Shin and ankle pains in new new stability shoes

RohanParti

Hi,

I have just started training for the marathon, and was running in my old Nike free trainer 5.0. But I had huge amount of ankle and heel pains after running for about 25km in 4 days.

Since I have flat feet and the shoes are also old, I went to a shoe specialist and they recommended I go for stability shoes and recommended the ADIDAS SUPERNOVA BOOST 8.

So I went for run in them for the first time today. During the run, it felt really strange (obviously because of these shoes being really different from the Nike frees), but near the 5 km mark my shins and ankles (specially right one) started paining and I had to stop. But as I began walking the pains just disappeared.

Is it normal for one to experience something like this when moving to stability shoes? Or should I return them! Thanks in advance!!!

lorrpb

You might call the store manager & see what they say. I don't know about these shoes, but I personally wouldn't take much of a risk.
I've been fitted incorrectly by a reputable running shoe store twice!

Queen_JessieA

Stability shoes were recommended for me and did the same thing!! They had me in Brooks. I am flat footed (major...NO arch whatsoever). Look into motion control as well (these were better for me). Go to a running shoe store, try on shoes and get on a treadmill there and try them out.

MeanderingMammal

RohanParti wrote: »

I have just started training for the marathon, and was running in my old Nike free trainer 5.0. But I had huge amount of ankle and heel pains after running for about 25km in 4 days.

So it would be helpful to understand where you're starting from.

Essentially, was that 25km in 4 days an unusual amount of mileage for you? What's your weekly mileage, how is that split up and how long have you been running?

Since I have flat feet and the shoes are also old, I went to a shoe specialist and they recommended I go for stability shoes and recommended the ADIDAS SUPERNOVA BOOST 8.

Moving from Frees to Boost is a big change, and I'm a little surprised by it. Again this might reflect your history, because if you've not been having any issues with the lighter shoe then a move to a stability shoe doesn't seem particularly justified.

Is it normal for one to experience something like this when moving to stability shoes? Or should I return them! Thanks in advance!!!

The shoe will be much heavier, and stiffer than you're used to, so it's no surprise that you've got some discomfort.

Personally if I'm bringing a new shoe into the pattern I'll start with short runs of up to 10k until I'm used to it, before using it on longer runs.

All that said I've never bothered much with gait analysis, so whilst it's useful if you're having difficulties I'm not generally a big fan of going and getting it if you don't feel the need.

socalrunner59

I never buy a shoe that is recommend by anyone--that means the shoe salesman, best friend, spouse. Fit and comfort is unique to the individual. The shoe that works for the salesman, doesn't necessarily work for the customer.

Always keep in mind that profit margin is the basis for nearly all shoe recommendations--the store is there to make money. They will push the products with the highest profit margin.

Since you purchased a stability shoe, I'm assuming you have some pronation.

I'd would take the shoes back and tell the manager their recommendation was a very bad fit.

Most stores won't refund, only exchange.

Ask to try on every shoe, in every brand in a neutral, stability, and motion control.

Here's how I try on shoes

1. Bring socks that I actually run in--I never use socks from the store
2. Slide on shoe
3. Tap heel on floor to push my heel back into the shoe's heel cup
4. Lace the shoe as I prefer, not how the store salesman laces shoes
5. Stand
6. Starting from the heel, evaluate the fit
7. Does heel cup fit properly. Is it too deep, too shallow, too narrow, too wide?
8. How is overall volume from sole to collar? Does collar come up too high, too low, rub?
9. Next evaluate the arch. Is arch support positioned too far forward, too far back, too low, too high?
10. Is arch support too soft, too hard?
11. Next evaluate the toebox. Is the toebox too narrow, too wide, to shallow, too loose?
12. Is there room in toebox to allow for feet swelling? Can I wiggle my toes?

I start walking around in the shoe to feel for:
1. Stability. Is my foot adequately supported, is my foot rolling?
2. Flexibility. Does the shoe have stiff points, rub spots, is shoe too stiff, too flexible?
3. Pressure points, does the upper of the shoe press down on the metatarsals, the instep?
4. Does the footbed feel comfortable?
5. Does the heel cup fit? Is my heel slipping out of the heel cup, is it too stiff?
6. Weight, is the shoe too heavy?
7. Length, is the shoe too long, too short?

The salesman has no way to evaluate a shoe on my foot--only I can do that.

DancingMoosie

I have nike frees and also Mizuno Inspire. I believe the inspire is a light stability shoe. I don't have a problem switching between these two styles. However, you should take some time to walk around and do shorter runs in any new shoe, to break them in, before longer runs(IMO). Did you try them on and walk/run in the store for the specialist to look at how you moved in them?

MeanderingMammal

socalrunner59 wrote: »

Always keep in mind that profit margin is the basis for nearly all shoe recommendations--the store is there to make money. They will push the products with the highest profit margin.

Tinfoil hat much...

Decent stores will sell on the basis of ongoing viability, and selling the wrong shoes isn't going to help with that.

What I would observe is that range in some stores is quite limited, which does tend to mean more expensive options.

RogerToo

Hi
FWIW have You considered going to a foot specialist, not a shoe specialist. I know someone that had problems with their feet and they ended up with custom made for them shoes and were good to go after that. Not a cheap route, however worth it to be pain free IMO.

FWIW they were not Good looking or stylish but they really helped him.

Good Luck
Roger

pomegranatecloud

Return them, and try on more shoes. The shoes don't fit you right. You shouldn't be getting shin splits or ankle pain. If you find a shoe that is comfortable be sure to run on the treadmill in the store for more than a few minutes to make sure it fits. If the shoes you're trying on feel weird or don't fit be upfront about that. While fitting is great for a lot of people, it's not an end all be all. Some stores and employees are much better than others at helping with fittings. I have flat feet, and when I get fitted I always get put into stability and motion control shoes with too much support for me, are uncomfortable, and always cause pain after a few miles. Any shoes with more than minimal arch support really bother me. Since I switched back to more minimalist shoes, my previous injuries and pain have subsided. Now when I buy shoes, I am upfront about what works for me and what I do not want.