@abasket I ran very slowly, and I have been doing other exercise, including stairs, in in addition to the 5k runs.
When I buy running shoes, I look for the centimeter size instead of regular US size. Ladies US size 8 - 8 1/2 is around 25.25-25.5 cm size. Interestingly Ladies US size 8 is Grade School size 7, but still 25.25 cm. When I buy shoes I go straight to Grade School size shoe area because the same model shoes are 1/3 the price charged for same 25.25 cm shoes sold in ladies ‘grown-up’ dept.
I did very well with men’s shoes at the local Brooks outlet (smaller men’s sizes don’t sell out as fast as larger women’s). Heck, our feet are not that different - why not buy men’s shoes if they fit! One thing to consider is that they are wider, so that is an added plus for me because my feet swell during long distances. Would not work for ladies with narrow feet.
@Barfly - what MOfWC said about Altras. I have Torins for treadmill running. Also, Brooks Pure shoes (mine are PureCadence) have minimal cushioning. You might be surprised that it is not the padding that mattered for you - the zero or next to zero drop with some padding is just as good for the running mechanics in preventing heel strikes.
I am another voice in the chorus of advice to go to a specialty running store. I have lost most of the padding on my feet due to age and disease so I wear Thorlo’s thickest socks. They bump up my shoe size in both length or width. I suggest you take your preferred socks with you to the store.
I exercise walk now instead of run, but I wear the same model of shoes in both the running shoe and walking shoe versions. I maintain two pairs and pull out the insoles between wears. After that first pair from the specialty store, I watch for sales online. I have super fussy problem feet, and those athletic shoes are the most comfortable things I own. They are functional but not cute so they only get worn for exercise. My running shoes served me on a 10+ miles super steep hike (the Dipsea) to celebrate my 62nd birthday, and I didn’t get blisters or sore feet. Don’t ask me about my thighs.
@BunsenBurner, it was switching away from heel-strike running that helped me, and that happened automatically out of necessity when I switched to 5-fingers. I suspect I would have continued with heel-strike style running if the shoe had cushioning, even if zero-drop. Now,though, I could probably run in any zero-drop shoe and be just fine, but I really like the agility of barefoot or close to it. It’s just more fun and I feel faster, even though I’m not. Gazelles don’t wear shoes. (That was a joke).
I’m definitely going to look into some of the brands you all are mentioning!
@acollegestudent, please be sure to let us all know what you end up buying! I like what @abasket says about getting an education from the running shoe store. You might be surprised how much you learn from a complete stranger about your own feet. I never knew I had a narrow heel and wide forefoot. That info now helps me by non-running shoes, too. Good luck!
Thank you all for your responses! I learned and am still learning so much on this thread! I will make sure to come back with an update after I get measured at the shoe store!
After you get your measured don’t just walk out of store and then order online using measurement from shoe stores. Getting measured is only half of getting properly fit…shoes have to fit your feet. A size 10 Nike shoe might be a 9 Asic. try shoes on before you buy.
Don’t be surprised if the shoe size recommended is perhaps a whole size bigger than the size you buy in regular shoes. Your feet move “forward” in your shoe while running so you usually need more toe room. You will be glad you have that room!
“I suspect I would have continued with heel-strike style running if the shoe had cushioning, even if zero-drop.”
There is no way to do the experiment now, but I suspect you would have seen the change, as I did. What is your typical training pace? Mine is not that fast, about 8:30 miles.
BTW, gazelles have hooves. 
Just a personal experience on the advice earlier on the thread to go online and buy last years version for cheaper if you like the ones you bought in the store:
I wear New Balance 1080s. Have for years, starting with v2. Not much significant change from v2 to v3, they still worked great for me.
Then they came out with v4. Big changes, especially in the amount of forefoot cushioning (they also changed the last). They were awful for me and I hated them. $$ down the drain because I didn’t try them on, just assumed they would work like the previous models and ordered online.
I have since ordered up as many pairs of the v3 as I can find, which is great for me as they are much cheaper now! But never again will I assume that a new version of the same model will work without trying it on first.
I think all of the advice above is excellent, but I will add a few comments. When I started running again (after thirty years of slothdom), I was so overweight that I was embarrassed to go into a running store. I ordered Hoka One Ones from Zappos.com entirely based on the reviews and an article in Outside Magazine (this one: http://www.outsideonline.com/1869931/clown-shoe-thats-changing-minimalist-running) and started the Couch-to-5K program, running in the dark so my neighbors wouldn’t see me.
I love the Hokas. I am pain-free and have been since I started running. I do get sore muscles, yes, but I don’t get the acute pain I got just walking in “regular” running shoes.
(And for those of you who are wondering, yes, I’ve lost weight. I have more weight to go, but I’m way down. I’m no longer embarrassed to go into running stores. I still wear Hokas for running, although I wear the minimalist Skora Core for dog agility competition (always on dirt).)
Whoo hoo to dmd!
If you saunter over to the diet and exercise, we give great 5 pound parties 
Good luck with the shoe shopping! I’m a very long time runner, but now have settled into moderate runs of 5-8 miles, 3-4x per week. I’m too frugal for Hokas, but quite love my Asics (gel). I’m sure a great running store will set you up for success!
Hokas, with discount codes that aren’t hard to find, are really not more expensive than the other top line shoes from the other manufacturers. You can definitely get cheaper shoes, and they might be fine, but Hokas compare price-wise with the Kayano, Triumph, Brooks Traverse etc.
A couple of pages back, someone mentioned asking what shoes the store had ‘in the back’. These will be new shoes, but perhaps the model that has just been replaced. Or, the color may not be your favorite, but you can often realize significant savings, while benefiting from the expert advice of the running store staff.
Also agree with @bearpanther above. For years I bought the next model of Saucony Hurricane but fortunately tried on the 15th version, and it had changed enough that I knew it would not work for me. Running store put me in a less expensive Saucony, so that worked out well. I also try to buy extra pairs of a model that works before they disappear. I replace them every 400 miles (walking) so go through quite a few.
I’ve been a runner for 40 years now. The best on-line running shoe store is probably Holabird Sports which is in PA or Road Runner Sports also on-line. The right shoe depends on how your feet hit the ground. Your knees creaking is not necessarily a good thing or a bad thing. In NYC you have Super Runner Sports and Paragon which is a neat store in general. Good running shoes are going to cost $90 - $140 or so. If you want to save money you can buy last year’s model at a steep discount. Some models to consider: ASICS Kayano, Brooks Adrenaline and Nike Pegasus. Each brand tends to fit different people better or worse. I also suggest you spend $35 and purchase a pair of Superfeet inserts and replace the factory insole with the Superfeet insole. Much better arch support. Whether you supinate, pronate or are neutral will dictate what type of shoe you should buy.
6pm.com – the Zappos outlet – often has running shoes deeply discounted. I also buy shoes at The Clymb.