So I don’t typically post on Thursdays, but when I sat down to write the Thursday section of my weekly training recap it became long enough to be it’s own post. And then I encountered a minor crisis this afternoon that definitely warranted a Thursday post. More on the crisis in a minute.
We are going to be traveling up to my Dad’s house, outside the DC area, this evening for the Marine Corps Marathon this weekend. Woohoo!! So exciting. So my plan today was to get off work by Noon. Then I would come home, go for a run at the Dora Trail, and have 3 to 4 hours to pack until it was time to go. Because I haven’t actually packed, yet, except for setting out my race day clothes and throw away clothes.
I should have known better than to make plans. With my job, you never make plans because that’s when the unexpected happens and your plans fall to pieces. So I didn’t end up getting off of work until 4:00. Bummer. I decided to forgo running on the trail, because it would add an extra 30 minutes of driving to and from the run and instead ran on the treadmill to save time.
Side note: You may have noticed that I haven’t been running on the roads around our house much at all lately. That used to be my timesaver option if I was short on time and didn’t want to drive to the trail. But there are a lot of new loose dogs in our area, and I haven’t felt like figuring out if they are friendly or not, yet. Guess I’ll tackle that at some point.
Instead of running outside, it was an easy 5 miles with Sven. The good news is my legs felt great and I feel ready to race on Sunday! The bad news is I discovered something that made my heart drop to the pit of my stomach as I was lacing up my shoes for my run….
If you can’t quite tell what that is, I’ll explain. That is the heel of my left shoe, which has become detached from the sole of the shoe!! What bad timing. I have been running in these shoes for about a month now, and have them perfectly broken in for my race. I have no idea how long they have been like this but I just noticed it today. I paid close attention while running, and the heel does pull up a bit and then plop back into the sole/base of the shoe as I run. I’ve already been through one pair of these shoes and I never had this issue! Ack.
So now I’m not sure what to do. Here are my options, as I see them:
- Run in the shoes and pretend I don’t know it’s there.
- Try and super glue the heel back on.
- Run in my older worn out pair.
The first option worries me, because what if they fall completely apart during the race!? As for option two, it seems like a good one as long as I’m careful not to get any under the shoe, creating a bump that could aggravate my leg over 4+ hours of running. Option three is also tempting. My old pair fit really well, but they are definitely old and broken down. I’m sure I could make it through the marathon in them, but I don’t know what kind of damage that could do. Thank goodness I have a blog and I can ask for y’alls advice!
I’m off to pack in the hopes that we can get on the road by 7 PM or so. I’ll be packing both pairs of shoes so that I will have all of my above listed options.
Which option do you think is best? Do you have any other suggestions?
Make me feel better! What types of crises have you faced leading up to race day?
Turkey Runner 
I vote for #2! Not sure it is the safest bet (it doesn’t look that bad in the photos), but I would risk it. And maybe have Barry/your dad be prepared to meet you carrying your old shoes around in case of emergency? Is Barry running? I forget…I am sure your dad would hold them for you!
Thanks, Amy! It’s not too bad, but it’s definitely noticeable while running. My main concern is it getting worse during race day. What bad luck that would be. My dad and I ended up super gluing it today and it seems fine so far!
I am going to ask Barry or my Dad to carry my spare pair. Thank you for that suggestion! Barry is not running. He’ll be cheering me on with my Dad 🙂
I like #2. But maybe you can give Barry or your Dad the second pair to bring along the course in case you need to switch?
Thanks for your input! Having them carry the second pair is a great idea that I hadn’t thought of. I’m going to do that.
I’d contact Hoka and ask customer service what they would suggest. There’s a chance that they’ve had this happen before and that they can give you advice. It’ll take a few minutes, but it might help. That, or super glue!
I actually spoke with a Hoka rep at the MCM expo today, and he had the same advice. Actually, first he offered me a replacement pair on the spot but I didn’t want new shoes for race day. So he gave me a free hat instead and told me to contact customer service, haha.
WAIT A SECOND did you just pass up free shoes? *thud* LOL! I don’t blame you for not wanting to race in them though. Glad you were able to talk to someone & that they are a good customer service company!
Haha, NO I did not turn down free shoes! I just delayed the free shoes. They had a newer version of the model I run in at the expo, and I want a replacement of the ones I currently run in. Plus, he was mainly offering me a new pair so that I could use them on race day. Don’t worry – I’m going to get them replaced, haha!
I’m in favor of option #2, being careful to smoothly apply the super glue. I like the idea of having someone to meet you with your old shoes, maybe at the halfway point?
I’m still recovering from my injury due to running in worn down shoes. You might be ok for one race, but I wouldn’t risk it!
Good luck!!
That seems to be the most popular option. Thanks! I think I’ll ask my Dad and Barry to have my spare pair of shoes just in case, but I won’t make any plans to actually change into them unless needed.
I had a brush with an injury due to running in worn down shoes in early September that derailed my training a bit. So I definitely want to be cautious!
I like Tina suggestion but out of the options I choose #2 then place my old shoes in a drop bag or have some one carry them around for me.
Thanks! I think #2 is definitely the most popular suggestion.
Bah really running gods?! 3 days before a marathon and the heel has to come apart?! I’m thinking super glue and #2?? I hope you don’t even notice it on Sunday!!
I know, right!? That is what I was thinking on Thursday. We did the super glue thing today and then I went for a 3 mile run this afternoon and it seemed to hold up just fine. Fingers crossed!!
#2! Go to a hardware store and pick up some gorilla glue. It is much more intense than shoe glue!
Thanks, Brooke! We ended up doing the super glue (actual super glue, not shoe glue if there is a difference) thing today and then used a clamp to let it set really well. I went for a run this afternoon and so far so good!
Since I’m so late reading this, I wonder what you did. I would have suggested what Logan said. Wear you current pair, and give the old pair to Barry or Roger as a backup pair. Guess I’ll have to wait to read your recap to see what you did!
I ended up gluing them and Barry carried my older pair just in case. The glue held, though, and I didn’t have any issues with it during the race. The super glue is probably going to eat through the foam in the heel, though, so I’m going to get a replacement pair from customer service.
I actually never thought about, or worried about, my shoes the whole race. So that’s good!