Running Shoes

gp79

Depending on the shoe store you went to, you could be limited to only a few shoe models.

Do research online. Look for a lighter shoe, under 10 oz with a mild toe to heel drop. Maybe 4 - 8mm?

Buy several pairs, try them on around the house. Return the ones you don't want / like.

Zappos has a decent return policy and this is how I go about finding a pair of shoes I like.

jillybeanruns

Sometimes, it's not just the type of show, but it's the shoe size that makes a difference. I used to have a ton of different issues when running, but then went to a store with certified orthopedists on staff. What they discovered is that I have a very long arch and needed to wear a larger shoe to accommodate that. Normally I'd wear a 9 or 9.5. Now a wear a 10.5 in running shoes and I've not had any problems, since! Like many other posters, I'm a big fan of Asics and, especially if you are doing a lot of running, it does make a difference if you pay a bit more for the mid- to high-end shoes. Good luck! I hope you find the right shoes for you!!

Are you talking about a pedorthist? Not the same thing as an orthopedist. I used to go to a running store that had one. Not a doctor, just a certified footwear specialist (so to speak). She was very helpful however.

scottb81

To the original question: I recommend Brooks Pure Connect, inexpensive around $85, 4mm heel to toe drop, lightweight at 7oz, and durable - 850 miles on mine so far and still going strong.

They fit a little different than most shoes so if you think about getting a pair make sure to try them on and run a little in the store to see if they work for you. I also had to buy a full size larger than I normally wear.

NoSpandex

I agree with checking the size, although they should have properly fit you at the running store. At Fleet Feet they discovered that I have an extra long arch, so I wear 1 1/2 size bigger in running shoes than dress shoes. I also have a foot that is wide at the ball (C) and narrow at the heel (AA), so they put me in Saucony's, and I have never found a brand that fits my particular foot better. They also should have told you whether you need neutral or stability. All of that can make a great difference.

TKHappy

I used to heel strike and I used to get a lot of aches and pains. Once I really began to focus on my form and how my foot hit the ground along with my stride...the pains started to cease! I did get new shoes too for long runs I use my Brooks, other than that I alternate between my On Cloudrunners and Asics, I also bought a pair of New Balance Minimalist shoes that I will try on very short runs til my muscles adjust to them! My favorite so far are Brooks though!

dad106

I started in Nike Free Run.. and they are a good shoe, but very minimalist and the support goes out quick.

Recently bought Asics Nimbus 12, and they are wonderful.. I've had no problems what so ever since buying them.

I'm also a mid-foot striker and not a heel-striker.. so take that into consideration.

camrunner

As for the Newtons, I put them in the gimmick category right beside Sketcher's Shape Ups.

Any particular reason? I absolutely love mine, as you may have noticed in the myriad other shoe threads. My story is similar enough to MarineCodie's that I don't really see the need to elaborate right now.

I kind of mention it in my previous post. The shoe is attempting to make changes to the way you foot strike. It's is designed to make you run the way you are supposed to run to begin with. Why not use form drills and cadence work to achieve the same results. It's a lot less expensive and it's more sustainable. Once you have trained your body to run the correct way, you can start to wear less and less shoe if you want to. I don't know the answer to this, but I think it would be very difficult to go from a Newton shoe to a minimalist shoe of any kind, like a racing flat for example. The body is expecting the shoe to do the work and when it's not there to do it...I don't know. What IS going to happen?

But again, if it works for you or someone else, that's wonderful. I wouldn't deny anyone the joy of running.

That's an interesting question, I suppose. I'll probably find out someday. Newton does make minimalist shoes, though... well, down to about 6 oz. apparently. I wear a size 15, so my shoes are never going to be very light, and it's not something I give a whole lot of thought to. Hell, some companies don't even make my size (Skora for example.) I was and continue to be more concerned with just being able to run without hurting myself, and I've been able to do that since I started wearing this kind of shoe. I think Rach is in a similar position, and maybe having a more substantial shoe would help? They're fairly thick in the sole, but I don't think that necessarily has to be a bad thing. It's made of different stuff than your typical thick-heeled running shoe is.

