Running Shoes Advice Needed

paulsturgess

Went into Runners Need in Holborn yesterday to buy some new running trainers. I’ve run 3 or 4 half marathons in my old pair and bought them about 2 years ago, should probably have replaced them ages ago. Theyre Asics which I just bought from Lillywhites for about 60quid without having any advice or analysis etc of my feet / running style, but they felt okay and seemed to do the job.

Anyway thought I would go and get some advice in the shop this time to make sure I was getting the most suitable set as I’m hopefully doing the marathon next time round. The fella in the shop watched me running on the treadmill and said I was primarily a “forefront” runner i.e. I land mainly on the front part of foot and barely touch down on the heel etc. So he said I didn’t need anything like as much cushioning as I had on the old pair and could get a much lighter set, then recommended me some New Balance ones which I shelled out 90quid for.

a) Did I need to spend this much, is it possible to just get a previous model of the same shoe for half the price in Sports Direct or somewhere and

b) I don’t actually know if they are going to be correct for me - I do all my running on the street and I could tell instantly that I was running differently on the treadmill…

Anyone in the know got any advice for me?!

Friend Or Defoe

It maybe better to ask on a palace forum.

paulsturgess

Whats that sposed to mean?

Addickforlife

I wouldn't say I'm 'in the know', but I used the same shop before I started my training for the marathon (a few years ago now though) and the ones they recomended me to buy were brilliant and they got it spot on. I was sceptical about being told to buy such an expensive pair of trainers, but in the end it was worth it as I had no issues with my feet.

iainment

Well I think you should go back and talk to them, explain that you ran differently on the treadmill and get another opinion. If you've not run outside in the shoes you should be ok for as replacement.

A trip toa a podiatrist might be worthwhile to assess your running gait and which type of shoe to buy if you don't trust a salesperson

£90 sounds about right for a good shoe and NB are a good brand. Yes you can save money if you know what shoe to choose, I always get Asics Gel Foundation one model behind the latest and save about £15-£20.

GreenWithEnvy

I am a runner but I am not aware of there being forefront runners. I guess you could go to one of the other Runners Needs (or other running shop) for a second opinion. There are several dotted about town. I agree that running on a treadmill is slightly different to running on the street due to having to stabilise on uneven surfaces quite frquently but not that different. However I generally have had decent advice from these people as the are runners themselves.

iainment

I am a runner but I am not aware of there being forefront runners. I guess you could go to one of the other Runners Needs (or other running shop) for a second opinion. There are several dotted about town. I agree that running on a treadmill is slightly different to running on the street due to having to stabilise on uneven surfaces quite frquently but not that different. However I generally have had decent advice from these people as the are runners themselves.

There is a growing movement of forefoot runners, apparently it is a more natural way to run and leads to less stress and injury.

http://www.forefootrunningshoes.com/what-is-forefoot-running/

cafcdave123

get some knitted ones

http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_lightbox/hash/43/ca/43ca87405c8d2b4914fbd6ef3c1c0159.jpg

lolwray

i think you have been given decent advice

i know through experience that these shops have good reputations ...i bought a pair of shoes from cityrunner in Jan "brookes Ghosts" best 90 quid i have spent ..i dont run faster but i run better ...generally these people do know what they are talking about

and good luck with the running !

paulsturgess

Okay cheers for the advice all... reassuring. I was hoping for answers along these lines... hopefully the more expensive shoes justify the cost. I did mention to him at the time that it didnt feel the same running on the treadmill and it sound like they generally know what they're talking about.

I actually quite like them knitted ones cafcdave, I reckon I could pull them off

GreenWithEnvy

wish they would invent a shoe where it helped me run faster!! but at least I am protecting my body better with these shoes.

sam3110

Adidas running shoes are good if you pronate, and they offer a lot of shock absorption throughout the shoe too, not just in the heel.

cafcdave123

Okay cheers for the advice all... reassuring. I was hoping for answers along these lines... hopefully the more expensive shoes justify the cost. I did mention to him at the time that it didnt feel the same running on the treadmill and it sound like they generally know what they're talking about.

I actually quite like them knitted ones cafcdave, I reckon I could pull them off

they are meant to be featherweight, formfitting and virtually seamless upper.

and as they are nike they will match our new kit

paulsturgess

Okay cheers for the advice all... reassuring. I was hoping for answers along these lines... hopefully the more expensive shoes justify the cost. I did mention to him at the time that it didnt feel the same running on the treadmill and it sound like they generally know what they're talking about.

