Running shoes - advice needed
Discussion
I've just started running to help with my overall fitness and lose a bit of weight but I really don't have the right footwear at the moment (fashion style trainers) and its been suggested that they're a contributor to the discomfort I get along the front of one of my shins whilst I'm running. I'm not doing much to start (getting my legs used to being worked and the recovery) but I aim to be doing 8 miles a week (4 x 2 miles) within a few weeks, then upping that further over time until I'm doing 12 miles a week. The route I'm doing at the moment is almost all on pavement, though for about half I have the option to run along the grass (if that makes any difference.)
Having done some googling I found reference to the 'wet test' and I came away with a high arched foot, and the article (which is 7 years old now) recommended 'cushioned' shoes - does this theory still hold up?
Budget wise I'm not looking to spend alot - around £50, though I can stretch to £60 - and am not buying anything off the internet as due to sizing etc I want to try them on prior to buying. Are there any good makes/models to look out for or, or terms that I probably won't be familiar with?
If someone could help with the above I'd be grateful, as whilst googling is teaching me a few things alot of what I've seen appears to be old websites and I'm not sure how much of the advice is still accurate.
Cheers.
Having done some googling I found reference to the 'wet test' and I came away with a high arched foot, and the article (which is 7 years old now) recommended 'cushioned' shoes - does this theory still hold up?
Budget wise I'm not looking to spend alot - around £50, though I can stretch to £60 - and am not buying anything off the internet as due to sizing etc I want to try them on prior to buying. Are there any good makes/models to look out for or, or terms that I probably won't be familiar with?
If someone could help with the above I'd be grateful, as whilst googling is teaching me a few things alot of what I've seen appears to be old websites and I'm not sure how much of the advice is still accurate.
Cheers.
Try and find a proper sports shop (not a JJB or the like). When I started I went to the local 'sweatbox' and the manager (a runner himeself) had me running up and down the shop watching my running style. He recommended a particular type of shoe and had a couple of pairs in my price range. I found the Asics most comfortable for about £65. They lasted a season until I was sure it was something I wanted to keep doing and bought myself something better.
Keep at it. I could only manage a few miles per week when I first started, but 18 months later and I've just run my first marathon.
Cheers.
Keep at it. I could only manage a few miles per week when I first started, but 18 months later and I've just run my first marathon.
Cheers.
Three secrets to running.
1. Footwear
2. Footwear
3. Footwear
The more you weigh the more important this gets. Generally, better costs more. Socks, too. You can get some pretty good advice even in e.g. JJB if you are lucky, but someone more specialist would be better.
ETA- and do get off the hard stuff whenever you can.
1. Footwear
2. Footwear
3. Footwear
The more you weigh the more important this gets. Generally, better costs more. Socks, too. You can get some pretty good advice even in e.g. JJB if you are lucky, but someone more specialist would be better.
ETA- and do get off the hard stuff whenever you can.
Edited by grumbledoak on Friday 25th June 20:58
Having btdt i can give a massive thumbs up for Asics running shoes. Im now jogging/running 5k 4/5 times a week with none of the problems id experienced with my basic trainers. I went for these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Asics-GT-2150-Running-Shoes-... hth
http://running.sweatshop.co.uk/nav/sale/saleshoes/...
Sweatshop are having a big sale at the moment.
I've had two pairs of Asics, and will probably carry on using them. Currently have the 1150s (£50 in the sale on that link) They've been perfect for me, but you might require different trainers, as we all run differently.
If you've got a local Sweatshop store near to you, I'd start there. They were putting up a load of sale signs ready for the sale that starts today, so I'm guessing the internet prices might be close to what you'll pay in store.
alternatively, you can go to the shop, get them to do your gait analysis and tell you what trainers you need, and then make an excuse up for buying them at a later date, but really just go home and buy 'em off the internet.
Sweatshop are having a big sale at the moment.
I've had two pairs of Asics, and will probably carry on using them. Currently have the 1150s (£50 in the sale on that link) They've been perfect for me, but you might require different trainers, as we all run differently.
If you've got a local Sweatshop store near to you, I'd start there. They were putting up a load of sale signs ready for the sale that starts today, so I'm guessing the internet prices might be close to what you'll pay in store.
alternatively, you can go to the shop, get them to do your gait analysis and tell you what trainers you need, and then make an excuse up for buying them at a later date, but really just go home and buy 'em off the internet.
