Breaking in new trainers?

So I went and had a gait analysis done and came away with shiny new addidas trainers, but for the two runs I have done since getting them (a 5 and 7km) my feet have ached all through the runs and my knees felt achy on the 2nd run. Is there a trick to breaking in new trainers or have I come away with the wrong ones? I had a bit of a dilemma and choose road trainers over trail ones even though most of my routes are trail on the basis that I’ve entered a hm next year and need to do road training at some point.

[damienair Administrator]

I’d bring them back to the shop and explain that they are not right for you. They should be able to get you a comfortable alternative. I bought a new pair recently and wore them for the first time in a 10K Road Race and the were really comfortable.

Damien

[Hidden in reply to damienair]

Thank you Damien, I was so excited when I got them and felt so disappointed with how they’ve felt. They were a massive anti-climax! I’ll take them back tomorrow to see if I can exchange them. 🙂

[tony_a Graduate10]

Did you move from neutral shoes to support (or vice versa)?

When I had my first gait analysis I switched from some neutral trail shoes to road shoes with support. I had a few aches as my muscles adjusted. Similarly when I got some different road shoes last year they rubbed a bit at first. I eased them in by only using them for shorter runs and alternating with my original shoes and that helped.

Having said that they were comfy and just had a few niggles. If they just don’t feel right you should take them back.

[Hidden in reply to tony_a]

Hi Tony, I’ve moved from neutral to support, although I can’t be certain as I went in a bit naive, being my first gait analysis and didn’t feel 100% confident that the fitter was up to much, gut instinct and all that. He started off by telling me what that the trainers I’d been running in were probably ok despite me saying one of my ankles has been aching, then moaned that the particular company wouldn’t invest in a proper machine to do the gait analysis! He measured my leg angles on the laptop using a piece of paper to see if my legs were straight or not. Does that sound right? I’m thinking of taking the trainers back tomorrow but don’t know if they’ll accept them as I’ve run in them.

[tony_a Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

My gait analysis was running on a treadmill in different shoes with someone watching / filming. I guess if laptop was connected to camera watching you run then sounds about right.

You should be okay taking them back. Worth a try.

[Hidden in reply to tony_a]

Thanks Tony, it’s worth a try! Thank you for your advice 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

It sounds like what you had was not a proper gait analysis. Was it a proper running shop you went to Helen? Staff in general sports shops do not have the training needed to advise on running shoes. If I was you I would take them back and explain that they are not right for you and could cause injury. I’ve never had to break in a pair of running shoes.

[Hidden in reply to Dexy5]

Hi Dexy5, I went to runners need but it was at the back of a bigger store. I’ve run on them a few times now and they’re feeling better so maybe it was just a case of getting used to them after my neutral trainers?

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I know some people have had good service from that shop but the staff in the 2 shops near me did not have the training I would expect when making such an important purchase, and I walked away. My local running shop was far superior for a novice runner. Hopefully, you do need the support you have been advised you need, otherwise you could be doing more harm than good.

Just as a simple check, on the Brooks website they do a shoe finder questionnaire. It might be worth you answering the online questions and seeing if that recommends support too.

Happy running

[Hidden in reply to Dexy5]

Wow, that is a brilliant service on the brooks website, thank you! It was my first gait analysis but I had a gut feeling that it wasn’t what I expected. I think anyone new should take an experienced buddy with them for their first analysis! Thank you for all your help and advice Dexy5 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

It is no replacement for a proper gait analysis but it did come up with the same suggestion that my running shop came up with, so at least it’s on the right track.