44 replies to this topic

[readytorun]

Hi
I'm a new runner (completed 3 weeks on C25K). Was all going well until I developed knee pain. I've been resting them for a week or so and have been to get new shoes fitted at Athlete's Foot as I am presuming my shoes were the problem.
I am going to run again today and am really nervous that my knees will hurt again and then I will be back to square 1. Does anyone know how accurate they are when they check your feet? Apparently mine were rolling inwards and I now have a nice new pair of Brooks.
I'm hoping for the best this afternoon but a little worried!
Thanks

Edited by readytorun, 23 April 2008 - 10:16 PM.

[wombatoutofhell]

Hi readytorun-welcome to coolrunning.
I've had a bad experience with athletes foot where they sold me the totally wrong shoe. They felt great in the shop but when I tried running my feet and legs were too sore to continue after 3 or 4km. I'm not saying they are all bad, thats just my experience. Some of the sales people seem to know what they are talking about, some not so much! What model brooks did you get? I'd suggest if they dont work for you take them back.
Where are you? Someone might be able to recomend a specialist running shop to you.
Good luck and well done on your efforts so far.

[Bellthorpe]

Congratulations on making a start, it's good to see you here in the forums.

A few points:

• Knee pain is not necessarily related to running shoes, although it commonly is.
  
  
• Early knee pain often goes away by itself, so long as you don't over-do the running. New runners should really take it easy, and only increase mileage bit by bit.
  
• Athlete's Foot is a store the staff of which will try not to have you leave without selling you some shoe. Several contributors to this forum are podiatrists (who also run) and/or own running shoe stores. You would be far better served by talking to those folk.
  

No-one here can predict if you will still have knee pain on your next run. Only you can determine that! Do let us know ...

[tim]

I do not think all athlete's foot shops are staffed by the same people so it seems silly to criticise he whole franchise.

[readytorun]

Thanks for that! The man who served me really seemed to know what he was talking about however I wondered how accurate it could be as you walk across the mat, not run so I guess your foot may fall differently. I really needed new shoes anyway so if they don't help at least it's not a complete waste of money (I'm in WA if anyone wants to recommend another store!) I got Adrenaline GTS 8.

My husband has started running as well and has experienced the exact same problem as I'm having. I guess we will just try again today and see how things go, will definitely report back!

If the knee pain is just related to being a new runner, would it be advisable just to keep going or was it right to take a week off? I guess they were too sore to really continue so I have probably just answered my own question there! I guess I am asking, could I do any damage or is it just the same as having sore muscles?

[Bellthorpe]

tim, on Apr 23 2008, 02:50 PM, said:

I do not think all athlete's foot shops are staffed by the same people so it seems silly to criticise he whole franchise.

Fair comment. I should have used the word 'most'.

I take umbrage at your use of the word 'silly'. Vurt described me in another thread as 'stupid', and I think that's much closer to the mark.

[loubee]

They are all in the business of selling shoes so they will all try to do sell you some shoes.

Runners World in Northbridge are great and look after Perth runners very well, Sports Fever is also good and they have quite a few stores around Perth. When I last checked my shoes I went to both of these and Atheltes foot and they all came back with the same foot type and same shoe give or take a few brands so no complaints from me.

Your knee pain could be related to the shoe but if the pain continues on your next run I would have it looked at rather than just taking a week off and then risk it still causing you trouble. You don't want to have to stop running any longer than you need to.

[jaker]

Hi readytorun
I agree with Bellthorpe that if you're having knee probs see a podiatrist. I believe some will give you a "prescription" which you take to the shoe store. Alternatively, go to a podiatrist who owns a shoe store.

[azza]

My wife had some serious shin pain (slightly different, but could be related) when she started running - changed her runners and the pain disappeared virtually overnight.

So if it is the shoes, you should feel a difference in the first run or two.

Good luck!

[wombatoutofhell]

The adrenaline is a good shoe for a pronating foot in my limited experience, but it really depends on how bad it is. My last shoes were adrenaline GTS 7's and I loved them. I would have got the same again but they dont suit the orthotics I now wear.
I dont know about fitprints accuracy-it will tell you if you are flat footed and I guess where pressure points are but I'd rather go to a shop that pops you on a tready and does its analysis that way. I'm not sure how they use it to work out how much you pronate (roll in) and how much support your foot needs. I might ask next time I'm passing one.

