New to running

[goldfinch]

Back in the mid 1970s I ran a bit, but never got serious about it.

I've thought about mixing up my biking with some running and have looked at the couch to 5k program, outlined online. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I started with it and actually, if I run slow, I can run a mile.

I am running in my casual quasi-hiking shoes which probably is not a good idea. I don't own a pair of running shoes.

I have high arches and remember from years ago that I supinate or under-pronate when I run or walk. A quick read on the internet indicates that I should have a flexible but well cushioned shoe.

Any ideas? Of course, I got intrigued by minimalist shoes. Certainly they are flexible but most are not well cushioned. I have thought about a compromise shoe like the Saucony Kinvara, which seems to be flexible with cushioning. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1IWBXTLD8G8GA

Really radical shoes like the Vibram toe shoes won't work for me because my second toe is too long. And the lack of cushioning is concerning anyway.

Ideas?

[Veronica]

I use the Kinvara 2 and really like it a lot. I had been wearing a running shoe for serious over pronation, but I really wanted to transition into a lighter shoe. I wear Merrill barefoot shoes pretty much all the time, so I didn't find the transition too difficult.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Altra Intuition are beautiful shoes, zero heel/toe drop but plenty of cushion (I think 10 mm sole), toe box shaped like feet rather than court jester shoes, heel narrow enough for a typical woman's foot.

Because of the square toe box they will accommodate moderately wide feet, but not my EEs. If you wear size 11 I've got a pair...

[goldfinch]

Thanks Veronica and OakLeaf, I'll see If I can at least try on both of those shoes. But I know you never really know until you start running in them. Oak, unfortunately I wear a size six and a half and my feet are pretty narrow. Especially my heel.

[yellow]

I'm sure you know this: shoes are like bikes. You need to try a bunch of them! You might get lucky with your first pair or you might need to try a few. Keep an open mind; don't remain convinced that you have to go minimal, or a specific drop, or cushioned, or whatever. Shop around. A lot. Some stores have very generous return policies (in that they let you exchange a shoe even if you have worn it outside), so make sure you ask about that when you are doing your shopping!

That said, when you try on the Kinvara 2, also look at its more cushioned cousin, the new (overpriced) Cortana. I have a very average arch and the Kinvara 2 had way too much arch for me (and was far too soft, but I like very stiff shoes). I haven't tried the Cortana but have spoken with a couple of people who have them. The consensus is that they are a great trainer but are not built for speed.

Super cush seems to be all the rage here (in northern Utah) in the form of the Hoka OneOne. I know many, many people who claim this is the best shoe they have ever worn in their life. Easily half of the trail running crowd here wears the trail version. They are not cheap. I lovingly call them clown shoes (it has to be lovingly because my most frequent running partner is a Hoka evangelist).

FWIW, I normally rotate through 3 or 4 different pairs of shoes, all very different. I like to mix it up. Also, when the manufacturer inevitably changes a shoe, I don't have to be brokenhearted and frantically search for the last size 8.5 of the model that I fell in love with. I think that in the last 3 to 4 years we've been seeing some really incredible, different shoes. Makes shopping harder, but there are so many different options now that I think we can find better fitting running footwear in general.

[7rider]

Get yourself to a running store and have them look at your feet and your gait.

A knowledgeable person can recommend shoes and see how you move in them. And you can try on several models from several makers and see how they fit your feet, your gait, and yes, your wallet. As intriguing as some shoes sound to me, I quickly am discovering that I have Asics feet. I try on several makes, Nike, Brooks, what have you. But Asics seems to work for me. I never would have known that if I continued my habit of buying whatever shoe I could find at come discount place or department store.

And the right shoes make all the difference.

[goldfinch]

Thanks Yellow! More for my list to try. 7rider, I'll do as you suggest.

[VeganBikeChick]

I agree with 7rider. I'm a Brooks girl myself and wouldn't have known without going to my local running store.

[jessmarimba]

Some of the Brooks "pure" line and some of the Nike more-minimal shoes seem to have more cushion than a lot of minimal shoes. Though if you have a narrow heel the Nikes may not work (they eat my socks).

I recommend going to a local running store and taking their advice. But - I also recommend doing some research on things such as the "wet footprint test" before you go in. Because LOTS of shoe stores depend on that as a test of what shoe you should wear, and that test is pretty much BS. I overpronate (badly) with one foot, but it has nothing to do with a standing footprint test. It has to do with the fact that my ankle bends inward when standing normally, and how my foot moves while I am actually running. You can have high arches and still overpronate as you pass through your foot in a running stride - you can have flat feet standing still but have a neutral gait while running - etc. If they have a treadmill where they can record your running stride they may be able to provide you with better information. Also, if they don't encourage this anyway, run around inside the store in every pair of shoes you try on (so dress comfortably!).

Also, when you go in, bring the shoes that you have been running in. They will have a wear pattern from your current stride. Sometimes that doesn't tell much of anything, but sometimes it can have valuable clues about what your feet do as you run.

[goldfinch]

Some of the Brooks "pure" line and some of the Nike more-minimal shoes seem to have more cushion than a lot of minimal shoes. Though if you have a narrow heel the Nikes may not work (they eat my socks).

I recommend going to a local running store and taking their advice. But - I also recommend doing some research on things such as the "wet footprint test" before you go in. Because LOTS of shoe stores depend on that as a test of what shoe you should wear, and that test is pretty much BS. I overpronate (badly) with one foot, but it has nothing to do with a standing footprint test. It has to do with the fact that my ankle bends inward when standing normally, and how my foot moves while I am actually running. You can have high arches and still overpronate as you pass through your foot in a running stride - you can have flat feet standing still but have a neutral gait while running - etc. If they have a treadmill where they can record your running stride they may be able to provide you with better information. Also, if they don't encourage this anyway, run around inside the store in every pair of shoes you try on (so dress comfortably!).

Also, when you go in, bring the shoes that you have been running in. They will have a wear pattern from your current stride. Sometimes that doesn't tell much of anything, but sometimes it can have valuable clues about what your feet do as you run.

Interesting!

My shoes are seriously worn on the outside of the heel, which I understand is a sign of supination.

[jessmarimba]

Interesting!

My shoes are seriously worn on the outside of the heel, which I understand is a sign of supination.

It usually is - but an overpronator can also wear the outside of the heel, before rolling inwards across the arch to the inner forefoot. (Not doubting your self-analysis, just giving you more info)

I'm only throwing all of this at you because even at the best shoe stores you can get some sales people with really limited knowledge. If you end up with a guy with neutral feet who's superfast and races nothing longer than a 5K, you may have to ask a lot of questions to get what you need! Same as buying a bike - if you feel like you're being pressured or they aren't listening to you, leave and go somewhere else. And if anything feels slightly weird with a shoe, it can be magnified as you continue running. Mention it to the salesperson and get their opinion.

(How much more can I overanalyze this for you? Haha)

[goldfinch]

Jess, I really appreciate your comments. Now I have to find a store!