Running Essentials Thursday: Are Those the Right Shoes for Your Feet?
It’s Thursday which means it’s time for Running Essentials. If you missed the past few weeks here’s what we’ve covered:
- Roll it Out
- 10 Minute Post-Run Core Workout
- Do I Have to Run 5 Days a Week to be a “Runner”?
- The Warm-Up
- My Two Cents on Running in the Heat
- You need a plan
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Most likely you’ve been fitted for running shoes at a running specialty store. Just because a store has fancy equipment to determine what shoe is “best for you” doesn’t mean you’ll walk out of there with the right shoes.
My husband went to a local running store and was fitted for the wrong shoes. I had a similar experience a few years ago and was sold an expensive pair of stability shoes when I’m 100% a neutral runner. At the time I didn’t know any better.
Before you go to shopping for new running shoes do a little research first. Try to determine on your own or with the help of a trusted fitness professional or physical therapist what type of shoe you need. Then look up different styles of shoes that will work best for you.
If you pronate or supinate (less common) it’s a good idea to ask a physical therapist to watch you run and help determine if there are any bio-mechanical issues that are causing you to run the way you run.
Are you a pronator, supinator or are you neutral?
“Most likely you’ve been fitted for running shoes at a running specialty store.” Nope. I bought my running shoes at Kohl’s, because they were on sale. While they’ve worked fine for me so far, I’m close to due for a new pair and I was actually going to get fitted for them at a running store. I have no idea if I pronate or supinate or what! I suppose I need to do some research!
Thank you so much for this post. I thought I was the only person who had a bad experience at a running store.
I know everyone swears by JackRabbit, but when I went to get fitted and screened, I walked out of there with sneakers that were not only wrong for me and caused me to toe-strike, but they were a full half-size too small.
I went back after completely banging up my feet in them and they simply swapped them for a larger size. I ended up getting expensive orthotics to try and counter the negative effects the shoes were having, but that did not help.
In the end, I went to a different running store and met with a specialist from Karhu shoes. He had me run in those shoes and in my JackRabbit Brooks, and pointed out the very clear difference in my running between the two. In the Karhus I was a clear center-striker, which is so much better for the knees and the entire form. Flatter-bottomed shoes are so much better for me with my stride and knee issues, and JackRabbit was unable to determine that (or my correct size, which to me is absurd).
So glad you were finally fitted with the correct shoes!
I think it’s also important to realize that your shoe needs may change…I ran in Brooks Adrenalines for nine years, but then I developed IT band syndrome……ended up taking time off and switching my shoes, and it’s been sooooo much better!
So important to get the the right shoes.
I love that you mention having a bad experience at specialty running store. While there are some great people that work in those, I’ve also had a few awful experiences in them. Including one girl who claimed I may have to “live with it” when I described arch pain I was having in shoes. (Arch pain I clearly identified as out of the normal aches and pains range)
I’m doing okay in my shoes but still feel like there is a better option out there, I just don’t know how to get it.
Oh, the joys of running shoe shopping! Every couple of years, I get my gait checked at JackRabbit with the same guy (whose name escapes me now). It’s kind of a running joke that I have the most neutral strike despite my knock-knees and high arches. Anyway, beware of SHOES THAT CHANGE. Companies tweak our beloved shoes as new versions come out and the 9.0 may not be for you even though the 8.0 was. I had this experience with Asics years ago. Good reminder!
I was fitted for neutral shoes a year ago and although they were much better than the ones I was wearing before (some raggedy Nike’s), I still had some pain on the inside of my ankle. I was fitted again at the same place and they determined I needed stability shoes instead.
I think the people who fit you in running stores can only do so much, and I agree that it’s important to do your own research too. Sometimes you just need to try the shoe out on a long run or two before you can know for sure. And like Susan said, your needs can change along the way. My feet grew so I was fitted for bigger shoes this last time.
This was so informative, thanks. I never realized I needed to do this!
Same thing happened to me. Fitted for expensive shoes by a high school track star working at local running store. Hurt my Achilles tendon soon after. Since then, I go to DSW, try on dozens of shoes, and buy the two that feel the best. At home, I run in both on the treadmill, and then return the runner up to the store. Since the first time I did it, I’ve been able to eliminate trying on a few brands, like Asics, that just don’t work for me.
It took me a month of crutches and a bad case of tendinitis to realize how important the right kind of running shoe is. It’s so easy to just go into a sports department store and assume that they’re going to give you the right thing. You are completely right in saying that it’s most definitely worth the time and money to seek professional medical advice FIRST rather than having to pay for therapy LATER