[Fiona]

Readytorun, the only place in Perth where you will get good advice is Sports Fever, everywhere is ok once you know what shoes suits you, and they are the only place I know who actually take the shoes back if something is wrong, most Podiatrists in Perth would tell you to go there too.

[readytorun]

Update!!! I'm back and the shoes were great! My knees hurt just a little at the start but were fine once I was warmed up. My ankles hurt a bit but I think that is just getting used to the new shoes. Overall they were brilliant, I ran better and faster than I have before as I seemed to have more spring in my step! Soooo happy, I'm back, YEAH!!!!!!!!!

[stewy]

I've always worn asics Kayanos (except for the series13) - they seem very comfortable for my feet and my running. (~100km/week)
I always have 2 pairs 'on the go' which I rotate between runs.
Always bought from Athletes Foot with no problems - the owner of my local store is also an active Marathoner and UltraMarathoner too.

Thought I'd try that 'new' store owned and run by podiatrists - 'Active Feet'.
They told me asics Kayanos were just not suitable for my feet and changed me to some superceded Brooks Trance7s instead.
(Charged me full price for an old model because they'd run out of the current model! Not Happy!)

These Brooks Trance7s were the worst experience of my running life and had me virtually crippled after about 5kms! I phoned them up and they suggested I try them again.
After a few days rest/recovery for my feet/lowerlegs I gave it another go, same again, debilatating to the point of being in agony. Had to terminate the run and have my wife collect me.
I returned them immediately for a pair of asics Kayanos. They tried to talk me out of exchanging them but VERY reluctantly did.
Despite me being very polite and diplomatic at all times it was quite clear that they were NOT happy at all with me exchanging the shoes.

The rest/recovery period required from this experience set my Marathon training back by almost 3weeks.

I wouldn't go back to Active Feet - but that was just my experience.

Edited by stewy, 24 April 2008 - 07:39 AM.

[readytorun]

Wow Stewy, that sounds like a nightmare! I hated being out for a week and I can't even run 5 k's yet! Glad that you at least have found shoes that are reliable for you - and sounds like you will stick with them!

[Rudolf]

I went to active feet about a year ago, after hearing about their "expertise " etc.

So I wanted their opinion, but I also had lots of questions.

They were not happy about my questions at all.

There was no other customer in the shop, and so I made them talk, since they believe I would buy something at the end.

What I learned was shocking (at least for me) :

They do not stock and do not sell simple neutral noncushioned shoes, they do not sell racing flats at all

(or at least in that particular shop).

Their philosophy was - experienced, good runners fast runners etc will not come to their shop anyway, and they focus on people who are not runners but try to run.

And 90% of such populatuion have various fett, leg, hip, knee spine, pelvic whatever problems so nobody actualy need simple neutral shoes, and so they are selling the shoes which would correct this or that.

My impression was that they do not deal with healthy runners they are in the business for cripless so to speak.

When I was pushing for racing flats and asking for some quotes and either for them to order them or tell me their branch which stocks them, I was given the phone number to the runners world shop istead.


The athlets foot shop I visited few times is a bad joke, but some chicks there are quite nice, so I buy there the curly rubber shoe laces occasionaly.

[Emrun]

Given that we live in a similar area Rudolph I am going to assume that you went to the same Active Feet branch that I have purchased shoes from in the past.

I consider myself a serious, reasonably fast(ish) runner and I have always been 100% happy with their service. I have also purchased racing flats from their store, perhaps they no longer sell them, this was 2 years ago now. One pair of shoes they put me in turned out to be a dud for me and they happily exchanged for a more suitable pair.

Although I no longer buy shoes there (preferring the cheaper buy online from the US option) I am grateful for the good start they gave me as a beginner runner and would happily recommend them to anyone.

