Help I made a mistake in what shoes I purchased!

Laural7

ok I just bought a new pair of shoes I've worn out my old friends but I stayed with Merrell because they work the best so far for my feet. Here's the issue I managed to buy 4mm drop vs my old guys were a standard 12mm drop. HOLY CRAP IT HURTS. I've tried doing 1/2 my work out in the new ones and finishing in my old guys this past week but that just makes me feel super clumsy and out of balance in both. Do I just suck it up and cry? are there stretches I should be doing besides the heel drop on the stairs trick? I like the way my gait/stride is in the new shoes vs my old ones but oh my damn my whole lower leg is on fire. Anyone have tips, tricks, done this before?

DX2JX2

Adjust slowly but don't push too much. If you find yourself struggling, ditch them and go back to a larger drop. If you don't gradually adjust your biomechanics or have a physiology that can't deal with a zero drop for some reason, you could easily injure yourself by trying to adjust too quickly or by trying to push through the pain.

deannalfisher

Lower drop will take time to adjust to - when you make a large change - I start running maybe .5m in new shoes, rest in old and slowly increase distance; plus lots of calf stretches

Lynzdee18

I have no idea. But I understand.

I'm learning to run. I had a comfy pair of New Balance that I loved. They were pounded out so my husband advised me to get a new pair. The clerk in the sports store was an 'expert' who convinced me I needed a different design. 250$ later I've got a heavy, hard, uncomfy pair that make my everything ache. I've gone back to my old favourites to heal the blisters on my heels. Goodness I hate that clerk. And I've got to be ready for two big runs the end of October and first week of December. I hate myself for listening to him.

Cherimoose

Where do you feel it - your shins? Achilles tendon? calves? And what exactly does your workout involve?

Laural7

Hamstrings some but mainly the muscles on both side of my shins are sore for days. I have been running/walking trying to get better for a 5k this fall. I found one person online who posted a "transition" workout so I've been jogging 1min walking 1min and when the pain. stops move to jog 3min walk 1 min and progressively increase time jogging.

I honestly thought I was buying the same pair I had (old faithfuls were amazing) in a different color, silly me should have checked closer.

Laural7

lynzdee18 that sucks not going to lie I would be back in the store with the manager telling them about the experience (politely) but it sounds like he was trying to make a sale vs find a solution for you. which means short term gain vs repeat customer.

dewd2

If you got them at a local specialty running store they will no doubt exchange them. Of course if you got them they should have warned you about the difference (if they did not then they really need to exchange them).

VeronicaA76

Bad shoes suck! That's why I am the weirdo that tries on every single pair at a store they have in my size. If they are causing you pain see if you can return them.

TavistockToad

I agree with taking them back

BrianSharpe

8mm doesn't sound like much but it's a big change in drop, were they aware that you were going from a 12mm drop where you bought them?

If you decide you want to keep them make the transition gradually, keep the runs with your new shoes short and slow to give yourself time to adapt. You may also want to focus a little more on strengthening you calves and hips/glutes.

Personally, if they were causing me pain I'd try to return them. I tend to stick with the same brand / model as long as I can even if it means tracking down ones that are 2 or 3 iterations old ( I treat a new version as a new shoe, a couple of years ago my old standby changed from a 12mm drop to 10 and my right Achilles tendon let me know all about it....)

MeanderingMammal

Laural7 wrote: »

ok I just bought a new pair of shoes I've worn out my old friends but I stayed with Merrell because they work the best so far for my feet. Here's the issue I managed to buy 4mm drop vs my old guys were a standard 12mm drop. HOLY CRAP IT HURTS. I've tried doing 1/2 my work out in the new ones and finishing in my old guys this past week but that just makes me feel super clumsy and out of balance in both. Do I just suck it up and cry? are there stretches I should be doing besides the heel drop on the stairs trick? I like the way my gait/stride is in the new shoes vs my old ones but oh my damn my whole lower leg is on fire. Anyone have tips, tricks, done this before?

That's a significant change, but just needs transition. Personally I much prefer 3-4 mm drop for trail shoes, and 4-6 for road shoes. The biggest issue for you is that the transition places significant stress on your achilles, which can lead to tendonopathy if you're not careful.

Wind back your volume, and as you're doing split your use of shoes, gradually increasing your life drop mileage.

Laural7

Thanks guys! I am going to try wearing them as my cool down for a while and gradually try to do more in them. In the store they were super comfortable it's right about that 1.5mile mark and the day after that things become torture. Figure Il'll up my rowing distance and lower my running.

minniestar55

I purchased shoes in Feb on a friend's recommendation & they trashed my knees, particularly my right knee. It's taken me 4 months of intensive physio to get back to where I was & I am only now starting to jog again. Lesson learned to be super cautious about my shoes.