Trainer tips anyone?

[Ubercrone]

Can anyone tell me about training shoes. I dont want fashion ones, I want running ones but at a reasonable price. Any recommendations?

[MarkyD Graduate]

<ducks>

Incoming!

If you're playing along with the C25K bingo, mark off the following on your card:

Gait, analysis, 'proper running shop', budget, pronation, 'what's right for you', advice, 'last year's colour', brand, support, stiffness....

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

I think you might be onto something there... this could be used on the forum in a fun but advice- worthy way... thinking cap on.

[Rignold]

Just go to a running shop. Tell them your budget and they will advise you accordingly. It comes down to a lot of variables, so what works for me may well not work for you.

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to Rignold]

@Rignold scores 4

[Rignold in reply to MarkyD]

I could tell you about stiffness as well but was focused on the matter at hand.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Take the advice from the guys

[MarkyD Graduate]

Well I'm sorry UC, but I was expecting that you'd get an avalanche of advice. I hope that my 'bingo' did not put folks off. Normally any enquiry for footwear has a deluge of responses, all telling you the same thing.

Rig kind of covered it, but for completeness, do go into a reputable running specialist store and have gait analysis. They will not charge for this service, and you'll either run on a treadmill, or outside if there is space. So take your existing shoes (however unsuitable). Just looking at the wear pattern on the treads will tell the specialist something. With knowledge of your gait, running style, distance, type of surface that you run on etc, someone who knows what they are doing can recommend some running shoes. Try on several pairs, expect to run on the treadmill for several minutes, and expect to be given the opportunity to bring them back if you have problems (even if they've been worn).

On the tricky matter of price... just be honest with the assistant and tell them your budget. There are always last year's models or unpopular colourways sitting on the 'reduced' shelf. And special one-off deals. They know that you can get all their advice, leave and buy online, and so they'll be happiest to sell you something at a discount.

Just as a clue - the warehouse on your local retail park with 'Sports' stuck on the outside is not a specialist running shop. You need to be assisted by someone who understands running.

[Ubercrone in reply to MarkyD]

Thanks M. I shall not waste my hard earned money on a supermarket pair!!

[mrrun Graduate]

Google your local gait analysis guys, check them out, some aren't as good as others. In London l found a top address (recommended by my physio who must have been sick of me seeking her for treatments, although she didn't look sick when taking my money).

Right experts make all the difference and the price l paid for analysis/insoles and shoes was way below l expected.

[Theziggy Graduate]

All well and good for people who have shops that do gait analysis nearby.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Theziggy]

That is hard...I have to say I have only ever been once 4 years ago when i started and have just bought the same shoes they advised ever since. So I do think its worth the expedition...

[Theziggy Graduate]

I see there is a shop 90 miles away that does gait analysis. You may have convinced me JuJu, I'm just concerned that they then pressurise you into buying the shoes that they recommend.