Running shoes

MUFConelove · 30-12-2009 9:41pm #1

Hi folks,

Im relatively new to running. I want the best pair of running shoes for a marathon i'm running later this year. I have asics gel at the moment but I want the best pair possible.

Can anyone advise on the best place in Dublin to get a good quality pair of running shoes and staff that know what theyre talking about?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Slogger Jogger · 30-12-2009 10:04pm

Depends where you are but best find your way to a specialist running shop e.g. John Buckleys in Cork, The Amphibian King in Bray i.e. not your run of the mill high street sports shops. AK in Bray does the gait analysis on you so you should get the right shoes fit for purpose for your type of running too.

Krusty_Clown · 30-12-2009 10:16pm

There's a lot more to running a marathon than having the best pair of running shoes possible. In fact, there's no such thing as the best pair of shoes. There are only the right shoes for you. As Slogger Jogger pointed out, Amphibian King will certainly point you in the right direction, as will other specialized running shops.

If you're new to running, you should aim to achieve some sub-goals first, like a 5k, 10k 1/2 marathon etc. rather than launching yourself straight at the marathon.

cloneslad · 30-12-2009 10:32pm

I agree with the above. You ould go to a normal sports shop and pay €200 for a 'great' pair of runners only to find out they don't suit your running style.

get a gait analysis done and you will be able to discover what are the perfect shoes for you.

I used upandrunning to get mine done, they have a shop in Belfast and Newry. The analysis was £20 but free if you buy your shoes there (which i'm sure is standard in most specialist shops) I ended up buying a pair of saucony omni8's for £70 which is below what you would pay for a pair of asics / nike etc in a chain store.

Do try get the gait analysis done. Running is a weight bearing sport and you can easily damage your knees, shins, ankles etc if you are not using the correct shoes for your running stride.

MUFConelove · 01-01-2010 3:12pm

Thanks for the advice guys. Might take a trip to Bray on saturday.

Ive actually been training for 6 months now. Been doing a few 10k runs and I have a 10 mile race in Feb and a half marathon in March so hopefully i'll be set for the marathon at the end of April!!

ultraman1 · 01-01-2010 3:41pm

a new pal for RQ methinks

Krusty_Clown · 01-01-2010 3:42pm

Goof stuff. A number of people on this forum who have gone from zero to marathon in a year or less have commented that it's not ideal, as the body hasn't adapted sufficiently for the longer distances. So just watch out for worsening injuries, the symptoms of over-training, and stick to a solid training plan, that increases the weekly mileage gradually and includes recovery weeks.