Running Shoes

JSJJ388

JSJJ388

GREEN GREMLIN
Joined
Aug 31, 2016
Location
HAMPTONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
I am starting to run and train more, and I am woefully ill equipped for long runs. Currently, I dont own any running or tennis shoes, all I own are boots. I have been running/jogging a mile twice a week for a few weeks now, in my slip on work boots. Fun. Honestly, running in boots doesnt really bother me, but my goal is to be running at least 2 miles daily, preferably 3. Right now I run on the backroads around the house, but I am about to start running in winston as well.

I ran track in HS, but just bought whatever the lady at the shoe store recommended, which was asics. They wore good and lasted well. Looking for suggestions on what to look for and what I actually need. Thanks.
 
JSJJ388 said:
I am about to start running in winston as well.
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No help on shoes. But Salem lake is great. Park at the Linville Road parking lot and go counterclockwise to the dam and back to avoid the hills initially. Once you can do the full 7 miles the hills won't be an issue
 
CasterTroy said:
No help on shoes. But Salem lake is great. Park at the Linville Road parking lot and go counterclockwise to the dam and back to avoid the hills initially. Once you can do the full 7 miles the hills won't be an issue
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Thanks for the tip.
 
I'm a huge Merrill fan personally. What I do is less repetitive running, and more of freestyle Point A-B run, swim, hurdle jump, etc. Going batshit crazy out in the woods in other words. I know theres better out there though.
 
I had to search becaue I knew I posted this before:

Anyone giving you a brand recommendation is just looking for confirmation bias.

Every foot is so different and most (good) shoe manufacturers make different shoes for different feet type.
Even though you say tennis shoes are out, (ignore this part it was about the original post) for the (free) cost it would be worth visiting a running store and having them map your foot and gait.

For example, I have had major knee issues my whole life and have never been able to run for exercise without serious knee and ankle pain. About 2 years ago I learned about foot mapping.
Turns out I have a "super weird" foot.
1) My foot is completely flat. They had me step on an ink pad and then walk. There is no instep missing when doing this. You see an entire foot. Typically folks with a "low instep" will have a 15-20% cut out. So even low instep shoes were killing me.
2) Further compounding my trouble everyone naturally "rolls" their foot in or out when they walk....most flat feet roll inward and most high arches roll outward. The heel of the sole needs to account for this. Well I have a flat foot that rolls out.

There are like 4 total shoes designed for this combo. None of them look very stylish. But I bought a pari of tennis shoes that cost $100 are ugly as hell...and I can run until my lungs give out (so like 80') or stand all day and have zero foot/knee/ankle pain.
 
Go to a running store, look at the cute sales chick in running shorts and buy what they tell you is ideal for your feet. Seriously.
BTW- by running store, I mean a real deal running store. Nothing that also sells basketball shoes.

I used to run in Hoka until I tried on a pair of Altra Lone Peaks (trail running). The Altras have a wide toe box and fit me very well. For road running, I also wear Altra but the Torin.
Altra, Brooks, Hoka among others work well for many people.

EDIT: Oops, forgot we had @jeepin' jen on here today. You can also look at the cute sales dude in running shorts as well. If that floats your boat.
 
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Fleet feet is a great store to go to (if you have one locally) they spent EASILY an hour with me for my first set of 'proper' running shoes. They will watch you walk, watch you run, decide if you need a shoe for pronate (?) or neutral foot strike. Put you in a bunch, make you run, and you choose from those which is most comfortable. Mark-up is probably $20 for a set of shoes.....once you know what a GOOD pair of shoes feels like, you will be equipped to buy running shoes from anywhere in the future.

I grew up in a small town (before the internet), literally every pair of shoes I owned before I was 20 was just whatever the store had in size 13....my world changed getting into proper running shoes.

FYI, running shoes only last 500 miles (less if you are a big guy).......my knees, and hips let me know my shoes are worn out long before the soles are.

Bought my first pair of Hoka shoes from REI recently, very pleased with them, used to be a New Balance guy....but their quality went to SHITE ~5-7 years ago.....soles fall off, seams split, material quality is nill.
 
Just got a pair of New Balance 880v9 that I picked up at Foot RX which is the go to running shop in the Asheville area. Tried multiple brands and styles and they felt the best to me. Everyone’s feet are different and every shoe is different. On thing I found was I have been wearing 1 size to small for my entire adult life by the help of Al Bundy at the store.
 
obullfish said:
Just got a pair of New Balance 880v9 that I picked up at Foot RX which is the go to running shop in the Asheville area. Tried multiple brands and styles and they felt the best to me. Everyone’s feet are different and every shoe is different. On thing I found was I have been wearing 1 size to small for my entire adult life by the help of Al Bundy at the store.
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I wasn't lying about cute sales girls was I?
 
Well He's a Guy.jpg
 
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