Trainers

[Plantsill48]

Am about to start week 5 and am super proud of myself. Feeling it’s third time lucky as the last two times I lost interest and failed. Please can I ask about footwear I just pair of old puma’s but people keep mentioning running shoes. I thought you could run in any trainers but seems this may be wrong. Can anybody give me any information on this please ?

[Mobiliseandmove]

Hi! Running trainers can be a divisive subject. Here's my opinion and why:

I personally wear Vivo Barefoot shoes to run in. I'm used to wearing barefoot shoes, and the shoe gives my foot space to spread and function properly. With a thin, flat sole, I have a stable base to land on with each step.

Conventional running trainers will offer more comfort and 'protection'. They tend to be narrower than barefoot shoes, have a heel drop (i.e. the heel is higher than the toes), have an upward curve at the toe and a thick foam sole. They will feel more comfortable than any normal trainer. However, because they are much softer, they provide a less stable base with each step. They can also force the foot (and calf) into an unnatural shape, as the heel becomes raised, the toes are forced inwards and upwards.

This is not true for all running trainers, but is a general trend. This is why I personally choose barefoot shoes. You don't actually NEED specific running trainers. Your body is most capable of running without shoes at all. So it is really a matter of preference.

If you feel most comfortable wearing a running shoe, use those. If you feel most comfortable wearing your normal trainers, wear those. If you like to run barefoot, do that.

Hope this helps!

Adam

[LeeU Graduate]

First off, well done on getting to week 5, I once looked at C25K and thought it was a stupid plan, I'm on my third run through now.

The thing isn't really about what shoe type you wear, if you are seriously thinking about spending some money on running shoes, which are different to the run of the mill trainers which are mostly based around fashion statements I would highly recommend you find your local specialist running shop and have gait analysis done.

Gait analysis will tell you HOW you are running, HOW your foot hits the floor and HOW your ankles, legs and hips are aligned when you run.

This may lead you to needing extra support in parts of the shoe or it may not.

Your local chain sports shop may offer this service but if it is done at a specialist running shop you normally find the person doing the analysis is a runner and can offer more than just a pair of shoes for you to run in.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This guide to buying shoes may help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Knightrider_28 Graduate]

hi, long as the trainers are comfortable and you can wiggle your toes, thats all that matters.

Easy to get into the hype of special stuff, when reality dictates its not a race, and during the 9 week program we won't become Athletes, long as you keep moving and build on that and follow the app, as I think it said day 1 , comfortable trainers or shoes ,something like that that's all you need and willpower. Good luck 👍

[CherryCore Graduate]

I was actually wondering if anyone else wears pumas, as I have a pair of ignite and find them equivalent to my other pair of (much more expensive) Brooks. I'm lucky though to be "compatible" with neutral shoes and I tried them both in a store before purchasing, with gait done.