We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
Beginner runner, need motivation & advice!
Mandilmommy
Posts: 8 Member
Hi everyone. My name is Beatrice, I'm a stay at home mom with an almost 3 year old boy. You'd think I run enough just having him but nope. I've never been very active with exercising or running/jogging so I'm EXTREMELY NEW to this. I just started about a week ago & am going by a running program/app to get into the groove of it. I've been told I don't have good running shoes & my heels have actually been hurting so I agree. What are the best running shoes? Any tips on getting started with running? Thanks!
1
Replies
-
As far as shoes go, I'd choose a running shoe by a reputable athletic company.
Brooks are almost always a good start, unless you are looking at a minimal type shoe, in that case I like Inov8. Brooks has a guarantee where if they aren't to your liking, they take 'em back. Not many companies will take your muddy, worn shoes back. Brooks has a shoe finder online too.
This group LOVES shoes!0 -
I'd recommend that someone new to running find a local running store and have the staff do a gait analysis to recommend what kind of shoes to get. Most likely, you'll get 2 or 3 models to choose from. Try them on, and see what you like best.
The thing is, if there were one clearly best way to build a running shoe they'd all be very similar. They aren't, because different runners need different things in a running shoe. The puzzle is to find out what will work well for you as an individual. If you ask several experienced runners what they wear, you will get a variety of answers with some contradiction. No solution works well for everyone.4 -
@Mandilmommy Good advice from Moby and Elise. Definitely get a gait analysis. The first time I went to a True Running Speciality Store the first thing they had me do was a bare foot walk across the floor and then a bare foot run on the treadmill. Looking at the comparison video between walking and running you could clearly see me rolling in the left ankle - right ankle was more stable. They then had me try on shoes, probably a dozen pairs of shoes - walking around in the store getting the feel of the shoe - Toe room, heel stability, heel lift, pinching etc. I came out of the walk test with 4-5 pairs, I then went back to the shoes and did a short run on the treadmill. When I was done I had 2 pairs that were equal in my mind. Went home with one pair and kept the other pair in my mind. I did eventually buy them. The first model I bought is still my favorite Day to Day running shoe, The second pair is my favorite Race Shoe. Can't really explain it - think of your favorite pair of jeans - you might have 3 pairs of the same model but one is the Favorite.
I have tried other models but keep coming back to my favorite ones.
If you see a sale on last years models it is a good way to save a few dollars especially early in your running.
Never let a sales person talk you into a shoe that doesn't feel right - walk away and find a different store.
You have to realize as a man I usually am in/out of a store in 10 mins or less so to spend over an Hour in a store was a major effort for me, but well worth it.3
This discussion has been closed.