Running Shoe Conundrum

[cindi1]

I'm looking for some insight related to my recent running shoe experiences. I'm hoping some experienced runners can help me.

I'll try to explain my situation briefly but with enough detail - so please bear with me.

I started running almost 2 years ago and my first pair of running shoes (from the running store) were Mizuno Wave Creation. I loved them and they worked well for me. After about a year (and 2 pairs of the creations), as I was training for my first Half Marathon, I got the new version and they had a different style around the foot that wasn't as comfortable.

Then I started to get a sensitive, bruised area on the top of my foot. So back to the running store and they recommend the Wave Rider shoe instead because it had a lower heel and they thought that would reduce the pressure against the top of my foot.

I train all summer for another half marathon in the Wave Riders, sometimes alternating with a pair of Sauconys and all is well.

Then after the second half marathon, I strain my achilles on both sides because I started running again but changed the intensity too soon. I think I should get a new pair of shoes anyway by this time.

Back to the shoe store for new Wave Riders, the achilles feel better but the pain on my right foot never went away and moved to the outside of my heel.

Several months of icing, googling, stretching, etc. and the pain keeps coming back after my runs.

SO THEN I give up, take a week off and start to feel better. And I dig out my old pair of Wave Creations (thinking maybe the higher heel will help lesson the strain on my heel) and lo and behold, the pain has gotten even better every day this week and I've run 10 miles, 7 miles, and 7 miles.

Anyone have any thoughts about what is going on? Do you think it was the shoe all along? I feel like shoes only work for my feet for about 4 months and then I start to get a problem and someone tells me I need a different shoe.

So - maybe I'm not getting the right advice from the running store? Or do you think my problem isn't the shoe but it's just a coincedence because I changed shoes right after my week off.

Sorry for the long post!

 

[JeanneMarie]

I don't run nearly as much as you do, but I do run 3 miles every single day.

It has been my experience that there are two main factors with shoes. First, you must find the right pair for YOU. And second, once you have done that, you must replace them regularly. Even if the shoe doesn't *look* worn out, trust me... it probably is!

It sounds like you have the right style. (BTW, I wear Mizuno Wave Riders too, and love them!)

Are you getting new shoes often enough? 500 to 600 miles per pair is recommended.

Recently I was experiencing some back pain with my running. I was starting to attribute it to old age, when I realized my running shoes had about 800 miles on them. It had been too long since they were replaced. I went out and bought new shoes and the back pain went away immediately!

Maybe this isn't the issue for you, but thought I'd mention it since my experience was so dramatic. If I were you, I'd replace my shoes every 4 to 5 months, but probably stick with the style that works best. Don't switch around styles. JMHO! Good luck!

 

[banslug]

I totally agree with JeanneMarie on this one....replace your shoes the very second you have any feeling (mentally and physically) that they might be wearing out. I can attest to the fact that worn-our running sneakers look BRAND NEW....I've handed down enough of them to my older DS as his play shoes and he always gets comments about how often HE gets NEW sneakers! LOL

I am also a Mizuno wearer. I am SOLD on the Mizuno Wave Rider. The running store guy originally put me in those, but then after shelling out $100, 3 times over the course of about 16 months, my frugal side started kicking in and I bought a pair of the lower-grade and less expensive Mizunos.....Precision, Creation, etc. I learned pretty quickly that I couldn't wear those, and I am now back in the Riders withOUT diverting from them. During those 16 months, I fought Plantar Fasciitis in my right foot the entire time but didn't consider it was simply because I changed models within the same manufacturer....DUH moment, I guess! My PF has since cleared up and I am training for 2 half marathons without any twinges, and LOVE my Riders!!!

When you find what works, you just HAVE to stick with it.

Good luck!!!!

 

[cindi1]

Thanks for the input Gayle and JeanneMarie! I am really good about buying new shoes. In fact I just bought new Wave Riders thinking they would help but my heel just didn't get better.

The wave creations are actually more expensive than the riders (130 vs 100). I'm thinking now it was the upper on the new style of the creations that caused my top-of-foot problem but overall, they are the right shoe for me. I see now they changed back to the older upper style so they must have gotten feedback from others that it wasn't working.

The wave riders are great shoes too but with that little extra lift from the creation is helping my heel to heal. Once my heel is 100%, I will try the riders again and see how they feel.

Now that I think more about it - I'm thinking the original injury came from trying too much barefoot running and minimal shoes and then once I had the pain, going back to the riders wasn't giving me the relief I needed.

Thanks again!

 

[hokypoky]

One thing you might do is once you find the perfect pair, stock up so you're not dealing with model changes, etc. Sometimes for me, it's better to stick with "last year's" model - the slightest change can throw off the whole feel of the shoe.

 

[cindi1]

Thanks Dayna - I think that is what started my problem in the first place.

 

[Kathy G]

One thing you might do is once you find the perfect pair, stock up so you're not dealing with model changes, etc. Sometimes for me, it's better to stick with "last year's" model - the slightest change can throw off the whole feel of the shoe.

I totally agree....stock up on the model that works for you because chances are the manufacturer will try to "improve" on it and change it, ugh. I'm so tired of finding a shoe that works then having it changed yet again.

Kathy