running shoes

Msaip
Msaip Posts: 482 Member
edited September 29 in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone else have any problems with the NIKE FREES shin splint wise or blisters on the feet?
I like the shoes but man they kill me! I have really good socks that I wear with them but nothing seems to help!

Replies

  • jillybeanruns
    jillybeanruns Posts: 1,420 Member
    Were you fitted for them by a professional? Or did you just go to a store, try them on and buy them? More than likely you need more support, and running in a minimalist shoe is not the best option for the majority of runners out there (in my opinion). I know what I need in a shoe, but I still go and get fitted at least 2x a year. I need stability shoes, minimalist shoes would do way more harm than good for me, just like a neutral shoe would be harmful for me.
  • McBody
    McBody Posts: 1,703 Member
    The only Nike's I will run in are any from the Bowerman line. The rest of their "running" shoes are garbage in my opinion. I've had so many issues with every pair of Nike's I've tried to run in... except the Bowerman line- that's all I run in for distance.
  • bunchesonothing
    bunchesonothing Posts: 1,015 Member
    To me, it makes sense that you would have shin splints.

    Since they are a minimalist shoe, if you are a heel striker, the shoe might not be taking the force of the impact previous shoes might have. Ideally, your form should change from a heel striker to a mid-forefoot strike. if you're not doing that, it could cause injury.

    On a side note, I've tried the frees. I didn't like them. I personally thought they felt flimsy instead of minimalist. Although, I know other people that love them.
  • srp2011
    srp2011 Posts: 1,829 Member
    Sounds like they are not the right shoe for your foot or running stride/strike pattern. Did you get fitted at a running store where they watched you run? If not, do that and get the right style for you. If you did, go back and tell them the problems you're having and get a different kind.
  • Msaip
    Msaip Posts: 482 Member
    Were you fitted for them by a professional? Or did you just go to a store, try them on and buy them? More than likely you need more support, and running in a minimalist shoe is not the best option for the majority of runners out there (in my opinion). I know what I need in a shoe, but I still go and get fitted at least 2x a year. I need stability shoes, minimalist shoes would do way more harm than good for me, just like a neutral shoe would be harmful for me.

    My husband bought them for me for valentines day. I just get intense calf pain when i run in them. He says I don't run right. BUT they are the only shoe I have issues with. I would love to take them back but I've had them too long giving them their chances to work for me. I wonder how much a used clothing store would give me for them if I clean em up a bit
  • sprinkies
    sprinkies Posts: 309 Member
    def go to a running store for shoes if you haven't already. they know what they're doing. i was running in the wrong shoes and got blisters/shin splints running only a few miles and then got fitted for the right shoes (same brand, totally different style) and i can run 10+ miles in them without any pain.
  • Msaip
    Msaip Posts: 482 Member
    The only Nike's I will run in are any from the Bowerman line. The rest of their "running" shoes are garbage in my opinion. I've had so many issues with every pair of Nike's I've tried to run in... except the Bowerman line- that's all I run in for distance.

    Does anyone know of any stores or places that watch my stride and fit the shoe to me? I live in the us Kansas city mo
  • snkeller24
    snkeller24 Posts: 459
    I agree with the other posts - they aren't the right type for you. I'm a fan of the Pegasus, which I believe is the Bowerman line, that someone else mentioned or my reezigs.
  • natskedat
    natskedat Posts: 570 Member
    Were you fitted for them by a professional? Or did you just go to a store, try them on and buy them? More than likely you need more support, and running in a minimalist shoe is not the best option for the majority of runners out there (in my opinion). I know what I need in a shoe, but I still go and get fitted at least 2x a year. I need stability shoes, minimalist shoes would do way more harm than good for me, just like a neutral shoe would be harmful for me.

    My husband bought them for me for valentines day. I just get intense calf pain when i run in them. He says I don't run right. BUT they are the only shoe I have issues with. I would love to take them back but I've had them too long giving them their chances to work for me. I wonder how much a used clothing store would give me for them if I clean em up a bit

    I might get jumped on for this, but if you look at all the elite runners in the world, not a one of them has the exact same stride. There are heel strikers and midfoot strikers and people whose fists are at their chests and people whose fists are at their hips. Conclusion? There's no "right" way to run. The article in Runner's World last month suggested that there may be more harm done when runners attempt to change their stride.
  • jbqueen
    jbqueen Posts: 89 Member
    I've never had any luck with Nikes, unfortunately; they never fit correctly in my heels. If you're looking for a minimalist shoe, I have the Merrell Pace and I LOVE them!!!! I had hip pain that I couldn't get rid of when I returned to running, and I have no pain with the Merrells, even though I used to wear stability shoes for a fallen arch previously. I wear them with a thin sock and have no problem with blisters, either. Any time you use a minimalist shoe you do have to make sure you do lots of stretching, as you're heavily using muscles you weren't using before.

