Please help regarding running shoes...

[Raspberry4]

Can anyone offer advice on how to pick out the best shoes for running? I am not currently a runner - but am determined to start a training program at home on the treadmill. I normally wear wide shoes and broke 3 toes on the right foot - I cannot seem to find wide shoes, and everything I try on rubs on my old broken toe and hurts it alot. Any advice on where/how to start to avoid more injuries (I also have weak ankles, and a partially torn AC ligament in the left knee so I do not want more damage). Thank you for any advice you can offer...:o

[juliebove]

Have you tried New Balance? They come not only in wide, but a variety of lasts to fit different shapes of feet.

[joyfulGIRL]

Can anyone offer advice on how to pick out the best shoes for running? I am not currently a runner - but am determined to start a training program at home on the treadmill. I normally wear wide shoes and broke 3 toes on the right foot - I cannot seem to find wide shoes, and everything I try on rubs on my old broken toe and hurts it alot. Any advice on where/how to start to avoid more injuries (I also have weak ankles, and a partially torn AC ligament in the left knee so I do not want more damage). Thank you for any advice you can offer...:o

You may want to check out places that offer professional fitting to suit your foot, especially since you're starting a new program. That's a good place to start. I find that certain brands are better for my feet than others. But don't skimp on a good pair of shoes -- they'll definitely be worth the cost!

[Revvell]

I was gonna be "funny" and say ~ buy what fits only cuz that's what I have to do, having narrow feet. For you, if you've got a regular width foot, and if there's such a thing in your area as a running store where athletes purchase their shoes, go there. IF they are good, they'll take you outside and watch you run a bit. They can see how your feet turn, if they pronate or not, etc. They'll make sure you get the correct size as well.

Revvell

[Conscious Midwife]

NEW BALANCE
OR

mens ADIDAS///

[Raspberry4]

Thank you everyone. We do not have a specialty store for runners per se. I did call a store in the area yesterday and asked if the staff is trained in under/overpronation, etc. The sales girl said she was and I went there and brought in an old pair of shoes to show my wear pattern and she did not even look at them. She never addressed the over/under pronation issues either. I felt very discouraged. However, I will be persistent and keep trying to call around, etc. There have got to be shoes available for women with wide feet (I cannot buy the typical styles - my feet are too wide). Thank you and have a great new day.

[bryandahawaiian]

Hi Raspberry4,
i would ride an indoor bike, it is easier on your ankles and toes.

[Revvell]

Hi Raspberry4,
i would ride an indoor bike, it is easier on your ankles and toes.

This is true but the air inside a home is more toxic than outside. I suggest, get out and BREATH!!!!

Revvell

[Raspberry4]

Revvell - you are so right, but with our temp in Ohio at 23 degrees and going down to 19 I really cannot get out to exercise - bummer!

[Revvell]

Revvell - you are so right, but with our temp in Ohio at 23 degrees and going down to 19 I really cannot get out to exercise - bummer!

Oh c'mon! What're you a snow wuss? I use to go out in that in Ct. where I grew up! No biggie. Ummm, well, now you know why I live in SoCal, eh? Can rag on snow wuss's back east. :D Oh! no tongues on fire hydrants, 'k? :p

[Eva]

I would have to agree that it is important to find a running store somewhere that specializes in fitting you to the shoes. As a cross-country running in high school, we were required to get our running shoes from a running store so that we would not get injured. There were a number of other things we did in order to prevent injury, but considering that we were all logging in lots of miles, very few of us were ever injured.

Additionally, I broke my femur a few years ago, and as a result, one of my legs is weaker than the other and (if I'm remembering right), I overpronate. When I tried running again several months ago, it was hurting so I didn't do it much. I finally went way out of my way to go to a running store to get the right shoes. I actually was over two hours away from home since there is not a place close to me.... But it was like magic. I now have THE perfect running shoes for me, and when I run, I do not have any problems with my knees or the like...

So... after much rambling, my point is that it is REALLY important to do whatever you can to find a good store that will help you pick out just the right shoe. They should watch you running and ask you questions about any injuries or sensitivities to help determine the right ones.

I hope you're able to get started on your training without getting yourself injured! :)

[GreenPrince]

You will never find them in a running store :)

http://www.runningbarefoot.org/ (http://www.runningbarefoot.org/)

[nfracer]

Everyone has given great advice here....another avenue to try is just calling up roadrunnersports and talking with there "people" who are all trained in running advice! I wouldn't necessarily order without trying them on but at least talk with them or go to the "shoedog" on the runner's world site ...everyone's foot is different. My big wide 11 foot prefers a men's Asic's due to the wide toebox, motion control and wear and tear factor! I have a lineup of Asics that I alternate! A good shoe is worth sticking with so take your time, get it right and then STOCK UP!!!!:D

[nfracer]

You will never find them in a running store :)

http://www.runningbarefoot.org/ (http://www.runningbarefoot.org/)

wow...I am impressed!:eek:
ever run in snow?

[Revvell]

Ummm, I'm thinking she's not planning on doing that in 19-23 degree weather. But then again.... :D



You will never find them in a running store :)

http://www.runningbarefoot.org/ (http://www.runningbarefoot.org/)

[kmik]

I agree it's very important to get fitted at a running shoe store. If there's none near you, plan a trip to a "big city." Your feet, legs and well being are worth it.

On the subject of wide feet, Sauconys work best for me... but there's so many styles, not just any one would do. You have to get professionally fitted, then try them out for a while. You may still find that they aren't ideal, if you experience pain, in which case I turn them in to kicking around shoes, and move on to a new style.

