Any runners on here? need shoe recommendations/advice

Preparation, Preparedness & Prevention Fitness and Nutrition
1

I’ve looked around online and seen and learned many different things, but I wanted to see the opinions of the M4C crowd that runs.

To prepare for the Navy, I went out and bought two pairs of dedicated running shoes. A pair of the Nike Shoxs 9 SL, and a pair of some new balance running. the Nike Shox were meant for hard surface running only ( concrete, asphalt etc) and the New Balance were sort of my all rounders ( I wore those to my SpecWar PT sessions, which involved track running, grass/dirt/sand and those were often times wet)

Now that I’ve been running in them for some time, I noticed that the front of my lower leg really hurts. Not just the shin, but in particular the muscle that is on either side of the shin. It’s to the point where after running a little more than a mile and a half, as soon as I stop running I start limping really badly and my lower legs are throbbing. I stop limping less than an hour afterwards, but my lower leg still hurts pretty darn good for another 2 days or so, and the pain gets much worse as soon as i try to run again within those two days.

Both pairs of my shoes were bought at Macdill AFB,so there was no staff to assist in finding the right product, and stupid me figured, " shoes are shoes", so I just bought a pair that felt comfy for 2 minutes and was happy about it.

I soon find out that I am an overpronator, which means that I’m rather flatfooted and my foot tends to rotate inwards (think blade of each foot, so left side of left foot in). I also find out that both pairs of shoes are for runners that have a neutral or slighty underpronated(??) gait.
Needless to say I’m sure that wasn’t helping me wearing the shoes that are making my less-than optimal gait even worse.

So I’m asking :for those of you either flatfooted or have a over-pronated gait, which running shoe would you recommend/works for you?

From what I’ve read, the Brooks Beast are great shoes for exactly my problems, but I wanted to see if anyone has something else to say/add/recommend.

http://www.brooksrunning.com/media/pdf_specs/1100521D.pdf
http://www.brooksrunning.com/product/1100521D/123202/Beast

PS ( I know it sounds like I’ve already made up my mind, but no, I haven’t:)) I just want to make sure I’m buying what I need, I don’t want to spend another 200 dollars on exactly what I’m trying to avoid.

All the best,

Steindor

2

I used to use the beast for stability. Now I use NB 768, it’s a better shoe for me. “www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com”

You are stretching right? When I first started I would forget and I would be punished.

Consider posting your question on a running forum.

3

I’m actually the only one in the group who really does stretching, both before exercising as well as afterwards.

I took a look at the NB 768, but did not see if it is designed for those who overpronate.

I have no idea why I didn’t think of posting this on a running forum. for the past few weeks M4C has been the only forum!:cool:

4

I wear Brooks Adrenaline 10’s. You can’t go wrong with Brooks they make great shoes. And the fact that I have ankles like a 5 year old and haven’t rolled them like every other shoe that i’ve worn makes me feel good about Brook’s support.

5

I highly recommend you find a running store in your area. They should have you run without shoes on and determine which shoes will work best for you. Forget about any brands for now and let them pick them.

There’s a running store at the International Mall (at the end of Westshore) next to the new Italian restaurant.

They should be able to get you set up.

6

What M4arc said. and once you get set up in the shoes and try them on the road, go back and buy several pairs in your size because the goddamn shoe companies always seem to stop making whatever works best. :mad:

7

I read a post on Kyle Defoor’s blog a while back that talked about how to run and what type of shoe works best for him. I would suggest reading it before you spent any money on more shoes.

8

I took his advice and departed from my normal running shoe which was an Adidas crosstrainer model from last year (cant recall specifics). I went with the NB 100, and began running in a shoe with less padding / support and im very pleased. Its hard to argue that back /foot related injuries in running sports have skyrocketed since the introduction of gel soles, oversized arches, heavy traction… less is more. Check out Grey Groups site, they have some shoes they can attest to.

9

I have used this search site in the past with success. It really helped me find a shoe that worked for me.

http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/product/shoe-dog.jsp

10

I don’t mean to harp on this but reading how to run and what shoes to buy on the internet is silly. Let someone that has been trained to identify how you run and what shoes work best work with you. Hell, I get re-evaluated every time I buy shoes (about every 300 miles) and I don’t assume I’ll always get the same model/brand.

Shoes change from year to year. Models are discontinued and new ones are introduced. One year a model may favor a certain kind of runner and the next year a completely different type. Let the professionals assist you. It takes 10 minutes, will be cheaper in the long run (no pun intended) and you won’t need to waste time trying to figure it out on your own. That’s what they get paid to do.

11

Thanks to all for the good and sound advice! My legs hurt enough last night, so I spent a few extra hours awake and was looking up on all this stuff. NOT a good idea. I saw all sorts of conflicting statements from people/companies on what to do in my situation…

thank you so much! Best part is they have a track to test out shoes, which is something that I really need, seeing how simply walking around the store for a few moments really doesn’t do much.

That store is definitely a better choice than the Foot Locker I was going to settle on over in Clearwater. M4arc, you in the general area or just familiar with it?

