Gordo

We recently got a running machine (Precor 964i - it's great!) so we're now after some decent running shoes - anyone suggest a good place to buy on line and recommend a type?

A friend suggetsed Asics gels - I keep seeing shoes for 'antipronation' - wtf?

Cheers
Gordo

ozzy

Gordo,

If your serious about running or serious enough not to want knee, hip or lower back pain then DO NOT BUY RUNNING SHOES ONLINE.

There's 3 two basic movements of your foot as you run - pronation and supination.

Pronation is flattening of your arch i.e. when you plant your foot on the deck.
Supination is the opposite i.e. when you push off from your toes.

There are 3 types of category that describes how well your foot moves through these two phases

1. under-pronate - your feet don't roll inwards enough
2. natural - your feet pretty much do as nature intended
3. over-pronate - your feet roll inwards too much

I'm a severe over-pronator and my left leg is about 1cm shorter than the right. I've only found this out today and is why I've had a bad lower back, shin-splints and compartment syndrome after starting running about 18mths ago.

Do yourself a favour and go along to a podiatrist to check your gait cycle (how your feet and legs move when you run). It'll cost you about £20-£30, but they will check you out and recommend if you a) have a problem and b) what can be done to correct this. They will also give you advice on the correct running shoe type for your body

Running is great for fitness, but the stresses on your legs is far greater than almost any sport and you need to start off on the right foot (forgive the pun) if you want to avoid injury.

It sounds excessive just to start running, but take it from someone who's been there and done it, don't just buy any old shoe and start pounding away on your treadmill.

You can go along to a specialised running shop and they'll give you advice on what type of shoe ... and here's the but ... they'll need to know if you over-pronate, under-pronate or run neutrally. I've been to loads of these and unless they have podiatry experience or qualifications, they'll be pretty way off the mark.

In fact, I just found out today that my running shoes are no good for me and that all the advice I had from 'specialised' shops was just plain wrong.

I'm no elite athlete and you don't have to be. Spend a few extra bucks now and the only problems you'll have will be getting fit; and not asking for suppliers of ice bags

Stefan

beemerboy

i use dunlop green flashes.

bung them in the washing machine once a month to keep them fresh as well.

great.

BB

ozzy

Oh and if you think I'm just being over cautious, then one simple reason for not buying online is you can never get the fit right first time.

Your feet get wider and length as you get older - the muscles in your feet relax with age, so you need to get them measured at least once a year.

The sizes (especially width) vary from manufacturer too, so you can't tell unless you try various makes and sizes in a shop.

I've ran in Asics shoes, but they're no better or worse than Saucony, New Balance, Puma, Nike, Adidas or whoever.

Running shops are just too simplistic when analysing your feet and movement. For example, they'll maybe tell you that your feet roll inwards (you over-pronate), so they'll recommend 2-3 shoes that are supposed to correct this. Sounds fine on the face of it, but they don't take into account the rest of the shoe and how it'll react to your running style.

Spend the £30 first and get professional advice on what your feet need. I've thrown away plenty of £60 running shoes that have been no use to me whatsoever.

They all feel great straight out the box, but a few weeks of running you may regret buying them (and you can't give them back).

Stefan

ozzy

or just buy a pair of plimsoles (spelling?)

if Roger Banister can do sub 4-mins for the mile in them, then anyone can

Stefan

Foot_Tapper

sound advice from ozzie

if/when you know your running style you could try here

sports shoes unlimited

ps running can go 1 of 2 ways, you either get fed up with it;
or you get addicted. whatever you do dont skimp on a decent pair;
and you dont have to pay out £100.

[Edited by Foot_Tapper - 4/29/2003 5:13:06 PM]

bros2

[Edited by bros2 - 7/3/2003 8:37:24 AM]

ozzy

Proper running shoes should only cost £60-£70 and only if you go for this seasons model. You can usually pickup last years for (up to) £20 less and they'll just be as good. Don't spend £100+ on these **** Nike ones. They only look cool, but are useless for running in (IMHO).

If I ran for a year without problems, then why do I need the latest runner That's my outlook on it anyway.

Ideally get your gait analysed by a Podiatrist first. I really can't stress this enough if you want to run regularly. You don't have to be running marathons to have problems. Even 2-miles a few times per week can start causing knee or shin pain.

If you don't fancy that, then at least get your feet sized properly. You might even find that one foot is slightly larger than the other, so size to the larger.

Black toenails just means your toes are hitting the front of the trainer, so your foots slipping forward. Other than just being too big, they maybe too wide.

Blisters on the heels usually means heels slippage. Again, shoes are either too big or too wide around the ankle and your heel is slimply lifting out of the shoe.

Some makes are just built wider or narrower than others, so it's important to try and few and check that your toes don't hit the front (try tapping down on the toe) or the heel doesn't lift (hold the shoe and try lifting your heel out. It should move slightly, just nothing excessive. If it feels perfect, but slips just a little, you can sometimes overcome this with different types of lacing.

Double-lined socks (like 1000-mile ones) are great, but won't stop all blisters (like the ones when your toes rub together). I usually tape my toes individually and around the heel with some M-tape (needs to be proper stuff that won't come loose or move around when wet).

Running in trainers or boots and even yomping miles across the Scottish Highlands and I've not had blisters since using the taping and double-lined socks.

Anyway, I'll step off my soap box

Stefan

bros2

[Edited by bros2 - 7/3/2003 8:38:05 AM]

ozzy

That's true about your feet. I was told to go shoe hunting in the afternoon once they've swollen up a bit. I've had plenty of missing toenails and excruciating blisters from my military boots, but taping worked for me and I've just got used to it now.

I hate running machines myself; first they are boring if you're running longer than 20mins, but more personally they give me cramps in my calves. I tend to just run on my toes using them and it just doesn't feel as natural as out in the countryside.

Luckily enough I'm surrounded my miles of farm land, so it's ideal and more interesting that been stuck indoors.

One thing I will say for treadmills is you can keep a constant pace and maintain a more precise control on a fitness routine. Outside you've got to put up with weather, wind, hills and even wildlife.

Anyway, I'm just back from a fast (well for me run) 3.5-mile/24min run where I ignored all my advice and ran in my old insoles, didn't tape my feet and wore a wornout pair of tatty trainers

OK, my achiles is a bit sore, but hey I'm still alive and feel (reasonably) good for my efforts.

Time for a nice hot bath me thinks

Stefan

[Edited by ozzy - 4/29/2003 6:58:02 PM]