Shoe shock

I guess I can't complain too much. After all, this pair of running shoes has lasted almost 12 months (thanks to a 7 month hiatus), at least twice as long as usual. But crimminy, the price of new shoes has gone out of sight since then. The same shoe in this year's model is a whopping $134. I pretty much have to buy them, though. I've worn the same model shoe for the last couple years, and they just flat work for me. Changing  to a different shoe now would be a bit of a risk. Besides, I've spent so much on shoes at the same New Balance store that I qualify for half price on this pair, so I get off cheap this time.
The mileage on my current shoes is up to 476 after tonight's 7.34 miles, all done on the treadmill. I ran for 70 min., so the pace was 9:33.
It looks like at least one other member of the MRC of KC is planning to run the Rock the Parkway half marathon on April 2, the same one I will be signing up for. Another member is going to volunteer to work the route. We're planning to eat lunch afterward. Last year I ran the race in a cold rain. At the end, lunch was the last thing on my mind. It was all about getting warm and dry.
For the record, I was 10th in my age group in 1:52:45. Not my best half, but not too bad. I hardly think I'll break 2 hours this year, but it'll be a victory if I just finish.