I started out my C25K journey wearing a pair of shoes ... They were comfortable and it's not like I was really running!! Then after a few weeks, when it became obvious that I was going to continue with this malarkey, I went to my local sports store and bought the only pair of running shoes that said they were suitable for my weight.
After nearly running in them for about 10 months and reaching the recommended maximum running distance in them I finally plucked up the courage to do the right thing.
So this week I went to a running store and bought what I would class as my first proper pair of running shoes. My first run was 10 minutes and I came back with the outside of my foot in pain/discomfort.
I already knew why before calling the store.
Despite all the recommendation on this forum when I bought my original shoes last year I could not get over the embarrassment of asking for my .. what .. gait analysis .. I mean .. I didn't even really understand what it was for. Could it really make such a difference!!
Well suffice to say some people get lucky and get the rights shoes .. I am not that person. I needed to get some supportive shoes due to how my foot lands and the original pair did not provide it.
My visit this week was a whole different experience. As I went into the store I could feel my face filling up with blood as I stated my desire to have my gait analysis done. I was politely handed over to a chap who sat down and talked to me about where I ran and how long for and I showed him my battered original pair of shoes.
There was no need for the embarrassment, they just wanted to help. After a brief spell on a treadmill being videoed like a film star from all angles (except the focus being my feet and legs not my face) I was sat down and initially given advice on my running style before getting to the shoe requirement.
I came out on top of the world with my brand new shoes .. nothing was going to stop me now!!
So my first run on a Tuesday was somewhat less enjoyable than I had hoped. Because this shoe was more supportive than my original pair my foot was being pushed so that more of my foot was involved in the action of running than before (my words not the shop). I concluded that this was like anything when you start to use muscles that you have not used before. The shop more or less confirmed my suspicion, recommended that I try them out for a few more runs and if no good just bring them back.
Well as the week has gone by my feet are adjusting to the support that they are now being given and today’s run was much better. I have to say I think it will be another two or three runs until my feet have fully adjusted but they are beginning to feel more comfortable on each run.
So the moral of this story is. Listen to the advice and don't shy away. You might get lucky and buy the right shoe for you or you might not and end up like me probably suffering more knee problems than I needed to over the last year culminating in an uncomfortable transition to the right type of shoe at a later date.
So happy shopping and even happier running.
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Richard7
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Nice post Richard. Hope you will be happy with your new shoes. I think that buying shoes without a gait analysis can be a bit of a gamble and can end up costing more money because you end up needing a second pair of shoes.
Thank you for that. Once I've graduated and on my way to wanting another pair I will get it done properly. I think it would be really interesting and I very much want to keep my feet happy!
I recognise the gait analysis embarrassment I even chickened out once saying I couldn't go on the treadmill as I had just had lunch 😂 (I didn't want to go on it, didn't understand why I needed too!). That's all changed now though.
Lovely shoes! Enjoy running safe in the knowledge that your feet are now supported. It’s well worth getting gait analysis done, well done for going!
Very well put Richard, and great to hear from you I need to get some new running shoes as the cheap-ish ones I got a few weeks in to C25K are showing their age now. No idea what the recommended distance is, but I've run a total of about 350km in mine, plus a fair bit of walking, so I think it is getting time for me to go out shoe shopping!!
It's a couple of days since you posted this... how are they now?
I too was really embarrassed asking for gait analysis when burying my shoes earlier this year. I hated the though of anyone watching me run that closely, dreaded being on a treadmill (And in publ8c too!) and I'd also always been a bit sceptical as to how useful the whole process was. However before telling them anything about the niggles I was getting (left knee and right hip) the guy in the shop said he thought I'd need shoes to support my feet which were rolling inwards or I might end up with ... wait for it ... knee and hip pain - especially in the left knee!
After two weeks running in the Asics they recommended knee and hip niggles had vanished (apart from a knee niggle after a twist on a curb!) and I've been running comfy ever since.
Well done Richard , it sounds like your legs are getting used to being supported, but if they don’t feel completely great after a few runs, I would go back again to the shop to try others. I didn’t need any breaking in time with mine.
I had the added embarrasment of my husband videoing the "whole of me" in addition to the "feet video" that the gait analysis bloke was doing......and then sharing with my children to have a good laugh about Mummy running on a treadmill.....didnt help that it was around 2pm on one of those very hot days we've had of late........So I did really resemble a "red-in-the-face-gasping-for-breath-hippo" - this was just Week 2 where I had absolutely no confidence in my ability to run and keep at it......
Oh the mortification and embarrassment😥😥😥.......but I brushed it off; as easing the arch-pain was higher up in my priorities than avoiding getting a gait analysis and feeling like a complete numpty.
Result = I love my very expensive asics that provide the right support to my overpronation in my left foot.
And I am enjoying my running much to the jaw-dropping amazement of my husband and children.....lol!!!
Thanks for the advice Richard! I have a knee niggle. It’s not painful and I’ve bought shoes recently just based on what I like and comfort, but I probably need to go and have it checked out properly at some point. I’ve never seen any gait analysis equipment in my local stores, but I will check to see if there is anywhere that offers this. A great reminder. ❤️
I feel like the only person in the world who doesn’t do the gait analysis thing. Very happy running with my CorrectToe spacers inside my beloved Altras. With bunions like mine just looking at normal pointy toe trainers is painful. Is there anybody else out there like me? With feet as fearful as mine? (I’ll spare you all a photo as it’s dinner time).
With you on the bunions! I've bought men's trainers before as they tend to be wider but I'm due a new pair soon so might embrace my foot shame and try the gait analsis
I've got bad bunions and struggle with all shoes. I had gait analysis and have Mizuno trainers. They are wide in the right place and very supportive.
Ah but they are rounded at the ends which pushes the big toe out of alignment. To be fair I’ve got the worst possible combination of extreeeeemly wide feet, extra flexible joints and being a size 4, so unable to buy men’s shoes which tend to be wider/ less pointy. I had an entire chidhood of jokes about throwing away the shoes and wearing the boxes...
Sounds like a "fun" combination! I am meant to be a size 9 or 10 and been using size 11 shoes for running and these are 11.5!! I think the New Balance are renowned for their wide fittings so not overly surprised I ended up walking out with those.
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I need to get some new running shoes as the cheap-ish ones I got a few weeks in to C25K are showing their age now. No idea what the recommended distance is, but I've run a total of about 350km in mine, plus a fair bit of walking, so I think it is getting time for me to go out shoe shopping!!
New Shoes! Asics only lasted 10 months?
More running shoes advice needed
Brooks shoes (or any other recommendation) and also shoe fitting
Gait analysis finally and new running shoes!
