Running shoes

JonathanRyan

JonathanRyan

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Imagine I wanted to start running. There's a nice wood about a mile and half from here so I figured a total of 3 miles on road (there and back) and about 4 around the wood. I'm not really that serious so I'll only do this on nice days but I bet the woods are pretty muddy ATM.

What kind of shoes should I get?

If it helps, I'm a little under 70 kilos, a size 6 (yes, really) and have been told by one of those magic video measure people that I have a neutral gait.

Obviously I don't want to spend more than 50 quid because I'll give up as soon as it starts raining.

[BTW I know the correct answer is "go to a local shop and ask their advice". However, I've tried that (they had the video machine). Nobody within 50 miles stocks size 6 men's shoes. They will order a single pair for me but that's actually less useful than ordering a couple from the 'net and returning them under DSR. I'd support my local shops if I could but it seems they can't afford my business.]
 
Ive got a friend that does some 'mud running' o_O, and he was recently looking for a new pair of shoes. Ive just asked him what it was he purchased, and they are from the Inov-8 Mudclaw range apparently...

He swears by them, but he doesnt do much running with them on the road, so couldnt say exactly how they perform on that kind of surface. In the mud etc, he thinks they are the dogs dangleys.
 
Thanks - I've seen good things about the Inov-8s in mud (lots of Tough Mudders swear by them) but I've also been told they really aren't good on roads. The first half mile is up hill on a foot path and unfortunately the council tarmacced it recently. I'll bet that's exciting in the wet :)
 
You should go to a proper running shop and have a gait analysis done then get some shoes that are suitable. Wish someone had told me before i wrecked my left knee due to incorrect shoes.
 
Yes. If they had shoes to fit me, I'd be happy to do that.
But they don't.
I've had the gait analysis done that was the video thing.
 
robj20 said:
You should go to a proper running shop and have a gait analysis done then get some shoes that are suitable. Wish someone had told me before i wrecked my left knee due to incorrect shoes.
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JonathanRyan said:
[BTW I know the correct answer is "go to a local shop and ask their advice". However, I've tried that (they had the video machine). Nobody within 50 miles stocks size 6 men's shoes. ]
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hmm
 
I used to use Nike Air Pegasus when I was running marathons, because they were great on roads, but also had a decent sole for when I wanted to run in woods or fields. I used them a couple of times for a cross country which had about a mile of tarmac and three miles of soft ground.
 
If you are really neutral (get assessed) them adidas kanadia are a good value trail shoe but the sizing can be a bit small. If it is just a bit of mud then most standard running shoes would suffice to be honest. I would definitely recommend that you get along to decent shop and get some personal advice. They will have something in your budget.

Pronation support is less important on trails as your foot tends to roll about all over the place anyway, decent fit for your foot is more of an issue.

(edit: Just read the rest of the message ref your shortage of local running shops with stock in your size)
 
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StewartR said:
....... Nope, you lost me there.
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it roughly translates as the pub is 20 minutes walk away and its 19 minutes to last orders ;)
 
andy700 said:
I used to use Nike Air Pegasus when I was running marathons, because they were great on roads, but also had a decent sole for when I wanted to run in woods or fields. I used them a couple of times for a cross country which had about a mile of tarmac and three miles of soft ground.
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I had Nike Air Pegasus 27s, they were unbelievably comfortable and the lightest shoe I'd ever worn... this is until I found out the hard way that they were 'too neutral' and didn't do enough to cushion my stride. If my feet let me I would buy some again in an instant, fairly good value too.

@JonathanRyan If you're neutral it's well worth checking them out. Pretty popular shoe that is stocked in most sports shops. £50 may be a bit hit and miss quality-wise if you stray to other brands, but at those distances and if you're doing it infrequently, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Went to Sweatshop after the Nikes killing my feet and walked out with (oddly another neutral pair) of Adidas AdiStar Ride 4s and custom insoles. I wasn't convinced on the insoles to begin with, but I'm just over the 700km mark with the combo and it's working well. That said, I strike the ground fairly hard, what's your running style like? These won't be suited to you if you've got a very light step, you'd be better off with the Nikes listed above.
 
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big soft moose said:
it roughly translates as the pub is 20 minutes walk away and its 19 minutes to last orders ;)
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I live in Kent. We have very much a relaxed attitude to licensing laws. Comes from our long heritage in smuggling.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I actually have a meeting with a Nike store today so I'll see what they suggest ;)
 
Hmmmm, the Nike store was just a warehouse. But nearby there is a small Asics store. They were awfully keen for me to buy one of the last remaining pairs of GT 2170 Trail shoes. I have to say apart from being hideous they looked pretty good.
 
