Active Community: Message List - running shoes

Re: running shoes

guest — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:52:54 GMT

I had gait analysis done in 2005 and bought my first Asics Gel's. I didn't know I was a supinator, and had nearly beaten my knees and hips to death using the wrong shoes. Running had become unpleasant! The instant I put the Asics on, I knew I had found the right shoe. I recently bought the Kayanos and I am in love! I am starting to train for Team in Training to run the Rock n Roll half in September. I am not sure if I will be able to, but at least now I have a chance.

The time, money and sweat you invest in you shoes is the worth everything. I can also echo the need for core strength and stability. As a CPT, I do a lot of training with distance runners. The feedback I get is consistent...put time into training your core and you will see improvement in your running.

Katya

Re: running shoes

guest — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:00:59 GMT

I have also had problems with my IT band and hipflexors. I have tried ALOT of different shoes. You name the brand and I have had a pair of their shoes. I have been a runner for a long time and usually buy the higher end shoes. I just bought my first pair of Ascics Gel Kayono 15 and I agree with the others that love this shoe. It has changed my life. They are so comfortable. I noticed the difference immediately. There was a change in my stride and I could just feel the difference in the mechanics of my gait. The best part is the hip pain is much, much less. I am a physician and have found trough my work that alot of runners injuries are related to their feet and the mechanics of how they plant that foot. It may take a while and you may have to pay some money to do it, but finding the right shoes makes the world of difference. I have used the professionals at running stores and I have done the run on the treadmill, but the only way to really find the shoe is to keep trying. If you are having trouble try, try, try again until you find it. This from a now very happy runner!!!!!

Re: running shoes

guest — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:39:19 GMT

To buy your shoes and learn how to measure your foot for the right size and the correct shoe for your foot, click on JOIN at www.DittoClub.com. Get your account #, log back in and go to Partner Stores. Sports Authority. Also with your log-in you can find Rhodiolla and Double X and Perfect Water for perfect Hydration. I found out that this is the #1 best sports nutrition. (10 times larger than GNC).

Re: running shoes

guest — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:45:06 GMT

Running shoes vary a great deal. Definately, go to a running shop and talk to the people who work there. My suggestion is to go to a couple of them, wander, look around and engage with the staff. Find a store your comfortable in going to because you will end up going often. I found a running shop in my area that allows you to buy, try for 30 days and bring back if you need to with no questions asked to return, swap for another kind, etc.

My first pair was a pair of Nike's Air off the shelf of Big 5. How can you go wrong with a big name like Nike right? Wrong... totally the wrong pair of shoes for me. I ended up with sore knees for months until I finally bought a pair of Saucony's. After wearing the Saucony's Progrid's for about 1.5 weeks, my sore knees started to go away. Put the Nike's back on (don't ask me why) and voila, sore knees returned. Figured out that Nike has a firmer cushioning system than Saucony. Made my knees take all the impact.

Here is another kicker...finally went to a running shop, they analyzed my gait and suggested a few pairs. Upgraded to a new pair of Saucony's however specifically for overpronators. Weeks later, I have sore hips. Went back to my neutral Saucony's, the sore hips go away.

Long story short, go with an expert opinion, try what works for you and be open to swap out if you need to. Just because a Pro Shop suggests a certain brand or style, it doesn't mean it's the best. Keep track of how you felt prior to switching to a new pair of shoes. If aches and pains start up, even weeks afterwards, be aware of what the catalysts may be...you never know, it may be the shoes. Shoes made today are higher tech, different cushioning technologies and much better support systems than years ago. Your shoes are your base. Find a pair that work for you, try them out and if they consistently provide what you need, buy another if not two pairs to keep to replace when you need to.

Re: running shoes

guest — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:41:04 GMT

The runners world site offers some great tools to assist you.

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/tools/0,,,00.html

Not being a local here in Virginia Beach, I used the tools on the site to kelp me find a local running shoe specialty store. They got me in the right shoes as well as put me in touch with some local running groups for those long run days.

Hope this helps.

Re: running shoes

guest — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:29:41 GMT

I am also new to running, I signed up for a run group at the local high school in Septemer and that has helped me get out there as well as giving me someone with experience to bounce questions off of. There are stores that have treadmills and also have great sales associates that can watch you jog and suggest proper shoes. At the suggestion of the woman overseeing my run group I went to a store called Marathon Sports in Massachusetts and they were great, the sales associate watched me take a light jog, disappeared in the back and returned with some shoes for me to try on, the first were nice, much better then what I had been wearing and the second were even better, she also guided me through choosing some socks, and suggested some other core items to get me running comfortably. Oh and if no one else has told you I have been informed numerous times now that you always go up a half to whole size when buying running shoes. It was very helpful and I am happy to say I am far more comfortable in my new shoes and clothes and I'm up to 2 1/2 miles and hoping to run a 5K on Thanksgiving!

