My feet are killing me

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Replies

  • AdventureFreak
    AdventureFreak Posts: 236 Member
    I am pretty good size and run pretty hard often. My feet, ankles, and legs hurt often. Use ibuprofen, get massage, elevate your feet at night, get on some joint supplements, ice, and compress often. Get the expensive shoe store to tell you if you pronate or supinate then hit the discount store for a shoe that is right for cheap. Running is hard and jarring and you are older now than when you started reading this so don't hesitate to get your RICE on. I spend at least one weekend night with compression bandages holding ice packs to my ankles on elevated feet while watching a movie even after several years of regular running.
  • cwrig
    cwrig Posts: 190 Member
    $100 is a bargain for the right shoe. Is saving $50 really worth months of pain?

    Buying expensive shoes does not guarantee no pain; but having the wrong shoe will certainly cause problems. Get fitted with the correct shoes, make sure you take rest days and try running on softer surfaces. I switched to a rubberized track for a month and all knee, ankle shin pain went away.

    The combination of correct shoe, softer running surface, taking rest days, and good running form will go a long way to correcting the problem.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    A better way to know if a running shop is hustling you is if they try to sell you insoles. As many others said, $100 is about the going rate for your standard-use trainers. Buy them once from the store and hunt future ones down on Amazon. Shoes are not the thing you want to skimp on, trust me. Running in bargain shoes is what got me $20K worth of taxpayer funded knee surgery 10 years ago. My fitted shoe is pretty darn perfect for me (Mizuno Wave Rider) and the current model I paid $115 for is now $85 because new colors came out. If I give it another month, I could probably snag them for $75.
  • tsimblist
    tsimblist Posts: 206 Member

    Quite honestly, the whole 'changing your gait' thing could be complete overkill. Its very vogue right now, but that doesn't mean its the right thing to do. HIs gait might be fine, you can't tell over the internet. First, change out the crappy shoes. Overhauling your gait in this situation is like buying a new car because you have a flat tire.

    What I find to be complete overkill are expensive shoes. I spent $29.00 plus shipping for my Xero Shoes and they are guaranteed for 5000 miles (yep, that's three zeros).
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    What I find to be complete overkill are expensive shoes. I spent $29.00 plus shipping for my Xero Shoes and they are guaranteed for 5000 miles (yep, that's three zeros).

    F**k that. I've already had reconstructive surgery on my knees and ankles, wasn't fun that time and I don't want to try it again.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member

    Quite honestly, the whole 'changing your gait' thing could be complete overkill. Its very vogue right now, but that doesn't mean its the right thing to do. HIs gait might be fine, you can't tell over the internet. First, change out the crappy shoes. Overhauling your gait in this situation is like buying a new car because you have a flat tire.

    What I find to be complete overkill are expensive shoes. I spent $29.00 plus shipping for my Xero Shoes and they are guaranteed for 5000 miles (yep, that's three zeros).

    That's fantastic for you (that isn't sarcasm). I wanted to do the whole minimalist thing. I've read all about it, I believe there are many people who could benefit from it. Unfortunately, I do not believe it is a one size fits all solution.
    I simply cannot do minimal. My choice is expensive shoes or don't run. I choose expensive. I do not consider it overkill.
  • tsimblist
    tsimblist Posts: 206 Member
    What I find to be complete overkill are expensive shoes. I spent $29.00 plus shipping for my Xero Shoes and they are guaranteed for 5000 miles (yep, that's three zeros).

    F**k that. I've already had reconstructive surgery on my knees and ankles, wasn't fun that time and I don't want to try it again.

    I don't want to try reconstructive surgery either. That's why I've spent the last 6 years focusing on proper running form and the last 2 years barefoot/minimalist shod. Proper form reduces the risk of injury. And barefoot/minimalist reinforces proper form.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member

    Quite honestly, the whole 'changing your gait' thing could be complete overkill. Its very vogue right now, but that doesn't mean its the right thing to do. HIs gait might be fine, you can't tell over the internet. First, change out the crappy shoes. Overhauling your gait in this situation is like buying a new car because you have a flat tire.

