Cross trainers as running shoes

mrcheez

My physio recommended that I get athletic shoes with "better support" than the Asics Gel shoes I have been using.

Recommended flat-soled cross-trainers rather than the typical running shoes I've been used to getting (with the arc in the middle).

e.g. http://www.runactive.co.uk/images/uploads/141%20Asics/Asics-Gel-Cumulus-14.jpg


I like to go running 8km every few days on tarmac, would cross trainers be ok for this sort of running, or should I stick with the Asics Gel for running, and use the cross trainers for everything else (weight-training / walking around / etc)?

siochain

I'd get a second opinion and perhaps if you’re serious about running have a few sessions with a running coach to check your form.

Most physio’s haven’t a clue.

Alf Veedersane

I wouldn't have thought the Asics would be a problem for running but to each his own. Maybe get a gait analysis if you're going to be running a decent distance regularly.

But i wouldn't be using them for weight training. If you're lifting weights, then you need a flat sole.

mrcheez

I'm seeing him next week so I'll reconfirm if he meant flat sole for running as well, or just for all "non-running" activities

mrcheez

interesting

http://www.gizmag.com/running-shoes-damaging-hips-knees-damage/13707/

Suggestion here that flat-soled shoes might be better for running as running shoes encourage you to land heel-first

Alf Veedersane

mrcheez wrote: »

interesting

http://www.gizmag.com/running-shoes-damaging-hips-knees-damage/13707/

Suggestion here that flat-soled shoes might be better for running as running shoes encourage you to land heel-first

Pretty sure Catherina McKiernan is a student of that school of thought. It comes down to technique though as well. I wear Asics but I worked on my running technique so that i wasn't overly stretching out my stride and heel striking but landing the foot when it was more or less under me and more to the middle of the foot.

But the main issue might just be that you should use a pair of runners with a flat sole for weight training. Depending on what you do in the gym, you likely won't need to break the bank for a pair of runners with a flat sole for the gym.

cletus van damme

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

But i wouldn't be using them for weight training. If you're lifting weights, then you need a flat sole.

what about if you do both on a budget of one pair?

Alf Veedersane

cletus van damme wrote: »

what about if you do both on a budget of one pair?

The flat sole runners I use in the gym cost me €7 in Penneys. I bought the same pair yesterday to replace the older ones. They were reduced to €3. Pretty sure a budget could stretch to that.

jlm29

Would you go to a specialist sports shoe shop, and ask their opinion?

chris85

Hope this isnt too off topic but I am new and looking to improve my running technique as feel at the moment my running is not very efficient sometimes.

mrcheez

chris85 wrote: »

Hope this isnt too off topic but I am new and looking to improve my running technique as feel at the moment my running is not very efficient sometimes.

these guys on Parnell St (http://www.runways.ie/store/) seem to be specialised in running and offered to examine my running technique (they have a running machine there)

Alf Veedersane

jlm29 wrote: »

Would you go to a specialist sports shoe shop, and ask their opinion?

In the OP's case I'd wait til the physio had clarified things.

But you can get a gait analysis done for running in a few places now. It's becoming more common. There's a place in Bray that's very good but the name escapes me now. Elverys would do it as well but I can't vouch for either.

rainbow kirby

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

There's a place in Bray that's very good but the name escapes me now. Elverys would do it as well but I can't vouch for either.

Amphibian King is the place in Bray - they have a few other branches too.

mrcheez

mrcheez wrote: »

these guys on Parnell St (http://www.runways.ie/store/) seem to be specialised in running and offered to examine my running technique (they have a running machine there)

Yes, I highly recommend these guys
They went so far as "no, you can't have those" when I was asking about a pretty pair. Funny but very good
They know their stuff, did another gait analysis there recently

mrcheez

I got a few bikes from Cycleways and if their know-how is anything to go by, I might give these guys a go as it's the same owner afaik.

Not cheap, but they seem to know their stuff.

ecoli

I would imagine your physio meant separate shoes for the two activities with PF firmly in mind which is especially common for people relatively new to running/ low mileage base history. The advice seems sensible

If you are looking at getting good advice Amphibian King in Ashtown are probably the best running specialist shop in the country (might sound like an exaggeration but just have a look on the recommendations given on a daily basis on the athletics forum)

Other than that Mick in Elveries on Suffolk St. is someone else who would be worth paying a visit though. Good knowledge of shoes as well as injury treatment/ rehabilitation and one of the few Elveries staff who actually has a good level of expertise

mrcheez

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

The flat sole runners I use in the gym cost me €7 in Penneys. I bought the same pair yesterday to replace the older ones. They were reduced to €3. Pretty sure a budget could stretch to that.

Kind of off-topic (on my own thread!), but Lidl are selling running gear on 29th ... I need to get some shorts and a jacket.

Do the sizes run large or small in Lidl?