My feet are killing me

I've done my research. I understand shin splints. I haven't ran consistently in a lot of years, so it was no surprise to me at first that my shins and ankles were in pain from running after my lunch break jogs. The issue is, it's been weeks, even months, and they still haven't adapted. I have a desk job, but at least once every hour I get up and hit 500 steps real quick around the premises and on the weekend I'm always active. I heard the right running shoes are the key, but when I went to have some fitted for me, they went right for the $100.00 + shoes. That's a red flag in my eyes. I haven't spent that kind of money on shoes my whole life. Am I missing something here? I know the less I weigh the easier it will get, but that seems redundant considering I have to run to get there in the first place! So...What's up?
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Replies

  • ShibaEars
    ShibaEars Posts: 3,928 Member
    Do you take rest days? If you never give your feet/legs a break, they'll never recover.

    As for the shoes, good ones are more expensive, it's just the way it is. You will probably have to shell out the extra cash. It is an investment though - if you aren't in pain and can remain active, it's worth it. You can also wait for them to have a sale, and see if you can get something for a bit cheaper.



    edited for spelling
  • accelerashawn
    accelerashawn Posts: 470 Member
    Go to a marshalls or tjmax or some other store where they sell last month's greatest apparel and shoes for 1/2 price. Decent shoes are important but $100+ is definitely not an indication of shoe quality.

    Impact hurts. Try some low/no impact exercises for a while, the elliptical, bike, body weight squats etc.

    What did the doctor say?
  • accelerashawn
    accelerashawn Posts: 470 Member
    btw, resistance exercises (lifting weights) are going to help you lose weight quicker than cardio alone.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    My current pair of shoes costs me $40. They were on the sale rack. Even full price shoes don't generally cost much over $80 for me and I might have gone over $100 once. Good shoes don't have to be terribly expensive. It takes time on your feet to get used to running. The number of months isn't as important as the number of steps you've taken. I took 5 months off and my shins are a little bit sore some days. It happens and you'll get more and more used to it the longer you stick with it.

    Initially it took me nearly a year before my shins were never sore.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    check your form. if you're landing on your heels try landing more on the midsole of the foot
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    100 is common for running shoes.
  • perm_dogg
    perm_dogg Posts: 22
    btw, resistance exercises (lifting weights) are going to help you lose weight quicker than cardio alone.

    Yes. I should have added that detail. I do not only walk during my lunch breaks. I do a lot of strength training. (Maybe not enough on my legs) I have a bowlfex, I use free weights or whatever heavy I can find laying around. Like I said, I'm active to the extent I can with my life schedule, but the running never used to hurt before now. I run in And 1 Basketball shoes.
  • accelerashawn
    accelerashawn Posts: 470 Member
    I can't run in my basketball shoes very well. The cushion isn't good enough for heel impact. I would do like the above poster said and try to land in the midsole of your foot...kind of like toe running but more on the balls of your foot. Still, i would take plenty of time off of the impact and let your bones/joints rest.
  • perm_dogg
    perm_dogg Posts: 22
    Thank for all of your input. I thought of trying a cheaper pair before going with the recommended ones. I never saw a doctor about it because frankly, where I'm from, you can't trust the doctors. I can diagnose myself better on WebMD. I went in with a broken ankle that I COULD NOT walk on, and they said there was nothing wrong. So yeah. I'd believe you guys before a doctor. Maybe I should try resting between days. Thanks.
  • _BearNecessities_
    _BearNecessities_ Posts: 432 Member
    btw, resistance exercises (lifting weights) are going to help you lose weight quicker than cardio alone.

    Yes. I should have added that detail. I do not only walk during my lunch breaks. I do a lot of strength training. (Maybe not enough on my legs) I have a bowlfex, I use free weights or whatever heavy I can find laying around. Like I said, I'm active to the extent I can with my life schedule, but the running never used to hurt before now. I run in And 1 Basketball shoes.

