." I heard her chuckle as I went on buy. Hope I made her day. She made mine.
Four months into barefoot running has firmly convinced me that I won't be running in shoes again, at least in the traditional running shoe I'd become accustomed to (the jury is still out on the whole Vibram / InvisibleShoe / minimalist thing). But, like every well-duped shod runner, I've accumulated a small fortune in running shoes, being a complete sucker for that buy-two-pairs-and-alternate-them thing.
The half-marathon I'm running in January asks that runners consider donating their "gently used" old running shoes so that they can be given to, well, I guess anyone who doesn't have running shoes? Anyway, this is my dilemma. I have plenty of gently used shoes, even a completely unused pair or two, also being a sucker for the buy-extras-if-you-find-a-pair-you-like-because-they'll-probably-be-discontinued thing. If I simply throw them out, then I'm wasting a boatload of money, as well as risking the wrath of my better half. But if I donate them, am I not being just a wee bit hypocritical if I believe (as I do) that running shoes are the root of all (running) evil?
Can you help a brother out with some clear thinking?
BTW, on this afternoon's run, I noticed a woman walking on the other side of the street but in the direction I was running. When I hit my midpoint and turned back, I saw this same woman, now walking toward me. God bless her, she looked as though she'd never run a day in her life, but I also saw as I approached that she was staring right at my feet. As I neared, she said to me, "Why are you running without shoes?" Without skipping a beat, I replied, "Because I don't like to walk." I heard her chuckle as I went on buy. Hope I made her day. She made mine.