Looking for Some Shoe Advice

Mick Rice

Despite a decent 10km race last weekend, I've been struggling a lot with shin soreness for the last month or more and am getting very frustrated with not being able to string more than a few decent runs together. This is a problem I've had off and on for many years, and probably as a result, I've had two lower leg stress fractures (tibia and calcaneus) in the last four years. For long periods I've been able to control the problem with some basic orthotic adjustment (heel inserts proscribed by a physio) and shock absorbing insoles (Softsoles) but I've never managed to rid myself of the issue completely. This time around, rather than plowing through, like I have often done in the past, I've been stepping back when the soreness has been bad and am determined not to dig myself a big injury hole that might take months to emerge from.

I'm considering switching shoes, which although it might seem like an obvious move, it's something I havn't done in eleven years. Before my first Dublin Marathon in 1999 I went into Mick Dowling's Sportsworld shop and asked bought ASICS Kayanos on no other basis than they were the most expensive shoe in the shop and in my mind therefore most likely to be the 'best'. Through thick and thin I haven't changed since, which, even as I'm typing it now, seems a little weird given the amount of injury problems I've had. I've never had a proper gate analysis done but my impression is that I have a fairly neutral footstrike. I'm living in Athenry and I don't think that any shops around the west provide this service.

Anyway, what do people think about changing to a more cushionned shoe. I need something that will carry me through fairly high milage as I'm mainly interested in races beyond the standard marathon. Of course I'm willing to do anything that would help resolve the problem in the longer term, but I also need to get back to regular training soon or I'll go completely bonkers. Any advice welcome.

--amadeus--

There are a string of shops opening up now that sell "orthopaedic" shoes and they do a free gait analysis. Thier choice of trainers is pretty poor but it might be worth getting the analysis done there and then phoning the likes of Amphibian King. There is one in Limerick and I would imagine there is one in Galway (green shopfront, in Limerick it's near Aurthers Quay, if anyone knows teh name)

Other than that take the Mrs shopping in Dublin and head up to Runways while you're there - why risk more injury when a day trip might well sort it for good?

dermCu

Without knowing the root cause of your injury problems switching to new shoes could go either way - could get better, could get worse. Its a lottery because you don't know for sure what's causing the problem so you don't know what type of shoes to swap to.

Getting gait analysis done is the easy part. If I was you I'd spend my time hunting down someone (physio, physical therapist etc...) who has a good reputation within the running community.

Even if you get a new shoe that seems to work you'll always have that little bit of uncertainty at the back of your mind wondering if the problem will return.

I understand its the more expensive option and that it might involve travel but look on it as a long term investmen

DustyBin

Hi Mick
I've no medical background whatsoever, and you're a lot more experienced runner than I am, but - you could try the wet test?

In case you haven't come across it before just google something like "wet test foot strike", or have a look at these links:

http://comfsm.fm/~dleeling/department/pefoottype.doc

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319-326-7152-0,00.html

http://www.asicsamerica.com/sports/running/shoeFitGuide.aspx

Not as conclusive as going to talk to a good professional, but it is something that you could try at work / home today?

Good luck with the hunt anyway

toomuchdetail

I've never had a proper gate analysis done but my impression is that I have a fairly neutral footstrike. I'm living in Athenry and I don't think that any shops around the west provide this service.
QUOTE]

Mick , Elverys on the headford road Galway provide a gait analysis , have used it once, have some reservations about the expertise applied (my knowledge is less so cant really judge)but they have a treadmill/camera and a reasonable selection of shoes but not extensive (mostly asics) also footmotion in castlebar have a similar service and offfer the likes of Brooks and New Balance shoes if your looking for a change .
2 places to start possibly.

yop

Maybe its them 100 miles runs Mick that you were doing

I am total newbie on this, but up to last April, 30% fitness and 70% shins I couldn't run more than 10 minutes on a hard surface so all running was done on grass.
If I ran more than 800m on a track I would have been unable to walk with the pain in my shins so I was pretty bad.
About 10 years ago in Limerick I got some "work" done on them with electro pads and that semi fixed it but it didn't last.

With the Gaelforce event in my mind I thought it was time to sort it, I visited the foot clinic in Castlebar, they did an analysis and concluded that I had fallen arches, 250 euro for the test and an insoles. So I went back to wearing them day in day out. But even though it helped it still only got me to 15 minutes of hard surface running.

I was speaking then to a boards member here who queried my shoes and i told him that, as like you Mick, I bought pair after pair of expensive Kaynos since everyone else had them and that they had to be best.
He mentioned that the problem was my shoes and that I should try a pair of New Balance, spent about 100 euro on a pair, can't remember the model but I can find out for you when I get home.

Since then I haven't looked back (probably because in the all the races I am last anyway ) and have not clocked up 400km road work/races/tri's with this and thank God the shins have not played up once.
The soles are much thicker and you are higher off the ground.

What was interesting that 1 night I forgot the NB and had to use the Asics in the car and after 4km I was crippled again.

I have since recommended the NB shoes to 3 other lads who have had shin problems and they too would recommend them highly.

littlebug

Footmotion in Castlebar seem to be only open on saturdays (maybe monday I'm not sure) and after that it's by appointment so it's worth ringing first if anyone is thinking of going there.

Mick Rice

Sincere thanks folks. I really appreciate people taking the time to reply. I discoverred this morning that my regular physio will actually do a gate analysis, which I didn't think she would/could, and so I'm booked in for next Monday to have that done. The more I mull this over in my head the more I think that whatever happens I'm going to have to experiment with different shoes because, even if the gate analysis shows that Kayanos are a suitable shoe for my stride, I seem to have some fundamental issue that they don't appear to cater for.

Thanks again.

Abhainn

Mick Rice wrote: »

, but I also need to get back to regular training soon or I'll go completely bonkers. Any advice welcome.

Going by the 1,000 mile challenge you'd be topping it now if you hadn't these problems! You recent 10k best is not bad either;)

Long shot - Have you tried compression socks?
They may look odd and are seen mostly on triathletes but alot now swear by them. Most of the benefits are muscles related but perhaps that is where your underlying problem is.

Some of the benefits are:

1. improved oxygen delivery to muscles
2. accelerated lactic acid removal
3. stabilization of the lower leg for greater muscle efficiency
4. increased endurance capacity due to the venous return to the heart through a more efficient calf muscle pump

shotgunmcos

--amadeus-- wrote: »

. There is one in Limerick and I would imagine there is one in Galway (green shopfront, in Limerick it's near Aurthers Quay, if anyone knows teh name)

Its called Foot Solutions and they will do an analysis of your foot and give best advice on shoes, orthotics, care etc...

BeepBeep67

My 10 cents worth (in addition to getting analysis and seeing a specialist), I suffered from shin splints when I used to run about 12 years ago and went down the Kayano, motion control and physio route, etc.
I met a bloke at a race who told to try a more cushioned shoe and to buy 2 different brands and to rotate them - TBH I've never looked back, I now buy mainly neutral shoes and rarely wear the same pair for consecutive runs - that works for me.