Running shoes

[Roger645]

goldblum said:

For medium/longish distance on road I find Brooks Ghost very comfy and wear them to race in.

snap, ran my last half in them and they were great.

[throt]

For a wide foot, go for Saucony Hurricane's. Go a 1/2 size bigger too, to accommodate your feet when they expand from the heat and sweat.

http://www.sportsshoes.com/saucony-progrid-hurrica...

[Mojooo]

I have been doing a bit more research on this...

I spose running shoes with supports are a bit like orthotics that you put into a shoe - they provide extra assistance. The argument against these if that they don't solve the underlying problem.

I have assessed the shoes that I have - the ASICS - they have quite a chuny sole and I would say are quite rigid - they definitley encourage heel strike first.

I think my running style is forefoot/midfoot and I always thought a heel strike was probably the 'right' way to run as it somehow involes taking longer/better strides- maybe I was wrong.

I think I will take my running shoes and my flatter astro trainers down to the shop and see what they say - I guess most running/shoe shops are set up to set you fancy shoes though?

Finally, what about trainers that you just walk in - I spsoe if you used your rigid running shoes as normal trainers you would have the same problem.

I like the way the rigid shoes 'make' me walk and how they feel - but ultimatley I spose it is about what is best for me long term.

[ewenm]

Mojooo said:

...
I think my running style is forefoot/midfoot and I always thought a heel strike was probably the 'right' way to run as it somehow involes taking longer/better strides- maybe I was wrong.
...

Heel strike means you don't use the highly-evolved muscles, tendons and ligaments in your feet and lower legs to absorb the impacts. Instead the impact is transmitted through the heel-bone to the knee and hip joints. Also if you extend your stride to a heel strike, it's likely your strike point is ahead of your centre of gravity and will act as a brake (over-striding). Longer strides are good but should be achieved by better heel and knee lift in the stride, not by over-striding.

My coach recommends landing on the ball of the foot (wide area, low pressure), almost flat with only the slightest of gaps under the heel.