What To Do

Categories

Social Bookmarks

Feeds

Runner's Forum: Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

Bottom of Page

1 to 6 of 6

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdadepoppe
    • CommentTimeDec 18th 2007
     
    dadepoppe
    Hello everyone,

    I am a fairly new runner as I have just taken it up in the last 2 ½ - 3 months.  I love this site and have found lots of valuable information but I struggling with the huge concept of shoes!  When I started out my running program, my drive behind it was to get back my physical fitness, body tone and loose some weight.  I am currently 39, 5’4 and I am down to 135-137 lbs.  When I began I was lucky if I could run 1 mile.  With the program I am on, running 3-4 times a week and alternating short, medium and long runs I just completed my 7 mile long run last night and it felt great!  I love running and I am hoping to do a ½ marathon this summer.  But I am experiencing a few problems.

    When I began my running I went to a running/shoe place to receive some input on shoes.  Came home with a pair and took them back 2 weeks later due to foot pain.  Some other people told me they sold me shoes to small☹.   Tried another store, came home with another pair and returned them 2 weeks later due to foot pain.  I ended up with a $15.99 pair of Champion shoes.  Now as I am approaching the longer distances I am experiencing some slight pain/discomfort on the outside of both of my knees and at the end of my run, when I move into walking to cool down I feel as though my feet are “leaning” toward the inside and I am putting all of my weight on my big toe.  At this point it is still tolerable, but I don’t want to cause damage to my knees that will cause me to stop running.  Is this caused by my shoes? Is this normal and strength will improve as I build? To add to the problem I live in a small town, so all serious shopping is a 35-45 minute drive, one way.  Then to ‘test’ the shoes, they usually require treadmill running only, which seems to cause more problems for me and isn’t any fun.  Then if they don’t work it is a return trip.  I am also on a very very tight budget as I am already working numerous jobs to cover the bills, so I can’t afford to be stuck with a pair of shoes that cause pain, especially an expensive pair of shoes.

    HELP!  Any insight would be greatly appreciated!  I love running and it has made a huge difference in my physical and mental health, along with my energy level.

    Darci
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberKDogg
    • CommentTimeDec 18th 2007
     
    KDogg
    what kind of foot pain were you having with the shoes from the running stores?
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdadepoppe
    • CommentTimeDec 18th 2007
     
    dadepoppe

    Mostly numbness to pain in the ball of my foot and toes. 

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberKDogg
    • CommentTimeDec 18th 2007 edited
     
    KDogg

    I will preface all of this by saying I'm just a regular runner/aspiring coach who works in a running store, so I wouldn't take this as gospel. However, none of my customers have came back and complained about the shoes I have put them in. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is take this for what its worth...some dude on an internet forum posting his opinion on your particular issue.

    Anyway, if I had to guess, I would say you have these shoes, or a model very closely related to them...if this is the case, let me know

    http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41-pt0YPUmL._SS260_.jpg

    The symptoms you are having now with your knee is probably something similar to this:

    http://www.spenco.com/advisor/itband

    If what I know about Champion shoes is correct, then my guess is that those shoes have no support whatsoever. In other words, the shoes allow you to pronate, (see IT band syndrome link above) which in turn, causes your current knee pain. I cannot tell you exactly which shoe you should be using without actually seeing you in person, however after saying that I would guess (mind you, it is a guess) you could probably benefit from something like a Brooks Adrenaline or Mizuno Wave Alchemy if you are feeling IT band problems after running seven miles.

    As far as the foot pain you were feeling when you used the shoes from the running store, I would guess one of two things. 1.) the shoes had TOO MUCH support in them. For example, I am completely neutral (I need no support in my shoes), but in the past I have trained in a shoe with a very low amount of support because I liked the shoe. However, I would find that the ball of my foot would hurt pretty bad the next couple of days after running in that shoe since the shoe would overcorrect my foot strike and push me towards the outside instead of lining me up properly. 2.) The shoes you were sold were the right level of support, but they did not take into account the shape of your foot. A wide footed person should not be wearing an Asics Gel Stratus for example, since the shoe fits very tight, which then causes your toes to be squeezed together and that leads to a pain kind similar to (but not exactly) what you were describing called Morton's Neuroma. This can also be caused if you put an insert into your shoes on top of the current insert, or if you were fit for shoes without your orthodic (if you wear one).

    My thoughts...

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdadepoppe
    • CommentTimeDec 19th 2007
     
    dadepoppe

    Thank you so much for your input.  The information is greatly appreciated.  The first pair of shoes I received were Asics Gel but unsure if they were stratus or how many different types there are in the Asics Gel category.  I will have to find a store and try on the ones you recommend.  I found them online but I will have to see if I can find them in a store with a knowledgeable running shoe person. 

    Thanks again:-) 

  6.  
    RapidoHombre
    I don't know if this will help any Darci.  But I'm the same height as you 10 to 20 pounds lighter.  Last year I was around your weight though.  I've used all kinds of shoes.  This year I bought New Balance 767 after a salesman watched me run.  The guy pegged me right.  I've put over one thousand miles on these shoes outdoors on all kinds of surfaces (pavement, dirt, grass, gravel, ice, snow) and my feet have felt comfortable in them.  I'm using my 2nd pair now.  I decided to buy them after I put over 1,000 miles in my first pair.  They're still in pretty good condition though.  These shoes hold up pretty well compared to other shoes I've owned.  I got lucky and bought mine online and the size I guessed for them works really well too.

1 to 6 of 6

  1.