Help - need to find a running shoe and am completely lost

Parent Cafe
1

To give a little background, I was pretty athletic in high school and ran cross country and played tennis. Even back then, my knees were iffy (aka if I were to stand up and then lower myself into a crouch position - I don’t know what it’s called - and do it several times, my knees would audibly creak/snap, basically make a noise).

During and post college, I was progressively less and less active, with a poor diet, little activity, and gaining weight.

In the past year, I started eating healthy, which caused me to lose weight, go back to my normal weight from back in high school, and that caused me to have more energy, which caused me to be more active. This new situation makes me really happy :slight_smile:

In the past year, I haven’t been running, but I signed up for a run at work, and that kind of propelled me to start running. It’s not part of my daily routine, but I do it often enough that my old, years-old sneakers don’t seem to be doing it for me.

The problem is, I have no idea how to pick the right shoes. Even when I was on the cross-country team, I just wore whatever sneakers. I have no idea if my feet roll in or out or are normal. I think my arches are fine, but again, I don’t know.

As I mentioned, my knees have always been iffy, and I think they may have gotten worse. They still creak. They are one of the first things to hurt when I run or exert myself in other ways. So, protecting my knees is pretty high up there on my list of priorities.

Cost is a big thing as well. I don’t want super expensive shoes - just something to protect my knees and legs.

Where do I start? Do I go to a store? What store (I live in NYC)? The problem is, I don’t think I want to actually BUY shoes from a store - things are much less expensive online as compared to a NYC retail location. But again, the problem is, I have no idea what to look for.

I run maybe once a week at most (again, it’s not part of my daily routine). Usually, I run around 3 miles when I do run, but I have run over 8 (that’s unusual though - not something I would do every week). As of right now, I am not trying to race or anything like that - I just do it to kind of see what my new body can do and to stay active.

Any ideas?

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I am not a runner but I buy lots of shoes for my son who is a xc runner.

Go to a good running store, get fitted for a shoe, explain the terrain you run on (concrete?), and buy the shoes. They will be expensive but you are at risk for injury. This service is well worth the money. You will spend $120-$150 is my guess.

Then go online and buy a second pair of the same shoe or else last year’s version. The online prices for the new models are often high. But there is a savings for the previous year’s model.

Alternate running in the two pair of shoes.

3

Thanks for the input, @txstella!

Two questions:

  1. Why do I need to alternate between two pairs of shoes?
  2. What store would you recommend?
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Good advice going to a real running store where the clerks are actually runners who use the shoes too. They’ll match you up with good shoes…some of them will actually let you ‘test run’ shoes outside their store. Don’t buy first pair online…maybe re-order same shoes online that you wearout that you purchased with help from real running shoe store.

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  1. You need to get fitted with a shoe correct for your particular stride. Go to a store where local collegiate or HS runners buy their shoes; the store employees are runners themselves and will be able to look at you run on their treadmill and suggest a few options.
  2. "Even back then, my knees were iffy (aka if I were to stand up and then lower myself into a crouch position - I don't know what it's called - and do it several times, my knees would audibly creak/snap, basically make a noise)."

Main reason: not enough hip/core muscle strength. Most problems with “iffy knees” are caused by muscular imbalance: runners don’t do much else but running. You need to do other exercises to strengthen your core and hips especially.

http://m.runnersworld.com/injury-treatment/to-relieve-runners-knee-strengthen-your-hips?page=single

I will post more later! Gotta run. :slight_smile:

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I would find a running store, as opposed to one of the big box stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods. Running stores are much smaller, and their employees tend to be very knowledgable on what’s out there, and what you need to properly fit your foot and minimize injury. They will even look at your foot to see what kind of arch support you might need (if any). It will be worth the extra money you pay to have someone knowledgable fit you properly.

LOL - cross posted with BB and lizard who all say find a running store.

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Certain physical stores will allow you to return/exchange lightly worn shoes if their recommendation was way off. Can’t do the same thing online!