    Don't run in basketball shoes, man. They are simply not built to take the pounding, especially if you're running on the street and/or sidewalk. Get a good pair of running shoes and yes, many of them cost $100+.
  • accelerashawn
    accelerashawn Posts: 470 Member
    I got a great pair of an old model asics running shoe from the $29.99 Shoe Warehouse once...
    I got $130 pair of Under Armour basketball shoes from Marshalls for $30

    The price you pay doesn't make the shoe. If you're on a budget you can find something well under $100
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    I got a great pair of an old model asics running shoe from the $29.99 Shoe Warehouse once...
    I got $130 pair of Under Armour basketball shoes from Marshalls for $30

    The price you pay doesn't make the shoe. If you're on a budget you can find something well under $100

    this is true. You can often find last year's model/colors for significantly less. However, new running shoes are usually around 100$. You can pay 100$ for a shoe and still have it be the wrong one. You can also pay 30$ for the wrong one. If you were fitted and they suggested a shoe to you, its good form to buy it the first time in the store (because they went through the fitting process), plus you usually get a 30 day return policy if they don't work out. Once you know which shoe works, you can hunt for better deals.
  • perm_dogg
    perm_dogg Posts: 22
    Good ole Walmart sells Avia running shoes. Amazon has good reviews. I understand each individual is different and so will have different opinions/results. Anyone like Avias? They're only 25 bucks. 1/4 of the cost of the "running shoe" store's price.
  • Babyzoom
    Babyzoom Posts: 13 Member
    Running shoes are expensive. I just bought a new pair for $120 on sale. I also run ~40 miles/week and have wide feet and a tendency to overpronate. I spend approximately that much every year and I've noticed how much better my running is when my shoes aren't all worn out. I think it depends on how much time you will be devoting to running. If you're just getting started and don't plan on becoming a hardcore runner, maybe check Ebay for deals or older models of the more expensive shoes. I have seen commercials for insoles for active individuals, but not sure how well that works. It might be a cheaper investment for you right now until you build to more miles. Good luck!
  • TAsunder
    TAsunder Posts: 423 Member
    Your local running store should have told you the profile of shoe you are looking for and recommended several specific models. You are likely to be able to find last year's, or the year before's model of the same shoe online (amazon, 6pm, running warehouse, etc.) or at stores. Usually they don't change TOO much. Another option would be to plug the shoe they recommended into the runner's world shoe finder to see other shoes that might fit the bill.

    I would discourage you from just buying any random shoe labeled a running shoe because they vary wildly in features, support, cushioning, heel-to-toe drop, stiffness, assumed gait and running style, etc.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/shoe-finder/shoes-like-mine
  • tsimblist
    tsimblist Posts: 206 Member
    check your form. if you're landing on your heels try landing more on the midsole of the foot

    For more info on running form check out ChiRunning and/or Pose Method of Running.
  • ahruss23
    ahruss23 Posts: 4 Member
    Academy has good prices on their running shoes. Also, you may need some Vitamin D.
  • perm_dogg
    perm_dogg Posts: 22
    Academy has good prices on their running shoes. Also, you may need some Vitamin D.

    If there is one thing I'm doing right, it is nutrients and vitamins. I hit the right ones daily, but I will look into the shoes. Thanks
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Good ole Walmart sells Avia running shoes. Amazon has good reviews. I understand each individual is different and so will have different opinions/results. Anyone like Avias? They're only 25 bucks. 1/4 of the cost of the "running shoe" store's price.

    How much time with the $75 you save get you with a physiotherapist?
  • for2day
    for2day Posts: 209 Member
    check your form. if you're landing on your heels try landing more on the midsole of the foot

    For more info on running form check out ChiRunning and/or Pose Method of Running.


    OOOH! Thank you for posting this. Someone told me about form, Chi Running and I could not for the life of me remember the name they gave me...and they left MFP! So thank you!
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    check your form. if you're landing on your heels try landing more on the midsole of the foot

    For more info on running form check out ChiRunning and/or Pose Method of Running.


    OOOH! Thank you for posting this. Someone told me about form, Chi Running and I could not for the life of me remember the name they gave me...and they left MFP! So thank you!

    Quite honestly, the whole 'changing your gait' thing could be complete overkill. Its very vogue right now, but that doesn't mean its the right thing to do. HIs gait might be fine, you can't tell over the internet. First, change out the crappy shoes. Overhauling your gait in this situation is like buying a new car because you have a flat tire.
  • tibby531
    tibby531 Posts: 717 Member
    http://www.runnersworld.com/shoe-finder/shoe-advisor

    I plugged my info in, tried on a few of the suggested one. naturally, the most expensive ones felt the best. ...but since I bought them, I have NO PAIN. also a good pre and post stretch helps.
  • Eaglesfanintn
    Eaglesfanintn Posts: 813 Member
    Your local running store should have told you the profile of shoe you are looking for and recommended several specific models. You are likely to be able to find last year's, or the year before's model of the same shoe online (amazon, 6pm, running warehouse, etc.) or at stores. Usually they don't change TOO much. Another option would be to plug the shoe they recommended into the runner's world shoe finder to see other shoes that might fit the bill.

