picking proper running shoes

culabula88

I am thinking of buying a new pair of running shoes as i intend to start training and doing some proper running.

currently looking at two runners the asics Gt2140 and the asics nimbus gel . The t 2140 has duomax which is supposed to provide arch support. The nimbus doesnt have this , but feels softer and more cushened.

which runner should i get and if i get the wrong one could it cause me achilles or knee or back problems later? How can i check my running style and is there a shop where i can get this tested as opposed to walking with wet feet over a tiled floor.

RJC

I can't give you advice but buying shoes for running is the same as buying them if you are of the fairer sex. Most men buy shoes and wear them until they fall apart. they have a 'good' shoe, a 'runner' and a boot/casual shoe of some sort. If they are especially sensitive they might have a sandal as well. Women on the other hand have shoes that actually match their outfits. If they give them blisters (or the euphemism of 'they just don't work') they'll just wear them less or throw them away.

When deciding on what running shoes you should buy, go to a 'proper' sports shop and not a tracksuit warehouse and get loads of advice from people who also run (or look like they do anyway). Then, buy them, break them in and see how you go. If after all that they don't work (you hurt more than you should and it is not because you have damaged yourself - a whole other world of pain and money) you just have to adopt the attitude of the fairer sex and use them for standing in the pub and go out and buy something new ones that don't hurt.

Most people I know went through this sort of thing when they started running but (men being men) they generally kept wearing the (wrong) shoes until they injured themselves.

One more thing - I have found that most people find a shoe series (the 2140 used to be the 2130 and the 2120, etc) or a brand (I'm New Balance) and they find it works for them and they tend to stick with it. Some people will find a shoe and buy 3 or 4 pairs at a go so they have a whole year or 18 months of consistent running- this is true if you are not a mechanically perfect specimen and need some sort of support/cushioning, etc.

Speed shoes are a whole other thread.

The Rook

I’m relatively new to running and find that every tiny little thing helps me (probably a mental thing on my part), so when I was in London a while back I picked up a pair of Nike Lunaracer. They’re unbelievably light and that’s why I got them .. so I don’t have to spend as much effort lifting up my stupid fat feet as I would if I was in a normal pair of runners. I love them (as in I am actually in love with them).

I ordered a second pair yesterday and can’t recommend them enough.

bagus

Ash (the Australian bloke) in Runways (Parnell Street, Dublin) knows his stuff and spends time picking the right pair for you. If your in Dublin I'd recommend a visit.

big mce

I'd second that suggestion about runways, I got a pair of new balance after a gait test by the austrialian guy and I am delighted with them

culabula88

where can i get a gait analysis done.

Rusty Cogs 08

In uhm Runways maybe, rumour has it there's an Australian guy working there, can't think of his name, hang on, Ash maybe ?

Amazotheamazing

The best place is a shop called Amphibian King in Bray, will do proper gait analysis and recommend a range of runners to suit you.

culabula88

Rusty Cogs 08 wrote: »

In uhm Runways maybe, rumour has it there's an Australian guy working there, can't think of his name, hang on, Ash maybe ?

sorry meant to say , anyway outside of dublin where i can get the analysis done..

blind_hurler

outside Dublin now that covers a wide area

Bloody Nipples

If you're near cork, The Edge sport shop on north main st. do gait analysis.

blind_hurler

Bloody Nipples wrote: »

If you're near cork, The Edge sport shop on north main st. do gait analysis.

or John Buckleys for great advice with lots of experience behind it...

culabula88

anywhere in Galway or Athlone or in midlands where i could get the gait analysis done. also is that runways shop open on sundays?

spurscormac

Not sure abut Athlone, but...

Foot Solutions in Galway, think they are on Middle St, or Elvery's out beside Smyths & the Omniplex both do it.

I went to Elvery's and found it fine, didnt need runners at the time, just wanted confirmation that I was using the right type of runner.
Found it good, guy seemed to know what he was doing - though you might not get as good service at a weekend if its busy.
Haven't been to Foot Solutions, so don't know what they are like.

culabula88

any problems with using stability cushioning shoes as opposed to neutral shoes if i am neutral arch?

ozchick

big mce wrote: »

I'd second that suggestion about runways, I got a pair of new balance after a gait test by the austrialian guy and I am delighted with them

Gotta love those Aussie guys

911sc

Rusty Cogs 08 wrote: »

In uhm Runways maybe, rumour has it there's an Australian guy working there, can't think of his name, hang on, Ash maybe ?

Ash it is, very nice guy who knows his stuff.
It is a pity runways.ie is not a great website.

spurscormac

culabula88 wrote: »

any problems with using stability cushioning shoes as opposed to neutral shoes if i am neutral arch?

The stability cushioning, I assume you mean something like the Asics 1140/2140/Kayano. These shows are for someone who over-pronates.

This term refers to the motion of the foot as you're stride hits the ground, and there are also under-pronators & pronators. To know which it is, you would need to get gait analysis.

Check out these 3 links for an explanation of the different gaits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJQvW7JVqYY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSw-w3LtLUo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pODcT55_7zA&feature=related

There are varying degrees of each gait, so you would need to get your analysis done to figure it out.
Hope that explains it.