[[Once in a while, it pays off to pay a bit more upfront. Splurge on yourself and skip a splurge on the fur babies for a month. They will forgive. :wink: ]]

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Thanks! The info on knees is great! I really want to strengthen my knees! I AM doing some core-strengthening as part of my regular routine, even though I didn’t know it affected the knees. I will look into hip strengthening as well.

Got it - I got to get fitted for the shoes! I just have to find a place… I am out of college, and neither myself nor my friends are from this area, so I am not really sure where the local high school and college kids get their running supplies. I will try to find out.

9

Here is a good explanation why a runner needs to rotate shoes:

http://www.outsideonline.com/1783701/should-i-rotate-my-running-shoes

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Shoes get wet from perspiration and rain and puddles. Extra pairs mean you’ll have dry shoes to run in.

11

Look into minimalist shoes (aka “barefoot running shoes”). They work well for some people (including me. I used to have knee problems. I focused on strengthening legs, hips and glutes and also switched to Nike Frees and have had no problems in several years.

12

I agree with posts above that recommend going to a running store to get fitted for your first pair. The folks will analyze your gait and figure out what you need. Once you have those shoes, you can go online for future purchases if you need to save money.

13

Are Vibram’s Five Fingers shoes minimalist shoes as well?

How would I know if minimalist shoes or regular shoes are better for me without buying both kinds?

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The original Five Fingers were as minimalist as they come. There are newer models now which are more traditional. I lean towards minimalist as a good option for most people, but the rationale is too long for this thread. If you have the time, read the book Born To Run. Its an extremely entertaining read that does a great job of explaining the rationale of minimalist running shoes. It also can be very inspiring for a new runner (or someone getting back into it) .

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Go to a running store - Fleet Feet is national, I think, as is road runner. Do not go to a big box store or foot locker etc. If you give a general idea is where you live, someone will have suggestions of a good local store.

No need to buy two pairs. If you like what you end up with, you can buy another later.

A good running store will sell what you need at a decent price. If they push one brand over another, you may want to go elsewhere.

My local store will have a new customer do a quick run so they can see your gait and how your feet go, then try multiple brands and types to see what works. This can take an hour or more while you run up and down the street.
They will also exchange shoes that don’t work for any reason at all.

Like BB said above, do some exercises to help with stability - core and hip.

Good luck and have fun.

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If you really want to go minimalist with running shoes…get a $1.00 pair of flip-flops at Kmart.

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/04/Life/Catching_up_with_the_.shtml

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Don’t get Vibrams. I would post this on our Diet/Exercise thread. I don’t have time to fully answer now, but agree that you need to go to a specialty running store. I would not recommend true minimalist to start out. You also don’t want too much shoe for your body/needs. I have been a competitive runner for 40 years, and have run in every type of shoe there is. I can’t say what will work for you, but there are great shoes on the market right now. Brooks Glycerin, Saucony Triumph, Hokas… Get thee to a specialty store!

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An NYC running store I’ve heard good things about is JackRabbit. [url=<a href=“http://www.jackrabbitsports.com%5DHere%5B/url”>http://www.jackrabbitsports.com]Here[/url].

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Another vote for the running store - just google ones in your area and try one or two - you don’t have to buy right away, but listen to the different info/advice they give you. See store “feels” right in terms of the staff. They should watch you walk and run with your shoes on and off, physically measure EACH foot, etc.

When you are ready to buy, tell them the truth. Tell them you do not have a lot of cash to drop on a pair of shoes. You never know what they might have “in the back room” in a clearance or sale pile that they might be willing to sell to you for less cash. Again, a big box store won’t do this but a specialized smaller store might. Also look online at the stores for coupons - our local running stores have 10% off coupons all the time - that’s $10 off a $100 shoe! Worth it!

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Jack Rabbit and the Running Store are the two that I’ve been seeing good review for!