Do I really need to go to a running store and get proper run

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Replies

  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    I'm in agreement with just about everyone else--go get professionally fitted. Buy your first pair of running shoes at that store, as they will allow you to return/exchange the shoes if they aren't working for you and try again.

    Once you know what shoes you need, it's usually cheaper to buy them on the internet or at race expos. Shoe manufacturers change out their inventory every 6 months (around March and September) and usually only change the color of the shoes. As soon as the new colors hit the market, last season's colors will be 30-40% off!

    As good quality shoes are somewhat pricey, take good care of them. They are your RUNNING shoes, not your knock-around weekend sneakers. Only wear them for running so you get full life out of them. Loosen up the laces and pull the tongue up after using to allow them to dry out before you use them for your next run. Keep a log of miles put on the shoes, as they're only good for 300-500 miles (heavier runners will kill shoes faster, and running on concrete also kills them faster).
  • mamato2babes
    mamato2babes Posts: 90
    They will look at your foot, watch you walk, and watch you run - either outside or on a treadmill. They are very thorough!

    Also, if you DO decide to buy your shoes online for some reason, (like at Zappos.com), the shoes "specs" will be listed for you. You'll be able to see if it is a support shoe, cushion, or stability.
  • chrisyoung0422
    chrisyoung0422 Posts: 426 Member
    I run 3-5 mi 4-5 times a week. that does not include any eliptical trainer or other cardio. I use regular K swiss tubes and Reebok reezigs and have no issues. I do go through shoes a lot more though compared to when I did not run as much.
  • artvandalay
    artvandalay Posts: 71
    That's great advice about asking for last year's models/colors. I really don't care what color they are.
  • lisaidem
    lisaidem Posts: 194 Member
    Right now I am walking and doing an interval walk/jog program on the treadmill. I would NOT say I am running...at most it is a jog. It is a hard jog for me (and probably a light jog for everyone else), but mainly quick walking. What do you all say about that, in regards to getting "running shoes"?

    Jog is a funny word to me- I don't know how to define it. If both feet are on the ground at the same time, you are walking, if not, you are running. Jogging just doesn't make sense to me....but on to the topic at hand... I think that running shoes are a good idea for anyone who is running. You are getting the impact on your feet/joints/bones even if it is mixed in with intervals of walking. I would say it's sound investment, especially if you aim to do more running in the future (or jogging).

    Ok, you are probably right. I guess jogging is really just slow running. Running shoes it is!
  • scmduplessis
    scmduplessis Posts: 1
    I've gotten shoes at Kohl's and other places to save money and if I combined the amount of money I spent on "less expensive" shoes frequently, I'd have the money for one pair of quality shoes that will last longer.

    I don't run. I walk a lot. Still, I went to Luke's Locker in Austin, TX where they measured my foot, watched how I walk, had me try on different shoes while they watched me walk in those, and kept going until I found a pair that felt right. I tried on four pairs of shoes and bought the third pair I tried on for $99.00.

    My feet are happy. They are supported yet very comfortable.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    I don't have a problem with my knees, but I do have plantar fasciatis... and I think I might have had a calf strain last week, I looked it up and it said the calf strain could be from over pronation while running. I definitely need good cushioning in my heel because the PF kills me otherwise.
    You should not be landing on your heel. That simply transmits the impact shock through the bones into the knee. It doesn't matter what kind of shoe you get: if your stride lands on your heel with each step you are going to have pains.

    You should be landing with your foot directly under your body and slightly pronated on the mid to forefoot. The foot should roll slightly inward until the heel touches the ground lightly. At that point your foot should lift for the next step.

    With a proper footstrike and stride, cushioning is unnecessary.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    I don't have a problem with my knees, but I do have plantar fasciatis... and I think I might have had a calf strain last week, I looked it up and it said the calf strain could be from over pronation while running. I definitely need good cushioning in my heel because the PF kills me otherwise.
    You should not be landing on your heel. That simply transmits the impact shock through the bones into the knee. It doesn't matter what kind of shoe you get: if your stride lands on your heel with each step you are going to have pains.

    You should be landing with your foot directly under your body and slightly pronated on the mid to forefoot. The foot should roll slightly inward until the heel touches the ground lightly. At that point your foot should lift for the next step.

    With a proper footstrike and stride, cushioning is unnecessary.

