A lesser known side of running: the number of pairs of shoes that stack up in your entry corridor. I’ve got 6 pairs at time of writing. So, why would you need so many running shoes? Here’s my story.

When you start running, it’s usually along a canal path or the local park. So you buy a pair of road running shoes to jog around.

As you run more and more frequently, your first pair is wearing down so you buy a second pair while it’s discounted, with the hope it will last until the next discount opportunity.

One day, you realise you enjoy running on the trails and hills around your town, but you need more grip. A road running shoe doesn’t take you far up a muddy Scottish hill, so you buy some trail running shoes with a good gripping sole, your 3rd pair now.

As you run more and more frequently in the hills, your first pair is wearing down and you buy a second pair for the same reasons you bought the second pair of road running shoes. That’s 4 pairs of shoes now.

During black friday, you spot a pair of shoes discounted for the first time ever since you started running 6 months ago, so you buy your 5th pair.

At this stage, buying shoes is pure addiction. You have all the running shoes you really need, but regardless, you try that 6th pair in the shop and you like the colour, so… you buy your 6th pair. You also want to avoid wearing down too quickly pairs #3 and #4 because they’ve become your favourite.

And that’s just the shoes. Don’t get me started on the clothing and accessories…