C25k~ Running Shoes~ HELP :)

ExplorinLauren
ExplorinLauren Posts: 991 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So, I am looking to starting C25K, and have gotten some really good advice from everyone on the site :)
The main thing I keep hearing is GOOD RUNNING SHOES and how important it is! Most say go to a running store, and get fitted and tested for the shoes you need.. Which sounds like a great plan, and I am going to try to do that. But with 2 babies, Idk how going in there with my double stroller and keeping them occupied while I do various running tests and try on multiple pairs of shoes will go. lol

With that said... Are there certain Brands I should be looking for? What are the best? What are the generally good ones, that aren't necessarily the most expensive!? I don't want to walk in looking like I have no clue what I'm doing or looking for and get talked into buying the most expensive pair in the store because I'm distracted and ready to get out of there! LOL

I'm a beginning runner (you could pretty much say I've barely ran a day in my life, except from the cops as a kid lol) and I have a high arch. I do not walk on the inners, or outers of my feet... I walk straight and have no wear on either sides of my normal shoes. Idk if that helps?

Thanks!!!
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Replies

  • jehembee
    jehembee Posts: 114
    I am a newbie to running, too (just did week 6 day 1 though!) and I ended up just going to Sports Chek and getting a good pair of New Balance running shoe made for trail running (can't run on a tread mill, and beside, I live about 100 meters from a beautiful trail system.

    I have two small children as well, and couldn't justify spending over $100 on a pair of shoes for myself.
  • mhuch110
    mhuch110 Posts: 130 Member
    I was in and out of my running store in 20 mins with a pair of shoes less than $100. They just had me walk back and forth a few times and gave me 3 pairs to try on. I ran down the sidewalk and back in each one and was surprised at how different they were. You really should have someone fit you for good shoes. It makes a huge difference even if you will only be running a mile or so at the beginning. Good luck!
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    If you go to a running store, every brand, every shoe is going to be a good shoe. You just have to find the right one for you based on the way you run.

    Sounds like you need to take a friend along to entertain the little ones. :)
  • Kunderwood04
    Kunderwood04 Posts: 24
    Where would one find a running store? Mall? Thanks!
  • theginnyray
    theginnyray Posts: 208 Member
    If you go to a running store, every brand, every shoe is going to be a good shoe. You just have to find the right one for you based on the way you run.

    Sounds like you need to take a friend along to entertain the little ones. :)

    Bingo.
    What do your kids do when you take them in other stores?
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Where would one find a running store? Mall? Thanks!

    Probably not at the mall. RoadRunner Sports and Fleet Feet are two that are semi-national. Check with a local running group to see where they go.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Yes, I spent an hour in the store when I went, but I was talking with the salesperson about running. The actual test and fitting was less than 15 minutes. Just try it. What's the worst that can happen? You have to leave the store? No loss.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    The small investment in time to make sure you have the right shoe for you is worth it.
  • franklands
    franklands Posts: 1 Member
    PLEASE! Go to a running store. A real one. They will likely have the machine to analyze your running pattern, gait, etc and be able to correctly fit you in the right shoe. You will be happy with the results.
  • krisiepoo
    krisiepoo Posts: 710 Member
    The sales people are not paid on comission. They are paid to help you succeed at running. Many, if not all, of the people are runners themselves and want to see you love it as much as they do. If you have a budget, let them know what that is so they can see if they can find anything in that range.

    It's not like going to a car dealership, you won't be taken advantage of.

    If you want to be successful at running, you need a good pair of shoes.
  • ExplorinLauren
    ExplorinLauren Posts: 991 Member
    If you go to a running store, every brand, every shoe is going to be a good shoe. You just have to find the right one for you based on the way you run.

    Sounds like you need to take a friend along to entertain the little ones. :)

    Bingo.
    What do your kids do when you take them in other stores?

    I don't usually take them anywhere with me... I do all errands during baby nap times when my 17 year old babysits.... But he is gone for the summer :(
  • ExplorinLauren
    ExplorinLauren Posts: 991 Member
    Ok... I actually have an all runners store in the next town over from me... my husband ran in there one day to get an Ipod arm carrier, and said they had a treadmill set up with a video camera and stuff inside... I'm assuming its to test your running? Anyway... Running store it is!!!!!! Thanks guys :)
  • jealous_loser
    jealous_loser Posts: 395
    I went to a local running store. They had me walk around the store for them and asked me what my goals were. Then they brought me like 10 pairs of shoes and we just tried them on, walked around and decided if I liked this one better than that one, etc. It was really good advice. I walked out with some shoes that were a little pricey, but now I don't get shin splints! I think it's worth it.