    I would discourage you from just buying any random shoe labeled a running shoe because they vary wildly in features, support, cushioning, heel-to-toe drop, stiffness, assumed gait and running style, etc.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/shoe-finder/shoes-like-mine

    This is good advice. You don't have to buy from the running store, but if they analyze your running, you should listen to what they say. I have really wide feet, a high arch, I overpronate. After 3 years of buying running shoes, I know what I need (and what won't work for me. Take the information they gave you and use it to find the right shoe, hopefully at the right price.
  • Melonpaul
    Melonpaul Posts: 323 Member
    If you don't mind buying online you should check out the site below
    http://gearup.active.com/Events.aspx?ReturnUrl=/

    I bought a pair of really good pair of trail running shoes for about $40 (I think they were on sale) and they have a great return/exchange policy. When I first got my shoes they didn't fit and I sent them back for another size and it only took a few days to get the new size and they fit perfectly.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Y'all are lucky in the US. My running shoes retail at about $169. I do need a supportive shoe which costs more, but it is worth it. I've been lucky to find my model on sale at the end of season two years now for half price. So $100 (with tax) IS a sale for me.
    The more neutral shoes are closer to $100 regular.

    Honestly I've been through everything. From neutral, to supportive and been everywhere between cheap to expensive. I've experienced everything from shin splints to plantar fasciitis. I'm at the point now where my expensive shoes are worth the price because they keep me injury free.

    I'm not saying expensive equals better, I'm just saying that the right shoe can be worth it in the long run.
  • ChunkLaFunk
    ChunkLaFunk Posts: 38 Member
    You don't mention your weight but if you're over 180 pounds, consider trail runners. They have much better support, especially in the mid-foot and laterally.

    In my youth I was big time distance runner and always bought high quality shoes. Never had foot/ankle/shin issues. Sometimes you just have to make the investment. Don't want to sound like an infomercial but if you take $100 and divide it by a year, it'll come out to pennies per day!

    You should get properly fitted at running store though. Don't have to buy there but you need to have your stride analyzed. Do over/under pronate, heel strike, high/low arch? so many things that make a difference in running comfort.

    Constant pain is not good and your body is giving you a hint. Stretch the back and fronts of your lower legs religiously. If you can use heat before you run but definitely ice when your finished. Also, compression sleeves may help during your runs.

    Avoid hills and try to run on softer surfaces versus cement or asphalt. And get rid of those And 1's!
  • jjj6689
    jjj6689 Posts: 10 Member
    I finally broke down last year and bought the expensive shoes and my feet love me. I bought Brooks Glycerin last year and just replaced them with Brooks Ghost 7 - When I thought about how many miles I was putting on my shoes (I know my old ones had over 750 miles and that was just what I tracked this year) the cost didn't seem as bad.
  • kshadows
    kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
    My sneakers (fitted to me) were $160. I've NEVER spent more than $40 on shoes but running is important to me, so I need to make sure I take care of myself. 2 runs in cheap shoes, and I have been plagued with knee pain for 3 months, and needing to see an orthopedic surgeon. Buy the shoes if you're serious about running.
  • kshadows
    kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
    Good ole Walmart sells Avia running shoes. Amazon has good reviews. I understand each individual is different and so will have different opinions/results. Anyone like Avias? They're only 25 bucks. 1/4 of the cost of the "running shoe" store's price.

    You get what you pay for. They will work for some people but some (like me) need STABILITY shoes, which you can't get at Wal Mart. I get awful knee and foot pains if I run in neutral shoes, and stability cost more but it's worth it because I can keep running and not be injured. The co-pays for my doctor visits add up to much more than sneakers.
  • fullersun35
    fullersun35 Posts: 162 Member
    100 is common for running shoes.

    +1

    Don't go for cheap shoes first when it comes to running shoes. Buy shoes that are properly fitted for your body. They will cause less health issues down the road. If you can afford the $100, pay the $100.