Running Shoes

teampugador
teampugador Posts: 49
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm getting ready to start training for a half marathon in September. It has been a long time since I ran long distance so I need to start with walking and work my way up gradually. Do I need running shoes now or should I wait until I actually start jogging/running?

Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • EdTheGinge
    EdTheGinge Posts: 1,616 Member
    I'd get them now, that way you'll have them well and truly broken-in by the time you get around to jogging. Good shoes are required for any form of foot based exercise even walking :)
  • AMNimlos
    AMNimlos Posts: 34 Member
    I used to work at a running specialty store and you want to get them NOW. mainly because wearing the wrong shoes can cause injuries (not necessarily tearing something, but things like shin splints and runner's knee) as you get started, and then you won't be able to run at all! It'll also give you a chance to break them in, as Ed says. You never know when you might want to start jogging a little bit, and so it's better to be prepared with the right shoes. Otherwise you might be tempted to run in bad shoes. Plus, running shoes make excellent walking shoes! So there only positives. But make sure you go to a running specialty store, not Modell's or Sports Authority, because you'll want to get the right shoe for you. They are all made a little different and it can be hard to tell what's best for you.
  • teampugador
    teampugador Posts: 49
    I used to work at a running specialty store and you want to get them NOW. mainly because wearing the wrong shoes can cause injuries (not necessarily tearing something, but things like shin splints and runner's knee) as you get started, and then you won't be able to run at all! It'll also give you a chance to break them in, as Ed says. You never know when you might want to start jogging a little bit, and so it's better to be prepared with the right shoes. Otherwise you might be tempted to run in bad shoes. Plus, running shoes make excellent walking shoes! So there only positives. But make sure you go to a running specialty store, not Modell's or Sports Authority, because you'll want to get the right shoe for you. They are all made a little different and it can be hard to tell what's best for you.

    Thanks to both of you!

    Yes I'm going to a local running store. From what I understand they videotape the person on a treadmill to help determine what kind of shoe is needed.
  • maybeazure
    maybeazure Posts: 301 Member
    Get them now, for sure. You don't want to get injured, and in my opinion, running shoes work fine for walking too. You'll be walking a lot at first I imagine. I agree with going to the specialty running store, but while you are there one shoe you might want to try is ASICS GEL-Kayano. It has a lot of stability and cushioning, which you'll want since you are a little heavier than the average runner (as am I).
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    Get them now, for sure. You don't want to get injured, and in my opinion, running shoes work fine for walking too. You'll be walking a lot at first I imagine. I agree with going to the specialty running store, but while you are there one shoe you might want to try is ASICS GEL-Kayano. It has a lot of stability and cushioning, which you'll want since you are a little heavier than the average runner (as am I).

    The bolded portion is the exact reason why they do gait analysis rather than look at a person and pull a certain shoe off the shelf and send them on their way. There are people of all sizes who benefit from a stability shoe or a cushioned shoe .... just as there are people of all sizes that are better suited by a more minimalist or neutral shoe. Skinny or fat is much less of a factor than stride, foot impact, and the rest of a person's biomechanics.
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,288 Member
    I did my 1/2 in vibram 5 finger shoes. it is a process to get used to them, haven't worn tennis shoes since. but if you are going to use tennis shoes, you definitely want good running shoes.

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