18 replies to this topic

[Cowboy]

Is a 30min run in new shoes to long? Do you have to break in new shoes? Should I be doing a walk run?

[mgi11a]

If its the right shoe for your foot type and of good quality I would say no, I've found a shoe that I love so I know when I tie on a new pair it's just take up where the old ones left off my first run in my newest pair was 15km.
Also if you have paid for quality shoes and bought them on the advice of a sales assistant and you have problems don't be afraid to return them, there's so many different shoes out there dont settle for something that doesn't suit you.

[Action]

I cut the tags off a new pair of Reeboks and ran the Canberra 50k in them, no probs. A few months later cut the tags off another pair of the same model and got a blister on the heel within 5k! Go figure. The moral of this story is that a 30 min run with no hot spots means you are pretty safe to consider them "run in". Rather than running them in, you are making sure there are no little variations in manufacture that may bite you! As mqi11a says, a good pair of quality shoes should be ready to go from the gun.

Of course, the flip side of the question is whether you are ready for the new shoes. I swap old and new for a while so my legs can get used to the change in support and cushioning between old and new. The shoes are not the problem, my legs are!

[Bellthorpe]

I wouldn't wear a brand new pair of shoes in a race, but when I get a pair I just put them on for my normal daily run. That might be on the road, in the forest, in good weather or storms.

I keep three pair or shoes rotating, and when a pair is thrown out (500 miles or so), the new pair just joins the trio.

Edited by Bellthorpe, 11 December 2007 - 04:17 PM.

[Jogger]

I think maybe years ago "breaking shoes in" was more important, but I dunno these days seems like shoes are quite flexible and they don't need much breaking in (unless you are wearing brooks beast of course aka blocks of concrete). At least mine are good to go from the box, but certainly after one run feel pretty comfy.

[Cowboy]

Reason why I am asking is, I was wearing stability shoes with orthotics and but switched to neutral shoes, now I am guessing that the reason why I was slapping the floor when I went for a run in these shoes was because my cavles were sore from a crap the previous day....I bought Brooks Glycerin....

[Duffman]

As above, you should be able to run in properly fitted shoes out of the box. Some people are more susceptable to blisters than others so it often helps to use your old/previously imprinted sock liners in new shoes if you need them for long runs.
I would assume the pounding or slapping is unrelated to the need to break in the shoes or to your soreness and should be looked into as it is likely the result of a poorly fitted shoe which does not allow a smooth transition from heel strike to midstance and is poorly responsive to your running style. I would try returning the shoes and going to a store which will let you go for a run in the shoe first (any suggestions in Sydney?)

Edited by Duffman, 12 December 2007 - 10:24 AM.

[PlodBod]

Duffman, on Dec 12 2007, 11:20 AM, said:

I would try returning the shoes and going to a store which will let you go for a run in the shoe first (any suggestions in Sydney?)

http://www.runningscience.com.au/

[David C]

I hate to admit this (because I would never recommend it to anybody) ... but one year I did the 100 km Sydney trailwalker in a brand new pair of shoes - straight out of the box. No problems and probably the most comfortable shoes that I have done the trailwalker in. Fortunately they were a shoe style that I had worn for a number of years (Asics) - so maybe this helped (and I wouldn't do this again).

However, I would tend to recommend that you firstly walking around and do a few shorter runs to make sure that they were not a problem.

[RunningTan]

Hmm yes and no on this one.. yes you should be able to run in them as soon as you bought them, but not marathons in my opinion.. I would start off with a 30min run on the treadmill or on the road and see if they are suitable for your feet..I did that with my Asics Gel Nimbus.. I gave them a go by running for 30 mins on the treadmill at my gym and had no problems so continued to my usual road training..
If you find they are suitable then you can proceed to run for a longer period of time next time you use them, they should however be comfortable when you put them on, if you're unable to walk in them without some sort of discomfort then you've purchased the wrong shoe.. I hope that makes sense.

