Runners please advise me!

Did you get fitted in a specialist running shop for your trainers? If not, then I'd say that's what you need to do. Get your gait analysed, and your shoe properly fitted.

I do wear about a half size larger than my current shoe size in a running show.

^^ this ^^

Any and all of this could just be attributed to the shoe that you have chosen. If you are new to running, go to a "RUNNING" store and seek the advise of a person at the store who is a runner. They can look at your stride, your strike, your posture and overall style and lead you down a path to "seek" the right shoe for you. If you are new to this you should try MANY different types of shoes by different makers. Eventually you will find the one for you and your specific style.

It's totally possible that your feet are different sizes, even different shapes! That's why, like the others have said, it's important to get help from someone who knows their stuff when buying running shoes. Good luck!

I think it's possible that experiences *other* than black toenails might be associated with small shoes... And of course 'too tight' might be width as much as length.

If you're going to run in shoes (as opposed to barefoot like kyitke), get your gait analysed and your feet measured. I've had similar pain to the one that you're describing, and sorting my shoes was a very important aspect of dealing with the pain.

If you go to a good shop, they'll stick you on a treadmill and video your footfall, to judge the degree to which your foot is rolling. They'll try you in a good range of shoes, and they'll check the fitting of each as well as the impact on the way your run.

My running shoes are almost always a half size larger, depending on the brand. I also found it helpful to use ones that are breathable instead of overly padded.

I think the answer here lies in the fact that you are new to running. People have been buying running shoes for decades without gait analysis so I wouldnt look at that as the solution.

Your shoes should be comfortable, although like any shoes there may be some breaking in required. Most of us have a bias to one side that may explain why you only get pain on one side - who knows. Stick with the plan but dont push through any bad pain and you will likely be ok.

"People have been living on fast food for for decades, so I wouldn't look at that for a solution..."
"People have been vitamin D deficient for decades, so I wouldn't look at that for a solution..."

People have done lots of things for years. Some of them are good ideas, others simply the result of ignorance or misunderstanding. In the case of gait analysis, how can it possibly be a bad idea to get a someone to figure out what your problems are and recommend ways to correct them? Over and under pronation are classic causes of shin splints, correct the cause and the pain goes away. Correct sizing is a classic fix for toe pain, again relief can be nearly instant. Over training can cause both conditions of course, but someone properly following c25k isn't likely to be over training. It's a pretty gentle intro.

I think the answer here lies in the fact that you are new to running. People have been buying running shoes for decades without gait analysis so I wouldnt look at that as the solution.

Your shoes should be comfortable, although like any shoes there may be some breaking in required. Most of us have a bias to one side that may explain why you only get pain on one side - who knows. Stick with the plan but dont push through any bad pain and you will likely be ok.

"People have been living on fast food for for decades, so I wouldn't look at that for a solution..."
"People have been vitamin D deficient for decades, so I wouldn't look at that for a solution..."

People have done lots of things for years. Some of them are good ideas, others simply the result of ignorance or misunderstanding. In the case of gait analysis, how can it possibly be a bad idea to get a someone to figure out what your problems are and recommend ways to correct them? Over and under pronation are classic causes of shin splints, correct the cause and the pain goes away. Correct sizing is a classic fix for toe pain, again relief can be nearly instant. Over training can cause both conditions of course, but someone properly following c25k isn't likely to be over training. It's a pretty gentle intro.

Exactly where did i say gait analysis was a "bad idea". Who knows what that most likely solution to the poster's problem is. But given we know they have just started running it sounds pretty reasonable to me to suggest that as a cause. Therefore working through that is a good first step rather than running (limping?) back to the shoe-shop!

Shoes are important, but it might also be form. Try watching videos on running form and pay attention to how you run. I know when I run for longer (ie, get tired and lazy at the end) I get sloppy and my right shin hurts.

I'm not sure if form can overcome bad shoes, but I don't think good shoes can overcome bad form...

I think the answer here lies in the fact that you are new to running. People have been buying running shoes for decades without gait analysis so I wouldnt look at that as the solution.

Your shoes should be comfortable, although like any shoes there may be some breaking in required. Most of us have a bias to one side that may explain why you only get pain on one side - who knows. Stick with the plan but dont push through any bad pain and you will likely be ok.

