I think it’s the shoes!

[Cliff_H]

I’d appreciate your views folks

On the attached photo you can see the wear on my shoes, the outside tread is almost gone and when viewed from the side it’s almost down to the white. I’ve only had these a couple of months and according to my Garmin they’ve only done 163km.

I’ve noticed a lot more soreness over the last couple of months and recently have been getting some pain for a few weeks and in my lower left leg to the point I’ve stopped a couple of runs after a couple of K. I’ve been doing a lot of stretching and lots of RICE to try and fix it but to no avail...

Today I managed 2.5km on the treadmill before I was forced to stop. I was consciously trying to feel what was happening with my foot and noticed a lot of roll along the outside of my foot, after walking for a couple of minutes I decided to try my old Asics (that I used until they were almost falling off my feet) and instantly the left leg felt fine and

I ran a further 5km with no pain whatsoever and my gait was definitely better, the roll was eliminated... interestingly both are neutral shoes.

I think it might be time to go back to the Asics, also considering Hoka but not sure if I am just asking for trouble not just going back to what works.

I’ve got ‘Run the river’ 10K in 3 weeks and really not feeling confident.

Thoughts?

[Decker]

Yep it seems like the shoes might be the source. Have you ever done a gait analysis? I've never done one, but it seems to help alot of people. I just ran in new kicks today too and I bought the same brand again (Saucony) as I had success and comfort with my first pair. They feel quite close to my first pair. Though its hard to remember exactly what that first pair felt like when they were new. Maybe try and find some Asics on sale? That's the main reason I got the Saucs.

[Cliff_H Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker I think you’re right and it does feel like the shoes. Just shared the photos with a friend who does regular Marathon and his shoes are less work after 700k. On the gait analysis front I’ve had it done twice at different places and came back as neutral... interestingly the Asics and the Brooks are both neutral and one work for me and one seem not to.

[Decker in reply to Cliff_H]

I am no expert either, but my first pair are at around 450km and not showing any serious sole wear yet. I know a marathoner friend who swore by her Brooks in years gone by, but has now switched to Asics in the last two years. Your own feet and experience tell the true story I guess - its so hard to know otherwise.

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

I wear the outside heel heavily on my shoes however i'm neutral generally with gait analysis. I do land on the outside heel but my ankle is fine ie it doesn't roll in too much. I did ask about my wear and was told that it doesn't matter so much how you land and where you wear more how your ankle works to absorb the impact.

[Anniemurph Graduate10]

It definitely looks like an issue with the shoes, Cliff. However, although you say you have had GA, I have had such different experiences of GA in various places that although I am still a great believer in it, I'm a bit wary of who is doing it now and what they recommend. Twice I have come away with shoes that have apparently been the right ones after GA but have caused problems, but the other three times the GA has been spot on in recommending the correct shoes. I have the same feet! - although I concede that my running style may well change over time.

Sorry, I'm not sure that helps you, except to suggest that you ask around locally for a good place for GA and take your shoes that are causing the problem with you. I hope you can get it sorted, and in time for your 10k.

[Cliff_H Graduate10 in reply to Anniemurph]

It was a very helpful reply Annie and I totally agree on gait analysis but interestingly enough I was much more confident in the guy that did the GA for the Brooks than my original Asics and also my other half had to return her pair from the same place after only a week as the analysis suggested she needed support but in practice they caused her discomfort... many moving parts to this running lark isn’t there (pun intended)

[Cliff_H Graduate10 in reply to Cliff_H]

I made it to the running shop and had my biomechanics looked at and the owners view was that the Ghost 10 were totally unsuitable as I am under pronating, tried a few different shoes with more rigidity and front foot support and settled on a pair of Asics Gel-Cumulus 19