Running shoes recommendations?

F

FitNut

Cathlete
Hi there! I need help in finding a pair of running shoes. I am not a runner and have never been. I just ordered a treadmill and am hoping the cross-training aspect of running will help me lose these extra pounds that just love hangin' around my butt!

Any recommendations on running shoes that don't cost a fortune? I just bought an expensive pair of Freddy aerobic shoes so I really would like to spend less than $50 on my running shoes if possible!

I have high arches but flat feet. Does that make sense? I like to tie the shoe tight around my foot don't like it to fall asleep like some of them do. I like them "cushy" with lots of bounce but good support?

Any help you pros can give will be MUCH appreciated.
 
My best recommendation is to go to Road Runner Sports website and use their shoe finder feature (I think it is called Shoe Dog). You can tell them about your foot structure and what your goals are and they will recommend the shoes that work best for you.

You may want to take those recommendations to a shoe store and try them on. I often find that most of the retail stores don't carry the most recent models, so this could be a problem. I have ordered several pairs of shoes from RRS and have always had great luck. We have very different foot structure, so the style that I am wearing would not work for you.

I understand you don't want to spend much, but if you get serious about running and start logging some miles, the better shoes are very much worth the extra money. My current shoes cost about $110 and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Good Luck with the Running.

Tina

P.S. the website is roadrunnersports.com
 
I don't think it's possible without divine intervention to find a pair of decent running shoes for under $75. Don't scrimp on your shoes, it's not worth it.

That being said, I really like ASICS.
 
Another Asics fan, but it's really hard to just recommend shoes for someone else. If possible, you should find a specialty running store and have them fit you for shoes. I don't have that available and have found the best shoes for me through trial and error.

I can't afford to spend a lot on running shoes, I try to keep the cost to around $60 and use inserts. Sometimes I'll use Spencos or sometimes Dr. Scholl's sport inserts.

Good luck!

Erica
 
I, too think you should go to a specialty running store. Everybody's feet are different in a million different ways, so the best thing to do is plan a good part of your day to just trying on shoes and talking to the people at the stores. They truly can help, and many stores now have treadmills so you can try them out. It took me years before I would go in and talk to someone, and it resulted in a lot of blisters, pain, and money. I just decided to pick shoes that were my "normal" size and that was that. Big big mistake :)

Oh, and insoles are fantastic, too. Even great shoes sometimes don't have the best insoles for you and 10 dollars can change that :)

Good luck!

Sara

http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=69281756
 
Thanks so much for your helpful ideas. I think maybe you all are right! I need to go try them on. I will go to a special running store tomorrow and let them help me! Plus, you would think I would learn from wasting money trying to find deals on the cardio shoes! Now I have 2 pairs I need to mail back to RoadRunner!

Anyway, thanks for your wonderful ideas. I am also going to check out the RoadRunner shoe dog.

I'll let ya' know what I find out. Hopefully I will come home tomorrow with a new pair of running shoes! :7
 
I went to the store this weekend and oh man you guys were right! You definitely get what you paid for. I went to what seemed like 100 different stores and tried on 1000 different shoes!

I ended up going with the Saucony Hurricanes. They fit my foot perfectly and have so much cushion! I ended up paying $125 but they were worth every penny. Once I tried them on there was nothing that compared!

Thanks everyone for your help!

I think my treadmill might be on my doorstep when I get home tonight! I can't wait!

Also - is it bad to lift weights in running shoes? Will you ruin them?
 
Hope you like the Saucony's. That is the exact shoe I wear and they are perfect for me. Glad to hear you spent the extra $ and you could tell the difference.

Good Luck with the running, any 5K's in the future?

Tina
 
I am sure Fitnut could run a 5k tommorrow!! Remember, she used to be LuvCardio!!!:):) Good Luck with the shoes. I am also glad you spent the extra $$. I winced when I read your post about wanting to spend less than 60!!

Janice
 
5k?? Now how many miles is that? Is that about 3.5 miles? Trust me even though I LOVE cardio.... I am not a runner. I really hope to work myself up though. I can run much better anytime I am outside of colorado. I think the altitude here just gets to me. But still I am no pro runner even at high altitudes.

Any of you ever do so? Ever start out as a non-runner and found yourself loving it?

Usually if I make it 1 mile on the treadmill I am celebrating. Yet, I can do IMAX until the cows come home!

I definitely need the good music to keep me going!

Maybe the 5k could be a goal for me! Key word being MAYBE!
 
I am not a natural runner either, but now I love it for cross-training and I run an few 5K's a year, just for kicks! I have come a long way since I first started running

I got a treadmill last year for Christmas and it makes a big difference because I can run any day I want to, not just when the weather cooperates. I prefer being outside since the only distractions I have are a few cars (I live in the country), but I am getting accustomed to the treadmill and some days I like it. I think I like running so well because of the solitude. I don't get much time away from my toddler and when I am running, I know I don't have to worry about him.

I am up to 5 miles now, but that took some doing. Did my first 5-mile treadmill run this morning! I try to get in 2 runs per week and then 2 other cardio workouts.

Just a quick word of warning--running on the treadmill is a lot harder than running outside. My treadmill is at a constant 3 degree climb (can't make it any lower) and that makes a huge difference in my mile times. Outside my miles average about 8:30 right now, but on the treadmill, they average over 10:30.

Good Luck!
 
Thanks for the advice. My treadmill didn't get her today:( I was hoping maybe it would. Hopefully tomorrow:)

I can so relate to the toddler thing and the solitude! I too have a 2 year old. I love putting those headphones on and knowing I CAN'T hear anything. Only hubby can hear!

I think I am going to try running outside this spring/summer too. Maybe the treadmill will help me build up my ability???
 
First, you previously asked a question about lifting weights in running shoes. I think you can do upper body in whatever shoes you want (heck, I've even done it in my socks). Lower body is another story. I have done lunges, static is the best example, in my running shoes and would definitely not recommend it. Not because it would "ruin" your shoes so to speak, but because running shoes tend to not have much lateral (side to side) support. This makes it much less stable compared to using cross-trainers or aerobic shoes.

Second, I started out a step aerobics junkee, and my husband turned my into a runner. Good music in a walkman helps, this can help me run so fast. Or a running companion who challenges your skill level. Anyway, after a year and a half of running I was confident to enter some races, and have since run 2 marathons, 3 half marathons, and several shorter races. I say go for it!

Glad you found a good pair of shoes. That is so important!

emily
 
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