Runners

G-Money

Hello,

At the moment I've started to do a lot of walking to lose weight and improve my fitness. I'm not jogging or running at the moment as the last time I tried that, I tweaked my knee because I was kind of too heavy

The knee is fine now and I'm just trying to get the weight down before migrating to jogging and the like.

I presently wear a pair of Asics Gel Kayano runners when I'm out walking. I bought them a few years ago abroad and they were quite expensive. Someone I know recommended them back then as a good shoe for running. To be honest they haven't had much use until the last month or so, so I don't think they need to be replaced just yet.

What I'm wondering is though, how often are you supposed to change your runners? Currently I'm walking about 2.5 miles per day and about 3.5 miles per day at the weekend.

As I say, I reckon my current runners will last quite a while yet but I just wanted to get an idea of when I'd need to replace them. And also, when the time comes, what make and model should I go for?

Thanks.

Krusty_Clown

Make and model are not generic answers, they are specific to you, and depend on a number of factors, including your gait, foot shape, running style, running surface etc. Best thing to do is when the times comes, visit a running shop (not a department store, or sports clothing chain) and get some advice from specialists.

Most running shoes are good for around 500-600 miles. Typically the shoe manufacturers also talk about a shelf life, but I often wonder is that more about selling more shoes. The way shoes wear down, is that the tread gets worn, the cushioning becomes less supportive, and wear and tear on the shoe itself (ankle cuff, seams, etc) means the shoe doesn't fit as well. I don't believe that walking has quite the same impact (on cushioning) as running, so the life of the shoe should be somewhat prolonged.

RoyMcC

Hi grandmaster, in my personal view there's a lot of guff talked about running shoes. The accepted wisdom is to change them at 500-600 miles. Mine are about to fall apart at 1300 miles and I've had no ill effects. But you might err on the safe side, that's only a personal bee in my bonnet

No one can advise you over the Net about what shoe would be suitable for you. Get some good specialist advice on this one.

G-Money

At the risk of getting flamed, there are running shops? I didn't know that.

Any in Dublin? South County area would suit me best probably.

Aimman

grandmaster wrote: »

At the risk of getting flamed, there are running shops? I didn't know that.

Any in Dublin? South County area would suit me best probably.

You could try Amphibian King in Bray

menoscemo

grandmaster wrote: »

At the risk of getting flamed, there are running shops? I didn't know that.

Any in Dublin? South County area would suit me best probably.

Upstairs in Elverys in Dundrum would be closest to you, but Amphibian King would be more recommended.

Krusty_Clown

grandmaster wrote: »

At the risk of getting flamed, there are running shops? I didn't know that.

FLAME!!!!!

Most of us have gone through the same evolution:
1. Go to local sports shop.
2. Ask pimpled 13 year old for the best pair of running shoes for someone new to running
3. Get recommended some pair of super-gel lightweight, worn by the Gods, trainers, cut down from €180 to €167.
4. Visit boards. Get advice.
5. Visit running shop. Get pair of suitable running shoes (might take a few visits).
6. Wear super-gel lightweight Godly shoes for gardening.

I'd recommend Amphibian King in Bray too.

Brianderunner

For heavier or injury prone runners i would change them every 300/400 miles to be on the safe side.

iceage

Weird thing happened when I changed my runners lastwith roughly 500 or so miles on them. I reverted back to them when doing my last 10K..Just found them more comfortable.

onimpulse

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

FLAME!!!!!

Most of us have gone through the same evolution:
1. Go to local sports shop.
2. Ask pimpled 13 year old for the best pair of running shoes for someone new to running
3. Get recommended some pair of super-gel lightweight, worn by the Gods, trainers, cut down from €180 to €167.
4. Visit boards. Get advice.
5. Visit running shop. Get pair of suitable running shoes (might take a few visits).
6. Wear super-gel lightweight Godly shoes for gardening.

I'd recommend Amphibian King in Bray too.

You forgot 3.a Get injured!


+1 for Amphibian King! I haven't been injured since I started buying my runners there nearly 3 years ago!

G-Money

Amphibian King it is then.