I actually quite like them knitted ones cafcdave, I reckon I could pull them off

they are meant to be featherweight, formfitting and virtually seamless upper.

and as they are nike they will match our new kit

How much?

Bournemouth Addick

I've tried all the major manufacturers over the years and always found myself coming back to Asics. It is very personal though and you have done exactly the right thing in getting someone who knows (should know anyway) what they are doing to have a look at your running style, weight, etc and make a recommendation.

You probably could have picked up last years model for instance and paid a few quid less because there's hardly any change year on year tbh, but the manufacturers/retailers have kind of cottoned on to this so the discounts offered are nothing like they used to be so you've probably not overpaid by too much, if at all.

BTW they were doing a survey at the finish of the marathon last week as they were taking timing chips off and Asics were absolutely caning the other manufacturers but my second choice would probably have been Brookes.

Nike are okay but over priced and Adidas give me wicked blisters but hey...that's just the way I roll...

Bournemouth Addick

Alternatively how about a pair of these bad boys?

iainment

Alternatively how about a pair of these bad boys?

They are actually designed for forerunning - or the vibram ones are anyway.

Bermuda_red

Alternatively how about a pair of these bad boys?

They are actually designed for forerunning - or the vibram ones are anyway.

Careful! For forefoot runners with good form only!! So if you are a mid foot runner then work on form is required. Not easy to change running style after many years. Initially will cause sore/tight calf muscles. Best phase it in a bit at a time. Do not attempt if overweight either. The shoe will make you change your style also, as you won't be able to handle too much heal striking wearing them! Have a friend who suffered a stress fracture of shin as a result of using these things, she's a good runner and light also. Yes thats how we ran several thousand years ago when we hunted in packs etc, but things have changed abit since then. Well they have around here anyway......

Treadmills are different as they pull your foot back, something road won't do, obviously. But would imagine it won't effect the way your feet strike surface. Good idea to get a running shop to take a look at the way you run.

Bryan_Kynsie

Got mine from a shop like that with it's own treadmill, video etc.

Advised me to switch from Nike (fine) to Saucony which have always been uncomfortable.

Next time I will just buy Nike.

JohnBoyUK

Runners Need at Bluewater were really good.

When I ran the half marathon with some of the guys from here in 2008, I ran in some Brooks Glycerin's. Didnt run again until the start of this year. Went along to the shop and ran in the old pair so they knew what my feet were doing and I was still pretty much a neutral runner, so bought another pair of Brook Glycerin's in a fetching black and hi-glo green. Most comfortable pair of trainers I've had and ended up ordering an identical pair with the £25 voucher they were doing at the time.

Agree what the others have said about. Treadmill doesnt really reflect what your feet are doing on the road and pavements. Would recommend the gait analysis just to ensure the knees and feet dont get a caning.

Clem_Snide

Zola Budd had the right idea.

KBslittlesis

I recommend you get it checked every now & then though.
I was recommended Asics first & they were fine for a few years & then I started having problems with my Achilles.
Had the gait etc checked again & not much had changed but he noticed the Asics came quite far up my ankle & as my ankles are like Arnies I didn't need the support. Recommended Brooke's & I feel like I'm running in slippers now & touch wood have had no probs.
My trick, once you know which ones are for you, get on the Internet. You'll always get cheaper ones that are 'last seasons'.
Happy running!

Salad

My trick, once you know which ones are for you, get on the Internet. You'll always get cheaper ones that are 'last seasons'.

True but I think if you've benefitted from gait analysis etc. at a dedicated running shop then you should consider supporting them a bit by buying some of your future shoes from them for a little bit extra than you can find online.

davy macaddick

I use Runners Shop in Beckenham excellent advice and got me through my 4 London Marathons with good recommendations for shoes. One tiop if you are concerned about the advice they gave you, get the wear on the bottom of your old trainers, you can tell how your foot lands and rolls to the front from it, (im not a geek the bloke in the Runners Shop told me ;-)

harveys_gardener

If you are unsure if they correctly analysed your gait have a look at the soles of your old shoes - wear on the heels would suggest they may have it wrong. Wear patterns will also give you an idea of your pronation to assess future advice on running shoes.

RedPanda

i bought a pair of shoes from cityrunner in Jan "brookes Ghosts" best 90 quid i have spent ..i dont run faster but i run better ...generally these people do know what they are talking about

I've got the same, very comfortable. They do (unintentionally) seem to make me run quicker, but still being unfit that means I get tired quicker.