    What I find to be complete overkill are expensive shoes. I spent $29.00 plus shipping for my Xero Shoes and they are guaranteed for 5000 miles (yep, that's three zeros).

    That's fantastic for you (that isn't sarcasm). I wanted to do the whole minimalist thing. I've read all about it, I believe there are many people who could benefit from it. Unfortunately, I do not believe it is a one size fits all solution.
    I simply cannot do minimal. My choice is expensive shoes or don't run. I choose expensive. I do not consider it overkill.

    Yup. Running shoes are not a one-size-fits-all thing. I started running long distance in minimalist shoes. They gave me tendonitis. I moved to stability shoes about 5 years ago, got properly fitted, and have not had a running-related injury since. I get re-fitted from time to time, and change shoes depending on goals (different shoes for a 5k road race and a 50 mile trail ultra). I'm not wealthy, but it is absolutely worth it to me to shell out money for shoes in order to avoid physical therapy bills.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    I don't want to try reconstructive surgery either. That's why I've spent the last 6 years focusing on proper running form and the last 2 years barefoot/minimalist shod. Proper form reduces the risk of injury. And barefoot/minimalist reinforces proper form.

    Whilst barefoot shoes encourage proper form it's that vicious circle of getting there. If ones form isn't correct then what encourages improvement is pain, and potentially injury, until it's resolved. Pain, for me, reduced my inclination to run.

    For me, injury free running means a support shoe for road running, and a lower drop trail shoe for trail running. I wouldn't be trying the lower drop without the last 18 months of running in a support shoe.
  • aarnwine2013
    aarnwine2013 Posts: 317 Member
    I'm sorry but the right shoes are a must. I had heel pain and shin pain, got fitted for running shoes, cost me around 130 and I've been pain free since.

    Well until I rolled my ankle this past week, but the right shoes are so important.
  • iLoveMyPitbull1225
    iLoveMyPitbull1225 Posts: 1,690 Member
    You must get the proper shoes... I know the price sucks, but it really is worth the money.

    When I was in high school I ran track and got the worst shin splints. Literally made me cry and have to ice my legs down at night. Once I got the right shoes the shin splints decreased. They watched me run on a treadmill and analyzed how I run and everything to find out what shoes were gonna be beneficial for me because everyone is different and what works for me might not work for you.

    If you invest in the proper pair and wear them only to train, they should last you a long time.
  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    As others have said, you can get cheaper ones. Typically stores will sell last years version for a discount. One thing to remember, in theory you're gonna use these a lot. While price is something to consider don't substitute quality to save a few bucks. I would gladly pay full price for a good pair of shoes if it means not having foot pain and saving trips to the doc/PT.
  • zenrunner1
    zenrunner1 Posts: 12
    As many here have already said, price isn't the only consideration when buying running shoes - they need to be the right shoes for you. Shoes are the only piece of equipment you need for running, and they make a huge difference in how you feel, how you recover, and whether you get injured or not. Age, fitness and weekly mileage certainly affect which shoe you need; but I would never recommend choosing a shoe based only on price.

    I run in the Hoka One One Mafate 2 which sets me back about $150 every three months or so. I am 49 and run 40-50 miles a week. Last year, I decided to try another shoe to save a few bucks, and I ended up with a stress fracture. When I got laid off and had to take a job with a much lower salary, I gave up Starbucks, the nail salon, and coloring my hair so that I could still afford my Hokas - that's how important they are to me!

    By the way, I am amazed at how many people balk at spending $100 on a pair of running shoes; but think nothing of spending that much or more on their cute little color coordinated running outfits!
  • tsimblist
    tsimblist Posts: 206 Member
    Just ran across a good article on the subject of running form and footwear:

    3 Common Misconceptions About Minimalist Footwear and Running Form
    http://naturalrunningcenter.com/2014/07/23/3-commonmisconceptions-footwear-running-form/

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