    For what it's worth, I bought Brooks Launch.
  • annieu613
    annieu613 Posts: 143 Member
    This is a good list of running stores that can help you get fitted: http://www.runnersworld.com/store/search/1,7978,s6-240-417-0-0,00.html
  • MtnKat
    MtnKat Posts: 714
    I'm an Asics kinda gal :-) I love my Asics...New Balance isn't too bad either. I heard Brooks and Nike were good too.

    There is no place around me within a hundred miles that do the shoe testing. I had to research and learn what kind of shoe I needed to wear. There is a brown bag and water test that you can do to find your arch and you already seem to know that you are not an over or under pronator (like you said, your old shoes).

    I think going to a shoe store for a fitting is your best option, but if you had to do it on your own, I would research it by starting with Runner's World and using their shoe finder: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7120,s6-240-319--4615-0,00.html

    I figured out that I needed a good stability running shoe. I ended up buying new pair of Asic's Gels stability (I forget off hand the exact type) shoe for $60 instead of $140 online.

    I love them. They are by far my most favorite shoe and when I put them on, I feel like I'm walking on a cloud. Much better than the New Balance one's I was wearing (They were my first running shoe....I just grabbed them at the shoe store. They worked, but not like the Asics).

    Good luck in finding your new shoes!
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I went to our local Nordstrom Rack and picked up a pair of NIke Free's that were made for running..and I've never looked back.

    They are the most comfortable shoes around.. and I love running outside in them!
  • amytag
    amytag Posts: 206 Member
    It wasn't feasible for me to go to a running store either (kids, work AND the closest one is 50+ miles). I bought Saucony based on recommendations from runner friends, and love them.
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    But with 2 babies, Idk how going in there with my double stroller and keeping them occupied while I do various running tests and try on multiple pairs of shoes will go. lol

    Later in the thread, you mentioned that your husband already checked out a running store. Sounds simple enough, take the hubby along and he can watch the kids while you get the shoes fitted properly. Nothing says the kids cannot be entertained for an hour at the local bar, if he has any objections. LOL.
  • Tony_Brewski
    Tony_Brewski Posts: 1,376 Member
    Love my Asics! Do to a high arch I tossed in a second liner and some days I'll chuck in a third if I'm really going to be pounding them out. Great shoes, can't imagine going to anything else... maybe Addidas again if I could find a store that carried them in a good selection around here.
  • rrrbecca11
    rrrbecca11 Posts: 477
    Brooks Ghost 4s. Or even the 3s. Got fitted for mine at Fleet Feet and they said this shoe is the best all-around shoe for most gait types.
  • dwurth2
    dwurth2 Posts: 39 Member
    I agree with going to the running store to get the proper shoe for your foot, but DON'T buy it there! Go to runningwarehouse.com and buy it there. They usually aways have the same shoe for less $$ and you can almost always google a promo code which will give you an additional $10 off the shoe. I generally save between $30-50 off the cost of what the same shoe would cost me at the running store!!
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    If you are going to be running regularly, it IS that important to get the proper shoe. Please find time to do it.
  • Im_NotPerfect
    Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
    That's exactly what I did...went in with NO clue what I was looking for. They brought out 3 different brands for me and I just tried them all on and decided which was most comfy. I got a pair of Saucony Omni 10s. LOVE LOVE LOVE them! BUT...that's for MY feet. You might decide that the New Balace or Asics they brought me were better. It really is best just to go and ask for help. That's what they're there for!
  • domgirl85
    domgirl85 Posts: 295 Member
    I used this Fitness Magazine article to help narrow down brands. http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/gear/running-shoes/2012-sneaker-guide/?sssdmh=dm17.606454&esrc=nwftn070912&email=3089862336

    I ended up getting this Saucony shoe http://www.saucony.com/store/SiteController/saucony/productdetails?stockNumber=10121-10&showDefaultOption=true&skuId=***4*******10121-10*M120&productId=4-106890&searched=true

    They are down to $68 as of today! I paid that same price in March with a promo code (I bought mine from Footlocker.com though). It's a really good shoe. I have flat feet so I needed something with a lot of arch support. :)

    Also, I'm doing C25K and it's been great! There will be some getting used to them (there is a video on the site about why) but I love them!
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    You really need to be fitted by a professional. Depending on how you run, and what your legs and feet do during your stride, whether you need arch support or not: it all matters on what shoe you get.!!!!!