Cheers for the replies. There is a Sweatshop not too far from me, so I'm going to go and check that out today. Theres also another proper sports shop which seems to have a shop focusing on running not too far away, so might check that out afterwards if I don't have much joy.
Hopefully be all sorted today...I don't want to pay through the nose, but if the prices aren't stupidly overpriced compared the the internet (I can check on my phone) then I'll probably buy there and then - I don't mind paying a little extra for the advice I get.
Hopefully be all sorted today...I don't want to pay through the nose, but if the prices aren't stupidly overpriced compared the the internet (I can check on my phone) then I'll probably buy there and then - I don't mind paying a little extra for the advice I get.
I think that a lot of these running shops who carry out the gait analysis just look to lump you into a certain category i.e over-pronator, under-pronator or neutral and just flog you a shoe based on this.
Personally I think this is only doing half a job and potentially not very helpful to those who run regularly or who suffer from related injuries/pains - as I have found out over the last year or so.
Very few people are 'naturally' severe under/over pronators and the vast majority of people who suffer from the likes of shin splints/mtss, IT band, achillies problems, bad backs etc...do so due to biomechanical issues which are caused much higher up the body - and usually around the hips/pelvis - which can usually be sorted out pretty simply with a physio/chiro recommendation for various flexibility and strength exercises.
Its a bit like having a car which keeps wearing tyres out every few hundred miles and just changing the tyres everytime rather than trying to sort out the root cause.
Bit off topic there but I have been to a number of these type of shops with gait analysis over the last few years and invariably they don't IMO seem to be particularly helpful - unless you fall directly into one of the categories.
Personally I think this is only doing half a job and potentially not very helpful to those who run regularly or who suffer from related injuries/pains - as I have found out over the last year or so.
Very few people are 'naturally' severe under/over pronators and the vast majority of people who suffer from the likes of shin splints/mtss, IT band, achillies problems, bad backs etc...do so due to biomechanical issues which are caused much higher up the body - and usually around the hips/pelvis - which can usually be sorted out pretty simply with a physio/chiro recommendation for various flexibility and strength exercises.
Its a bit like having a car which keeps wearing tyres out every few hundred miles and just changing the tyres everytime rather than trying to sort out the root cause.
Bit off topic there but I have been to a number of these type of shops with gait analysis over the last few years and invariably they don't IMO seem to be particularly helpful - unless you fall directly into one of the categories.
Hmmm. I guess I'll have to see how I get on over time.
I popped into my nearest Sweatshop and was quite impressed - there was some gait analysis on a treadmill, and I ended up running up and down the shop in a few different shoes. I expected some sort of, "These should do you and are in your price range, these are slightly more but are SOOO much better..." but price wasn't mentioned at all. After a few lengths of the shop I narrowed it down to two out of preference, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the pair that fitted best and were most comfortable were £60 - a pair of Adidas SNova 2M.
I've just been for a run (chance to try out the shoes and MyTracks) and I've not had any pain from my shins. I'll have to see how I get on over time and if I do start getting problems I might look at an appointment with a physio/chiropodist. So far though I'm pretty pleased.
I popped into my nearest Sweatshop and was quite impressed - there was some gait analysis on a treadmill, and I ended up running up and down the shop in a few different shoes. I expected some sort of, "These should do you and are in your price range, these are slightly more but are SOOO much better..." but price wasn't mentioned at all. After a few lengths of the shop I narrowed it down to two out of preference, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the pair that fitted best and were most comfortable were £60 - a pair of Adidas SNova 2M.
I've just been for a run (chance to try out the shoes and MyTracks) and I've not had any pain from my shins. I'll have to see how I get on over time and if I do start getting problems I might look at an appointment with a physio/chiropodist. So far though I'm pretty pleased.
I'm not a clinician but I do run a sports injury clinic. Whenever we have runners contact us with problems, the physicians & podiatrist always insist on them bringing their running shoes so they can see them. So often footwear is the cause of lower limb problems.
You don't need to have expensive stuff, and it isn't a one make fits all answer. If you get your gait looked at, a good specialist shop will be able to correct or compliment your gait with the right shoes.
Good luck and don't forget to replace your shoes when they start to wear, else your problems might well return!
You don't need to have expensive stuff, and it isn't a one make fits all answer. If you get your gait looked at, a good specialist shop will be able to correct or compliment your gait with the right shoes.
Good luck and don't forget to replace your shoes when they start to wear, else your problems might well return!
