Shoes for the "well-built" (!) gentleman?

[Tintin1]

Dear All, having graduated I am running regularly still on the treadmill. I have only ever used standard off the shelf clumpy Nike cross trainers ( which have been fine).

I live in the Channel Islands so we don't have lots of 'gait analysis' shops etc but I am planning on popping to London tomorrow and intend to go to a specialist running shop for advice. ( whichever one is nearest hotel)

I wondered if anyone had any practical advice so I don't look/sound like a doofus? I am 17 and a half stone but pretty fit and DO want to go out on the roads. The problem is that when I have done it in the past it has hurt my feet. (no problems on the treadmill).

Any advice gratefully received. Thanks.

[crox Graduate]

I started at 17 stone 9 (now a shade under 12) and I started with Nike gym shoes that killed my feet, switched to new balance 860's at sweatshops advice and never looked back.

[Tintin1 Graduate in reply to crox]

Thanks crox -good to know. I just don't want to get laid up with knackered feet again. Cheers.

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

I recently bought another pair of Nike shoes in a sports store. They had a computer there which asked questions - Like how good looking are you? How intelligent are you? How much do you weigh etc -- all to finally recommend what shoes might be good for you. So - obviously there are running shoes designed for heavier people -- just ask at the shop.

[Tintin1 Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

Cheers

[wilmacgh Graduate]

I bought some new shoes yesterday. I hurt my ankle in December and have been having niggly problems on that foot and leg since so I thought I'd try new and more padded shoes. I went to Sweatshop who I've found very good and got Adidas astar ride 4 on the sale. Checking the reviews for them after it does say they are good for the heavier runner. (Not sure I like being in that category having got my BMI to normal using this programme!) You can get them from Amazon but if you haven't had a gait analysis done, it's worth it.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

My advice would be to google proper running shops in the area you are staying...walk in and say that you want a proper pair of shoes that support you when you are running, they will do the rest then. Let us know how you get on and enjoy the trip

[LMS2110 Graduate]

Just checked the SweatShop website

sweatshop.co.uk/stores/

They seem to have about a dozen stores in London, so I'm sure one will be only a short bus or tube ride away from your hotel. I too have found their staff wonderful, knowledgeable and able to find the right shoe for you, especially after gait analysis -which is usually free - and that includes sensitivity about your size, the surface you will be running on and the sorts of running you'll be doing (racing, jogging, dry, wet, muddy etc) Pavement running will almost certainly require better support than indoor/treadmill trainers can usually offer. They don't seem to push any one brand above others and have wide price ranges available. Better yet, once you've bought a pair they allow you a '30 day bring back time' if they don't suit you after all.

Enjoy your London visit, should be less hectic there tomorrow after the marathon today!

Let us know how you get on and lots of luck with the rest of the programme

[Tintin1 Graduate in reply to LMS2110]

Thanks and will do. I hope they will be quiet but maybe loads of new people will be taking up running after the marathon and the shops will be mobbed!

[rcp27 Graduate]

As a reasonably "well built" gentleman myself (I had been hovering around the "safe" side of 100 kg for a while, but what change was happening was not in the right direction, and I didn't want to cross that psychological barrier, so I got up off the couch to do something about it), and I can confirm that getting the right shoes made a big difference for me (I have always run outdoors, mostly on roads). I am given to believe the treadmill is a more forgiving surface to run on than roads, so shoes that are OK on the treadmill may well not be OK outdoors.

Regarding not appearing like a "doofus", frankly the fastest way to appear to be a doofus would be to pretend you knew everything about running shoes and kit when you didn't. People who do have expert knowledge can easily spot the faker, and you'll look stupid. The best approach is to be honestly ignorant. Find an expert, explain what you want to do (make the transition from treadmill running to road running, for regular runs in the range of 5-10k), make it clear that you're a beginner and would welcome any advice, and let him do his job.

[Tintin1 Graduate in reply to rcp27]

Thanks rcp27, excellent advice. Will do as you say and post back after my trip. Cheers