Need advice from runners and joggers about shoes

fitnfreeme

I have two pair of exercise shoes that I purchased on clearance at JCPenney...back in '06 or '07. Having the same old shoes year after year didn't really matter because I used to exercise no more than three or four times a month. One pair was actually still pretty new. I am now on week six of couch to 5K and running my first race in November. I realize I should invest in a better shoe. I have little desire to enter a true "running" shop and get fitted for shoes, but I probably should. What do you guys recommend? How do you know when it is time for a new pair?

Elizabeth_C34

You really should go get fitted. I know you don't want to, but a proper fit for running is really important as it will help prevent injury to your knees, hips, back, and ankles.

AggieCass09

definitely go get properly fitting shoes!

ianwalker1969

Can't go wrong with Merrell, superb shoes.

juliagaughan

Go in and get fitted - absolutely worth it!

Larius

Like others said, get fitted. I prefer Asics brand.

alongo

I got fitted and ended up with these and LOVE them...Obviously, the same may not go for you but definitely get a proper fit, it makes all the difference.

http://www.brooksrunning.com/Brooks-Ghost-3-Womens-Running-Shoe/1200712A320.100,default,pd.html?src=pgooaw_pla&mr:trackingCode=02822BA0-8946-E011-879B-001B2163195C&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&gclid=COeT-fuB3KsCFYpM4Aod9U8FPg

laz22girl

Get fitted!!

laz22girl

Get fitted!!

Nurse_krissy

Go to a running shop. They will have you run maybe 20 ft or so and watch your foot placement. They'll be able to make recommendations from there. Personally, I love my Brooks. Also, when you buy them, take a sharpie and write the date either on the inside or on the medial outer sole (the outside part of the shoe that runs along the inner part of your foot). If you're running every day, replace them about every 6 months, depending on your mileage. If your budget can afford it, I'd suggest buying TWO pairs, rotating them day to day and replacing them both after a year. Good luck!

RAFValentina

I have to agree with the above... getting a good trainer fitted properly could help minimise any chances of getting injured/niggles etc as they can cater for most people biomechanically. For example, some people who have normal arches in their feet can get a neutral base shoe, however those with high or low/collapsed(flat feet) arches will need a different type of footbed. This can massively reduce the impact of the biomechanics in the knees and hips and even back and spine. All your weight acts through your two little feet so this is essential! Once you've done it, you'll definitely be grateful you did. I know I was... made such a change to fitness for me. It used to be painful and I'd spend days recovering from one run and was ALWAYS at the physiotherapist. My physio kept urging me to go, eventually the Air Force made me and OH MY GOD what a difference. I love running now. In fact, I go between 5and 7 days a week, I hate the thought of rest days but know I must rest!


Do it, you could end up regretting it and it could hinder you with your fitness and or weight loss goals if you don't.

allisshiney

Running shoes have a 2 year shelf life....... WHEN YOU ARE NOT WEARING THEM. If you bought a pair of shoes today and stuck them on a shelf over time the plastic hardens. When yoiu are actively using your shoes they should last 500-700km's.

Go get fitted (this is coming from a Running Room employee). It is well worth it.

cmeitz0

This is the advice I give to people: If you go to a running store, you will spend about $120 on shoes and socks (socks are important too - don't wear cotton socks). If you don't go, and your knees or feet start to hurt, you'd probably gladly spend $120 on doctor visits to make the problem go away. So might as well spend the money up front.

I have gone to Fleet Feet stores and a couple others, and never felt like I didn't belong. Most of the shoppers seemed to be novices to running or walking.

tisamg

Yes, go buy new shoes. I usually put off buying new running shoes longer than I should.... and end up with some sort of pain or discomfort... not good. Don't wait until your feet, ankles, knees or hips hurt!

BUT, I don't recommend buying new shoes for the day of the race. You should not try anything new on race day.

I wear Brooks, my running partner wears Saucony. Used to wear Asics... there are tons of good brands out there. The professionals at a running store will help you find the best shoe. I recommend a true RUNNING store, not one of the sporting good stores at the Mall. The clerks in there can't answer any of my questions. After I find a pair that I love, then I just buy them wherever they are on sale until I decide to get fit again.

Good luck on your first 5K!!!! Way to go on tackling such an awesome goal!!!!

p.s. talk to the professional at the Running Shoe store about how long they will last. I usually put 300-400 miles on mine... they will tell you when you should buy a new pair.

klindemoen17

Hello!

I find the best running shoes for me are asics. They are super light weight and comfy! I wore them for a full marathon once and they were wonderful! I tried New Balance and I found them to be really heavy. Some of my friends like Nike but I find those to be too narrow at the toes. You can go to a local running shoe store and get fitted, which is what I did for my marathon but for my most current pair I went to kohls and bought a pair of asics there for 1/3 of the cost as the running store and they work great! Just find one that has good support for where your arch is and is comfy. I think you'll know once you put them on and walk around a little bit. I get new shoes when mine get really worn (example: the material is wearing by the big toe, haha) although sometimes the more worn the better- its nice once they are broken in. Once they loose their "cush" though I want a new pair!

Good Luck on your 5K! way to go!

Cerabell18

While I tend to be a frugal in spending money on almost anything, I will always spend a little more to get a quality pair of running shoes. The right shoes can make a HUGE difference in not only your performance but also in your comfort level. If you have poor quality shoes, or shoes that aren't right for you, you can get many different types of injuries.