Wandering way off topic, but I've been running in Vibram Five Fingers lately. It's taken some time to get used to them and I've had to radically change my running style, not banging down with my heels but trying to land towards the front of my feet. It was difficult but now that I've been doing so for a few weeks it feels great - like running bare-foot. Clearly not for everyone, but an option.
it'll be out of your current budget, but if you continue to struggle save a few pennies and get to see these people
www.profeet.co.uk (Fulham in London)
I had all kinds of problems with my hips and knees running anything over 5 or 6 miles, all fixed with some new shoes and some custom made insoles.
Cost about £200 in total for the lot. (assesment fee, insoles and some asics)
It goes a bit further than a "normal" gait analysis and they have an excellent reputation.
www.profeet.co.uk (Fulham in London)
I had all kinds of problems with my hips and knees running anything over 5 or 6 miles, all fixed with some new shoes and some custom made insoles.
Cost about £200 in total for the lot. (assesment fee, insoles and some asics)
It goes a bit further than a "normal" gait analysis and they have an excellent reputation.
LordGrover said:
Wandering way off topic, but I've been running in Vibram Five Fingers lately. It's taken some time to get used to them and I've had to radically change my running style, not banging down with my heels but trying to land towards the front of my feet. It was difficult but now that I've been doing so for a few weeks it feels great - like running bare-foot. Clearly not for everyone, but an option.
Plus if you ever watch top distance runners like the Kenyans/Ethiopians they never actually land on their heel anyway, people talk about forefoot runnning as if is some amazing new discovery!! (not aimed at you by the way!) we have to land more to the middle of our feet as we run faster as it as our natural way of moving!Tumbler said:
Not sure where you are in the UK, but I had my gait assessed at He Runs She Runs in Bluewater, you run on a treadmill and they video it, then play it back and look at how your foot strikes and releases, they then know how much support the trainer needs to give you.
This.I'm not really a runner, but had issues with leg pain, had my gait analysed at a local specialist. They had all the various running shoes categorised for the different gaits (?), and it made a world of difference.
Did seem rather strange paying a fair wedge for what looked like "regular" trainers (could have got some flashy looking Nikes for the same price), but gosh, do they work!
clonmult said:
Tumbler said:
Not sure where you are in the UK, but I had my gait assessed at He Runs She Runs in Bluewater, you run on a treadmill and they video it, then play it back and look at how your foot strikes and releases, they then know how much support the trainer needs to give you.
This.I'm not really a runner, but had issues with leg pain, had my gait analysed at a local specialist. They had all the various running shoes categorised for the different gaits (?), and it made a world of difference.
Did seem rather strange paying a fair wedge for what looked like "regular" trainers (could have got some flashy looking Nikes for the same price), but gosh, do they work!
Edited by blearyeyedboy on Friday 2nd July 19:47
Edited by blearyeyedboy on Friday 2nd July 19:50
blearyeyedboy said:
clonmult said:
Tumbler said:
Not sure where you are in the UK, but I had my gait assessed at He Runs She Runs in Bluewater, you run on a treadmill and they video it, then play it back and look at how your foot strikes and releases, they then know how much support the trainer needs to give you.
This.I'm not really a runner, but had issues with leg pain, had my gait analysed at a local specialist. They had all the various running shoes categorised for the different gaits (?), and it made a world of difference.
Did seem rather strange paying a fair wedge for what looked like "regular" trainers (could have got some flashy looking Nikes for the same price), but gosh, do they work!
Reckon that my next pair will be the same as the last as well, no stupid flashy colours that half the people seem to wear down the gym. They just *work*.
Miss Pitstop said:
Good luck and don't forget to replace your shoes when they start to wear, else your problems might well return!
When I bought them they mentioned I'm looking at about 500 miles lifespan roughly (or until I can feel the support lessening.) I'm going to see if MyTracks or something similar has a setting to clock up miles, should be a handy reminder.davido140 said:
it'll be out of your current budget, but if you continue to struggle save a few pennies and get to see these people
www.profeet.co.uk (Fulham in London)
Cheers, I've bookmarked that just in case I get problems in the future.www.profeet.co.uk (Fulham in London)
I've been running a few more times since I last posted and so far so good. I'm slowly upping the distance and am about to go out for a 2.5-3 mile run now. The shoes seem to be doing the job nicely. More surprisingly, I'm actually enjoying running for the first time in my life - hopefully it isn't a novelty factor that will wear off.
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