    If you can't get to a reputable running store with trained professionals, at least use this site to figure out what brands might work.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/shoeadvisor

    I had mine fitted by a podiatrist who is a runner. I had to have custom inserts, but most shoes, properly fitted to your gate will be a great advantage.

    I am sure you'll get lots of opinions - but your leg geometry and gate are very individual.

    Plan on spending $90-$200. Don't overlook brands that are not on this list. For all the purists, it was recommended that I get the Skechers model with the leaf spring which I bought 8 pairs at the mall on sale for $50 each. They last about 500-600 miles. Go figure.

    For the kiddies - Goldfish and occasionally vodka. ;)
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    I agree with going to the running store to get the proper shoe for your foot, but DON'T buy it there! Go to runningwarehouse.com and buy it there. They usually aways have the same shoe for less $$ and you can almost always google a promo code which will give you an additional $10 off the shoe. I generally save between $30-50 off the cost of what the same shoe would cost me at the running store!!

    Yes, this is true, but I feel that the store invests a lot of money in hiring and training their employees to assists you and it's only fair that you support them (if you can afford it). We need to keep these kinds of stores in business so that we can continue to have this type of service around. That said, I usually order subsequent pairs of the same shoes off of the internet. I generally check in with a running store every 4-5 years because your body changes over time.
  • Tricialew32
    Tricialew32 Posts: 96 Member
    I've had Nike Lunar Glide, Nike Free, Saucony , Brooks, Asics, New Balance and Adidas. All Great shoes but it depends on what your needs are. I have high arches and I over-pronate. I look for shoes made for these issues.
    Also, The Nike Free's I end up wearing to walk around in day to day because they're almost like being barefoot and for running I need extra stability and support.

    Find a runner or knowledgeable sales person to fit you and get you what you need because you don't want to end up with a "barefoot shoe" if you land hard and are prone to shin splints.
    Take an old pair of atheltic or running shoes with you so the person fitting you can see the wear and tear on your shoes....they leave signs of how you run or land.
  • weeblex
    weeblex Posts: 412 Member
    I had the shopping dilema to.

    I went into DI CKs Sporting goods and explained that I was looking for a getting started shoe but not a cheap and nasty.

    I explained that I was using a treadmill.

    Tried on a few and settled for Brooks shoes, and the commitment from the manager that if I used them on the treadmill, didn't scuff them up and didn't like them he'd take them back.

    Having the shoe makes a huge difference, now my muscles ache not my knees.

    Also I just looked up the shoes on Runningwarehouse.com and they are only $8 cheaper and I'd have had to pay shipping, so I'm happy to pay the $8 try them on and be able to return them.
  • PlunderBunneh
    PlunderBunneh Posts: 1,705 Member
    I couldn't squeeze out the money to get properly fitted for shoes, so I went to the Ross and made a pile of all of the running shoes that were available in my size with supportive arches (plantar faciitis). Just tried each pair on, ran down the back aisle of the store, and tried on the next pair, repeated. I made sure to go while the store was mostly empty, and explained to the clerks what I was doing. I found a great pair for only 30 bucks. Not exactly professional, but it worked for me. Gotta go back and do it again, since after six months mine have finally given out.
    As far as keeping kids occupied while shopping, mine like to play on my phone and goldfish are helpful.
  • ExplorinLauren
    ExplorinLauren Posts: 991 Member
    But with 2 babies, Idk how going in there with my double stroller and keeping them occupied while I do various running tests and try on multiple pairs of shoes will go. lol

    Later in the thread, you mentioned that your husband already checked out a running store. Sounds simple enough, take the hubby along and he can watch the kids while you get the shoes fitted properly. Nothing says the kids cannot be entertained for an hour at the local bar, if he has any objections. LOL.

    LOL I would love to have him help... unfortunately he just left for a 9 month deployment :( If he were here things would be a lot easier :)

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