11 replies to this topic

[Jellylegs]

Hi,

I know some people will be horrified, but as a long time morning runner of about 3km 3 days a week, I have shifted up to 5.5km and am training for a 15.2km next year. I used to run in a pair of Sketcher cross trainers, then I bought a pair of Puma Cells (cheap as chips) and have been in them for about a year. I have never had any issues with them, but everyone seems to be pushing the importance of the right footwear. What should I be looking at if I want to get serious?

Thanks!

[Becky O]

Yes Jellylegs, running in a pair of sketchers does bring tears to the eyes I would say considering you have never been fitted for a pair of running shoes before my suggestion is to go and see a specialty running store or a podiatrist so that they can look at your running form and suggest some runners to suit you. They will be able to tell you if your an over/under pronator or neutral and lots of other things that will determine what shoe is right for you.

I'm sure some Melbourne CR's will be able to suggest a good place to go.

Cheers
Becky

[Louise]

Active Feet - Prahran and Heathmont. You'll pay full recommended retail, but you get a "free" podiatrist's consultation. Well worth it for your first time.

[Jellylegs]

I know I probably should see a podiatrist, but it is so time consuming! I was at one recently and he wasn't great, just wasted half a day. I know I am flat footed and have high arches, are any of the sports shops worth a go or no?

Thanks!

Thanks Louise, I will have a look at them for sure.

Cheers

[Beast]

Definitely agree cant go wrong with active feet - otherwise if you're in mebourne go to athlete's foot collins street and ask for vaughn.

[azza]

I may be bucking the trend, but if you've got a pair of shoes that are working for you for a year of consistent running, and are "cheap as chips", stick with them! Why fix what isn't broken (and spend an extra $100-$200 to do so)?

[Becky O]

I agree, I dont think the shoes need to be expensive to be efficient for your running style. I think the main thing to note though, is what might work for you over 3-5km runs might not be too good for you once you start taking things more seriously and stepping up the k's if you want to stay injury free.

[Jeremy M]

Given that flat feet and high arches are in fact mutually exclusive, consulting a specialist shop might be a good idea.

The best idea is to do plenty of your own research first though because even good shops have crap staff. The more you know the more likely you are to come out with a shoe that suits you and you can really afford.

[tank girl]

Jeremy M, on Dec 5 2006, 07:07 PM, said:

Given that flat feet and high arches are in fact mutually exclusive, consulting a specialist shop might be a good idea.

Really? Describing someone as having high arches is a very clear statement, whereas having "flat feet" is a diagnosis made by people who don't know much about feet and can be used to describe either:

• low arches; or
  
• high yet flexible arches (often with weak muscles), such that the arch collapses to the ground in stance (i.e. overpronator).

If it was being used by a layperson in the latter sense, then it's not mutually exclusive, right?

[Neavesy]

Jeremy M, Great point about Good Stores having Crap Staff. I have been into so many so called Shoe Speciality stores in WA and QLD it isnt funny.

I have always found that asking the Sales person how much running he/she does is always a good indication about how much they care if you get a good pair of shoes or not, because no runner would sell another runner shoes knowing they might cause injury. Due to the fact they probaly have been injured before and know how it feels.

[samplesize]

hi Neavesy,

samplesize here - your friedly neighbourhood sneaker freaker

apart from getting a little advice from someone who knows feet and shoes and biomechanice and how they interrelate, the important point is pointed out by azza and Becky O - your pumas may have been fantastic and another pair may continue to be...

... BUT, please consider how you plan to use them and what made them a good shoe for you in the first place? last shape? cushioning? torsional stability? flexibility through the forefoot? a solid heel counter? midsole durometer density? medial posting or no medial posting? your foot characteristics? biomechanics?

answer these questions (as a guide) and you will be able to identify what characteristics (not price, or brand, or model) is best for you

in summary - if you up the training, are the same pair still suitable? (maybe you can modify the insole for limited expense?)

samplesize

[thomo]

Hey samplesize,

Have you got your new MI Adidas' yet?

I can't wait to get my new ones