    While it's true in general that improving your footstrike often improves running related injuries, people with high, rigid arches tend to need more cushioing because the arch doesn't collapse at all on foot strike or it supinates (rolls outward) instead. Most people pronate to some degree though, yes.
  • artvandalay
    artvandalay Posts: 71
    I don't have a problem with my knees, but I do have plantar fasciatis... and I think I might have had a calf strain last week, I looked it up and it said the calf strain could be from over pronation while running. I definitely need good cushioning in my heel because the PF kills me otherwise.
    You should not be landing on your heel. That simply transmits the impact shock through the bones into the knee. It doesn't matter what kind of shoe you get: if your stride lands on your heel with each step you are going to have pains.

    You should be landing with your foot directly under your body and slightly pronated on the mid to forefoot. The foot should roll slightly inward until the heel touches the ground lightly. At that point your foot should lift for the next step.

    With a proper footstrike and stride, cushioning is unnecessary.

    Thank you for this info. We have hardwood floors, and the past 5 years I have always walked around barefoot or just socks. I think this has caused my PF. I have to wear good shoes now around the house otherwise first thing in the morning the heel of my right foot is really painful. If I'm good about wearing shoes around the house, my PF doesn't bother me. I wasn't sure how PF affects running, though. I have no idea how my foot lands when I run.... hopefully later this morning after I visit Fleet Feet I will leave with more information on my gait and footing.
  • MrBrown72
    MrBrown72 Posts: 407 Member
    Honestly I'd say spend the money.

    First it will be better for you joints, knees and ankles to start but also lower back and hips.

    Second, once you spend the money you're more likely to try to get your moneys worth and use them more.

    Win win.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Your running store will hate you, but get fitted for the exact model that suits you then buy last season's version online*. You can usually get it for less than half the price. The difference is AWESOME and you may even find you suddenly want to run further and more often!

    * Morally I am obliagated to tell you I feel too guilty to do this so I buy they pair they fitted me for then get my NEXT pair online.
  • gtm124
    gtm124 Posts: 179
    I don't have a problem with my knees, but I do have plantar fasciatis... and I think I might have had a calf strain last week, I looked it up and it said the calf strain could be from over pronation while running. I definitely need good cushioning in my heel because the PF kills me otherwise.

    I had it bad and then used these: http://www.heel-that-pain.com/heel_seats.php?gclid=CKmyyurf3agCFcns7QodAml5bA
    Problem solved.
  • artvandalay
    artvandalay Posts: 71
    I'm back from Fleet Feet! They did my fitting, watched me walk/run. Told me i have a slight pronation, could use shoes with some stability in them.

    I tried on 3 pairs. I felt like Goldilocks. The first pair had alot of arch support. The second pair had a ton of cushioning in the heel. The 3rd pair was perfect! It had great support all over and had great cushioning in the heel. Here they are:

    http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1099/13265991/23619062/396665930.jpg


    They were $100. First thing I did when I got home is google it to see if they were going for cheaper online, and nope... they are the same price online.

    Funny thing is, I would have NEVER have tried on a size 10. I always wear 9 or 9 1/2. He fitted me for a 10 and they feel great!
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    I'm back from Fleet Feet! They did my fitting, watched me walk/run. Told me i have a slight pronation, could use shoes with some stability in them.

    I tried on 3 pairs. I felt like Goldilocks. The first pair had alot of arch support. The second pair had a ton of cushioning in the heel. The 3rd pair was perfect! It had great support all over and had great cushioning in the heel. Here they are:

    http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1099/13265991/23619062/396665930.jpg


    They were $100. First thing I did when I got home is google it to see if they were going for cheaper online, and nope... they are the same price online.

    Funny thing is, I would have NEVER have tried on a size 10. I always wear 9 or 9 1/2. He fitted me for a 10 and they feel great!

    Glad you found a pair that you love, although I'm sorry you couldn't find a cheaper price.

    It's common to go up a half or full size in running shoes, actually. I wear an 8 in street shoes and have always needed a 9 in running shoes.

    Your feet will swell a little bit while you run and you also need enough room in the toebox to not hit the end of the shoe when running hills or inclines--hitting the end of the shoe is what gives people black tonails and toenails that fall off! Sounds like you got the right size for you!

    P.S.: We're in the exact same shoes! LOL I LOVE them and have worn the Asics stabiity shoes for over 10 years now. Very good quality!

    I'm surprised you couldn't find them for around $79-$89 online though. Well, see how these work for you and then you can always take your time looking for a good price on them the next time you need shoes. ;)
  • artvandalay
    artvandalay Posts: 71


    P.S.: We're in the exact same shoes! LOL I LOVE them and have worn the Asics stabiity shoes for over 10 years now. Very good quality!