    Also, consider reading up on minimalist running; it's not recommended to just strap them on and then run the same distance you did in your previous shoes. You do have to build up to it.:

    http://askcoachjenny.runnersworld.com/2011/03/how-to-reap-the-barefootminimalist-running-movement-without-getting-hurt.html
  • Msaip
    Msaip Posts: 482 Member
    I've never had any luck with Nikes, unfortunately; they never fit correctly in my heels. If you're looking for a minimalist shoe, I have the Merrell Pace and I LOVE them!!!! I had hip pain that I couldn't get rid of when I returned to running, and I have no pain with the Merrells, even though I used to wear stability shoes for a fallen arch previously. I wear them with a thin sock and have no problem with blisters, either. Any time you use a minimalist shoe you do have to make sure you do lots of stretching, as you're heavily using muscles you weren't using before.

    Well coming from someone who has no idea about running fundamentals that's good advice. I might just use my adidas untill I can get properly fitted. I want the shoe to fit me....I don't care to change the way I run it works for me. BUT I do understand now that a good shoe is worth the money. My poor calves! I really do love to run BUT am wary when it comes to lacing up those pupps
  • bunchesonothing
    bunchesonothing Posts: 1,015 Member
    I might get jumped on for this, but if you look at all the elite runners in the world, not a one of them has the exact same stride. There are heel strikers and midfoot strikers and people whose fists are at their chests and people whose fists are at their hips. Conclusion? There's no "right" way to run. The article in Runner's World last month suggested that there may be more harm done when runners attempt to change their stride.

    I do agree completely with the first half of your post.

    I don't recommend minimal shoes for everyone.

    But, that being said, there is a right way and a wrong way to get into minimalist running. For some, it is simply not an option. Nor does it have to be. But some people can transition successfully if they do it the right way(slowly, low mileage at first, by feel). I don't know if this was the same way with the OP, but often people tend to rush into these shoes or push their progress forward way before their body is ready. I've heard too many stories. "I don't like the shoes. I got hurt." Me: "How was your transition?" Them: "Transition?" If I look at the wear pattern on my shoes, it's definitely changed. And I personally have less problems with nagging pains and inflammation that I did before. I started, though, with a lightly minimal shoe that was supposed to help me train my gait. For me, it stuck and now I try things far more minimal than those.
  • jbqueen
    jbqueen Posts: 89 Member
    I've never had any luck with Nikes, unfortunately; they never fit correctly in my heels. If you're looking for a minimalist shoe, I have the Merrell Pace and I LOVE them!!!! I had hip pain that I couldn't get rid of when I returned to running, and I have no pain with the Merrells, even though I used to wear stability shoes for a fallen arch previously. I wear them with a thin sock and have no problem with blisters, either. Any time you use a minimalist shoe you do have to make sure you do lots of stretching, as you're heavily using muscles you weren't using before.

    Well coming from someone who has no idea about running fundamentals that's good advice. I might just use my adidas untill I can get properly fitted. I want the shoe to fit me....I don't care to change the way I run it works for me. BUT I do understand now that a good shoe is worth the money. My poor calves! I really do love to run BUT am wary when it comes to lacing up those pupps

    I'm a relatively new runner, as well. Or, I should say that I've just returned to it after years of not running! I also felt it in my calves and hamstrings when I started with the Merrells, so I just had to slow it down and ease into it. The minimalist shoes may not be right for you, but the great thing is that you're out there! Good luck!!!
  • jillybeanruns
    jillybeanruns Posts: 1,420 Member
    +1 on the causing more harm trying to change your stride.

    As for location a proper running store (don't go to D*ck's, Modell's, any of the sporting goods chains)...but Runner's World has a locater on their site: http://www.runnersworld.com/store/search/1,7978,s6-240-417-0-0,00.html
  • OneFitMom_
    OneFitMom_ Posts: 151 Member
    The only Nike's I will run in are any from the Bowerman line. The rest of their "running" shoes are garbage in my opinion. I've had so many issues with every pair of Nike's I've tried to run in... except the Bowerman line- that's all I run in for distance.

    Does anyone know of any stores or places that watch my stride and fit the shoe to me? I live in the us Kansas city mo
  • OneFitMom_
    OneFitMom_ Posts: 151 Member
    I live in the KC area too! Very interested in this topic....... Would love to know more about what type of shoe I should purchase since I am training to run a half.
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