Advice on running shoes

[Ellarunstoo]

I graduated at Xmas having run for the previous 9 weeks in my trusty old recreational Reeboks - god knows how long I've had them. Anyway they have given up the ghost in all the wet weather we have had and I need to invest in some new shoes.

I tend to run on tarmac - back lanes, but will be moving to grass once the flooding goes down. I am 53 and about 2 stone over weight. Started C25K coz I felt my body was feeling older than it ought to. Not into flashy/dayglow accoutrements, just want something practical which will help me get fitter.

Any advice on

1. What sort to get,

2. Which shop to go to,

3. How much I should be prepared to pay.

Thanks

Jill

[Ellarunstoo Graduate]

And I live in the Cirencester/Swindon area if you want to advise any particular shops.

Thanks

J

[John_W Graduate]

Hi Jill,

1. What sort to get,

>> Proper running shoes

2. Which shop to go to,

>> a decent specialist running shop for advice and potentially gait analysis if required - try on a load of different brands

- then shop around for best prices (including internet)

3. How much I should be prepared to pay.

>> How much are *YOU* prepared to pay?

Seriously - they shouldn't necessarily cost you the earth. Some people are happy paying £130 for the latest models, I won't pay more than £60-70, some are quite happy to pay £20-40 for Karrimors in the likes of SportsDirect. Depends on your budget I guess. In my experience, the specialist shops will charge you a *minimum* of around £75 - so maybe look in there and get a feel for what shoes best suit you and then .... well, you can guess the rest

Good luck

John

[Ellarunstoo Graduate in reply to John_W]

Thanks John.

Have googled specialist shops in my area and am going to go for a gait analysis tomorrow.

As I will be wearing them at least three times a week, then your £75 recommendation isn't scary.

Also having googled "running shoes" now, I am reassured that I won't have to be shod in bright purple or bright orange - or worse a mixture of both!

Thanks for the advice.

Jill

[Trish_h Graduate]

Hi Jill, When I started the C25K eleven months ago I didn't have any trainers so had to go out and buy some specially to start the program. I went to Sports Direct, got some advice and bought a pair of Karrimore that cost about £35. They have lasted till now and were very comfy so there really is no need to spend lots of money. They were reaching the end of their life and so with help and advice from this forum regarding gait analysis I bought new ones yesterday (Asics) . They were more expensive but they were a birthday present and a reward to myself for sticking with running......

[Ellarunstoo Graduate in reply to Trish_h]

Thanks Trish. Have looked up your post and your replies on new shoes and have seen all the great advice you got. Gait analysis tomorrow followed hopefully by new shoes. Who would have thought 4 months ago that I would be getting so excited about a new pair of "trainers"?

I'll let you know how I get on ☺

[Trish_h Graduate]

I know! I can't believe I was so excited yesterday. Yesterday I learned that I need shoes that offer medium support but that definition differs from one brand to the next so do try lots of pairs on. I was also advised (both times when I bought running shoes) that you need the width of a finger between your toes and the end of your shoe and for me that meant buying a pair one size bigger than my everyday shoes (but make sure they don't feel too big.)

Good luck and don't forget to post a picture when you make your purchase!

[davelinks Graduate]

You need a pair of road running shoes as you are mainly running on hard ground concrete/tarmac. Get a free gait analysis done. I got a pair of New Balance 680 V2 for about £25, which are a good brand, think they're on Amazon now for about £30.

I've since bought a new pair of upgraded New Balance after gait analysis in Sweatshop for £70 in the sale, that's about my limit...

Have also got a pair of trail shoes to cope with cross country, uneven ground, loose gravel & mud terrain.Only get these if you'll be doing a lot of that..especially at this time of year when it's wet & slippy..

[HazyJay]

I went to my local specialists today and I walked out within 10 minutes. I asked for gait analysis and had a bit of a chat. Then they dropped it on me that it was a free service if I bought shoes today, otherwise it was going to cost me £25. I quickly scanned the wall of shoes, found nothing I liked and knew I wouldn't be buying from them so left. I found them totally unhelpful by applying such a high charge. A nominal fee maybe, but £25?? I hope you have better luck. AdvancedPerformance.co.uk are who to avoid!

[Sharonb9999 Graduate]

I had a gait analysis done at Sweat Shop. I was a bit intimidated at the time but the assistant was great and really put me at ease. I got a pair of Asics for about £65. I liked them so when they were reduced I got another pair for £30. Sadly that model is now discontinued (this seems to be a thing with running shoes) so I'll get another analysis done when this pair need replacing. As it happens I'm running longer distances now so it is probably the right time to get a different model in any event. I went to Sweat Shop because they were the nearest to where I live but I've since found an independent place quite near by which I'm going to try. I always try to go to a local independent shop if I can for everything. Mind you, if they want to charge for a gait analysis I might well head back to Sweat Shop!