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adh
03-24-09, 14:04
For those who may have the experience/knowledge.

OK, so I run (not nearly as much as I used to because my knee started to hurt). I average about 8-9 miles a week (I run three evenings a week). I was told I shuold be buying new running shoes at least every six months and maybe every four. Every 4 seems excessive, and every 6 months just makes me sit back and ask really? Any advice here is appreciated. I'd also like to know if anyone has a line on good running shoes that aren't so darn costly. Seems like you can get a pretty basic pair of shoes for about $45-$50 especially if something is on sale, but more of the high end gear is over $100.

Thanks for any help.

ADH

ZDL
03-24-09, 14:19
Hope this helps. Generally running shoes are garbage by design. A few video presentations on running and its science/theory.

http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/excercise.html#Run

geminidglocker
03-24-09, 15:09
Before I was "damaged" I used to run a lot. I found that it was beneficial to read the running magazines. A good tip I learned was to buy two pair of running shoes. Alternate them, like combat boots, so that they have time in between use to dry. A wet running shoe on average, has only 25-30% the cushioning ability of a dry shoe. Also, know your foot type and shop accordingly. When it comes to saving money, I have found Asics to be reasonably priced, and comfotable too. I'd like to think I know what I'm talking about. I used to be able to run ten miles in ninety minutes. I was no Ranger, but I aspired to be one. As far as the knee problem, good luck. Don't hesitate to visit a doctor for specialist advice. I wish I had. I now have chronic knee strain in both knees. Don't over do it.

ZDL
03-24-09, 15:35
If you need cushioning to run you are running wrong. If you injured yourself while running you are running wrong. I'm very sorry for your injuries, I see it often and it's sad, but it has little to do with shoes. Form is the #1 reason why people hate running. Sad part is they don't know that's why they hate it. Modern day shoes do promote bad running form so they can partially be blamed.

Run barefoot, as hard as you normally would in your cushy shoes. I promise your form will change drastically and quickly. You will not be able to slam down on the heels like the lion's share of runners do.

Also, barefoot will cause the foot to drop under the hips and on the front instead of out in front of the hips and on the heel resulting is less exerted effort and more efficient running.

Just some things I've learned along the way.

I'm not suggesting running barefoot exclusively. I did for a while until correct form was part of my instinct. Then went back to shoes. I still run barefoot often but conditions have to be right.

LittleRedToyota
03-24-09, 15:40
i think you should go by miles, not time.

seems most people who should know recommend replacing them about every 300 to 600 miles. personally, i find mine generally wear out closer to the lower end of that range, but i am pretty heavy by runner standards.

at 9 miles a week, you are only up to 234 miles by 6 months. so, it would seem that, 6 months would be plenty often enough and you could prolly get away with replacing them less often. you might even be able to get a whole year out of them.

on a side note, one of the better decisions i have made in my life is to stop buying my running shoes at big box sporting goods stores like dick's, dunham's, etc. and found a local store that actually specializes in running (here in pittsburgh, there is a good one called "elite runners and walkers").

the store is staffed by actual runners with actual training in the physiology of running. they watch you run and do some tests and figure out what shoe is actually right for you.

i used to get shin splints from time to time as well as heel bruises, sore arches, etc. but since i started going to the specialty store, i have zero such problems.

it isn't so much a question of brand, but some people over-pronate, some are heel strikers, etc. you need a shoe that is designed for how your foot contacts the ground.

the store around here even has competetive prices on their shoes (and they definitely do not let the price of the shoe factor into their recommendations), but personally, i would go there even if they were more expensive. for me, at least, being able to make sure i get the right shoe...and thus avoid shin splints, etc...is well worth the extra money.

adh
03-24-09, 16:57
Thanks for all the input. The cross fit presentations as well as your commentary ZDL are very much in sync with one another. Considering where my shoes wear, I am definitely running heal to toe rather than on the balls of my feet. I will have to try to work on that.

Thanks for all the input.

Littlelebowski
03-24-09, 17:10
Try some of the off brands like Mizuno and Saucony.

NoBody
03-24-09, 17:34
Deleted.

