Running In New Shoes

[Tulipcat]

Ok Hive Mind. What’s the thinking on new shoes?

My old faithful neutral Sauconies are on the wane. I’ve invested in a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GRS 19s. I currently have an orthotic in my right running shoe for arch support (as advised and supplied by a sports physio) but the Adrenalines are much more supported than the Sauconies were, and I’m not seeing the Sports Physio for another four weeks... and I’m keen to mince along the routes in my nippy new turquoise feet coverers.

So here are my dilemmas:

1. I’m thinking of trying without the orthotic. Is this a terrible idea?

2. And should I just swap into the new shoes, or do I remember reading (probably in Runner’s World) that I should do alternate runs in the old and new shoes?

3. And/or should I wear the new shoes round the house to acclimatise for a period of time before venturing out?

And to think I used to get excited about sparkly stilettos, and now it’s all about tread and cushioning!

[Kevtrev Graduate10]

1. Only you will be able to tell the difference try them in and without and you will have your answer 😉👍

2. I’ve only got one pair of running shoes mine are brooks ghost 11 and very comfy. A friend of mine has two pairs and he alternates them every week

3. Yes I didn’t go straight out just in case they rub etc as once you wear them outside you can’t take them back to swap them or get your money back I worn mine in the house for a full day and I went to the gym in them on the indoor running track to test them and all was good 😉👍

Plus can we please have a pic of your trainers it’s what everyone on here does 😉 I hope all that has helped you 😉👍

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Not an expert, but ….. if you were previously advised to use an orthotic in one shoe only, it suggests your feet are "different" and will need to be "balanced up" in your new shoes too. If you got your new ones at a specialist shop, I'd suggest you might go back with your orthotic and ask them to look at your gait running with and without it - that's just part of normal after-sales service for those shops. If you didn't, it might be worth going to such a shop and paying for a gait analysis - they'd probably take the price off anything they sold you as a result.

I ran a parkrun in a new pair of "neutral" trail shoes after months running in supported road shoes, and spent the next two weeks on the IC with two sore achilles tendons. Entirely stupid as I'd actually bought supportive insoles for the trails, but thought I'd just "give it a go" without them .

Yes, wear them round the house, and make your first runs in them short ones! Don't know about alternating, didn't do that at my last change.

Best of luck!!

[Lezlie]

When I bought new running shoes I tested them in a short run. Since about one year I'm running alternating with three (two are the same model) pairs of running shoes and alternating them.

For the orthotic I'm not sure what you should do. If you think the new shoe is more supporting I think I would try a short run without it and the next one with the orthotic. Then you can say what feels better for you. But I think you will need the orthotic anyway ...

[Coddfish Graduate10]

I don’t know enough about your arch problem or the difference in your legs to know whether you need the orthotic or not. Brooks insoles are removable so it’s no problem to replace the insole on one side with the orthotic. Can you check back with the sports physio who originally prescribed it? Or of course with a proper shoe shop. I am sure you know Adrenalines are pronation control rather than neutral shoes, so they may change your running with or without the orthotic.

I generally wear new shoes around the house first, then take them for a short lap round the neighbouring small park. Next step is a 2k run. Then a 30 minutes. Then 5k (which for me is longer than 30 minutes). I will then generally use my old shoes for long runs and new ones for 5k and shorter until I am absolutely sure about the new ones. The old ones then get relegated to the gym, or to runs that will make the new ones dirty (!).

I had a small problem with my most recent purchase, which I didn’t know about until I ran 5k.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Tricky one - we're all so differet! I have recently swapped in to Brooks Adrenaline for their increased support and wore them around for half a day before running in them - ran 2 x 5ks and then moved up to a 10k. No problems, although i am still having a few niggles with my left knee (which I had before the new shoes). Niggle aside, I find them very comfy and am hoping that the increased support will help my knee settle - we shall see! Good luck in yours!🙂👍