Wrong Shoes?

Cerlan

Hey people,

Looking for a bit of advice as regards footwear. Training for my first marathon in cork. Using ascis gel nimbus 10s. Didn't go for a gait analysis or anything but a lad in John Buckley's in Cork reckoned I had normal arches and so recommened these. The first pair I had caused no problems. Replaced them a couple of weeks ago with a new pair of the same runners.

This coincided with an increase in mileage aswell. My problem is I'm getting very bad pains in my feet, in the muscles under the arches. Went out with the intention of doing a 20 mile run this morning. Got to 16 and was forced to stop. I felt fine except for the pains in my feet. I was barely able to walk back to the car once I stopped running.

My question is, is this a normal side effect from an increase in mileage as you get closer to the marathon distance or could this be a problem with my shoes?

911sc

No, you should not get that type of pain with increase of mileage (assuming that your increase is progressive).
Gait analysis is defo a good way of knowing if shoes is good from a mechanical view point. That does not mean you'll like the shoes though.

May be try a 20 miler with your old shoes?

New shoes need to be "break-in" slowly. They may be the same type of old ones, but you still need to get used to them. I always find it hard to hang up the old dirky smelly shoes for the new ones. Best is to have 2 or 3 pairs on the go.

How many mile have you run with new shoes?
Are you sure they are the right size?

One thing to consider as well is the type of shocks. I used to do my long distance run with Asics and double socks, no pb. Now i have a pair of Brooks and get the type of pain you describe if i use double socks, but have no pb/blisters if i use them with single socks. So, i think this is down to size/fit.

Cerlan

cheers 911sc, never thought it might be the socks. using 1000 mile ones at mo. maybe it's them.

The runners are definitely the right size. have run around 60 or 70 miles in them at this stage I'd say. Maybe I just got a bad pair. Will revert to my old ones and try and pick up another pair before the marathon. Just bad timing with all the mileage I'm supposed to be doing at the mo....

RJC

I went through kayanos and 2120s with knee pain and blistered arches. I switched to New Balance and while i wouldn't say I have no problems they certainly don't stop me running. So as far as I'm concerned they are my 'brand of preference'. As a result I'm slow to try other shoes but as I get older I think I am starting to consider nikes.

For me the thing I always have trouble balancing in my head is this: how much is down to the shoes and how much is down to the mileage/training load/biomechanical adaption? As a result I tend to spread the blame. That said - run stopping pains set of alarms in my head.

Only you will know the answer but don't run on in 500-600 mile+ shoes as they'll do as much harm as the new ones.