Running shoes??

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pfive

Cathlete
I have just started running seriously! I would love to have some suggestions of fairly decent shoes to purchase. Before when I ran with my DH, I always wore crosstrainers. What are some brands/styles that are most popular among runners, hold up best as far as durability is concerned and has great cushioning.

Here are a few I tried on over the weekend - New Balance, Nike and one pair by Asics. But after trying one the tenth pair I could no longer tell the difference among the shoes, except for the ones with the higher arches (I suppose) that hurt my foot. But after so many pairs and 2 different stores I couldn't tell you what I tried on.

I did see a couple of Avia's in the JCPenney catalog. My aerobic shoes are Avia and I really like those!

Thanks for your help, suggestions and tips! :)
Angie
 
Hello Angie,

Have you look for running shoe shops in your area? I would say go to one of those and get their advice and sometimes they even have a treadmill where you can try the shoes on.

I would say, don't rush into buying pushed on to you by a sales person. In the wrong shoes, you will end up with injuries and wasted your money.

Yen
 
i would definitely recommend going to a running store. don't get them through a catalog unless it's a shoe you are familiar with.

i started running in january and got my shoes from a running store. they analyzed my gait and my foot and put me in a motion control shoe with good arch support. i'd already been having some problems before i started running (long story). a few months later went to a doctor and physical therapist and they put me in shoes w/ more motion control (brooks "ariel")and fitted me w/ orthotics. if i hadn't been in the other shoes to begin with i'm sure my problem would have been even worse. shoes are just one of the factors that can make or break your training.
 
I have to agree with the running store advice. I have a cranky left knee that almost stopped me from running altogether a few years ago.As a last ditch effort, I went to a local running store where I, too, had my gait analyzed and was fitted with several different pairs of shoes. The ones I ended up with were not anything I would have picked out on my own, but the pain in my knee disappeared when I ran in them. As they began to wear out, the pain returned. I bought a different brand through a sale catalog because they were fashionable and a good deal, but the pain just kept getting worse. I finally broke down and went back to the running sore where I bought the updated model of my original shoe and once again I was pain free. If you need help finding a running store try www.fleetfeet.com, they have independent franchises all over North America. Good Luck!

FitnessRN
 
Hello Ms FitnessRN,

I have the exact same problem but in my right knee and I am convinced that maybe the shoes I am wearing is causing this. I tried running with the same shoes on the treadmill and did not have this problem the day after (probably the treadmill offered the extra cushioning). Can you tell me which shoes you wore? I am not going to rush out and buy them, but they will give me an idea of what I am looking for. I would like to be able to run consecutive days, but at the moment that is almost impossible because my knee is just so painful the day after (unless I run on the treadmill). I would like to participate in longer runs on the road, cross country, track etc.

Much appreciated.

Yen
 
Thank you all for your responses!! There is a running store in Fairview Heights where I live. I plan to stop by there this weekend.

FitnessRN - I've already checked out fleet feet! :) I ran one of their races just recently! They have 2 stores in the 'St. Louis' area. They're both 40 or more minutes away so this will definitely have to be one of those Saturday morning trips. I was just on the phone with them during my lunch hour today. I've made quite a few calls during lunch. :)

I found a group not too far from home, at least it was still on my side of the river, but the members are all older as the group leader told me and they don't run any more! Too bad, for me that is. They just sponsor a lot races, do volunteer work, etc. I thought I had lucked out! She said when they meet they talk about upcoming events but no training - it's all just for fun. That's fine and all but I think I need a little more than that!

Thanks for the wonderful advice! Running shoe store it is!!! I'll let you know how that turns out! :)
 
Hi Yen,
The shoes I run in are Asics Gel DS Trainer VII's. They work well for me because they match my gait- I do not over or under pronate and I tend to land midfoot. These gait characteristics are very individual and can drastically affect how you feel in a particular shoe. The DS Trainer's are a light weight shoe, and need to be replaced every 250-300 miles as opposed to every 500 miles for a more substantial shoe. If I try to push my mileage much higher than 300, my knee starts to bother me again.

Now that I wear the correct shoe I can and do run on consecutive days. When the problem first started, it didn't matter whether I was outside or at the gym, the most I could do was 17 minutes. The only advantage the treadmill offered was that I wasn't 2 miles from home when I had to quit! Working my time up gradually, I can now run comfortably for 45-50 minutes. Good Luck! Running for me is the ultimate stress reduction!
FitnessRN
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Oct-31-02 AT 06:01AM (Est)[/font][p]Hi,

Oh, what a shame about the running club. That is such a bummer! I can tell I was lucky to find a club running not too far from my home and when I go I really really really run my heart out. They are soooooooooooo good. I have only just joined and I am the slowest member in the group. But we do things that I would otherwise can not do on my own: we do sprints on the track, cross country, long runs and road running. They really push me to improve my time and fast (what I do on my own seems like a walk in the park).

I would say if you cannot find a running club that you can get to, then advertise for a running partner - maybe it will build into a running club. It is much better running outdoors and if you have a partner it is also safer and motivational. See if you can advertise in the local paper.

Yen
 
Hi Yen!

Thanks for the suggestions! But persistence pays off! I kept searching around and while on the Saint Louis Track Club site I found a link to the running store in my town. I had planned on going there this weekend to ask about local groups and I saw that they already have a group through the store. They really need to advertise more unless they're very new of course! It's taken me a week to find them! :)

I saw a picture of the group 9 men, 4 women. So I think I've found my club. If not, St. Louis Track Club here I come! Regardless I will particpate in the Frostbite Series this winter, hosted by the St. Louis Track Club. 5 wintery days of races! (starting in December, ending mid February) :)

While I'm at the store this weekend I'll get fitted for shoes, possibly pick up a pair. I have some shoes at the moment. Actually I have a pair that I purchased new inserts for because I was having such a difficult time picking out the right shoe. But once I really get going I do plan to have the proper shoes handy! :)

I did some sprints last weekend! Those were fun!

Angie
 
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