Trainers and decisions!

I am gaining a collection of trainers, Brooks inparticular. A year ago I was having minor ankle aches early in my run but big blister issues after 6 miles. My gait is over pronation and slightly neutral on the other. I tried neutral nike pegasus with progressive pain in my ankle over 3 weeks. Those trainers were swapped for brooks ravenna (pink/teal) with some support, level 3. I have done 400+ miles and a hm on these with some ankle aches from 0.5-3 miles and then it eases off. I do fine the lacing on these a bit annoying as if too tight they upset my foot tendon. Physio strengthening has done nothing for my ankle at all. I needed new trainers so was advised adrenaline gts, support level 5 so I have both a black and a teal pair. I run in these ok but my ankle feels the same so the ache is not better but I have developed a tight achilles/calf on that same leg. Now I have come across the brooks vapor with level 4 support which I am trying out (blue/red coloured). I have no idea what to do about trainers now!!! I don't think any improve or upset my ankle as it still aches from 0.5-3 miles. I know the neutrals became painful so need some support.

[AnnieW55]

Not sure if it will help, and I may be wrong, but looking at your picture you don't seem to use the "runners' loop" to tie your laces. If you google runners loop or heel locking laces you will see how to utilise the "extra" holes at the top of your shoe and lock your heel into place which might help overcome your concerns. There's been a discussion about this in the last day or so over on either the 5 or 10 k forum.

[Hidden in reply to AnnieW55]

Thanks Annie. I don't use the lace lock as the laces in the ravenna were too short. I haven't tried in the other trainers, maybe it might help the calf/Achilles problem with the adrenaline trainers. My ankle problem is a mystery......

[Millsie-J]

Do you think there are any exercises that may help the ankle issue perhaps?

[Hidden in reply to Millsie-J]

I have been seeing the physio for 5 months and he has now drawn a blank. It could be ankle impingment which will need xrays to confirm so I have to see my gp to get that done. As long as it aches and subsides I can still run which support shoes help with. I am concerned that the higher level support of the adrenaline gts gives me some achilles/calf tightness after 4 weeks. I am at a loss as to what to do!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Get a new physio.

Try re-lacing your shoes in a way that reduces the pressure on the top of your foot. There are lots of sexy lace formations to be found on Google, but here is a good basic one. It has the bonus of using less of the laces, so you should find you have enough to play with for heel locking.

youtu.be/7BsViAtj7-o(Not working as expected?)

[ju-ju- Marathon]

Blimey that’s a whole lot of shoes!!!! I’ve always found Brooks really good for my feet.

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

I do like brooks but to be far I haven't tried much else , my feet are narrow so this hinders my selection! I wondered why my achilles/calf was tight with the adrenaline, is it adaption or the wrong shoes? Such a minefield of shoes!!

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I use the adrenaline too. One thing I’ve found is lacing all the way up to give the ankles proper support makes a difference too...

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

Ok cool, I will try this on my black ones on some shorter runs and see how I get on. Thank you!