Running footwear

Author
Discussion

adamsky

Original Poster:

687 posts

215 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
Hi, last year I done my first 10k run, I've signed up for 2 this year and I'm looking to beat my time. I bought a cheap pair of asics but was wondering if I would benefit from a decent pair of trainers? What kind and what price should I be looking to pay?
Cheers Adam

Ray Singh

3,045 posts

229 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
I'm no pro, but can do about 35k a week during the summer.

Nothing wrong with Asics trainers. All i would suggest is that you go and visit a Asics specialist store and get them to fit a pair for your feet. It is essential that you have a gait analysis done to make sure that you are not over/under pronating.

They will check your running style and recommend the right trainer for your style. I paid about £85 for a pair of Asics to suit my over pronating. Still going strong.....

I also like the look of Newton running shoes, but these are fairly new to the field and hence i stayed with Asics....

Some links.

Trainers:
http://www.asics.co.uk/
http://www.newtonrunning.com/
http://www.newbalance.co.uk/

Recommended reading:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gait_analysis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronation#Pronation_o...

Oh, and good luck with the runs !!


chrisobrien54

308 posts

196 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
I do a load of running, and yes to all of the above!

But also, if you fancy relearning how to run look up 5-Finger Vibrams. Been running for years, got a pair of these and Jeeesus! You really do relearn how to run, but putting my tried and tested old shoes back on - I've never ran faster, or with better form.

I'm doing 3 miles in the Vibrams, 1 days recovery (you will need more when starting - like a week!) then 5/6 miles in my normals. After 4 weeks I couldnt believe how fast I'd become. Really worth the effort.

gmh23

252 posts

179 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
adamsky said:
Hi, last year I done my first 10k run, I've signed up for 2 this year and I'm looking to beat my time. I bought a cheap pair of asics but was wondering if I would benefit from a decent pair of trainers? What kind and what price should I be looking to pay?
Cheers Adam
I'm in a similar situation to you. I ran my first 10k (Mens Health Survival of the Fittest) in a cheap pair of Asics that I'd had for a couple of years.
Since then I've upgraded to a more expensive paid of running shoes that seem comfortable enough.

If you have a "run4it" (or similar) shop near-by, they put you on a running machine to check you're running style and recommend a shoes that compliments it, however they do come at a price, around the £90 mark.

alfa pint

3,856 posts

210 months

Wednesday 1st February 2012
quotequote all
Echoing the above ^^^ get your first decent pair in a running shop that specialises in running shoes. They'll be able to look at your feet, possibly get you running on a special mat to see how your foot lands and then recommend a variety of shoes that you can then try out for size. My old local one in both Plymouth and Exeter would make you go outside and run up and down the street in them, rather than just trying them on in the shop.

I'm a big fan of saucony, but that's purely because I'm 'powerfully built' / front row hooker size and therefore like the extra cushioning that saucony provide over say brooks or asics.

Trainers will last for about 500miles before they start to lose the support and cushioning. Once you've found a shoe that works for you, you can then go trawling the internet and amazon and get the same one at internet prices.

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Wednesday 1st February 2012
quotequote all
And then come and join us on The Running Threadthumbup

adamsky

Original Poster:

687 posts

215 months

Wednesday 1st February 2012
quotequote all
Thanks very much for the replys guy. The asics trainers I got were only £30 and I'm 14 and a half stone so don't think they would last. Done 8k on Monday and my legs are still sore! Was just wondering if good trainers would help. I'm a big fan of you get what you pay for. Going to speak nice to the wife this weekend am try go to Edinburgh at the weekend, I'll let you guys know how I get on.

Cheers Adam

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Wednesday 1st February 2012
quotequote all
The most important thing is to go to a proper running shop where they fit the shoes to your feet with gait analysis on a treadmill. Most running shops do this these days. If even then you have any joint problems when running (I speak from unfortunate experience!), go to a podiatrist who will be able to look further at your feet and make up some insoles for you. I also now do other sports, which appears to maintain muscle in my legs supporting my knees and my core protecting my back, so I'd at the very least advise some gym work or exercises at home to go alongside running - EwenM would be better to advise.

