Running shoes
 

I used to do quite a bit of running and Im getting back into it. I have a pair of Asics and my first couple runs my feet are really sore, do I need better shoes and soles or is this just a product of being out of running shape?

how old are your shoes? How well do they fit? I highly recommend you get fitted for a pair of shoes, you may spend more on shoes but your feet are well worth it :)

The materials in the shoes naturally harden with age in just a couple of years or so. That's from time of manufacture, not how long you've worn them. Also, you should only expect 300-500 miles from a pair.

Are they real running shoes?. Some models sold through big box/department stores may look like running shoes but do not have the motion control/support/cushioning features of real running shoes.

Excellent question....As far as how long have i worn them I dunno I wear them around a little. I put gel insoles in them. I wasnt fitted for them they are size 12 and they were only like 80 dollars.

*shameless advertisement*
Barefoot! You can PM me for purchasing information, they cost $340 for a pair.

In all seriousness, ask here: http://www.runnersworld.com/community/forums/

What I'd recommend is that you go get shoes from an actual running store (not a dept store or a big box store) - they'll be able to look at your stride and set you up with the proper shoe.

You mean the "features" that cause injuries makes them real running shoes?

Yes, actually. If you're lucky and they don't, you're dependent on those specific types of shoes for the rest of your life. If you're against barefooting, try vibrams. Much better for your long term bone, joint, and muscle health.

Some people have the genetic ability to run barefoot without any support. If you can run barefoot without pain and injury, that's great. The rest of us need some sort of support.

There are a couple of shoe stores in my neighborhood that cater to runners. The employees are all runners and they won't sell you a pair of shoes unless you put them on and run around the parking lot while they observe your form. They also give you 30 days to exchange your shoes if they don't work out.

OP, if your current shoes are causing pain, try a new pair. Find a store that will work with you to get shoes that won't cause you pain.

I've never actually met/heard anyone who couldn't, at least not for genetic reasons. But anyway...

If you're set on shoes, definitely do as Cbad said. Don't let them sell you something without some sort of return policy. As far as I know, shoes are as personal as saddles.

Asics running shoes are fine shoes, so long as they were made for running (vs. basketball), and do be sure they aren't older than a couple years, they will degrade over time. I get new shoes about every 2 years and I get about 500 miles on each pair.

Like a couple others have stated, barefooting is fine if you have the gait and body type for it, most of us don't. Best I can suggest if you want to try it is find a grass park or beach to experiment on, and work your way into asphalt. If you can comfortably do a mile or so then look into those faddish Vibram Five Fingers.

To directly answer your original question - some of your discomfort is due to lack of use and will get better over time as long as you don't push too hard. Skin is not the only body part that develops callouses - your bones, muscles and even tendons need to adjust to the new routines you are pacing them through.

There is not a single peer reviewed scientific study that has shown that running shoes PREVENT injury, or that "support" somehow prevents injuries. However, there are many studies that show that heavily padded shoes make you hit the ground harder, and shoes with a lot of ramp angle encourage heel striking, which can increase the impact of running 7x times. You don't need fancy support, you don't need motion control heels, and all that crap. If you don't land on your heels as your primary means of running, you don't need all that jazz. It's a matter of proper running form, and most shoes are built to make you run in an unnatural way.

Im with Oban, check out some minimalist shoes at the very least. Vibram FiveFingers are awesome, it's all I run in. The New Balance Minimus is also a good minimal shoe. Or barefoot. Naked is good.

All you people advocating VFF or barefoot for a beginner runner are idiots. Besides the fact that they limit most people to extremely slow running speeds, if you don't have the mileage base already built up, and strong feet those shoes are a good way to get stress fractures or other injuries.

It's all about technique, not the type of shoes you wear. Having a flat heel and less padding is nice, but you can run with good technique in any shoes. Most minimalist shoes are scams anyways, they are lightweight shoes because all of the rubber has been removed from the soles, and they wear rapidly.

I'd love to see these studies.

So it's all about technique? So if a beginner learns proper barefoot form then they should be fine, right? And you should start a minimal/barefoot journey with low mileage and build up, but a beginner runner would be doing that anyway. As for them being a scam, how often is it suggested that you replace your Nikes? Six months of regular running, something like that? Two pairs of $90 shoes a year? Who's getting scammed?

I think that it is all a matter of comfort really. Like barefooting, go for it. Feel you need cushioning, spend the amount you are comfortable with.

Snarly comments like some of the above don't add anything positive to the discussion, nor will the persuade anyone to your POV. Just sayin'

I get shin splints when I wear running shoes. I've never been fitted so I don't know. I just wear Toms or no shoes at all. Vibrams hurt my feet.
I've heard good things about Merrell Trail Glove.
Maybe you could go get fitted for running shoes?

I've been running in some Saucony Kinvaras. They are a nice zero heel drop minimal running shoe. Very comfortable shoes. like other above I love my vibram five fingers but I am slowly working my way into the whole barefoot running thing. I may never go totally barefoot but the minimal shoes have helped me to greatly improve my form. If I heel strike in any of my shoes my body knows it immediately.

@unoudid, I just looked at the Kinvara and it looks like a great shoe. I have been running in Nike Air Max+ Moto's for the past two years and was getting ready to buy a new pair. I just may give the Saucony's a better look. Thanks for the advice (which was sorely needed in this thread :)
).

Check out the Saucony Mirage also. They are nearly identical except they are a little more structured. I use the The Mirage as my training shoe and the Kinvara as my Race shoe. I can't recommend them both enough.

Asics are decent shoes, depend on model. some cheap models are not really good for running.
I have Asics Kinsey and very happy with them:
http://www.amazon.com/Asics-GEL-Kins...6276220&sr=8-1

If you're a Kenyan or Tarahumara who has spent most of your life barefoot then going barefoot is fine. If you're like most Americans and have weak feet and are not used to running, you should gradually taper down into minimalist shoes or VFFs. Ding otherwise is a sure fire way to get overuse injuries. If you don't heel strike, you don't have to replace your shoes every 3-400miles, since you're not relying on padding to cushion your landing. Also, if you jump from normal shoes with alot of heel lift to neutral heel shoes of VFF, you can really mess up your achellies tendon, since it most likely has been shortened from years of wearing normal shoes.
Kinvaras don't have neutral heels. They are a good transition shoe though, if you don't mind that they wear out very fast. I think more of my friends run in them than any other shoes.

Build slow. Thats all.

Mankind has been running without shoes for millions of years, now suddenly we need shoes? The modern running shoe has been around for about 30 years, a snap of the finger in the history of mankind.

All foot ailment are generally caused by shoes.