Stuff about running shoes

kshadows
kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So, I know the recommendation is go out, get fitted, have perfect shoes.

I live in the middle of nowhere but I went in to a locally owned shoe store and the owner (who is older but still an avid runner) helped me try on a few pairs and test them out and I ended up with a pair of New Balance 940. I like them and they're great but lately I've been getting soreness in the ball of my foot after my run, and in the arch of my foot about half way through my run. It's a 2 hour drive to go to an actual running store (and I DO plan to do it, I just don't have the time right now). How do you know what type of shoes you have? Stability/cushioning/minimal...he never told me what they were, he just said here, these are going to be great for you and in all honesty, they were....until recently.

I'd like to at least browse options online but I have no idea what to even look for...

Replies

  • lizzardsm
    lizzardsm Posts: 271 Member
    My experience has been that at a good running store, they'll sort that out for you. They should watch you run to examine your gait, any sort of pronation, etc and will make some recommendations.
  • Laura732
    Laura732 Posts: 244 Member
    1) Take the shoes with you 2) You should be able to look up the shoe by model number on New Balance's web site. The soreness could be due to any number of things. You may also want to search the Runners World and/or Natural Running Center's sites for articles on those types of aches and pains. Remedies could be as simple as you could just need to lace up the shoe differently so it doesn't move around or on the other end of the spectrum you may need to pay more attention to your form and foot strike.
  • boredlimodriver
    boredlimodriver Posts: 264 Member
    How long ago did you buy the shoes? How many miles have you put on them?
  • badbcatha05
    badbcatha05 Posts: 200 Member
    I went to a running store. Got fitted. Bought Bought the shoes they said we're the right ones for my feet. Fast forward a couple of months- I finally realized they weren't the ones for me.

    I went online to runners world and roadrunnersports.com and used their programs to find a pair. They were pricey but my legs and feet have been much better. Road runner has a 90 day return policy as well.
  • kshadows
    kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
    How long ago did you buy the shoes? How many miles have you put on them?

    I've had them for about 6 months, but they've only seen about 100 miles, 70 or so of those in the last 3 months.
  • brandiuntz
    brandiuntz Posts: 2,717 Member
    You can look up the model online and see what kind it's considered. You should try and figure out what kind of gait you have. One way to tell by yourself is to examine the wear on your current shoes. I'd found something online that showed to examine shoe wear to figure out gait.

    If your current shoes are for stability (over pronate), perhaps one with for a neutral foot will feel better.

    Also, any idea how many miles you have on those shoes? Anywhere from 300-500 miles, and a running shoe needs to be replaced.
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,288 Member
    My experience has been that at a good running store, they'll sort that out for you. They should watch you run to examine your gait, any sort of pronation, etc and will make some recommendations.

    word... HOWEVER, I ended up with vibram shoes and haven't gone back to tennis shoes since... been about 3-4years now
  • disasterman
    disasterman Posts: 746 Member
    The NB 940 is a stability shoe and I would think you should get 300-500 miles out of them depending on how heavy you are and the surfaces you run on.
  • Amberlynnek
    Amberlynnek Posts: 405 Member
    How long ago did you buy the shoes? How many miles have you put on them?

    I've had them for about 6 months, but they've only seen about 100 miles, 70 or so of those in the last 3 months.

    If you use the shoes for other things like walking, going to the gym, daily wear, the shoes still break down. As far as the pain in the arch, it could simply mean that you have a high arch, your foot is collapsing when you run and all you need is an insert to stabilize the foot. I have a super high arch ( 4 inch heels without pain, woot woot!) and run in the deepest insert but it is a night and day difference,especially when you get into higher mileage. Get an acupuncture ball or a tennis ball and roll your heal and arches on it after runs too. I get plantars and my heels are constantly in pain, and it makes a huge difference.
  • kshadows
    kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
    How long ago did you buy the shoes? How many miles have you put on them?

    I've had them for about 6 months, but they've only seen about 100 miles, 70 or so of those in the last 3 months.

    If you use the shoes for other things like walking, going to the gym, daily wear, the shoes still break down. As far as the pain in the arch, it could simply mean that you have a high arch, your foot is collapsing when you run and all you need is an insert to stabilize the foot. I have a super high arch ( 4 inch heels without pain, woot woot!) and run in the deepest insert but it is a night and day difference,especially when you get into higher mileage. Get an acupuncture ball or a tennis ball and roll your heal and arches on it after runs too. I get plantars and my heels are constantly in pain, and it makes a huge difference.

    These are strictly for running, I have different sneakers for the gym and another pair still for everyday wearing.

    I do have arches more than some, but it hasn't been an issue until the last week or two. Thanks for the advice all! I am going to try and get up to the running store when I can!
  • RunMyOregonBunsOff
    RunMyOregonBunsOff Posts: 862 Member
    Do a little research and see if you can find out what the cause of the problem might be. You may just need to order a pair of insoles online or something easy to fix. For me, I have high arches and running shoes don't generally have as much arch support as I need but regular arch supports that you get at the store are too much support so I made my own out of foam cushion stuff and have been using them in my shoes for a long time. I mentioned it to the guy at the running shoe store I go to and he said I may just always want to use my inserts that I made because most shoes just aren't going to do it for me. Simple fix, cheap and works great for my problem.
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,292 Member
    Sounds like what I get when my shoes are getting old. The materials deteriorate even if you don't use them, depending on how old the pair was when you first bought them.... Maybe not likely, but possible.