To each their own I feel and I concede that Rudolph and I would share a very different philosophy on appropriate running shoes. I know for a fact that if I tried to do most of my running in flats or minimalist shoes that I would very quickly become crippled with injury

As runners we start to get a feel for the best shoes for us and develop the confidence the self select, however I think it is always best to have an expert help you out the first time.

[batavia]

[[*]Athlete's Foot is a store the staff of which will try not to have you leave without selling you some shoe. Several contributors to this forum are podiatrists (who also run) and/or own running shoe stores. You would be far better served by talking to those folk.



While generaly all true, remember podiatrists can be selling somthing also. Some can seem rather overaly keen to flog inserts.

[hasbeen]

I've been to the High St, Prahan Active Feet twice. Both times they were knowledgeable, polite and friendly and I remember seeing racing flats there on at least my most recent visit in January. Would definitely go there again if I had to but like most people once properly fitted I can buy the same model cheaper elsewhere.

[G.T.]

the local athletes shoe shop in rosebud is great ,small shop so u deal with owner ,who has years in the busisness ,
changed me out of nikes last year and have not looked back
saw me out training today and rembered my name

[Cato]

Rudolf, on Apr 24 2008, 10:52 AM, said:

They were not happy about my questions at all.

I find that hard to believe!

Cato

[mgi11a]

G.T., on Apr 24 2008, 01:05 PM, said:

changed me out of nikes last year and have not looked back

This is just my sarcastic stab in the dark,

But what Model New Balance did they put you in?

I haven't met anyone who went to AF to be custon fitted and didn't come out in New Balance.

mgi11a

[chisholm]

mgi11a, on Apr 24 2008, 04:56 PM, said:

I haven't met anyone who went to AF to be custon fitted and didn't come out in New Balance.

My first pair of running shoes were fitted by Athlete's Foot. I came away in a nice pair of Mizuno's that now have many hundred of km's on them. Time for a new pair to be fitted.

[rivercat]

With my first pair of orthotics, I took a 'prescription' to Athlete's Foot and came out with some Brooks shoes. I subsequently gained a stress fracture, but I think that was more to do with my orthotics than anything. The Brooks were neutral, and there's an argument that once the orthotics 'fix' you, you should only wear a neutral shoe. My next pod (who happens to co-own Active Feet) told me I'd never run in a neutral shoe again.

I was never really comfortable in those shoes, and the best day of my life was putting them in the bin.

Since my next pair of orthotics were made by one of the pods who owns Active Feet, hence I went to Active Feet in Prahran. I was very happy with their approach, particularly the video analysis (oh damn, I do run like a duck ). I chose the ones I ran less like a duck in, which conveniently were also the prettiest (and the most expensive). I love my Kayanos and have never regretted them for a second, but my experience has made me reluctant to try any other brand or model, even if they might suit me better.

Unfortunately I think there's still a lot more art than science in the whole thing. When researching pods I found a site that takes apart the Kayanos and explains why they are not even fit to walk in. Let's just say that's one pod I'm not going to, although I'm sure he believes he's correct.

[BEN-HUR]

readytorun, on Apr 23 2008, 10:15 PM, said:

My knees hurt just a little at the start but were fine once I was warmed up. My ankles hurt a bit but I think that is just getting used to the new shoes.

Hi readytorun,
If you continue to experience knee &/or ankle pain then it would be wise to get a biomechanical assessment performed to address any underlying movement related problem which the footwear may not be able to address effectively. Make sure however, you don't do too much (running) too soon & possibly work on some Quadracep exercises.

The above advice was given out of genuine concern of a fellow runners problems which I have some experience with - not because I am keen to flog something .

batavia, on Apr 24 2008, 11:33 AM, said:

While generaly all true, remember podiatrists can be selling somthing also. Some can seem rather overaly keen to flog inserts.

I am not aware of any of the Podiatrists (about four) on this forum which have been "overly keen to flog inserts" - in fact quite the contrary.

I am a Podiatrist, with no affiliation with a shoe store, a particular brand or a shoe model. Having said this I (personally) do love my Nike Free 3.0's .