    I'm surprised you couldn't find them for around $79-$89 online though. Well, see how these work for you and then you can always take your time looking for a good price on them the next time you need shoes. ;)

    Glad you like them! Honestly I didn't look online very hard. I just googled it and clicked the "shopping" option, ****s Sports, Zappos and about another half dozen places came up all around $95.99 to $99.99

    I did read a couple of reviews on this shoe and it has gotten some great reviews. I still am so surprised I am wearing a size 10! I feel like Bigfoot! lol
  • ilsie99
    ilsie99 Posts: 259
    Thank you for this info. We have hardwood floors, and the past 5 years I have always walked around barefoot or just socks. I think this has caused my PF. I have to wear good shoes now around the house otherwise first thing in the morning the heel of my right foot is really painful. If I'm good about wearing shoes around the house, my PF doesn't bother me. I wasn't sure how PF affects running, though. I have no idea how my foot lands when I run.... hopefully later this morning after I visit Fleet Feet I will leave with more information on my gait and footing.

    Walking and running barefoot use different biomechanics. When you walk, you use your heel. When you run barefoot, it hurts too much to land on the heel so your body will naturally shift itself to land midfoot and use the arch and the rest of your leg as a shock absorber.
  • VStar55
    VStar55 Posts: 75
    I don't have a problem with my knees, but I do have plantar fasciatis... and I think I might have had a calf strain last week, I looked it up and it said the calf strain could be from over pronation while running. I definitely need good cushioning in my heel because the PF kills me otherwise.

    I'm a former sufferer of PF, had it for aprox 5 years. I stopped running for almost 3 years because of the pain and that was THE best thing for for my feet. Now that my feet are better I do 3 things to keep the PF from returning.

    1. Wear GOOD running shoes. If you have PF you need a shoe that has a lot of cushioning. Check out Saucony Triumph 8, Asics is another brand that many runners swear by.

    2. Rotate your shoes. This means your going to have to get 2 pairs and wear them on alternating days.

    3. Be careful about speed, hills and mileage. I have found that if I attempt to run a hill too fast with big steps I'll get sore.
  • artvandalay
    artvandalay Posts: 71
    I don't have a problem with my knees, but I do have plantar fasciatis... and I think I might have had a calf strain last week, I looked it up and it said the calf strain could be from over pronation while running. I definitely need good cushioning in my heel because the PF kills me otherwise.

    I'm a former sufferer of PF, had it for aprox 5 years. I stopped running for almost 3 years because of the pain and that was THE best thing for for my feet. Now that my feet are better I do 3 things to keep the PF from returning.

    1. Wear GOOD running shoes. If you have PF you need a shoe that has a lot of cushioning. Check out Saucony Triumph 8, Asics is another brand that many runners swear by.

    2. Rotate your shoes. This means your going to have to get 2 pairs and wear them on alternating days.

    3. Be careful about speed, hills and mileage. I have found that if I attempt to run a hill too fast with big steps I'll get sore.

    I tried out a Saucony and it had really good cushion in the heel. I ended up with an Asics GT 21-60.. It had good support all over and I felt decent cushioning in the hell (altho I think the Saucony might have had a tad more)
  • TrainerRobin
    TrainerRobin Posts: 509 Member
    I'm back from Fleet Feet! They did my fitting, watched me walk/run. Told me i have a slight pronation, could use shoes with some stability in them.

    I tried on 3 pairs. I felt like Goldilocks. The first pair had alot of arch support. The second pair had a ton of cushioning in the heel. The 3rd pair was perfect! It had great support all over and had great cushioning in the heel. Here they are:

    http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1099/13265991/23619062/396665930.jpg


    They were $100. First thing I did when I got home is google it to see if they were going for cheaper online, and nope... they are the same price online.

    Funny thing is, I would have NEVER have tried on a size 10. I always wear 9 or 9 1/2. He fitted me for a 10 and they feel great!

    Glad you found a pair that you love, although I'm sorry you couldn't find a cheaper price. I'm surprised you couldn't find them for around $79-$89 online though.

    I'm glad you bought them in the store after them fitting you and getting you into the right shoe. It's worth at LEAST that, and from now on, you can buy anywhere you wish. If too many people get a free fitting and then buy online, someday we might not have bricks and mortar stores to get fitted at. I applaud you for supporting a local business that provided you with a valuable service. I understand trying to save a buck on the secondary pair and those after that, but for the fitting, it seems like an $11 well spent. :) As someone grateful for the fact that these physical places exist so I (and my clients and family members) can get a professional fitting, I say "thanks." :flowerforyou:
  • CMoney412
    CMoney412 Posts: 28 Member
    I went to a running store, got fitted, and have been wearing the same exact brand & style ever since -- which I find online. But that first time -- fit is where it's at! I don't care how far or long (or short) you are planning on. This is your BODY, your back, and your feet!
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