    Eta: salted roads in winter, or washing them in the machine will take it out of them too...
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    For me it's been trial & error. When the running store selected a very reputable Asics stability shoe for me, my feet were overjoyed! So comfy. My legs immediately began to protest. I found out that, while I do have the mechanics that would lead a salesperson to recommend stability, they are the wrong shoe for me. So, a little trial and error (expensive trial & error) may be in order. But, until you get a full eval in a specialty store with a wide assortment of high quality running shoes, don't knock the expert opinion.
  • kshadows
    kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
    salted roads in winter

    THAT would explain a lot....
  • aswearingen22
    aswearingen22 Posts: 271 Member
    I'd say that if you've been running in them just fine until very recently, you've got one of a few things going on:

    1. Despite only have 100 mi on them, perhaps you've underestimated a bit and they're really breaking down. Whenever I start getting aches/pains out of nowhere, it's almost always the shoes and as soon as I replace them, all is well again. I would think this could be the case for you. As someone mentioned, the shoe you're in is a stability shoe. You can look on runningwarehouse.com by brand and they list all the shoes by type (neutral, stability, etc). I know you said you don't have time to make the drive to the running store, perhaps try some online shoe things that can help you narrow it down. I don't have it bookmarked, but there are some that will have you stand with wet feet on paper to see how your arches are, have you do squats and see where your knees fall, etc., and then recommend a shoe for you. Then you could order on a place like runningwarehouse.com that has free shipping and returns and order a bunch of different brands/models to try at home if you really must have to. Don't forget to go up 1/2 - 1 size bigger than normal.

    2. Did you recently up your mileage? Could be a nagging overuse energy from doing too much too soon. Make sure to follow the no more than 10% increase per week rule with perhaps a drop back week every 3-4 weeks.

    3. Are you running on different surfaces than before when you didn't have pain? Different speed?

    To relief it, get a lacrosse ball (or tennis ball or baseball) and roll it under your foot, it feels wonderful! You can also use a frozen water bottle and you get double bonus of icing/reducing inflammation. I'd also recommend a sport chiro that could do some ART on your foot or find the cause if it's not shoes (but I think it likely is that or overuse).
  • kshadows
    kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
    I'd say that if you've been running in them just fine until very recently, you've got one of a few things going on:

    1. Despite only have 100 mi on them, perhaps you've underestimated a bit and they're really breaking down. Whenever I start getting aches/pains out of nowhere, it's almost always the shoes and as soon as I replace them, all is well again. I would think this could be the case for you. As someone mentioned, the shoe you're in is a stability shoe. You can look on runningwarehouse.com by brand and they list all the shoes by type (neutral, stability, etc). I know you said you don't have time to make the drive to the running store, perhaps try some online shoe things that can help you narrow it down. I don't have it bookmarked, but there are some that will have you stand with wet feet on paper to see how your arches are, have you do squats and see where your knees fall, etc., and then recommend a shoe for you. Then you could order on a place like runningwarehouse.com that has free shipping and returns and order a bunch of different brands/models to try at home if you really must have to. Don't forget to go up 1/2 - 1 size bigger than normal.

    This sounds good. I am going to try this until the next time I am up in the city and can get to the actual store. 100 miles is a bit too much just for shoes but I have a dentist appt there next month so since I'm already going... Although I haven't heard to order a size up...why is that?

    2. Did you recently up your mileage? Could be a nagging overuse energy from doing too much too soon. Make sure to follow the no more than 10% increase per week rule with perhaps a drop back week every 3-4 weeks.

    Nope...

    3. Are you running on different surfaces than before when you didn't have pain? Different speed?

    Nope...I do run primarily on pavement or concrete though so it could very well be that these shoes are just beat up...especially since I ran a lot of the winter over the salt-covered road.



    Thanks so much for your input, I appreciate it!!
  • aswearingen22
    aswearingen22 Posts: 271 Member
    This sounds good. I am going to try this until the next time I am up in the city and can get to the actual store. 100 miles is a bit too much just for shoes but I have a dentist appt there next month so since I'm already going... Although I haven't heard to order a size up...why is that?

    Because your feet swell and expand and flatten out as you run, so you need extra room for them. Especially if you're running hills (I can't avoid them where I live). If you're in too small of shoes, you can smack the ends of your toenails against the shoes and get the dreaded black toe nails (which I'm still sporting on one toe from my most recent marathon, I can't seem to avoid them at that distance!). I normally wear a 7.5 or 8, and run in an 8.5 or 9. I've also heard to go get fitted for shoes at the end of the day and not the beginning of the day as you're feet will be a little larger then.
  • jefferytmc
    jefferytmc Posts: 26 Member
    Mine started hurting like that and I was diagnosed with plantar facitis. I have to put inserts in my shoes and it helps dramatically. I use Super Feet (as recommended by my podiatrist).

    You can find them online, but I would suggest going to see a foot doctor to get a good idea of what might be causing the pain.
  • maybeazure
    maybeazure Posts: 301 Member
    I agree that the best thing to do for the foot pain is to check with a doctor.

    But as far as running shoes go...I would love to support a local running store, but unfortunately there aren't any within three hours of me. I bought some at one once on a trip, but after they got uncomfortable and worn out, I didn't have the ability to go get another pair.

    So honestly, now I buy them on Amazon. It made me nervous at first, because it was such a big expense, but it's turned out OK. Look for the "free returns"...they will take them back as long as you don't take the tags off or run outside and mess up the soles. You can even buy a couple of pairs and just keep the best one. Not as good as a real shoe store, but it can work.

    Mostly shoes are a matter of what feels good to you. You do probably want to know if you overpronate or not. You can probably tell that by getting your feet wet and then walking on some brown paper. You can tell by the shape of the footprint if your arch flattens out or not.

Categories