Did a quick 30min refreshing run this morning, with dripping grasses providing little pricks of coolness on my legs.
Sadly on these very short runs, I tend to not take any pics, so my pics from my virtual journey running through some gorgeous parts of Scotland will have to do.
I also ran in my old shoes today, having read and watched some videos about low drop shoes and forefoot-strike. In these videos it suggested that it might actually be good to mix up your running shoes a bit, something I had not even thought about.
So result of running this quick run in my old (Aldi) but probably low-drop shoes are :
- yes, less bounce 👎🏼
- more roomy in the toe box 👍🏽
- ended up running more on the forefoot 👍🏽
- feet felt a bit more tired at the end 👎🏼
So very interesting to experience again the difference due to shoes, and I have a slight suspicion that my new shoes (New Balance Hierro) are so nice and bouncy, they afford me to run more heel first, or at least mid foot. So mixing it up might not be a bad thing to keep me on my toes, so to speak! 😉
Does anyone else mix up their shoes through various runs? And does it help to stay with forefoot/midfoot strike technique?
Otherwise, just bought online some running shorts, being encouraged by various HU discussions to finally get over my own silly trepidation of showing some old-running-hag leg and trying out what it’s like to run with bare legs. 😳
Happy running everyone, wherever you are!
Written by
CBDB
Graduate10
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I've stuck to one pair of shoes for most of my runs, only switching when the old pair was just about to get a hole in one sole.
I've been running in barefoot shoes with zero drop from day one.
Yes, it does initially put strain on the calves and the ankles. You don't get any springiness at all from the shoes. Heel striking is impossible without great discomfort.
It is more tiring too initially, until you can find the sweet spot.
What you find eventually is that you get a natural springiness within the foot itself, and that helps a lot.
I'm probably a little more midfoot than forefoot nowadays, having had to change my pelvic angle subtly to engage the glutes more.
Interesting idea CBDB 🙂 I don’t tend to mix my shoes really. I love my Brooks Ghosts. I’ve got a ‘normal’ pair and some waterproof versions with GoreTex, which I’m familiar with. I’m a bit boring like that! 🤣 I have tried other brands like Saucony and Decathlon but I always go back to Brooks. I also have some Inov-8 trail shoes which I use occasionally. They’re much lower drop than my Brooks but that doesn’t seem to affect me 👍 I bought some Inov-8 hiking boots for my recent holiday in Derbyshire. They worked very well I have to say 🙂Good luck with your next outing!
Just reading that gives me shoe-envy 🤤😃. It must be a runner’s thing that I now immediately want to look up all those shoes you mentioned and drool a bit …. 🤣👍🏽
I think mixing up the surfaces we run on is more important than mixing up our shoes but that’s just my opinion!
I rotate only two pairs of shoes but I know some people here have numerous pairs!I wear orthotics and stick to the same brand and type of shoe (neutral) regardless of where I run. I run on roads and on trail and have never owned trail shoes and managed fine. Many running shoes are hybrids nowadays and you can get away with just the one pair but it depends on the terrain. My foot strike is the same regardless of the shoes I wear and I never try to change it. The heel drops are similar.
Regarding the shorts, go for it! It’s the best feeling to have free legs on a hot day. I’m not “young” but who cares? Enjoy 😊
Thanks 🙏 😊 yes: shorts 🩳 are a go! Also agree with mixing up surfaces … and routes. It probably is the heel drop which is the biggest factor in affording one to shift the striking point…. mhhh… 🧐🤔
Do you think a hybrid shoe would be ok for a road HM? Debating whether to buy a pair of road shoes because my trail shoes have a deep tread and are quite heavy. Thanks
Yes I do Sue. I’ve run loads of road races in hybrid shoes and they’ve felt tickety boo. Trail shoes are heavier and wouldn’t be suitable for a road race.
I feel a new shoes shopping day coming up for you…..🙂
Definitely don’t run a road HM in your trail shoes - if they are anything like mine (made for trail paths and soft ground) they will slide on the hard paving, especially if there’s a rain shower).
