u/generic-username-ok

When did rotating shoe brands/models during training become a thing?

So, I've begun marathon training having completed my last one in 2011. In that time, I've stayed active with trail running, cycling, and casual road running. From my recollection, having a stable of different shoe brands and models for marathon training wasn't a thing in 2011. I was pretty active on the old Runner's World message boards and I don't recall it being a conversation.

Most marathoners I knew then picked a shoe and bought a couple or three pairs to rotate during training. They usually raced in the same shoe, although a slightly broken in pair.

Now I see people with a whole fleet of shoes for specific purposes (race, long, tempo, track, recovery). Is there real benefit to this for an average runner, or is it just a hobby? And if it is a hobby, I'm not hating on it. I have multiple watches I rotate just because I like watches.

Anyway, my plan has been to buy a couple of pairs of all around shoes and just rotate them through training. If I come through it uninjured, I'll just race in a newer pair. My choice is the New Balance 1080 v15. Feedback is appreciated.

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u/generic-username-ok — 4 days ago