Running Shoes

[snack_shack]

I've only just completed week 2 so I'm not at the stage where I want to invest too much money in any of the running gear yet. However, I figure that if I'm still doing this by week 6 or 7 the chances are I'll be in this for the long haul. I expect the most expensive investment will be the running shoes. Have many of you had your feet professionally measured for these as I see this is a service the dedicated running shops offer, but with that comes a pair of trainers for not much less than £100. Eeek.

[Hidden]

i started with an old pair at the outset and then upgraded to a more expensive pair, but I have wideish feet, so really struggled to fit into standard trainers. My Dutch friend who runs 40k a week, said ' your feet are your body's foundation' and so I just took a deep breath and paid £100 for the trainers, but then I saved on no gym membership, no fancy clothing etc...

And in fairness my Brooks trainers are soo much better than the cheap M&S ones I was managing with. But I think she has a point, when you read the posts on here about people with big blisters and weak ankles, the trainers keep you on your feet.

Reverse psychology - if you buy £100 trainers then you have to keep running to get it down to 50p per run..... At 50p per run they've paid for themselves or 50p for extending your life by X weeks,,,, Whichever metric you use, if you're happy running be happy to pay for the trainers.

[snack_shack Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jan. Did you get professionally fitted for them?

[Hidden in reply to snack_shack]

Yes I did and like lots of other people I found my running trainers are so different in size to 'fashion' ones. So from Size 5 M&S to size 7 Brooks. But also I got a lightweight weave but with a higher heel support. Those I think were the differences that were worth paying for. As Ive never had a blister, a wrenched ankle, any rubbing...

[snack_shack Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Goodness, that is a big difference in shoe size. Ok, I may have to take a big breath go for it. This running lark may come in handy once hubby finds out how much I spent!!!

[Hidden in reply to snack_shack]

So the way I see it is, that boys' toys can be equally expensive - Playstation any one??? But this isn't a handbag or a pretty pair of earrings it's the foundation that means you can keep going and be fit - potentially forever. I am bizarrely 'mean' on weird stuff, like make-up, I cut open tubes and use cotton wool buds to scrape out every last drip. But running shoes - no way of economising - cheap trainers means that the cut costs will eventually cut your feet! Mind you Gabby08's tip, now that is smart thinking. so maybe that's your plan....

[snack_shack Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I'm the same with make up too. I like to feel I've had my value for money! I've just looked on sportsshoes.com and they do appear to have some great bargains so when the time is right I think it'll be worth shopping around.

[Gabby08 Graduate]

I went to a running shop and got measured, left empty-handed as the ones they recommended were almost £120, then found a past season pair of the same shoes for £25.99 at sportshoes.com. Cheeky, I know, and I felt a bit guilty - but who doesn't want to save £90?! In fact, I love them so much, I bought a second pair in a different colour - but I've still got two pairs for less than half the price of the ones in my local running shop.

[snack_shack Graduate in reply to Gabby08]

Good idea! Thanks for the tip

[Hidden]

I got proper gait analysis and expensive new shoes at week 4. Figured that was the point I was about to start doing longer runs and needed to be sure I wasn't going to get injured. They made a big difference. So comfy. Graduated injury free (no running injury anyway, seemed very good at injuring myself on rest days). Once you have spent that much you just have to keep going. But having bought them I wouldn't want to run without them.

[Rachael113]

I had my gait checked in the sweatshop , i paid £80 quid for trainers .

A few weeks later I went on their website an older model in my size was £25 reduced . 😩

I've just purchased some Brooks transcend 3 running shoes from their website , they were 35 pounds reduced . They are an older model but it doesn't matter , they are super comfy .

[rolysmate Graduate]

I went to sports direct, they have a runners cabin there so you can have gait etc measured, then bought a pair of "old stock"/ sale shoes for just over £30

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

I started in old trainers, and got shin splints in week 2, one of the most painful things I've ever had. I had the gait analysis, bought some shoes, I think they were about £85. My shins were fine, but the shoes showed a large amount of wear after only 3 months, so I took them back and got a refund. This is one of the advantages of buying proper shoes from a proper shop, most of them offer this kind of guarantee. I reckon the initial cost is well worth it.

[accidentalrunner Graduate]

I was forced to get running shoes after getting shin splints, and was recommended Karrimor run (I have the D30 sole which is brilliant for cushioning the heel strike). They're about £40 which was a lot better than some of the £100+ bigger brands. I got professionally fitted and shoes suited to my high arches so would really recommend it!

Have been running for 6 weeks no problems now ☺️

[Cliff_H Graduate]

I had gait analysis due to shin splints and various other aches and pains. I also wanted to give myself the best chance at remaining injury free. I deliberately didn't look at the price and tried half a dozen pairs of shoes and chose the ones that felt best... just my luck they were the £140 ones and not the £50.

I could have got them cheaper elsewhere but wanted to support the shop and keep the specialist advice available, totally understand though that it may be a stretch for some folks, if it was for me then I would at least grab a water bottle or belt or something to support them.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Cliff_H]

I agree with that, I know some people perhaps can't afford those sort of prices, but the shop has to pay their staff etc. You do usually get the guarantee too. What I usually do is buy the first pair from the shop that does the gait analysis, if I want a second pair I look for them on line.

[Valcart Graduate]

I got fitted in a running shop after week 3 when I was so hooked that I thought I deserved proper Brooks trainers and decent socks too although they take longer to put on as they only fit on the correct foot. Started leaving clean sock in the correct shoe ready for my next run. No foot problems in the 3 months I've been running. Good trainers cheaper than husbands golf clubs!