Just out of curiosity, how much can I expect to pay for a pair of runners from them? Assuming they've checked out my feet and have recommended a pair for my foot type etc.

RayCun

Well, you're not doing a lot of miles, so they might be able to recommend cheaper runners, but a lot of runners are in the 100-150 euro range. If you have a lower budget, let them know at the beginning. (If you have a much lower budget, you could ask them on the phone if they have anything in the right price range)

annieee

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

FLAME!!!!!

Most of us have gone through the same evolution:
1. Go to local sports shop.
2. Ask pimpled 13 year old for the best pair of running shoes for someone new to running
3. Get recommended some pair of super-gel lightweight, worn by the Gods, trainers, cut down from €180 to €167.
4. Visit boards. Get advice.
5. Visit running shop. Get pair of suitable running shoes (might take a few visits).
6. Wear super-gel lightweight Godly shoes for gardening.

I'd recommend Amphibian King in Bray too.

Ha ha! Spot on! Happens to the best of us then?

sd2002

I've a related question.
How long/how many miles should it take to break in new pair of runners?
I recently bought New Balance 760s and have been having some shin trouble since. Have others experienced problems when breaking in new runners?

Curl52

It always takes me a few weeks to break in a new pair of runners. A previous pair gave my feet blisters for a few weeks but couldnt afford to get a new pair, waited it out and after a few weeks the skin on my feet had toughened up so was fine.

G-Money

Was just looking at the Amphibian King website. When they are doing that Gait analysis and checking out your feet, do you have to go running around the track barefoot in their shop or something?

I'm trying to avoid jogging and running at the moment until I get my weight down.

I kind of just thought I'd go there, they'd look at my feet and measure them and say "right, you need these type".

Not really sure what to expect when I go...

menoscemo

grandmaster wrote: »

Was just looking at the Amphibian King website. When they are doing that Gait analysis and checking out your feet, do you have to go running around the track barefoot in their shop or something?

I'm trying to avoid jogging and running at the moment until I get my weight down.

I kind of just thought I'd go there, they'd look at my feet and measure them and say "right, you need these type".

Not really sure what to expect when I go...

The 'track' is about 5 metres long, you'll barely be asked to run a few steps.

RayCun

First they'll stand you on a thing to take a print of how you distribute weight on your feet, to get a general idea of whether you're flat-footed or whatever. Then you'll run down the track a few times in different runners to see what your gait looks like. As menoscemo says, it's a really short track. It just gives them a few seconds video footage of your feet as you run, to see how you land and how much your feet roll, and how the different types of runner change that.

If you have a pair of runners that you've been wearing up to now, or sports socks that you'd be wearing for exercise, wear them when you go. They'll take a look at the runners to see if the wear patterns tell them anything, and will ask you how comfortable they are, if you've had any issues etc. They'll lend you socks for the fitting if you need them, but you should wear your own socks if you have some, because they'll be the ones you'll wear with the shoes you buy.

G-Money

Just another question about runners. Is it possible to get a pair with good grips on them?

The reason I'm asking is that I just came back from a good walk there and was wearing my Asics Kayano's. They're not heavily worn or anything but I could feel my feet slipping a bit when I was trying to walk fast. In fairness it had been raining and I guess the ground was a bit greasy what the dew and stuff coming off plants and trees. But at the same time I was walking on rough enough footpaths and not some super slick smooth surface.

Was just wondering if that's inevitable no matter what type of runners you wear or whether it's possible to get ones with better grips.

It was mostly when I was "pushing off" on the back foot that I could feel them slipping at times.

iron_man

'Up and Running' is a pretty good shop too, they video you running or walking on a treadmill and recommend a type of runner. They have loads of different types! And as far as I'm aware ,everybody that works in their shops have a running background.
They have special discounts if your in a running club. I think they have a website. They have a shop in Newry and Belfast!

G-Money

Went to Amphibian King this morning to get a pair of runners. Turns out I over-pronate which I'd sort of suspected. Anyway I've a nice new shiny pair of runners that they recommended which will hopefully keep the injuries away.