I mix up my shoes. I wear my Hoka’s which are 5mm drop to run my speedy runs, and long runs. Slow runs up to 5 miles are done in my Altra’s which are pretty max for a zero drop. I wear a minimalist zero drop shoe for walking dogs / running after my boys 👍🏻
I’ve always trusted what the brands tell me on drop. I’m aware of it as higher drop shoes seem to hurt my knees. Don’t read Born to Run. You will be running in sandals 😜
🤣🤣🤣🤣 just catching up with this thread. Yeah I came across lunar as well, which actually look as if they would be rubbing less between toes than nowster’s zeros. I am intrigued but much too early for me to experiment with that kind of naked running.(am just getting to the point of being confident to bare my legs, baring my feet would be a ‘step’ too far … 🤣🤣)
🤔 interesting post.....I only have one pair of shoes (trail shoes - not sure what the drop is?). Previously I have had a mixed terrain shoe which was handy since do run on roads/hard tracks. Debating whether to get a pair of road shoes for my HM?
mmhh ..... 🧐🤨 .... I also have my old pair (with ca 500k on it) and my new one. I'll stick with those, but there are quite a few offers at the moment.... therefore the drooling
I don't mix. I bought a cheap ish pair of mizuno and got them half a size larger after reading about others doing this. They're comfortable which says a lot cos I really struggle with my feet. I'm wondering if more expensive cloud types would be better again but just don't know!! I did start out in Salomon trail shoes but now I feel my toes being pounded in them so wish I got bigger size.... very interesting post!
Thank you. I read they were wide in the toe box but turned out to be not wide enough!! I do have narrow feet though. I have done heel lock lacing on my mizuno's too.
Good to know. 👍🏽 the roominess of the toe box is the biggest thing for me to get used to when switching from my roomy Aldi shoes to my snug New Balance Hierros. (I wish I would know which brand Aldi got it’s shoes from but they don’t tell often)
I do mix my shoes up, but they’re all the exact same shoe. They have been amazing up to now, but now I’m running longer, my right toenail isn’t happy in any of them, it gets a bit bruised, and I’m quite attached to it! 😊
I have also heard it is good to run in different shoes. I have two pairs of hoka gaviota which are my favourite, a pair of Hoka Arahi which aren’t as comfortable but are better for faster runs, and I’ve just got a pair of Hoka Clifton that I’m getting orthotics for 🤣 Oh and also Speedgoats for trails. I fancy trying a pair of ON too. At a minimum I would have two road pairs on rotation. One newer and one more worn in.
Yeah, i also seem to be dreaming of the ONs at the moment. But I have no plans to buy more shoes (nor money). I do wonder if the hype is rather about the amazing video they published. Has anyone tried the ON Clouds?
I tried some ONs a few years ago, just round the block at my local independent running shop. It was a very strange sensation - they were far too high and bouncy for me.
I’m tempted to try Speedgoats, I’m just not sure how I’d get on with them, as I’ve grown used to feeling the ground through my current trail shoes and I think the Speedgoats are quite ‘maximalist’ for a trail shoe??
I've discovered I'm a bit more OCD than I'd like to admit so try to stick to the same pair... however I do change if the weather or terrain demands it; mud shoes for winter/very wet days, some shoes that no longer work for long runs if I know I'm doing a shorter one as they still need using/wearing out, road shoes for predominantly tarmac runs, or I've a pair that say they're all terrain but for me they're really not, they're road/gravel only and they're so blasted heavy, shortish ones too.
I try not to revert to old pairs as there was a reason they got replaced and I've had injuries that may have been due to bounceless, worn out shoes so I really don't want to risk that but old ones are OK for walking shorter distances.
Yeah, I hope it’s ok I run in my old shoes, as my ‘running’ is ultra slow Japanese running. So nice to knees and joints.
At the time of C25k I was ashamed to admit it, but I finished C25k in 15 year old tennis shoes! 😳 but I think that was only possible because my running is Japanese style super slow.