[azza]

I think it's not so much breaking them in, as much as making sure they are right for your feet. If they aren't, you'll definitely know within the first 30 minutes. If they feel ok after that, chances are, they'll be fine for the remainder of their life.

[bluesman]

not a problem if thet are dunlop volleys, can be run in straight out of the box

[walshy2]

i usually run in asics (either nimbus or DS trainers) but recently added a pair of Nike Air Pegasus to the team. They feel ok but I have only run 30 mins 3 times as after a run in them i feel a little d iffernt in the achillies area (ive had achillies problems in the past and wear orthotics)
I think the shoes are ok but I dare not run in them yet on long runs until ive got them run in and my legs accept them

[wombatoutofhell]

I've recently bought a pair of Brooks Trance which were fitted by Active Feet and on the list recomended by my podiatrist. They are the first shoes I've bought with my orthotics. I ran a couple of hundred metres outside the store before I bought them and they felt fine. But I find the balls of my feet get sore on longer runs. So far I've done a 20km training run and a 10km race in them and had the same problem both times. I did have the same problem in my old shoes (Brooks Adrenalines) but not as early in a run. I ran the race in different socks (Thorlos) to the 20km (Target Coolmax). Didn't seem to make a difference.
Should I persist a little longer or should I call Active Feet? The video analysis showed these shoes with my orthotic had my feet in nearly perfect alignment. There was another pair of shoes (Nike stucture triax 11) that were as good though and I'm wondering if I should have tried them. Both shoes felt great for 2 hundred metres or so that I tried them for and I realy bought the Brooks as they seemed to be a more durable distance shoe.

[Bellthorpe]

Cowboy, on Dec 11 2007, 07:47 PM, said:

Reason why I am asking is, I was wearing stability shoes with orthotics and but switched to neutral shoes, now I am guessing that the reason why I was slapping the floor when I went for a run in these shoes was because my cavles were sore from a crap the previous day

Definitely sounds like technique to me.

I would try putting less load on the calves by gradually lowering the posterior so that the buttocks take the load on the seat of the bowl.

[Shankate]

Good call, Bellthorpe!

I have a question for you - whilst you are rotating your three pairs of sneakers (are these all of different styles / brands / types by the way?) - how do you keep track of how many km's each pair has done? Do you actually log each run and distance covered for each pair of shoes?

Sounds like something I may have to take up in the near future, I'm due for a new pair. Looking forward to it - love new sneakers

[Bellthorpe]

Shankate, on Mar 10 2008, 01:04 PM, said:

I have a question for you - whilst you are rotating your three pairs of sneakers (are these all of different styles / brands / types by the way?) - how do you keep track of how many km's each pair has done? Do you actually log each run and distance covered for each pair of shoes?

Yes, when I get a new pair I texta a small number on the side. I log that along with time and distance.

But I'm not anal about logging. Sometimes I just go for a run without even a watch. I don't upload GPS plots, draw graphs or charts, or anything like that. I'm more interested in running than analysing my running.

I always use the same brand (Mizuno), but sometimes get different models depending on what's available on eBay. They're all pretty much the same in any case. The last time I bought four pairs of Wave Rider at the same time, as it saves on postage. I pay about AUD70 per pair that way.

One advantage of rotating shoes is that I always have a dry pair available. And the shoes themselves wear better when they're allowed to 'rest' longer between uses. I guess the only exception to this is when I travel, and use the same shoes for several days in a row ... as I've done twice in the last week (Frankston and Brisbane).

[NvrGiveUp]

is it normal for new shoes to cause pains ??

visited running science last sunday, and bought a pair of nike triax runners (as recommended by the sales person).. took them out for a 5k run yesterday (30mins - so very slow pace). Finished up with sore left foot, slightly sore left hip and my achellies is abit tender.


not sure if this is 'normal' because of changing shoes or if its something else..?

[lavenderlilly]

I dont'n think it's normal for new shoes to cause you pain.
I alwys go for a 10k run when I buy a brand new pair of shoes, and never had a problem.
But I always take time when buying new shoes. Try both shoes on and get them only if they feel 100%.