Running shoe advice

[Veronica]

What makes a good running shoe? How should it fit?

Thanks,

V.

[skibum]

There are almost as many things to consider when getting a good fit on a running shoe as there are when buying a bicycle. The most basic part of it is the physical size. You want the shoe to be snug enough that your foot doesn't slide around as you run (can you say blisters??) but not so tight that it's uncomfortable. Also, you want to leave some room in the toe box. You don't want your toes hitting against the front of the shoe. And, you want to make sure you have the righ amount of arch support for the shape of your foot.

Some of the other aspects of a good fit depend on the type of runner you are. Do you over/under pronate? Do you have a normal heel strike or are you a toe runner like me? This may affect your decision to get a shoe with more cushioning or with some stability features. Runner's World has some good articles on determining what kind of runner you are and what shoe types are best for you.

I found that it was useful to go to a running store to get fit for my first pair of running shoes. They videotaped me running on a treadmill so they could analyze my running style. They also measured not just the length of my foot but looked at the shape so they could recommend brands/styles that matched up best. Once I narrowed things down to a couple of shoes, they let me run around their parking lot so I could tell what felt best while running.

Beth

[JanT]

I agree with skibum: go to a running shoe store. They will analyze your type of foot and your gait, consider your mileage and where you run, and help you select a good shoe. The most comfortable running shoes I ever had I bought this way, and never regretted the expense. If you're going to run alot of miles, don't skimp. You'll be able to enjoy your runs and stay injury free. Good luck.

[Veronica]

Thanks, I talked with a couple of runner friends at work yesterday. They both suggested the same place locally for my first pair for all the reasons you said.

Why is it I can ride nearly 120 miles on my bike in one day with 12,000 feet of climb and not feel sore, just tired.

But jogging 2 miles with a couple of little hills has made me stiff?

V.

[spazzdog]

Cycling is a great workout that hit's strength, cardio, and works a certain set of muscle groups with no impact to your joints and bones.

Running, on the other hand is a weight bearing exercise and is all about impact. For every footstrike the impact is equal to 7 times your body weight. Impact = soreness.

It's important to work up to milage with running to allow your body to adjust to the affects of impact. Don't get frustrated... don't compare your progress to cycling. It's a great means of cross training.

Run on softer serfaces to decrease to effect of impact... grassy medians, trails, dirt alongside the sidewalk. Concrete will beat you up.

spazzdog (a "used to be" runner)

[Dogmama]

Also, running engages your hamstrings to a greater degree than cycling. I've found also that I'm sore after running 45 minutes, whereas the same time on a bike wouldn't be noticeable.

[Veronica]

Oh I'm not frustrated. I'm actually kind of thrilled that I could two miles in about twenty minutes. My goal is to work up to 6 miles in about an hour. The sore is the good kind. And I'm running on asphalt, early in the morning. I carry a light and wear a very bright jersey.

If I ever get so I can hang with my friends at work, they average about an 8 mile pace and run 6 - 11 miles (eek!), I'll do trails with them.

But the jogging is mostly about shaking my body up a little. My riding seems to have plateaued, which is fine. I'm at a point where I can do a lot of mileage at a decent pace. But I'm the kind of person who needs to have some sort of goal to fixate on. Plus I decided to quit my gym - I was never going, so this will be my replacement, along with some weights.

V.

[Dogmama]

Veronica - I'm right with you!! When the weather gets cooler, it's nice to run. And, I've put in so many miles on the bike, that it's nice to do something else.

I still do the gym, though. I need to lift weights sometimes. Thinking about investing in a bench & some dumbbells because my time is so limited these days (work is huge.) How will you be lifting weights at home?

[Veronica]

I'm going to get 3 - 4 sets of handweights, probably 5, 8, 12 and 15 pounds. I can do shoulders, back, biceps and triceps with those, without a bench. I'm not sure what I'll do for chest, maybe just pushups. I have Bill Perl's book on lifting, so I'll look through that to see what I can do for chest. I don't want to get a bench, but I may get a step to use instead. I think it will be easier to store.

I'm not real worried about my legs. I'm still biking about a hundred miles a week and with the addition of jogging, I figured they're covered. If I should decide I need something, I can do squats and lunges with the handweights.

I'm also getting a 3 kg ball to do some balance and Core work with. I may look for a video that does more with the ball since I like using it.

Abs and lower back I have some tapes I do and a routine I got from the trainer at the gym.

I've got a lot of upper body strength naturally and from years of swimming. I may take out a couple of days of biking to add some swimming back in, just to mix things up a little more.

It sounds like a good plan - we'll see if I can follow through.



V.

[Veronica]

This is funny!

Notice the date 2004!

I think I ran like 3 times that year.

V.

[crazybikinchic]

I recently went to a New Balance store and was shocked to learn that I should be wearing a size larger for my running shoe. I also suggest going to a running store.

[Wahine]

That is funny. I was really confused when I started reading this thread until you pointed out the date.

[jesvetmed]

That is funny. I was really confused when I started reading this thread until you pointed out the date.

Me too... especially when you said you had been running in your shoes 4 YEARS!!!! Glad that is old news. Hope you have newer shoes now!