If you are properly fit for running shoes, there should not be a "break in" period for today's shoes. If the shoes are not comfortable from the first run then they are not the right shoe. A comfortable shoe is one the fits right when you are running in them, not standing, getting fitted at a running store where this is assessed is the best way to do this, otherwise it is just trial and error (and more pain than needed) to find out if you picked the right ones. Running through pain caused by building endurance and strength is one thing, running through pain caused by the wrong shoe, when you can control that, is just silly.

Like what others have said, I would go to a run store to be fitted on the type of running shoe that you need. Most runners go a bigger in shoe to prevent black toe nails and provide extra room for swelling. My shoe size is an 8 regular(maybe wide in some shoes). In running shoes, I usually go to an 8 1/2 wide because a lot of run shoes are more narrow. Recently I switched to a Brooks shoe and I have to go to a 9 wide, because the shoe itself is made a little shorter in the toe box. You need to shop around and try on different shoes from each brand to see what works for you.

Because "corrective" running shoes may cause or exacerbate form deficiencies. That's why people believe that highly cushioned running shoes may be damaging or at least not beneficial. I don't think this is the appropriate place to start this discussion but since the question was asked (disingenuously?) I feel that someone should respond.

Here is a video of what I mean. This is not supposed to be some kind of irrefutable proof that corrective shoes are bad; it's just a small clip that should illustrate what I mean when I say that a runner's form may be damaged by the use of cushioned shoes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9itkEkcQ8WM

It seems like every time someone says they're sore the first response on here is to get analyzed and buy (several?) new shoes. Running is so terribly upper-middle class...

And just for the record I wear shoes...

"Running is so terribly upper-middle class..." I don't think that's very fair. At "normal people" (say under 200 miles a month) mileage you can wear the same pair of shoes for 6 months or more; and they usually cost between $100-$150 a pair. Shoes are really the only serious investment you need for the sport. Name me another sport you can participate in at $25 month (on the very outside). Sure you *can* spend a lot more, but even with a full complement of fashion and gadgets you'd be hard pressed to spend more than $1000 a year on gear. That won't even get you a halfway decent bike, let alone gadgets for it or clothes to wear riding it.

I'll agree that there is an argument for corrective shoes exacerbating gait problems, but I think at this point most of the research leans towards them doing more good than harm. Ignoring the whole argument for the moment though, it seems likely that the OP was completely unaware of the importance of gait or unique running fit requirements when she selected her shoes. While there might be some argument that wearing shoes designed to correct over pronation is not great when you have over pronation, they're *certainly* bad if you actually under pronate and had no idea when you bought the shoes that such words even exist.

The fact is that most running shoes out there right now, especially the one sold at big box stores, are designed for some specific gait. While there might be some argument for minimalist shoes, she probably doesn't have those. She most likely has main stream running shoes designed to work for some specific gait, and if she has the wrong ones it's worse than either minimalist non-correcting shoes or correcting shoes that at least work with her instead of against her.

I have started doing couch to 5k, and have bought trainers in my normal shoes size (3). I have been getting pain in my left leg and toes, although the right foot and leg is fine. I read recently that you should buy running shoes a size bigger than your normal shoes. Do you think this is the reason for my pain? If so, why only one leg/ foot? Any advice? Thankyou....x

My running store fitted me with a 1/2 size bigger than my normal shoes. But it could also be your gait, stride.

madmickie - I don't see how your sore arms would be relevant to a conversation about shoes.... Not really much of an analogy, is it?

To the OP - glad you got the toe sorted out. So at least some of the discomfort sounds like it was shoe linked.

It's possible the leg pain is the ordinary ache of new running. It's also possible that, if your toes were scrunched up, that's been messing with your movement and caused a bit of strain. I'd give it a little time to see how you settle now. If the pain gets worse, if it gets bad enough to make you feel you can't run through it, then it's important to have another think.

I also get more of particular aches down one side or the other - that's not unusual. Our bodies are assymetrical, so it makes sense that our pain might also be a bit lopsided.

meerkat - I can't help you if you can't see the relevance. I am glad you agree with me otherwise though.

Ah yes. It's me that's too thick to follow the link, obviously. :-D It's a wonder I make it through the day, really.

I don't think I *did* agree with you. But hey, not helping the OP labouring that point.