Running shoes - advice needed

[tenohfive]

I've just started running to help with my overall fitness and lose a bit of weight but I really don't have the right footwear at the moment (fashion style trainers) and its been suggested that they're a contributor to the discomfort I get along the front of one of my shins whilst I'm running. I'm not doing much to start (getting my legs used to being worked and the recovery) but I aim to be doing 8 miles a week (4 x 2 miles) within a few weeks, then upping that further over time until I'm doing 12 miles a week. The route I'm doing at the moment is almost all on pavement, though for about half I have the option to run along the grass (if that makes any difference.)

Having done some googling I found reference to the 'wet test' and I came away with a high arched foot, and the article (which is 7 years old now) recommended 'cushioned' shoes - does this theory still hold up?

Budget wise I'm not looking to spend alot - around £50, though I can stretch to £60 - and am not buying anything off the internet as due to sizing etc I want to try them on prior to buying. Are there any good makes/models to look out for or, or terms that I probably won't be familiar with?

If someone could help with the above I'd be grateful, as whilst googling is teaching me a few things alot of what I've seen appears to be old websites and I'm not sure how much of the advice is still accurate.

Cheers.

[tenohfive]

Cheers for the replies. There is a Sweatshop not too far from me, so I'm going to go and check that out today. Theres also another proper sports shop which seems to have a shop focusing on running not too far away, so might check that out afterwards if I don't have much joy.

Hopefully be all sorted today...I don't want to pay through the nose, but if the prices aren't stupidly overpriced compared the the internet (I can check on my phone) then I'll probably buy there and then - I don't mind paying a little extra for the advice I get.

[tenohfive]

Hmmm. I guess I'll have to see how I get on over time.

I popped into my nearest Sweatshop and was quite impressed - there was some gait analysis on a treadmill, and I ended up running up and down the shop in a few different shoes. I expected some sort of, "These should do you and are in your price range, these are slightly more but are SOOO much better..." but price wasn't mentioned at all. After a few lengths of the shop I narrowed it down to two out of preference, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the pair that fitted best and were most comfortable were £60 - a pair of Adidas SNova 2M.

I've just been for a run (chance to try out the shoes and MyTracks) and I've not had any pain from my shins. I'll have to see how I get on over time and if I do start getting problems I might look at an appointment with a physio/chiropodist. So far though I'm pretty pleased.

[tenohfive]

Miss Pitstop said:

Good luck and don't forget to replace your shoes when they start to wear, else your problems might well return!

When I bought them they mentioned I'm looking at about 500 miles lifespan roughly (or until I can feel the support lessening.) I'm going to see if MyTracks or something similar has a setting to clock up miles, should be a handy reminder.

davido140 said:

it'll be out of your current budget, but if you continue to struggle save a few pennies and get to see these people
www.profeet.co.uk (Fulham in London)

Cheers, I've bookmarked that just in case I get problems in the future.

I've been running a few more times since I last posted and so far so good. I'm slowly upping the distance and am about to go out for a 2.5-3 mile run now. The shoes seem to be doing the job nicely. More surprisingly, I'm actually enjoying running for the first time in my life - hopefully it isn't a novelty factor that will wear off.