The main reason for posting on this topic is because I had a patient come to me earlier this week wearing an old pair of Brooks Addiction (from Athlete's Foot) & recently brought a new pair (of Addictions') from Athlete's Foot because he was told they were the most suitable for him. It was noticeable straight away that he had a neutral foot type with mild out phase pronation whilst walking & running. I told him the shoe he was wearing wasn't suitable for him & that he needed to get a shoe in the neutral-mild overpronation category. He then told me that the Athletes Foot considers the Brooks Addiction to be a neutral shoe. I subsequently advised him on the various characteristics (& gimmicks) which contribute to a particular model being more suitable to a particular foot or gait type. The following day he gave me a call whilst in the store to say he was again told that the Brooks Addiction was a neutral shoe - I told him it wasn't & niether does Brooks ( http://www.runhappy....ast_detail.html ) consider the model to be neutral (after all, they should know). He ended up getting a different shoe based on the characteristics I advised him on - & no, he didn't receive any "inserts".

I don't recommend a particular brand or model when advising on footwear for quite few reasons which I won't go into now i.e. one individual may find that a Nike neutral shoe feels better for him/her than an Asics neutral shoe. I advise on the characteristics they need to look out for when buying a shoe & subsequently the category the shoe falls into i.e. neutral, stability or motion control - however there can be different terminology used when referring to 'stability' & 'motion control' shoes.

Being a tad skeptical I made a visit the Athlete's Foot store in question & sure enough, there was the Brooks Addiction as well as other 'control' or 'stability' models with the 'neutral' tag underneath . The salespeople were busy with customers so I couldn't bring this up with them at the time. I also couldn't help but hear the advise that was given to one of the customers & thought to myself that the staff needed more training.

This has been my experience with one Athlete's Foot store (suburb withheld).

[Rudolf]

BEN-HUR, on Apr 24 2008, 11:22 PM, said:

I am a Podiatrist, with no affiliation with a shoe store, a particular brand or a shoe model. Having said this I (personally) do love my Nike Free 3.0's .

great to read the positive stuff like this.

Next I would like to read from a doc, that he is refusing the vaccinations, never takes any pills, and drinks fresh carrot juice every morning, makes sure he does not get in danger of chronic protein poisoning etc.

Ben Hur have You tried to take the insoles out of the Frees 3.0 and make them 2.0 or so ?

I use the 5.0 without insoles and it is much better that way

[Still Building]

I was using the New Balance 1221 for 18 months and found them to be great.

I had achilles bursitis problems with the 1222 (the 1221 ran out of stock). The two shoes feel a lot different. But I was sure that I was onto a good thing. It is hard to tell if it is the shoe or other factors.

Has anyone else had similar probelms?

I am wearing Nike again now and will see how the next few weeks progress and see if the problem gets any better.

[G.T.]

i now wear brooks ,thanks

[shwi]

I'm somewhat happy to hear I'm not the only person who's had trouble with Brookes. Perhaps it's the wideness/weirdness of my foot, but I was sold a pair of Brookes Vapors (against my better judgement) which were trouble for the entire 75kms I forced myself to run in them (over a period of two weeks). My feet are still not the same and I ditched the Brookes three months ago.

I have never been so happy to see the back of a pair of shoes. The day I slipped the old faithfuls back on (Asics 2130s) was the day I swore I'd never again wear anything but Asics, and the 21 range in particular. It's not just the expense s which hurts if you get your shoe choice wrong. It's the very real damage the wrong pair of shoes can visit on your feet/body. Ouchies.

[Fossil]

For me it's now Nike 3.0s. for all training except barefoot for the grass and sand. and racing flats for road races, and very flexible spikes for track - all close-to-the-ground, light shoes which get as close as possible to natural action. I can no longer run comfortably in anything that has a heel or is built up or offers any sort of 'support'.

Edited by Fossil, 27 April 2008 - 10:51 AM.

[BigAdam]

I got new Mizuno's at the Athletes Foot and for the first time the sales person actually looked at my feet etc to see what I needed. Normally the sales person has just smiled and taken my money away. These guys also sold me some inserts to see if I got better support. I must say they are improving as I a run the shoes in, but they make my quads (are they the muscles in the front of the thigh) work harder!