Re: running shoes

guest — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:03:39 GMT

Buying a good pair of running shoes is so important! I had a gait analysis done a few years ago & found that my knees were hurting because I tend to pronate - or run more on the inside edges of my feet rather than centered. I started buying the Asics Kayanos & my knees completely stopped hurting. If you look for a shoe that has the darker grey / harder rubber material on the soles, that's the area that is built with additional support. Some have them on the heel & some have them where the arch of your foot is like the Kayanos - hence why they work for me. That little bit of support there gave me the support I needed to stop pronating when I ran. Go to a good running store - not something like Academy or Sports Authority - but a store that has real athletes with experience working there. In Houston they are places like Luke's Locker, Run Sport or Fleet Feet. These people will talk with you about what kind of running you are doing, what is going on with your body when you run, & how far you are running so you can be fit with the appropriate shoe. There's also a limit to your shoe as far as long it will last & give you the support you need. The typical time frame is every 300-500 miles you should get new shoes. Hope this helps & happy running!

Re: running shoes

guest — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:26:50 GMT

You can go to Road Runner's store and they will have you run on "The Road Dog". It is a treadmill equipped with a camera that video's you as you run. The sales associate will then analyze how you run and suggests shoes that will be best suited for you. You can also go to Snail's Pace and there sales staff will watch you run to analyze your running style.

Re: running shoes

guest — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:47:36 GMT

I will echo what many of the other have said. First take a look at your feet. I have wider than average feet, so Nike just doesn't work for me. They are just not cut wide enough. I usually run in either new balance or Asics. Second, I am about 190 lbs and I pronate so I need to be really picky about what goes on my feet. I have learned the hard way that an extra $25 or $30 for better running shoes is much cheaper than nursing shin splints and sore knees. I am currently getting ready for my first marathon in May of 2009. I can't agree more with the cross training advice especially to keep your core as stong as possible. I've gone through periods where I get lazy with my cross training and you can feel it as your other muscles begin to lose their tone.

Re: running shoes

guest — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:27:51 GMT

I think there are a couple of important points to consider here when choosing shoes. You should have somebody analyze your stride to determine what kind of runner you are - by doing this you will be able to focus on shoe types that were made for you when you go into a store to make a purchase. If this is not possible due to where you live, etc there is a method you can do by making a 'foot print' (I can't remember exactly how they recommend doing this) and the features that show up will at least give you an indication of your posture, how your feet are planted on the ground, etc which would lead you to make valid assumptions on what kind of stride you might have. Also, look for wear on the sole of your current shoe as indicators of your pronation- greater wear on the treads to one side or the other might be a clue. Lastly, if you can get away with this w/out being sucked into some greater plan, visit a chiropractor for advice. I am sure they can determine this for you if necessary but it might cost you some money up-front (this is about as professional of an opinion you'll get, however)

Secondly, evaluate how serious you are about making running a commitment in your daily, year-round lifestyle. Shoes are not cheap and you may need to burn through 5 - 6 different pairs before you find the right one. i've been running consistently for about 15 years now and I found the Asics Kayano's were my shoe. I have over a dozen 1/2, 30K and marathon distances, as well as a number of international distance tri's under my belt and all have been run in Kayano's. I had to put down some hard cash to figure this out, but my knees are fine today and I have no idea what lower leg or foot injuries are like because i have the right shoes on. Granted, these shoes retail for about $130, and I cringe everytime I think about having to buy a new pair..... but they have never failed me. I have used every 'version' they've come out with since Kayano VII's (I just bought a pair of Kayano XIV - or 14's if you will- and these are my shoes for the Twin Cities marathon this year). These may not be the shoes for you, but my point is find the right shoe and stick with it. Also, when you find the right shoe check around at the end/beginning of the year to see if these are on a clearance rack. I've been able to get a few pairs of my shoe as low as $79 dollars so the store can make room for next year's model. Just a thought to consider.

My final advice is to make sure you are incorporating some variety into your routine to make your legs, calves, hip flexors, back, etc strong. Many people assume if they just run and run and run they will have strong quads, defined healthy calves and the excess fat on threir rears and tummy will magically disappear. This will happen to some degree but it will not cover core strength training which will target your overall ability to handle the balancing, posture and overall taxation you place on your body during the longer run and higher volume run periods. Besides, you are commited to put in the time to exercise - running is just one facet of many that will get you to the fitness goals you want to achieve. VERY IMPORTANT: do not use your running shoes for anything other than running. Yes, you can wear them around the house and such when they are brand new to break them in, but do not cross-train in them. You will greatly reduce the life of your investment.