LittleRedToyota
03-24-09, 20:37
Try some of the off brands like Mizuno and Saucony.

man...about 8 years ago, i had a pair of sauconys that were the best running shoes i have ever had by a good margin. felt like there was nothing on my feet and it felt like running on air.

come time to get new shoes, i just wanted to get a new pair of those shoes...but saucony completely redesigned the shoe and ruined it :mad:

my last 10 or so pairs have been new balance and have been great shoes, but not like that one pair of sauconys.

moral of the story...if you find a particular running shoe that works really well for you...consider buying several pair of them while you still can. ;)

iroc_dis
03-25-09, 11:12
I'd recommend finding a good running shoe store near you, like a Fleet Feet Sports or similar. FFS will analyze your gait on a treadmill and fit you shoes that match your running style.

Agile53
03-25-09, 13:29
+100 to iroc_dis's post. Been a distance runner since the early 70's (yes, a dinosaur, close to 55) w/ 10+ long runs (read marathons here) & used to work @ Sportspectrum in Shreveport, LA.
It is arguably one of the best fitness stores in the South w/ a very knowledgeable (runners, tri & iron) staff. The errornet & phone comms. have their place but NOTHING like a
hands on from a KNOWLEDGABLE runner/triathlete. NEVER be cheap w/ what connects you to the earth: shoes, mattress's & tires.
Sorry for the rant, been in the game a long time now w/ some hard lesson's learned.
Agile53

DBautista
03-25-09, 16:36
I'd recommend finding a good running shoe store near you, like a Fleet Feet Sports or similar. FFS will analyze your gait on a treadmill and fit you shoes that match your running style.

Do this.

I cannot stress how important this process is, even for low-mileage runners. As for price, I buy last year's model (Asics) to save some cash because my shoes are done in 3 months.

Blake
03-25-09, 16:52
I used to get shin-splints like a mofo. I never even considered buying the right kind of shoes. I'm not an overly aggressive distance runner. However, I began running 5 miles around 4 times a week, and I knew my shoes weren't cutting the mustard. I was fit by a running store in Tacoma, Washington in a pair of Brooks shoes. I have continued to buy them to this day. I tried a pair of Adidas shoes, garbage. I have been purchasing all my shoes lately at runbargains.com. The put the pair of Brooks shoes that I like on sale about every 4 months. Which is pretty close to when I'm ready for new ones.

ZDL
03-25-09, 17:04
This is similar to the "which optic should I buy while the the subject hasn't even learned to shoot with irons" discussions we have on here from time to time. While the subject learns to shoot with irons he will begin to understand more and more the right optic options etc.

Running is a skill. Learn how to do it right first. Save yourselves money, effort, injury, and frustration.

People accept instruction and learn how to do a correct pushup, pullup, squat etc but just figure they have running pegged. I came from the same line of thinking so that's why I'm a tad insistent on helping people out in this area. (been there done that have the t-shirt kinda thing) Hope it's coming across helpful. :cool:

LittleRedToyota
03-25-09, 17:22
Hope it's coming across helpful. :cool:

imho, it is.

you are right. i have been running pretty regularly for...um, holy crap, i'm old, 25 years or so...and i was never really taught to distance run.

sprinting, yes. distance running, nope...never had any instruction come to think of it.

gonna have to try the whole running barefoot thing.

it is still my experience, though, that the right pair of shoes makes a huuuuuuge difference. perhaps only to enable bad form, but they will still keep you on the road...in my experience, at least.

adh
04-08-09, 16:19
This is similar to the "which optic should I buy while the the subject hasn't even learned to shoot with irons" discussions we have on here from time to time. While the subject learns to shoot with irons he will begin to understand more and more the right optic options etc.

Running is a skill. Learn how to do it right first. Save yourselves money, effort, injury, and frustration.

People accept instruction and learn how to do a correct pushup, pullup, squat etc but just figure they have running pegged. I came from the same line of thinking so that's why I'm a tad insistent on helping people out in this area. (been there done that have the t-shirt kinda thing) Hope it's coming across helpful. :cool:

Quite helpful indeed. I'll tell ya, I don't want to waste the money I do have so I am concentrating on running properly before having someone check my form, style, gate, etc. to fit me for shoes in a fashion of running that is likely to change for me once I am used to running the right way. My calves were killing me last week and the week before because I have never tried to distance run other than heel/toe and concentrating on landing on the balls of my feet takes a concentrated effort and is hell on the calves for someone who has never done it.

