Maintain It To Retain It

There’s a story about Grete Waitz, the great Norwegian athlete who set several world records and won the New York City Marathon a stunning nine times. It’s said that she would get a new pair of shoes every time her old ones got dirty. They didn’t have to be filthy mind you—even if it was just a smudge, she’d request and get from her sponsor a brand-spanking-new pair.

The chances are pretty good you don’t have a deal like that. You probably buy everything you walk in and don’t replace it until it’s worn out. Here are some tips for caring for your walking stuff, including socks, shoes, rain gear and other tools that should help keep them in tip-top shape as long as possible.

Shoes

• When you find a pair of shoes you really like, purchase a second pair. Shoe manufacturers often discontinue models. If you have a second pair, you’ll be set.
• Keep the shoes dry. After long, hot walks, loosen the laces and let the shoes air dry in a window. Never put them near a heat source. If you walk in the rain and soak the shoes, stuff them with newspaper, wait awhile, remove the wet newspaper and restuff the shoes with dry papers. Let the shoes air dry when the newspaper has absorbed as much water as possible.
• Write the date that you got your new shoes on the shoe’s tongue with an indelible marker so you can remember how long you’ve had them when it’s time to consider getting a new pair.
• Keep a training log and refer to it to determine how many miles are on your shoes so you know when to replace them. Walking authority Therese Iknoian points out that walking shoes lose their cushioning ability after 500 to 600 miles of wear, which is about a year of use for many walkers.
• Most shoes can be washed by machine to keep them new looking. Don’t dry them in the dryer, though. Stuff them with newspaper and let them air dry. If you have two pairs of shoes, you’ll always have a dry pair to run in.
• It’s usually possible to repair tears in shoes by sewing or patching. You might even be able to find a cobbler to do the repair. When the sole wears, however, it’s a different matter. There are sole repair materials such as Shoe Goo, but before doctoring the shoe, consider how many miles it has on it. If it’s old, the cushioning may be worn. If so, replace the shoe, don’t repair it.
• Properly-sized new shoes last longest because they won’t be distorted when you’re walking. Try new ones on in the afternoon when your feet are their largest.
• Be sure to test new shoes at the store by walking in them before buying. Besides fit and comfort, look for signs of shabby workmanship such as loose threads and weak seams that could lead to premature failure.
• Save your legs and feet! Don’t do any strenuous walks in your new shoes until you’ve gradually broken them in on short, easy walks.

• Quality socks wick moisture away from the feet. They cost a little more than the bargain bin models, but they’ll keep your feet cooler and prevent blisters.
• When you pay for high-end socks, it’s frustrating losing the use of them because one sock disappears during the wash. A simple solution is to always attach the socks with a safety pin before putting them in the laundry.
• Another simple precaution is to purchase athletic socks that are the same type and color. That way, if you lose one, it’ll always work as a spare when you lose a sock.
• What’s the number-one sock killer? Toenails. Keep them trimmed, and your socks will last as long as the materials hold out.

• If you always sip new bottled water in recyclable containers such as store-bought water, you needn’t worry. But, if you drink from the same hydration device on walks, it’s important to keep the device clean. This is especially true if you put flavored drinks in the bottle. But, even if you only fill it with water, germs can grow inside. And, the more complicated the hydration system, the more places the germs can infect. To avoid this, store your hydration systems in the freezer where bugs can’t survive. Also, wash hydration devices frequently and thoroughly.
• Water bottles such as those used by cyclists are convenient and popular, but many develop a plastic taste. Try putting a tablespoon of baking soda in the bottle, filling it up and letting it sit overnight before cleaning it.
• You’ll rehydrate faster drinking cold water on walks. To chill water in a bottle, in the evening fill it half way, pop it in the freezer and fill it with water in the morning. You’ll have ice-cold water for most of your walk unless it’s a super hot day. There are also insulated bottles available that keep the water cooler longer.

• It’s a good idea to wipe off the chest band of heart rate monitors after workouts because the salt in your sweat may deteriorate the band prematurely.
• Read the directions carefully. Some models have special requirements. For example, some are water-resistant unless you operate the buttons when the unit is submerged.
• Like all electronic devices, try not to drop or strike your heart rate monitor.
• Cold can affect the performance. If it’s freezing out, consider leaving the heart rate monitor home as the temperature may make the monitor unreadable.
• If the heart rate monitor readings are sporadic, you may be experiencing interference from power lines or other equipment. It should be fine once you move away. If not, it might be time to replace the battery.
• Suits and jackets made to ward off water use treated fabric. Read the laundering directions. Usually, if you wash these items as you do other clothing, the laundry detergent can reduce the fabric’s ability to fight water. Running the gear through a second rinse cycle to eliminate all the detergent will allow the garment to retain it’s waterproofness.
• Most rain suits have built in reflective piping. This makes good sense because it’s usually darker during a storm, which reduces your visibility. If your suit isn’t so equipped or if you’d like to add visibility, consider purchasing some reflective tape at a hardware store and attaching strips to your arms and legs (moving parts attract attention) and elsewhere.
• If zippers get hard to pull, rub a candle up and down their track. Paraffin is a great lubricant that’s readily available and clean.