I go through a few pairs of running sneakers each year, especially if I'm training for a marathon.  Do I just toss the old pair?  Of course not and neither should you.  You can donate them to be recycled or reused.  Organizations like Soles4Souls and Nike Reuse a Shoe need those old sneakers and shoes you have sitting in your closet collecting dust.  Soles4Souls takes new or gently used shoes and gives them to those in need.  On their website it states that in America, we throw away more than 3 million pairs of shoes a year.  These shoes are toxic for the Earth and are piling up in our landfills.  If you have sneakers that are more than gently used  please donate them to Nike Reuse a Shoe.  Nike takes your old sneakers and breaks them down to make athletic surfaces like running tracks.  Pretty cool.  So get out there and donate at one of their drop off locations!

Over the years, I've heard varing numbers for the useful life of a running sneaker.  Ranging from 300-400 miles, 400-600 miles, 350-550 miles, etc.  What is that magic number?  The number depends on a lot of different factors.  How often do you run? Where do you run?  Treadmill or outside?  How much do you weigh? Geesh....enough with the questions.  I personally feel the best way to tell when you need new sneakers is by just listening to your body.  Are you beginning to feel joint pain, have shin splints or achy knees?  These are all signs that your sneaker is beginning to breakdown and is not as supportive as it once was.  When that happens, it's time to get out there and do what a girl does best...Buy some new shoes.  Not replacing your sneakers is the leading cause of running injuries.  I also believe in rotating my sneakers. When the end is coming near on a pair of sneakers, I slowly start rotating my new pair into my running schedule.  You should never wear a new pair of sneakers for a long run until they are broken in.  At least that is the rule I follow or its Blister City for this Little Miss Runner.