Best runners for long distance/marathon running

Cuchulain

Hi,

Ive just started training for the 2008 (yes really 2008) Dublin City Marathon. I currently doing about 8 miles in 1 hour on the road.

However my footwear is terrible and I need to buy a new pair of runners before my ankles/knees and hips grind to dust. Im willing to spend anything circa €100 on a good pair of runners.

Ive heard asics are pretty good. Anybody have any manufacturer recommendations or even a model number?

Many thanks in advance.

hawkwing

I use asics 2120, cost 115 euro, but depends on your foot type. Way cheaper in the states if you are going shopping there.

deadlybuzz

Cuchulain, IMO, it would be best that you speak to a specialist (if in Dublin area, then suggest Sportsworld, Terenure, or Arnotts Running Shoes dept), as the correct shoe for you will depend on your foot type, weight, mileage etc.

Asics are good, but not necessarily better than Adidas, Saucony & other brands, however they cover a good range of runners for most foot and mileage requirements. Best of luck.

damianmckeever

Hey Cuchulain,

We provide Full video Gait Analysis, we have a look at you running up and down our track and video the footage. We then have a look at what type of shoes would suit your foot type. All the staff that work here are trained profesionals mainly Physio's sports Therapists and Physical Therapists they all run as well which helps!!

We have pretty much the widest selection of brands in Ireland Asics, Brooks, Saucony, Mizuno, Inov8, Nike, New Balance in various different width fittings as well. We are based in Bray Co Wicklow which isn't too far from Dublin if you're in the area. Our shoes are priced at or below receommended retail price. Someone mentioned the 2120 earlier at €115 we do that shoe at €110 but it's not really the price that seperates us it's more the service we will spend a good 20-30 minutes of dedicated time with you.

Hope this helps,

Damian.

rovers_runner

Cuchulain, a good pair of asics will do you fine (2120 or even 1120 are a bargain) there are plenty out there.
You don't need to spend money on checking your stride if you can run 8 miles in that time.

Probably just stress from not stretching and warming down properly, also use plenty of ice and elevate the legs where possible.

Cuchulain

Thanks for the replies guys. Im down the country Damian so a trip up to Bray would be too much of a trip but thanks alot for the info. If Im ever up around Bray I'll drop in for the assessment. I just dropped down to my local Champion Sports and bought a pair of Asics 2120 for €115.

Thanks for all the help guys.

damianmckeever

Hey Cuchulain,

Glad you got a pair of shoes, the 2120 are a really popular shoe, with a good mixture of cushioning and support.

Rovers Return- Just to let you know we don't charge for the Gait Analysis it's part of the service and like I said the shoes are priced at or below RRP. So there's no harm in getting your gait checked. Asics make some great shoes but if Asics suit everyone you might want to talk to some of my customers who can't run in an Asics shoe because it blisters right under the arch due to a poor fit.

If Asics were the only shoes out there then that's all I'd stock and any technical running store would do the same, it's different strokes for Different folks. Obviously Asics work for you but it is a personal thing.

Damian.

irelandsown

hawkwing wrote:

I use asics 2120, cost 115 euro, but depends on your foot type. Way cheaper in the states if you are going shopping there.

I'm going to the states next week and am hoping to pick up a few decent pairs. Anyone any recommendations for any particular sports stores? I'm heading to Texas and will probably visit some of the outlets in San Marcos.

rovers_runner

Ditto as above for Orlando, I'm thinking the chain outlets like foot locker will still be much cheaper than here ? around $60 a pair of decent running shoes would do the trick nicely.

Will probably pick up some gear for the winter over there too.

For example Foot Locker Outlet:
http://www.footlocker.com/catalog/advancedSearch.cfm?module=topNav&action=keywordSearch&search=k&keyword=asics#page:2

ZiggyStardust

Hi,
You'd probably be better off going to a store that specialises in running. Not sure about san Marcos, but there is a chain of stores called run on I went to in dallas which I found very good. The staff were very knowledgable about the shoes and you can book a gait test too. Didn't get this done myself although I did buy 2 pairs of NB shoes there.
You would probably have to travel to Austin or Houston to get a specialised running store though. From my knowledge of Footlocker in Dublin (can't speak for them in the states though), the staff haven't a clue.

Dave