Different Shoes for Running Off Road?

[Veronica]

After both of my races my ankles have been kind of tired. It's not an ache or a pain; they just feel tired.

All of my training runs have been on asphalt and I think that having to stabilize my feet on the gravel is at the root of my ankle issue.

Would trail running shoes give my ankles more support? I know they 'll probably give me better traction. Or is it just a case of needing to strengthen my ankles? Or both?

Thanks,

V.

[rocknrollgirl]

V,
I train and race primarily off road ( with the exception of the road sprints this season). Unless you are on really rugged trails, you should be fine in your regular running shoes. When it gets rocky or loose is when you need trail runners.

I only use my trail runners on rough stuff. they gravel trails and rail to trails that we run, I just wear my regular shoes.

[Veronica]

Good - so I don't need another pair of shoes. I just need to toughen up.

V.

[Flybye]

I don't think she said you don't need another pair of shoes...............

[yellow]

I don't think she said you don't need another pair of shoes...............

heh heh...I have shoes for most (note that I do not say "all" conditions):

• road
• road and dirt mixed
• mildly technical dirt only
• very technical dirt (these also work well in the snow...no need for YakTrax)
• technical dirt with lots of water
• all-purpose dirt

I need to replace my "road and dirt mixed" shoes. My road shoes barely have any miles on them (I used them for the dreadmill over the winter).

I won't go into gaiters and gusseted versus non-gusseted tongues!

All that being said, it's more about the bottom of my feet and the level of rigidity I want than ankle support. Ankles just get stronger over time, especially if you trail run!

[Veronica]

Thom says you are evil Sue!

V.

[tattiefritter]

Your ankles will get used to it, however I very rarely run offroad in anything but low profile heel trail/fell shoes as I find the heel of my road shoes far too built up for happy offroad running, my ankles would always feel vulnerable (I was just coming back from a bad sprain when I first started). Most of my trail runs are hilly and cover a multitude of surfaces including rocks, ruts, roots, grass (usually wet), mud and shin deep bog so I always need the grip and the "trail feel" from low profile shoes. I have a pair of Mizuno Wave Harrier shoes and they are fantastic, the only slight drawback is that the trade off for the low profile is less cushioning which means that long runs on very rocky trails or on the few days when the trails are really dry I can get sore feet, though I still wouldn't want clumpier shoes on as they feel like clogs in comparison.

My ankles are pretty strong now!

[Flybye]

heh heh...I have shoes for most (note that I do not say "all" conditions):

• road
• road and dirt mixed
• mildly technical dirt only
• very technical dirt (these also work well in the snow...no need for YakTrax)
• technical dirt with lots of water
• all-purpose dirt

I need to replace my "road and dirt mixed" shoes. My road shoes barely have any miles on them (I used them for the dreadmill over the winter).

I won't go into gaiters and gusseted versus non-gusseted tongues!

All that being said, it's more about the bottom of my feet and the level of rigidity I want than ankle support. Ankles just get stronger over time, especially if you trail run!

My ankles *can't* possibly be strong enough and I read this post "if you get more shoes, you can run in more conditions, therefore increasing ankle strength" - ahem, please excuse me while I go to shoebuy.com. End of public service announcement!
PS - I did admire your shoes the night we dined at the Firehouse. My problem is that I wear a 10 or a 10.5 and on rare occasions an 11. Try finding cute shoes in THAT size!

[teigyr]

My ankles *can't* possibly be strong enough and I read this post "if you get more shoes, you can run in more conditions, therefore increasing ankle strength" - ahem, please excuse me while I go to shoebuy.com. End of public service announcement!
PS - I did admire your shoes the night we dined at the Firehouse. My problem is that I wear a 10 or a 10.5 and on rare occasions an 11. Try finding cute shoes in THAT size!

Zappos or their discount outlet 6pm. I have 10 to 10.5 sized feet (running shoes are 11!) and have a room room full of shoes.

I've been looking at trail running shoes. I like the thought of "if you get more shoes, you can run in more conditions". Hrrrmmm...that is GOOD logic

[yellow]

Zappos or their discount outlet 6pm. I have 10 to 10.5 sized feet (running shoes are 11!) and have a room room full of shoes.

I've been looking at trail running shoes. I like the thought of "if you get more shoes, you can run in more conditions". Hrrrmmm...that is GOOD logic

Tiegyr, Sierra Trading Post has an incredible selection of trail runners in large sizes. My foot isn't an 11, but it's much bigger than most other folks' who are my size. (The joke in my house is that by the time I die, I'll have size 11 feet and be 4'10" tall. I'm currently at 8.5-9 shoe and am 5'2".) Don't overlook STP!

V, Thom's known I'm evil from DAY 1.