Running shoe problems!

[Sammyb1987]

Hey all, first time posting but often read other posts. Competed couch to 5k in March and since then been consolidating with the hope to start bridge to 10k once I get some decent running shoes. I had some old Karrimors which I was using with no problems but was aware how old they were and needed something with better cushioning. Did a virtual gait and told I was neutral and recommended Brooke Ghost which I got and went on a 5k only to get pins and needles in one big toe and the next day was in agony on my arch. Then tried Saucony Ride and had same issue, pins and needles in toe after 1km which radiated along the foot at 2km. Tried bigger size Ghost and same, tried wide and bigger and exactly the same! Now shops are open I went for face to face gait analysis, told neutral but a toe runner so needed a shoe with padding along whole foot. Tried on about 6 pairs and for the Hoka Clifton which felt different as soon as I put them on. Just gone on tredmill and did manage 2km but then pins and needles which got worse. The man in shop said they were definitely the right size and width and I made sure I had a finger through the laces so not too tight. I’m at such a loss now at what to do! I’ve only been running the odd 2km since this all started as it has really lost my confidence in running and considering quitting which I really don’t want to do. Any suggestions would be great!

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

I’d have thought Brooks would’ve been better than Hoka in terms of foot issues and forefoot striking as they are higher drop. Have you tried carrying on running to see if it goes? Also when you get new shoes it can take a few weeks to get used to them.

[IannodaTruffe Graduate10]

I always alternate new and old shoes for a while to break in the new shoes and gently accustom my feet to different support.

Pins and needles is normally a symptom of restricted blood flow. Can you feel any pinch points? If you look on the net you will find lots of different ways to lace shoes.

Do you have a history of circulatory issues?

Are the shoes wide enough? They can constrict even if laces are loose if your feet are wider than the shoe, although Brooks shoes are generally fairly generous in width.

Do you have at least half a thumb width in front of your toes?

[Sammyb1987 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

thanks for reply. I do wonder if I just need to run in them actually outside and get used to them, I did a little run on tredmill with old shoes and got slight pins and needles as well?! I obviously just worry as shop told me I can’t return after being outside.

At the shop they checked fitting and were happy with width and said my fit had plenty of room to swell and their is a thumb width at front. I think maybe experimenting with lace tying and getting outside and actually doing a run on road like I normally would might be a good idea and give time for my feet to adjust.

I don’t have any history of problems but that knee does have a meniscus tear which I wondered if that had any correlation.

[grumpyoldgirl in reply to Sammyb1987]

Hi Sammy, I'm injured at the moment and seeing a physio, and I've just learned that one thing that can cause pins and needles is nerve constriction or irritation. So tingling in your toes can be caused by something happening anywhere along your leg, like the sciatic nerve being too tight.For instance, if I stretch my arms straight out sideways, palms facing front then bend my fingers back,I get tingling in my fingers. That's because the median nerve in my arms is tight.

There are exercises you can do to help.

(Don't quote me on anatomy terms though!)

Back to your shoes, is there a difference in drop from your old shoes to your new? That can take some getting used to. Also I found that cross lacing my shoes is better for my feet together with heel locking. Might help to play around with lacing.

Final question (!) Do you normally run on a treadmill? It's a different action, so you might not have the same problem when you run outside.