I've always got on with Asics shoes but that's because I have giant feet and the Asic's design seemed to be the most comfortable for me. Gripwise I've always found their regular shoes to be OK for a mix of tarmac and trails. There was a deal advertised recently on HotUKdeals here which I think has expired but the shoes are still only £35 and they do a size 6.
 
Use code: RN314 for an extra 20% off at Sportsshoes

I run in INOV-8 X-TALON 190 around the woods and for obstacle course races and BROOKS ADRENALINE GTS on the road

It's also worth mentioning your running shoes should be 1/2 to a full size bigger than your regular shoe size because your feet will swell when you run and you need plenty of room in the toebox. If your toes are crammed in the front of the running shoe, you could develop blisters or black toenails. (google it)

I think you are in a tricky situation as road shoes are not designed to offer any grip in the woods for the winter but once spring/summer comes I think you'll be ok and using off road shoes on the road will wear the sole and grip down very quickly. I would get some regular road shoes until you are definitely going to continue as 3 miles or 5km is a good distance to get you into running
 
Just a quick update that Sportsshoes code expires on the 2nd March
 
TBH, given the amount of discomfort and possible damage that a pair of poor running shoes could cause, I would put off running until I was able to visit the shop 50 miles away. By that time, the weather should be better, tracks should be drier etc..
 
Nod said:
TBH, given the amount of discomfort and possible damage that a pair of poor running shoes could cause, I would put off running until I was able to visit the shop 50 miles away. By that time, the weather should be better, tracks should be drier etc..
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On reflection, I would have to agree Nod. Although I would say even a good pair of running shoes can cause damage if they aren't the right ones for you.

When I first started running I guessed my gait using an on-line guide and bought a pair of shoes that looked OK on the interweb. About 3 weeks into the 5k plan I was following I developed acute pain in my right knee. Fortunately at the time we had a physio available though work for free (contracted in through Connect) and she was able to sort me out quickly and tell me what my gait actually was and what I needed in a shoe. She also recommended a good independent running shop in Newcastle to get me properly sorted with some shoes. I went and had them assess me and they were bang on the money with what the physio had advised. One pair of Brooks Adrenaline 9 (heavy support shoe with lots of motion control) later and I made it to 5K without another hitch. Your needs can change though and it is worth getting re-assessed periodically IMO. I'm now running in a medium support shoe.

It might be a major inconvenience and it might cost you a bit more but it is still preferable to a physio bill (at least £50) and couple of weeks of knee pain.
 
Dunno. I remember at school running about 4 miles over frozen fields, railway cuttings and roads in football boots. .....
 
JonathanRyan said:
Dunno. I remember at school running about 4 miles over frozen fields, railway cuttings and roads in football boots. .....
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Blimey, that brought back some bad, bad memories. The freezing cold legs, with bright pink thighs, the breath freezing in front of your face, the inevitable stitch when you tried to run a bit faster than last time. My football boots used to cripple me, until I bought a pair of slightly used Adidas ones from a school jumble sale for £1.
There was no health and safety in those days, we used to run on fields, alongside roads, and public footpaths.
I then started running on roads and fields in Fred Perry tennis shoes (very painful on the shins), and it was only three years after leaving school, in 1978 that I bought my first pair of "running" shoes - basic blue Nike with a waffle sole - they were great.
 
andy700 said:
There was no health and safety in those days, we used to run on fields, alongside roads, and public footpaths.
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Yeah, I remember running past the tannery (mmm, lovely fumes) then up through a disused railway tunnel (pitch dark in the middle and with loose stones and broken bottles underfoot). All in football boots because it was football day but the weather was too bad to play - it would damage the pitches.......

Anyway, thanks to the advice here and a chat on the phone to a guy at Sports Shoes I have just bought a pair of Asics Fuji Gel 3 (or something - TBH I'm not sure but apparently they will be great). And saved 20% thanks to @McShug :)
 
JonathanRyan said:
And saved 20% thanks to @McShug :)
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Your welcome

Enjoy your runs but listen to your body and remember if it hurts stop.
Don't push yourself to much at first, remember rest days are just as important as run days,
and there are some great apps available for your smartphone
from beginners "couch to 5k" all the way up to marathon plans.

no links added as I think it's best if you just search your phones apps and decide for yourself which best suits your level.
 
McShug said:
...Enjoy your runs but listen to your body and remember if it hurts stop.
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^ This x 1000.

As a result of not following this simple rule I'm currently crocked with a very sore Achilles tendon. The 1.5 mile walk back to my hotel would have been the far better bet than pushing on and running back.

Very cross with myself.
 
ChrisJ_SLH said:
^ This x 1000.

As a result of not following this simple rule I'm currently crocked with a very sore Achilles tendon. The 1.5 mile walk back to my hotel would have been the far better bet than pushing on and running back.

Very cross with myself.
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We have all done it Chris, a clear case of "do as I say, not as I do";)
 
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