[Raspberry4]

Thanks everyone! Hey by the way who u callin' a wuss? tee-hee:D You can rag on me all you want - I can take it - after all I'm still here ;) . I actually love being outside in the cold. But last year I had pneumonia for 2 months along with a collapsed lung and ever since then when I get out in the cold air I cough alot and lose my breath. My doctor said that is not unusual for what I had. I am hoping that is just one more thing that RAW will help me to heal! Enough about that. On to bigger and better things for the New Year...Have a good day everyone!:)

[Revvell]

Ohhhh, raw WILL help! Fer chure! fer chure!!!

O.k., so I'm the wussy. I got outta there when I was 21. No more winter visits. :D ('less someone dies and leaves me lots o' money!!)


Thanks everyone! Hey by the way who u callin' a wuss? tee-hee:D You can rag on me all you want - I can take it - after all I'm still here ;) . I actually love being outside in the cold. But last year I had pneumonia for 2 months along with a collapsed lung and ever since then when I get out in the cold air I cough alot and lose my breath. My doctor said that is not unusual for what I had. I am hoping that is just one more thing that RAW will help me to heal! Enough about that. On to bigger and better things for the New Year...Have a good day everyone!:)

[Sunluvva]

Its cheating I know but find a running specialist running store, get all the good advice you can, run on the treadmill in the shoes till you find the right ones then ....... look on RW and buy them cheaper on the net!

[nfracer]

Its cheating I know but find a running specialist running store, get all the good advice you can, run on the treadmill in the shoes till you find the right ones then ....... look on RW and buy them cheaper on the net!

ditto:D couldn't agree more!

[meow]

I also recommend getting fitted for shoes at a running store. I had the wrong shoes for a while when training for a half-marathon and they contributed to my achilles tendonits- I wasn't able to run one step for 4 mos:( If there are absolutely no running stores anywhere close, www.runnersworld.com has a decent shoe finder and I believe they even have a section or forum that talks about shoes, you'll find much more specific information there!

I highly recommend Asics...I used to be a New Balance gal, but I'm on my second pair of Asics and can't imagine running in anything else!

Good luck and happy running to you!

[Raspberry4]

Thank you everyone for the great advice!

[momma-rawma]

Go to a specialty running shop and get your gait assessed and get fitted for a shoe. Best if the store has a return policy so that if the shoes don't work out on the road, you can return them (we have a local store that let me return a pair after an 8 mile run b/c it turned out--they just weren't right for me.)

You need to know if you overpronate or not....supponate...or just have a regular foot.

There are three types of shoes: neutral, stability, and motion control.

Not all shoes work for everybody. Someone may love the Nike for their foot, but it doesn't mean it is right for your foot.

Typically, the clearance rack at Sears is not a good place to be looking for running shoes. ;)

[Raspberry4]

There are no specialty running shops where I live. I have called around to every shoe store and every sports store and even the ones that sell New Balance and have asked if they are trained in helping to determine over/underpronation etc. and they all do not know what I am talking about. I have even taken my old shoes to a store to get an evaluation and they were not even looked at. It is really tough when you are determined but cannot find the help needed. Anyway...I will keep pressing on. Thanks for the help. :)

[jacsam]

Can anyone offer advice on how to pick out the best shoes for running? I am not currently a runner - but am determined to start a training program at home on the treadmill. I normally wear wide shoes and broke 3 toes on the right foot - I cannot seem to find wide shoes, and everything I try on rubs on my old broken toe and hurts it alot. Any advice on where/how to start to avoid more injuries (I also have weak ankles, and a partially torn AC ligament in the left knee so I do not want more damage). Thank you for any advice you can offer...:o
I don't have wide feet but I like my toes not to be squished (plenty of room from little toe to big toe). The only shoe I have found that provides that for me is Saucony, I also get a pair I like in their men's line of running shoes because they are a bit wider than the women's shoes, obviously, I just get a small size of men's shoes.....and I love them every time!!!! Now my husband has been running for more than 25 years and he's tryed about every shoe out there and he always goes back to Nike and now he doesn't even bother with any other brand. Right now he's liking the trail running shoe because it has a wider base. Judith

[nfracer]

I also recommend getting fitted for shoes at a running store. I had the wrong shoes for a while when training for a half-marathon and they contributed to my achilles tendonits- I wasn't able to run one step for 4 mos:( If there are absolutely no running stores anywhere close, www.runnersworld.com has a decent shoe finder and I believe they even have a section or forum that talks about shoes, you'll find much more specific information there!

I highly recommend Asics...I used to be a New Balance gal, but I'm on my second pair of Asics and can't imagine running in anything else!

Good luck and happy running to you!

I second the motion! I love Asics! and, I love road runner sports, they are so knowledgeable right over the phone....For what it's worth if you want to e-mail me privately I can also try to help you out....Happy Trails!
Di

[jeanneroth]

Revvell - you are so right, but with our temp in Ohio at 23 degrees and going down to 19 I really cannot get out to exercise - bummer!

I run in the cold all the time! (not barefoot, however) You just have to layer properly.

Did you find any shoes that fit? My feet are not wide, but I used to suffer from neuromas and have to lace the shoes differently to take the pressure off my metatarsal area. I wear Pearl Izumi brand shoes, the body of the shoe is very soft and plyable. Hope you found some shoes!

[Raspberry4]

Thanks! Not yet - but I am still looking. Have a great day!