[estaki]

shwi, on Apr 26 2008, 09:45 PM, said:

I'm somewhat happy to hear I'm not the only person who's had trouble with Brookes. Perhaps it's the wideness/weirdness of my foot, but I was sold a pair of Brookes Vapors (against my better judgement) which were trouble for the entire 75kms I forced myself to run in them (over a period of two weeks). My feet are still not the same and I ditched the Brookes three months ago.

I have never been so happy to see the back of a pair of shoes. The day I slipped the old faithfuls back on (Asics 2130s) was the day I swore I'd never again wear anything but Asics, and the 21 range in particular. It's not just the expense s which hurts if you get your shoe choice wrong. It's the very real damage the wrong pair of shoes can visit on your feet/body. Ouchies.

but brooks have saved me from injury and pain. When I started running I went to a local sports store here in Hobart where you can make an appointment for gait analysis with one particular staff member there. There are a couple of stores like that here which is weird considering its a small city but then there are a lot of runners around too In any case the guy watched me walk barefoot and he measured the width and length of my feet (haven't had that done since being fitted for school shoes 25 years ago!) and then suggested the brooks addiction 7. Told me he could suggests prettier and more expensive shoes that would do the same thing for me but may not necessarily last as long. I've now ordered my 3rd pair and no longer wear orthotic inserts. Once I retire a pair from running I then proceed to wear them until they die (i.e. get really skanky) in my part-time job in a bakery which sees me working 8+ hour shifts on a concrete floor and I have less lower back, hip and knee pain than before I ever wore them. Just goes to show that everyone has different experiences with the brands. The athletes foot sold me a pair of Ryka cross trainers a few years back when I was teaching aerobics and they were great as I had previously suffered a calf strain from teaching aerobics in a nasty cheap pair of puma runners I had. After the Rykas no more calf/achilles problems.

Edited by estaki, 05 June 2008 - 03:08 PM.

[Goughy]

I too have finished the third week of c25k. I've had knee pain of some sort for as long as I can remember. I remember in cross countries at school having knee pain and discomfort, but just put it down to, you know, working too hard. Even cycling causes discomfort.

Anyway, after taking up indoor cricket I discovered how unfit I was and how much my legs hurt I decided to do the c25k and go to a physio. I also got xrays done. Flat as a pancake feet, the heavy pronation and I keep my weight on my heels (very much so) rather than distributing. Because of all this my knee caps are out of position, and she figures they've been that way for along time, hence the pain.

I went to Athletes Foot today and picked up some Orthaheel inserts and will try them out with my running and golf, as well as work sneakers. I must admitt my knees hurt less walking in them than not, but heck my feet will take some getting used to this.

She suggested I wait on the shoes and give the orthotics a go first then get a shoe that works well with the orthotic if need be, especially if the ortho is working well.

Anyway, sorry for jumping on your thread but it all sounded kind of familiar. Also, my BIL used to manage an Amart store and he took me in their to try some shoes out with his gun fitter. Suggested Brooks too, in particular the Beast.

[mikel]

When i first started running and had even less of an idea about running than i do now the sales person at Athletes Foot recommended Brooks Beast to me and i took there advice, it wasn't until much later that i realised that this shoe was for larger built people who overpronate. I am only 70kg and had my gait analysed as being neutral at a real running shoe store. I still have these shoes for lawn mowing and i can not believe i use to run in shoes this heavy.

[Ludace]

I went to the athletes foot at highpoint to get fitted and the guy that fitted me said i needed these certain shoes which i wasn't exactly keen on so i went to rebel sport and luckily there was a girl there that is doing her last year of a podiatry course who told me the exact opposite of the guy from the athletes foot and that she gets many people coming from there with the wrong shoes for them. So i would steer away from the athletes foot at least the highpoint store.

