Running without good running shoes?

studies have shown that its not about the shoes...its about what you feel comfortable in...and try to get your calcium and form in great shape too!

invest in your health and get a pair of good running shoes.

Make sure you get shoes that are right for your foot type.

A decent pair will cost you around $60 to $80

If you can't spring for a propper fitting and good shoe, try Kohls. My Asics retail for $74.99, but after sales and discount coupons, I can usually get a pair for $40-$45.

If you do try to "fit" yourself, try on LOTS of shoes. Walk around and run in place with them. It originally took me about an hour to find one I was really happy with.

I have just started running myself in the past couple of weeks. I have always been elliptically minded. I decided if I was going to see the results I want to see, I'm gonna have to start doing something different because the elliptical wasn't cutting it. So I've been running (best Forrest Gump impression). At first, I was suffering minor shin splints and chalked it up to not being used to running and not stretching properly before beginning. I never stretched before doing my elliptical workouts. I took a treadmill break for a day and worked it out on the elliptical instead. As I am getting acclimated to the whole running (again with the Forrest Gump) thing and increasing my speed as well as the total minutes I am actually running (I can't help it, that's how it sounds in my head as I'm typing) during the cardio portion of my workout, I am now having excrutiating shin splints, calf muscle cramps, and ankle pains even though I am stretching well before starting. The pain was so bad today, I could have cried. And because of these pains, I have been having to alternate elliptical workouts or entire days off at times with the running workouts which I see as a step backwards and makes me really frustrated.

Like you, I'm running in the same shoes I've been wearing to work out in for years...some AVIA's I bought at Kohl's. I'm also sure they were discounted when I bought them, and that's why they were picked over all others. After my excruciatingly painful workout today, I made the decision that the AVIA's are going in the trash and I am getting a decent pair of running shoes. And since I will be grounded to the ellipticals for a few days while I recover, I will have time to do just that. Everyone on here has suggested I go to Fleet Feet or a running specialty store and get fitted for the right pair of shoes, so I will pass that advice on to you now. Good luck.

knantz: Just to give you my opinion...I LOVE my Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10s I got fitted for them at a running store and then bought them online (cheaper). I overpronate, so I need a stability shoe and this one feels like I am running on clouds! I have been running in them for about 12 weeks or so.

80$ running shoes are nice... but it isn't always about the equipment. Right now I'm running in a pair of Nike I got on sale at Payless for 29$ I've had them for two months, which should be around 300 miles walked/ran. My feet have yet to turn inside out.

I'm trying to get into running, and I really love it. However, one day of giving it a shot and my ankles are killing me for several days after. It leaves me with only the elliptical until my ankles feel better. Could this be because I'm just wearing the tennis shoes I've had for yard work for years? I'm a college student, and I simply can't afford to pay much for shoes. Can I buy cheap tennis shoes and manage, or should I give up running?

If the soles of your feet are up to it you could try barefoot running and see how you ankles/feet feel then. You could also try using ankle supports and see how that goes.

While not trying to fit myself, I am just interested in opinions. What brand do you find you prefer? Just looking for a starting point. Is there any brand that you would recommend we stay away from?

My current shoes are Asics GT2030 which have been a great running shoe. They're due to be replaced though and I've been thinking of trying Mizuno. I've tried the Brooks Adrenaline but they gave me blisters on my arches (owch! :sad: ). I recently got orthotics (fitted by my physio) as I was getting bad shin splints down the insides of my shin/calf and these have been the best thing ever! I'm now running pain free :happy:

Another thing. Make sure when you try your new shoes on to stand up and wiggle your big toe. When you do it sitting your foot isn't positioned correctly. You may need someone to help you. Because your feet swell when you run normally people get running shoes that are a half size to a siz bigger.

I saw a post of someone suggesting shapes shoes. You do not want to wear any form of toning shoes for running. That is a great way to get injured.

The reason why your ankles probably hurt is because tennis shoes really do not have any flexabilitywhich you need for running.