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 1st February 20:55

ClassicMercs

1,703 posts

180 months

Wednesday 1st February 2012
quotequote all
Another vote here for a shop with treadmill and analysis (eg Up and Running).

And add in proper running socks with variable support in relevant areas.

Helps carry my 19 stone.

Halb

53,012 posts

182 months

Thursday 2nd February 2012
quotequote all
I have run 10ks, got a few this year.
I also plan to go to a gait analysis shop after buggering my ankles last year.
This also may help
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/general/runners-worl...

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/kit/spring-summer-sh...

InertialTooth45

2,111 posts

186 months

Friday 3rd February 2012
quotequote all
Echoing the above about the vibrams, I follow a similar style of training and the difference is incredible. My normal shoe is a nike free which is a very flexible shoe so also good for form.

As much as people stress about gait analysis and getting a shoe that fits your pronation is the best thing to do, it doesn't solve the problem. Get a shoe that builds up on one side because you over pronate is going to keep you in that bad habit. I'd go for a neutral shoe and do some barefoot grass running as well and make sure your form is spot on.

Tiggsy

10,261 posts

251 months

Friday 3rd February 2012
quotequote all
IMO the whole "running analysis" is load of twaddle. No other part of the body seems to be as useless at doing the job it's meant to as the human foot! It was designed to run yet if you do that in 2012 you'll over pronate, under pronate, get shin splints, screw up your achiles and your arch will collapse!

I run in Merrell Trail Gloves and do so pain free (at 17 stone) for the first time in 20 years.

chrisobrien54

308 posts

196 months

Friday 3rd February 2012
quotequote all
I'd love to agree with the above about feet doing as they're supposed to without tons of fancy shoe aids... But I fear most knees simply couldn't handle the battering after years of abuse.

Plus learning in Vibrams, or whatever, is fking HARD and I'd say more than likely to put people off.

Like I say, i agree with the sentiment, but the practicality is questionable.

Buy both!!!!! : )

chrisobrien54

308 posts

196 months

Friday 3rd February 2012
quotequote all
That said, I literally can not believe the improvement my Vibrams have made.

I'm running in a fashion I thought my body type just wasn't capable of. Easily achieving speeds I thought impossible for me!

  • cough*marksdailyapple*cough* ; )

adamsky

Original Poster:

687 posts

215 months

Saturday 12th May 2012
quotequote all
Well I went to a running shop and got trainers after they had me on the treadmill and I'm still getting shin splints?? Heeeeelllp! What do I do now?

Halb

53,012 posts

182 months

Sunday 13th May 2012
quotequote all
Where did you get the analysis done?

Do you do any strengthening exercises for your shins?
http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/CalfWt.html#ancho...

Have you done too much too soon?

InertialTooth45

2,111 posts

186 months

Sunday 13th May 2012
quotequote all
adamsky said:
Well I went to a running shop and got trainers after they had me on the treadmill and I'm still getting shin splints?? Heeeeelllp! What do I do now?
Do you heel strike or toe strike?

0000

13,812 posts

190 months

Sunday 13th May 2012
quotequote all
adamsky said:
Well I went to a running shop and got trainers after they had me on the treadmill and I'm still getting shin splints?? Heeeeelllp! What do I do now?
Vibrams.

Tiggsy

10,261 posts

251 months

Sunday 13th May 2012
quotequote all
0000 said:
adamsky said:
Well I went to a running shop and got trainers after they had me on the treadmill and I'm still getting shin splints?? Heeeeelllp! What do I do now?
Vibrams.
This....trust the millions of years your feet evolved over.....not some bloke with a running machine and stock to clear!

adamsky

Original Poster:

687 posts

215 months

Sunday 13th May 2012
quotequote all
Suppose I toe strike but I'm bad for landing on the outside of my foot?

you could be right about to much to soon, I'm 36 and I never done any exercise for 22 years and jumped into training for a 10k run