12

You can read advice on the internet until the cows come home or spend 10 minutes in the store. Some even have trendmills and cameras and they’ll show you what’s going on as you’re running. Then they’ll bring out several shoes that will help and evaluate each shoe, pointing out how each makes a difference. I’ll tell you all this from experience and from someone that learned the hard way.

Stay away from the Foot Locker. That’s like going to Wal-Mart for AR-15 advice.

I do not live in the Tampa area but spend a lot of time at MacDill and that area. When I’m in town I run on Bay Shore (lots of sights) and will let you know the next time I’m in town!

13

In short, shoes/boots cripple your feet. Tendons/Ligaments degrade and atrophy, muscles weaken, this affects your lower extremity posture, hip to spine alignment, and so on. Its pretty amazing how much are feet were NOT designed to be in common/everyday shoes.

I run exclusively barefoot now, or in These.

As soon as I get out of the hospital, I put on the five fingers for everyday activities.

14

I used to work at a running speciality store, go see what they say check out ie. try them on & if possible run in the store if possible then buy what works for you at the base.

15

I also over-pronate. I switched to UK Gear last year and they have worked great for me. I have to +1 for what M4arc has stated. Its much better to get fitted by someone who knows how. I simply launched money at the problem and tried a bunch of different shoes until I found something that worked well for me.

http://www.ukgear.com/Shop/Products/Mens-Footwear/1082-PT-03-SC-Road-AND-Trail-Running-Shoe-Structured-Cushioning.html

Mizuno also has some solutions that would work for you.

Derek, those fiver fingers are not a good running shoe for distance. I know 3 hardcore runners that have tried this craze due to magazine articles and Internet hype and all have gone back to more traditional running shoes. ALL ended up with shin splints and tendon pain–one guy broke his ankle. While the idea is sound enough for short distance, going out and sustaining long distance and continuous running is not in our anatomical design no matter what you’ve read. If we couldn’t catch the wooly mammoths within a mile, you had to hope your wife picked alot of berries that day. We have a few hundred thousand years to evolve a solution that incorpoates nikes.

Plus, the fact that they list their shoe as “Vegan” safe is a warning sign to me.

I can see a valid use for these in some free-running activities where you can more effectively use your toes as well as climbing—but absolutely not going out to run 3-5 miles.

And from an aesthetic point of view, they look ridiculous.

16

Please do this. Find a reputable running store and get them to profile you.

17

tampam4,

Your shins hurt on either side b/c you’re heel striking and wearing a shoe with an elevated heel. This shortens your achilles and puts stress forward on the foot. As with most, your probably over striding as well. No shoe will fix that, it will mask it temporarily. Eventually you’ll get stress fractures.

Learn to be a mid-foot striker and take short quick steps. If you can adapt to a minimalist shoe it will align your spine, lengthen your achilles, and weigh less than what you have now. I average about 60-70 miles per week in NB 100’s on all kinds of surfaces.

As for the The Brooks Beast, it has long been the favorite of big guys. How big are you? A shoe like that weighs a lot, and your lower leg muscles, which are already taxed b/c of the heel striking will now have to pick up a heavier shoe 2000 times per mile which won’t help your cause.

Be wary of running shoe stores and their gimmicks to find out what type of foot you have. Your best bet is to get with an ultra runner and let him watch you run. We look at ourselves and others running way more than anyone else.

If you have to go with a “cushioned” shoe, try to get one with a flat sole so your foot works like designed.

Also, try this guy out- http://www.runlabdro.com/

18

I’m an overpronater also, wear the New Balance 769. A specialty store will look at you walk in bare feet to see how your feet land and make recommendations accordingly.

Shoes will wear out so keep a running log so that you see how many miles you accumulate plus it will encourage you to see the miles pile up. I’m over 5,500 miles in the last 5 or 6 years. Since I’m a slow, plodder (10 minute mile marathoner) I only get about 325 to 350 miles per pair but lighter, faster guys can get as much as 500 miles. Your legs will let you know!

19

How could he attribute that to the shoe?

While the idea is sound enough for short distance, going out and sustaining long distance and continuous running is not in our anatomical design no matter what you’ve read. If we couldn’t catch the wooly mammoths within a mile, you had to hope your wife picked alot of berries that day.

Couldn’t agree more. Long distance running, is an exercise in mental masturbation.

We have a few hundred thousand years to evolve a solution that incorpoates nikes.

no, we haven’t.

Plus, the fact that they list their shoe as “Vegan” safe is a warning sign to me.

To some, that is important. To me, it is not. More dead cows = more steak for me.

I can see a valid use for these in some free-running activities where you can more effectively use your toes as well as climbing—but absolutely not going out to run 3-5 miles.

I run no more than 2 miles at a time with these, and have had no problems.

And from an aesthetic point of view, they look ridiculous.

I could care less what I look like when Im running.

20

Kyle,
How long did it take you to get to this level? Just curious since I have been running about 6 months now, and can’t seem to get past about 20 miles a week mainly due to time constraints (work).