Well if your feet were used to them, or at least flattened shoes it could make your feet stronger maybe, but certainly as you get into longer sessions it could cause trouble. There's always arguments for both sides but I just know I don't want any preventable injuries!! 🤞🏻
I don't mix my shoes but it's a question I've wondered about. A few months ago I had an on line foot consult and the shoes advised had a variety of heel drops which confused me so in the end I ended sticking to the Hokas that I knew.As for shorts I'm a convert 👍🙂 Like you I was very apprehensive about them, having not worn any of for over 25 years ! I got some at the end of last year so didn't have much opportunity to get out in them. But this year it's all I've worn since it warmed up, and I've even bought a couple of pairs to wear when not running. You'll love them 😉
As to shorts, it's a whole new world. I struggled to even consider proper shorts but so glad I did. These days I've got ones I would have labelled "too short" not long ago. Really helps on warm days!
Shorts, here I come. (Or rather, shorts, come here to me! )
Will have to do a post just about the short-shorts-short-run!
Yay-hay! Legs out! You'll soon realise that nobody takes a blind bit of notice and your legs will be very happy to free of leggings in the heat 😃👏🏼❤️!I mix up my shoes depending on surface - Mizuno Wave for road/path and Brooks Cascadia for trails. They have a similar heel drop so I feel I can interchange them without any problems.
Just bought my daughter some hybrid trail/road shoes by Decathlon to get her started and she loves them so far..... 👍🏼
I change my shoes depending on surface. Trail shoes for trail - generally about a 6mm drop - currently using cheap More Miles which fit like Salomon Speedcross used to before they made the toe box insanely narrow.
Road shoes for hard, summer trail, and pavements - currently using preloved Hoka One Ones that are perilously close to the end of their life.
I don’t have enough money to buy lots of pairs of running shoes to be able to switch them about regularly.
What I do do is switch the insoles around in them. I started doing it when I got the Hokas as the instep wasn’t quite in the right place, so I put some insoles out of my Inov-8 trail shoes in them as I knew they were ‘right’.
I also buy good insoles for my More Miles and it makes them much more comfortable, and kinder to the soles of my feet.
I did find that running in the house while in self isolation made me run on my toes, simply because I was taking such short steps.
I buy the Salomon Ortholite- they are a bit softer in their ‘rubber’ edges than the ones that come in the shoes when you buy them, but they fit my More Miles perfectly.
I have one pair of shoes that I love, I started off with a softer model but that knackered my feet and it did not offer the stability I needed. My new trainer is responsive and minimal, does the job for both easy and faster runs, and also nice to walk back home from a run. My last trainers felt like heels!!
I am thinking of buying a duplicate pair, HOWEVER, today I went on an impromptu muddy trail and realised my white trainers can't hack it, so thinking that trail running shoes should be next on my list. 😂😂🤣😂🤣🤣
Hello CBDB, I'm very attached to my Brooks Adrenaline and they suit me well. I run with more of a centre of the foot landing I think, but if I'm working on short sharp sprints, perhaps push off slightly more from the ball of the foot - again, at my level, they seem to feel right. I do intend to have 2 pairs though , one for winter and and another pair for Summer. I share your view on 'old hag legs', I'm trying to find some longer leg, lined shorts, but not cracked it yet so still in leggings! However, I'm sure when running hard, I wouldn't really care about the old legs being on view, after all they've served and carried me well for the past 60+ years!!
😃👍🏽 yes to our old legs deserving more sun! I actually don’t know when that feeling happened. In my younger days I used to wear shorts, short leggings and short skirts all the time, but I think with my first pregnancy and it’s associated substantial body shape change, I went a bit into body-hiding-mode.
I am still running in thin cropped (Decathlon) leggings as not keen on showing off my ‘old hag legs’ either😂 Have also been investigating some longer layered running shorts but not sure if they will be hot - so haven’t taken the plunge yet.