When I first went to Charm City Run and they told me about Newtons, I was like "yeah, right, I'm never buying those." But they talked me into coming to a natural running symposium Newton was hosting (and I was really lucky to catch them in Baltimore, I guess) where we did drills and there were demo Newtons of every size available for people to try out, including running around the city, not just the store. Lo' and behold, I won a free pair in a raffle. I was blown away from the moment I first put them on and I've since bought a second pair for some of the muddier trails around here. So that's the serendipitous story of how I went from skeptic to believer.

CarsonRuns

That's an interesting question, I suppose. I'll probably find out someday. Newton does make minimalist shoes, though... well, down to about 6 oz. apparently. I wear a size 15, so my shoes are never going to be very light, and it's not something I give a whole lot of thought to. Hell, some companies don't even make my size (Skora for example.) I was and continue to be more concerned with just being able to run without hurting myself, and I've been able to do that since I started wearing this kind of shoe. I think Rach is in a similar position, and maybe having a more substantial shoe would help? They're fairly thick in the sole, but I don't think that necessarily has to be a bad thing. It's made of different stuff than your typical thick-heeled running shoe is.

When I first went to Charm City Run and they told me about Newtons, I was like "yeah, right, I'm never buying those." But they talked me into coming to a natural running symposium Newton was hosting (and I was really lucky to catch them in Baltimore, I guess) where we did drills and there were demo Newtons of every size available for people to try out, including running around the city, not just the store. Lo' and behold, I won a free pair in a raffle. I was blown away from the moment I first put them on and I've since bought a second pair for some of the muddier trails around here. So that's the serendipitous story of how I went from skeptic to believer.

Quite serendipitous! I'm happy to hear it's working for you.

On another note, there is only one Charm City that I know of, and I live there too.

jtslim42

I am a neutral heel striker( I was fitted) and they recommended Brooks shoes. Since then i have been wearing the mid soles of the shoes down when i run. I am also currently training for a 1/2 marathon. I definitely suggest getting fitted though. :drinker:

livestar

Pounds, ounces, kilos, whatever.

Lightness of shoes is key in the two varieties mentioned is what I was told.

viki_88

I've worked up to doing a 5k run every day in my "barefoot running" shoes. I have a pair of the Vibram Fivefingers Bikila shoes. I love them now, but I had to work up to running any distance in them. They are basically just a glove for your feet and offer little or no arch support or ankle support. So the switch hurt at first because my feet had to get used to doing all the work without support. But now my feet feel so much stronger in them already. I don't have any pain when I run anymore!

I do mostly trail runs in my fivefingers and have no problems with grip and navigating obstacles.I found that my gait changed quite a bit with these shoes too. I used to be a heel striker, but now I land mid foot and push off on the balls of my feet. But i'm not sure if my gait changed because of my shoes or the fact that I started trail running.

redhousecat

have you tried doing a little training in Minimalist shoes?

Capt_Apollo

new balance minimus. i have them and love them. helped out with the mid-foot striking which i love now. first run i over thank it though, and ended up pretty much running on my toes and killed my calves.

\second run i just kind of ran without remembering "ok, land on the balls of your feet," and i felt great.

WendyTerry420

http://foothealth.about.com/od/exercisefeet/ss/ShinSplintExerc.htm

Skinny_Jeans_Soon

I went today to Run On with the exact same question. They recommeded these. I tried them on and you can tell they will make a difference with heel strike.

http://www.brooksrunning.com/Brooks-PureCadence/120104,default,pd.html

SteveMoto

Last month I bought a pair of Brooks Glycerin 9's from Zappos.com in my exact size. They're for neutral/under-pronators. They stretched about a quarter size and are ideal for me in many of the ways that you'd read in the online reviews at Zappos. I'm not a heel striker but they do have a slightly rounded heel so I also use them for walking and they're just as fantastic! Cloud like with control. I'm really sure they have a line for over-pronators as well and you can search Zappos for either "under pronation" or "over pronation". I put about 25 miles on mine every week.

Good luck!