I tend to buy new shoes every 200 - 300 miles of running. Depending on the offering available I switch between a few different brands but always get a consultation before purchasing to ensure that they will work for me. I just bought a pair of Mizuno shoes yesterday for road running. I tend to like a more minimal shoe so I also have New Balance Minimus shoes for trail running and a pair of Vibram 5 Fingers for off-road running.

Another great brand is Brooks. They offer a more structured, firm shoe. There are many great shoe brands and going to a running shoe store will help you narrow down to the ones that will work for you.

DiabeticAlien

How would one go about finding a good running store, as I don't know the "names" of any particular ones. I live out in the boonies, in the middle of the middle of nowhere...literally. Closest town is 20 miles, and it's only about 17k population. To get where there are any real big named stores I'll have to drive 70 miles or so. But if I can get a good pair of shoes that help my legs and knees feel better I'll do it.

fiftyandfit

I agree with everyone about getting fitted.

My husband and I went to The Running Store. The trainer aka salesperson spent approximately 30 minutes
with each of us. First watching us walk up and down the corridor in the shop. Then bringing out several
pair of shoes to try, first walking then jogging up and down the same corridor. It was well worth the time and
money well spent not to be in pain while out exercising!

Pam

RAFValentina

Wouldn't entirely agree that cotton socks are bad! I use cotton SPORTS socks which have special parts on them that are kind of looped women so offer more padding. Also has thinner ribbed bits on the top to allow foot to breathe more. Plus they're cheap. My trainers cost about £60 (so about $120) and were bought at Up&Running quite a specialised small chain of running shops in the UK. They did a full gait analysis using cameras and a treadmill downstairs which was really discreet and didn't take forever. and I tried on LOADS of different pairs that we're for people who have flat feet. They are great because they will help you choose a pair suited to your level of training and budget too. I opted for a pair of ASICS GEL 1150s and I have never looked back. On my second pair of them. Have run 500km in them though and can feel they need replacing as they're not quite so "spongy" and floaty to run in on the balls of my feet now! The footbed's memory foam I think is losing it's effect!

This is the advice I give to people: If you go to a running store, you will spend about $120 on shoes and socks (socks are important too - don't wear cotton socks). If you don't go, and your knees or feet start to hurt, you'd probably gladly spend $120 on doctor visits to make the problem go away. So might as well spend the money up front.

I have gone to Fleet Feet stores and a couple others, and never felt like I didn't belong. Most of the shoppers seemed to be novices to running or walking.

JamesBurkes

Another vote for getting fitted!

The last time I ran regularly was when I was 18, 170 lbs and in great shape. But even then, I couldn't run more than 4 miles, 3 times a week without feeling pain in my knees and arches. Recently, some 22 years later and 45 lbs heavier, I decided to have a go at my old 4 mile circuit, fully expecting my knees to be killing me within minutes. However, now I'm wearing shoes that were fitted for me, using a video to determine my running gait (my feet splay out when they're behind me, apparently) and I've been doing this run, twice a week with absolutely no joint discomfort at all, despite the extra weight.

It's DEFINITELY worth doing and they don't cost much more than a shoe you'd pick up off the shelf - mine cost £60 (around $90), and they were worth every penny.

fitnfreeme

Thanks for all of the excellent and helpful comments!! I appreciate all of the good points about preventing injury. It's nice to know there are several good options. I realized my shoes were inadequate on Friday just after the couch to 5K 20 min run. I'm researching running stores near me right now. Thanks for the help!

And thanks to the person who said not o change shoes on race day, but how / when should I transition? Also when I buy real running shoes, can I wear them for other activities like spinning or aerobics, or just running? What about walking?

tisamg

And thanks to the person who said not o change shoes on race day, but how / when should I transition? Also when I buy real running shoes, can I wear them for other activities like spinning or aerobics, or just running? What about walking?
[/quote]

Again, ask the professionals. I usually give myself at least 2-3 weeks in new shoes before I race a long race. I'm running a 1/2 marathon on November 20 and I'm buying new shoes on October 16. I will get at least 4 weeks of training in them before racing. If you find a shoe that you like, you might be able to just buy a 2nd new pair and jump right in, but if it's a new style, you want to make sure that it doesn't cause any blisters or rubbing in the wrong places. That would be a bummer on race day!

I wear my running shoes for all activity, which is probably not good. You will probably be guided to buy at least 1/2 size larger than you wear in a normal shoe since when you run, your foot swells and needs room to spread out. I buy them a full size larger for the longer distances, which gives a lot of room for my foot to slip around during an aerobics class. I guess it just depends on how it feels for you. After I drop $120-150 on a pair of shoes, I kind of want to wear them a lot. :laugh:

unicornassassin

I found out awhile ago what kind of foot I have, and went from there. Here's a guide for you. http://www.zappos.com/running-shoe-fit-guide Personally, I think that's the most important part, knowing if you pronate or supinate or whatever....

Once you know what you're looking for, you don't really need to bother with a sales person. My current pair, I went to a running store and just looked and looked at the bottom of the shoes, and I ended up picking out of Nikes. I was on the Nike website later and discovered a shoe fit tool, and it turned out I'd picked out exactly what the website recommended.

I wear my shoes on the elliptical, which I thought maybe I shouldn't, since I did shell out a lot of money for them. But I discovered that the tread hasn't been wearing down much, so I'm not to worried about wearing them during other activities. BUT I DO ONLY ONLY ONLY ONLY ONLY WEAR THEM AT THE GYM. Never for anything else, ever. I don't even bike home from the gym in them.