[Runc]

I popped into an Athletes Foot shop yesterday as I was just passing by and curious. The girl got me to do a short walk and recommended a pair of shoes all within about 5 secs. I have seen a physio and also have a friend who owns a sports shop who both said I roll inwards and I have been wearing Brookes Adrenaline for 2 years which also sorted out knee pain I was getting. This girl told me I was rolling outwards and when I said I had been told otherwise by physio she then said I was more neutral with a slight inward roll at the end! SO If I was to believe her I roll outwards, then neutral and roll inwards at the end of a step.... God I must have some amazing feet! All they want to do is sell and don't have a clue. I actually feel angry about this ...and surely they must be breaking some law by pretending to be experts and giving out harmful advice to people?

[Goughy]

I ended up going to Intraining in brissie after a mate recommended them and I now have a pair of asics 2130's. I've only had a couple a little runs in them so far. But they put a lot of effort into watching me run and walk etc. While I have very flat feet and overpronate my gait is quite controlled and he felt that I didn't need to go as far as something like the brooks beast. He thought it would be overkill for me.

[Ludace]

caz, on Jun 28 2008, 11:30 PM, said:

I popped into an Athletes Foot shop yesterday as I was just passing by and curious. The girl got me to do a short walk and recommended a pair of shoes all within about 5 secs. I have seen a physio and also have a friend who owns a sports shop who both said I roll inwards and I have been wearing Brookes Adrenaline for 2 years which also sorted out knee pain I was getting. This girl told me I was rolling outwards and when I said I had been told otherwise by physio she then said I was more neutral with a slight inward roll at the end! SO If I was to believe her I roll outwards, then neutral and roll inwards at the end of a step.... God I must have some amazing feet! All they want to do is sell and don't have a clue. I actually feel angry about this ...and surely they must be breaking some law by pretending to be experts and giving out harmful advice to people?

Thats the exact same experience i had.

[blair]

Yeah, I got sold the wrong shoes for my feet at Athletes Foot. I didn't find out for a year though and almost got tarsel tunnel syndrome.

[MrClompy]

I started running about 2 years ago with my Brooks Addiction 6 fitted at Athletes Foot (the shop chappie stating "That's one of the flattest feet I've ever seen!"). It was all sweet until the end of 2007, when I started getting unpleasant calf and shin pains. I assumed it was time for some new shoes, and I went back to AF and wound up with a pair of Beast. My running has been inconsistent since, and the other week I think I worked out why: After a few days doing my usual circuit around the streets, my inside calves became so painful I had to hobble home. When I thought back over the previous 6 months I realised that I had encountered unusually sore legs since buying the Beast, and would often stop my routine to recover, often ruining my motivation momentum, halting any running for weeks. It's been a real bummer, as I've put on 6 kilos since my regular running has fallen away, and I've noticed I'm more prone to physical and mental malaise.

I've now bought some Addiction 7s after visiting. I went for my first run in them 3 days after having to hobble home in the Beasts. They instantly felt more comfortable, but half way through the run, my legs began to hurt badly again, and so I had to repeat my grandad-like shuffle home. I've given myself a week to recover properly, and am going to head out tonight, not without some trepidation. I'm really hoping my shoes were the problem, and not something more serious.

[Runc]

MrClompy, on Jul 7 2008, 05:39 PM, said:

I started running about 2 years ago with my Brooks Addiction 6 fitted at Athletes Foot (the shop chappie stating "That's one of the flattest feet I've ever seen!"). It was all sweet until the end of 2007, when I started getting unpleasant calf and shin pains. I assumed it was time for some new shoes, and I went back to AF and wound up with a pair of Beast. My running has been inconsistent since, and the other week I think I worked out why: After a few days doing my usual circuit around the streets, my inside calves became so painful I had to hobble home. When I thought back over the previous 6 months I realised that I had encountered unusually sore legs since buying the Beast, and would often stop my routine to recover, often ruining my motivation momentum, halting any running for weeks. It's been a real bummer, as I've put on 6 kilos since my regular running has fallen away, and I've noticed I'm more prone to physical and mental malaise.

I've now bought some Addiction 7s after visiting. I went for my first run in them 3 days after having to hobble home in the Beasts. They instantly felt more comfortable, but half way through the run, my legs began to hurt badly again, and so I had to repeat my grandad-like shuffle home. I've given myself a week to recover properly, and am going to head out tonight, not without some trepidation. I'm really hoping my shoes were the problem, and not something more serious.