Those look quite nice - I was looking for a pair with a slightly longer Lycra inner short (I really hate my cellulite thighs 😂 even though I am a normal weight they are a legacy from 3 pregnancies) They are cheap enough to try though seem to be out of stock except size 4 - I’m small but not that small😅
Thank you, just had a quick look and out of sock in my size, but that's the sort of thing. Have a good evening.
I have 2 'old' pairs of shoes. 1 pair (Asics) is at home and 1 pair (Nike) is at the coast. So I don't really mix up my shoes, except when going to our chalet at the coast, then I use my Nikes. We don't go all that often anymore as we used to go, so my Nikes don't get used all that often. I do am planning on getting a new pair of shoes for at home and then I will mix the new pair and my old Asics for a while in order to get used to the new pair.
And good luck on your Conqueror Challenge, I'd love to do that one too one day. Want to earn Nessy! I don't know if I would be able to do it in 538 days though, might need a bit more maybe!
Well the good thing about Conqueror is that you decide on the duration, and once you come close to the end you can still extend the duration. So for me and my ultra-slow-snail running that was a better choice than the End2end offer of North Coast, which is a set max time.
So far no-one has mentioned support shoes. When I went to Start Fitness they checked out my feet (flat) and advised me to buy Asics. So instead of having the choice of the whole shop, I had a choice of 3 colours which were all the same style of Asics. Being a novice I didn't ask questions just bought the shoes (up one whole size) and they've been great from day one. I run on tarmac, hard earth trails and grass, and aim always to land mid-foot.
Before starting C25k I tried a short run in ordinary (very comfortable) trainers and got shin splints, but now I know I was definitely over-striding and landing wrong. Thanks to Laura I now know the correct technique!
I have zero brand loyalty but after a few years of running I decided I should be going towards minimalist shoes. Blame Born To Run. But I'm doing it slowly and cautiously: currently mixing 10mm, 8mm, and 4mm heel to toe drops from ASICS, Brooks, Inov-8. So the future shoes rotation will be 8mm, 6mm, 4mm from around October / November as that will be a year since I started down the path of 'flatter' shoes.
interesting post because I'm just at the stage where I think I need some new shoes. I've always ran in Brooks, my first ones were ones which they don't seem to do anymore, and my current ones are Adrenaline which I love. I do switch between them, one pair for shorter runs, maybe 6km and below and my Adrenaline's for anything above 6.5km. I was thinking of trying some others, but do love my Brooks, so I'm toying with getting some new ones while my two pairs of Brooks have a little left in them, and then yes alternating my runs with each of them. Think I answered your question?!
what size running shoes do you go for out of interest? Im a size 4 but always have a size 5 in Brooks and they fit perfectly. Im looking new balance, nike or asics and Im just not sure about sizes in other shoes?🤔🏃♀️
I normally have several pairs on the go, it started when I was living in France half the year, there was nowhere to buy runners, so I always took a new pair with me. They weren't quite worn out by the next year, but I needed another pair to get through the summer... repeat over 7 years and next thing you know I've got 8 pairs! Having been in UK mostly this last 18 months because of the pandemic, I've run through most of them and sent them to their well earned retirement in shoe heaven.
I find they "turn" very quickly, one moment they're fine, the next my legs are hurting and bleating for new shoes. It's good to let them dry out between runs too. So, I have two newish pairs, one pair that is getting a bit tired, and my trail shoes....ooops, that's 4 isn't it?...I'm already thinking all of these will be on their last legs by the time October comes round, with it's HM....going to need another pair soon...
I doubt you're slower than me, I barely manage 8:40 per KM - and that's on a good day. I don't think speed matters, when your shoes are knackered, they're knackered!
🤣 Nice try, but I still retain my title of Queen of Slow. I yet have to be seriously challenged. 🤣 But you might be right with shoes, but I didn’t notice any change the last two shoes around. But I think they were low drop shoes, so maybe that is the issue.
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Support shoes, overpronation, and runners.
Change of shoes
New Hoka shoes...and happier knee! 🤞