Thanks for all the help fellas,

ADH

ron_m4
04-15-09, 05:25
For those who may have the experience/knowledge.

OK, so I run (not nearly as much as I used to because my knee started to hurt). I average about 8-9 miles a week (I run three evenings a week). I was told I shuold be buying new running shoes at least every six months and maybe every four. Every 4 seems excessive, and every 6 months just makes me sit back and ask really? Any advice here is appreciated. I'd also like to know if anyone has a line on good running shoes that aren't so darn costly. Seems like you can get a pretty basic pair of shoes for about $45-$50 especially if something is on sale, but more of the high end gear is over $100.

Thanks for any help.

ADH


it will depend on what trail are you running into...

i use merrel for trail running and some " nike free " for oval training.

JesseWin27
05-21-09, 22:08
Try and find a running store that videos you while you run then slows it down and they can tell how and where your foot lands then sell you a shoe that gives you the correct balance and cushioning.

Tracer
05-26-09, 21:22
I don't run a great deal anymore but used to run 6 to 10 miles a day in my training days! Lets just say I knew my way around the gym and the squared circle. The best shoes I found to wear on my feet, were those New Balance but nowdays everything seems to be made in CHINA and I won't purchase a blessed thing made in that country.

Look for a shoe that will indeed give you support as well as some cushion when you walk in them at the store. I have gone to discount stores and purchased great brand name shoes that a called 2nds in the industry. It doesn' mean they will ruin your feet or joints etc. Some have a slight blemish and they are discounted by 50% or more. I purchased 2 pair of Rockport walking shoes the other day for a 1/3 of what they cost new.

B52U
06-01-09, 23:07
Best shoes I've found for my low arched feet are Brooks GTS 8's. Great shoe. Only problem is they only seem to last about 350 miles before you really feel it in the joints. Thinking of trying Asics again to see if they offer any better longevity.

Mark/MO
06-02-09, 19:22
man...about 8 years ago, i had a pair of sauconys that were the best running shoes i have ever had by a good margin. felt like there was nothing on my feet and it felt like running on air.

come time to get new shoes, i just wanted to get a new pair of those shoes...but saucony completely redesigned the shoe and ruined it


I agree. I started with Sauconys and they were great. Best shoe I'd ever had. Later ones, not so great. My latest are Asics and I'm happy with them so far. However I am not a hard core runner, only average 3 times a week.

ron_m4
06-03-09, 03:36
have tried asics before and it works well on my feet....

ryanm
06-05-09, 10:53
Try some of the off brands like Mizuno and Saucony.

x2 for Mizuno. Fantastic arch support, very light shoe. I can't run them here in Iraq because they gather rocks in the center of the tread. If I didn't have to walk through 6 inches of gravel and stone almost every where I go, I'd have another pair here as well. Also good if you tend to over-pronate. Not so good if you under-pronate--you'll feel a bit unstable from what I understand. I tend to OP so they are gtg for me.

I'm in the process of wearing out a pair of North Face with BOA, they've served me well for 6months. That's the longest a pair of running shoes has lasted me in a very long time. They make some creaky sounds while your wearing them in, but it goes away fairly quickly. I usually destroy shoes within 3 months so that's saying alot for North Face.

ron_m4
06-06-09, 13:10
x2 for Mizuno. Fantastic arch support, very light shoe. I can't run them here in Iraq because they gather rocks in the center of the tread. If I didn't have to walk through 6 inches of gravel and stone almost every where I go, I'd have another pair here as well. Also good if you tend to over-pronate. Not so good if you under-pronate--you'll feel a bit unstable from what I understand. I tend to OP so they are gtg for me.

I'm in the process of wearing out a pair of North Face with BOA, they've served me well for 6months. That's the longest a pair of running shoes has lasted me in a very long time. They make some creaky sounds while your wearing them in, but it goes away fairly quickly. I usually destroy shoes within 3 months so that's saying alot for North Face.

Northface and Columbia provides better comfort during trail running.... ;)