Maybe u should see a physio..would be able to tell u pretty quickly what the problem is and also what type of feet u really have. Would work out cheaper than buying new shoes so often as well. I had knee pain few years ago which had been going on for ages and visited a physio twice and then just continued to do what he recommended...proper stretches,exercises, taping, shoes etc. and improved really quickly.
I see a chiro now for other reasons and he is also excellent for sorting out any aches and pains. Hope u get better soon.

[RunLikeForrest]

I'm thinking that some of your experiences really are disgraceful, and running shoes are so important to our training and improving...

If Athlete's foot can't be trusted as reliable (as in, might get someone good, might someone who has no idea what they're talking about) then where should one go to get fitted? especially if podiatrists might just as easily be trying to flog something?

(I'm coming up for new shoes soon and i'm wondering who I should see about a fitting!)

[runningdreamer]

Just read through these posts and thought i'd contribute... When I was studying at Uni (10yrs ago now) I worked at an Athlete's Foot part time. I can say it was one of the worst jobs of my life. Most of the staff (myself included) made a little knowledge go a long way. We all knew the 'jargon' but basically were just trying to get the customer to buy a pair of shoes. I worked in a franchise, and if a customer walked out without buying i'd be grilled by the owner as to why not. mostly they were going to buy the same pair of shoes i'd shown them at Rebel sports which was around the corner. I'd never go there to buy a pair of shoes unless i already knew which ones i wanted.

[cRJrun]

I went to a podiatrist, then a physio, then was fitted by shoe "specialists".
Finally I went to an Orthotist......Guess what? Didn't need orthotics or any special shoe, have neutral feet. Told to get a lightweight running shoe and stretch and massage my massively tight calves....Magic wand...Yes it was
He could have sold me very expensive orthotics as that is what he does for a living but he just gave me fantastic advice that has worked like a treat.....I in turn would reccommend him to anyone.
As for the specialist shoe store where I asked them to exchange the very "brick" like shoes they had recommended for my apparently pronating feet....They were not at all happy and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone...Unless the person wants to be injured from being in incorrect shoes.
According to them my injury would not have been from their shoes.....Just coincidence I guess, that severe pain coincided with the wearing of their shoe, then subsided when I went back to a neutral shoe?????
RJ

[MrClompy]

caz, on Jul 8 2008, 08:28 PM, said:

Maybe u should see a physio..would be able to tell u pretty quickly what the problem is and also what type of feet u really have. Would work out cheaper than buying new shoes so often as well. I had knee pain few years ago which had been going on for ages and visited a physio twice and then just continued to do what he recommended...proper stretches,exercises, taping, shoes etc. and improved really quickly.
I see a chiro now for other reasons and he is also excellent for sorting out any aches and pains. Hope u get better soon.

Thanks for the reply. I'm doing pretty well so far with the Addictions, apart from a few aches which are quite distinct from what I was feeling with the Beasts, and I'm hoping are just my legs settling back into running. If things persist I might take your advice and check out a physio.

It is a real bummer that I now have a $240 pair of shoes I can't do anything with. I don't even have any flat-foot friends who I can give them to.

Anyway, off for my run!

[nalar]

Wow, I'd never realised how hard it was to get a really decent shoe until I read here!

I went to Joggers World (Pirie St, Adelaide) and found the guy I talked to very helpful. They have a series of treadmills there with cameras behind your feet. After a short walk on them, he said I was very obviously rolling inward. The wear pattern on my shoes doesn't seem to support this overly much, but from the look of my feet as I walked, he was most definately correct. I got a pair of the Brooks GTS8.

I've been running in my New Balance xtrainers prior to these shoes and everything has been great, bar some shin pain. After my run yesterday, my shins were very sore. I'm not sure if it's the shoes or the fact that I've only been running for 5 weeks. Either way I'm taking a short break until next Tuesday, so I can see if that makes a difference. I did have some pain in my right knee (right side under that knobbly protrusion) which has gone.

Other than that I find the brooks very comfy to run in and don't have any foot or ankle soreness.