Attn: Runners - Need opinions on getting new shoes.

TheGoodTexan · December 18th, 2007, 08:39 PM

I started a thread several months ago, regarding my considering entering a 1/2 marathon. Since then, I've been a running fool (I already had the second part of that down pat). I'm really getting into it and understanding proper training and strategy.

The original shoes that I bought, New Balance 810, were fine...but I later found out that they're more of a "trail" shoe, as opposed to a street shoe, so they have somewhat less cushion to them.

I've started having a little bit of knee pain (nothing serious), and it's time to replace my shoes anyway. So I've been looking at the New Balance 992:

I have to have a 4E width, and these shoes are available in 4E. I've tried them on and they feel great. The feed back that I've read says that they're made for medium to heavy build runners (I'm 200 lbs) and normal arches (I have normal arches).

So they sound like a perfect fit (no pun intended). Any opinions here?

(Race Day is April 26th)

buddywayne · December 18th, 2007, 08:43 PM

You have my deepest synpathy.

boris bubbanov · December 18th, 2007, 09:02 PM

I had a neighbor who ran, weighing about 210-220, who replaced his shoes every three weeks, or about every 150 miles.
That's radical, but at 200 pounds even a shoe real well suited for you is not going to last real long. I tended to rotate 4 or more pairs, and let them dry out between runs. It would not be a bad idea at all, if you are already experiencing knee pain, to find several models of running shoes and test them out and adopt several pairs of the model or models that suit you best.
Also, if knee pain is already a factor, push way more of your miles off pavement, although I do not recommend trail running at night unless you know every inch of the way.
Take it from somebody who'd still be running actively if I'd spent less hours pounding concrete.

Bubbanov

getbent · December 18th, 2007, 09:03 PM

I'd strongly recommend going to a good running store and listening to their recommendations. Pronation is a key with shoes too... for me I use Brooks Adrenaline's and dig them... NB are great shoes...but different brands kind of specialize in under and over pronaters and size/weight.... I went to a place and was glad I did.

drjordan · December 18th, 2007, 09:11 PM

Have you tried going to a NB store? I'm in a police academy so I've been running more and more (PT's a real doozy). Any way...I had a pair of Saucony shoes (my last pair of those) that were killing me. I went to a NB store that had a computer that I stood on that told exactly what size, insole support, and arch support that I need. My new shoes have been great. I'm a much heavier guy, and I don't run as far. But I'm 250lbs. and run 5 miles around in 55 minutes without pain. More than I can say about any other shoes I've had in a long time.

ednew · December 18th, 2007, 10:15 PM

NB 900 series is a good shoe under normal weather conditions. You don't want to be caught in a heavy rain though--they become VERY uncomfortable seeping sponges.

E

Guitarzan · December 19th, 2007, 11:56 AM

Bruce:

I had NB 992's and changed last year to Mizuno. The "Wave" is recommended by a lot of orthopedic docs.

At bottom it comes down to a personal choice, but you may want to check these out. They are available is wide sizes, but I don't know about yours. The price is great too, at about $85-90.

http://www.mizunousa.com/home04.nsf/running?OpenForm

jimd · December 19th, 2007, 12:16 PM

Getbent is right on. The people at a dedicated running store are usually amazing. They can get you into the right shoe based on your body type and foot strike. And once they know the type of shoe you like they can tell you which of the new models will work for you. Just like a local guitar shop, the extra service might cost you a few more bucks, but the service is worth it.

brillocaster · December 19th, 2007, 01:04 PM

yeah, the above advice is right. A good local running shop will have a wide selection of shoes and the expertise to get you in the right one for you (and there will still be some trial and error). They will have you jogging up and down the store and stuff. I agree that it costs more, but it makes the funnel a lot narrower initially and once you find the right one lots of shops have a club or punch card where you buy 8, get the 9th free or similar.

I hesitate to recommend a particular brand, as I went through about all of them before settling on Saucony, but I hear that lots of people who take a wide shoe end up liking New Balance.

Steveinthesticks · December 19th, 2007, 01:15 PM

I too second what Getbent said. As a marathoner, triathlete, and former triathlon coach, a 'great' pair of shoes recommended by a friend, magazine, etc. that is wrong for my running mechanics in not a great pair of shoes but a prescription for future injuries.

Find out how or whether you pronate/overpronate, then try on all the shoes in stock that suit the combination of your individual mechanics and weight. A good runners store will do this for you. I like to have two different brands of shoes specific to my mechanics to run on alternate days in, the slight difference encourages stability muscle development and allows them to dry which extends their life.

When you know what shoes work for you, you can frequently pick them up new in box on ebay cheap particularly in the winter after new years resolutions are history.

I struggled with injuries when I started doing marathons, as you increase your distances the right shoe and good running form become critical.

Good luck with your race!

Steve

December 18th, 2007, 08:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
buddywayne Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: missouri Age: 62 Posts: 638 6 Photos	You have my deepest synpathy. __________________ 51 luv!!

December 18th, 2007, 09:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,154 37 Photos	I'd strongly recommend going to a good running store and listening to their recommendations. Pronation is a key with shoes too... for me I use Brooks Adrenaline's and dig them... NB are great shoes...but different brands kind of specialize in under and over pronaters and size/weight.... I went to a place and was glad I did. __________________ 'never pet a burning dog'

December 19th, 2007, 11:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
Guitarzan Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hotlanta, GA Posts: 896	Bruce: I had NB 992's and changed last year to Mizuno. The "Wave" is recommended by a lot of orthopedic docs. At bottom it comes down to a personal choice, but you may want to check these out. They are available is wide sizes, but I don't know about yours. The price is great too, at about $85-90. http://www.mizunousa.com/home04.nsf/running?OpenForm __________________ Set an eye on 'em Amos. Make it count, son.

December 19th, 2007, 01:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
brillocaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 750	yeah, the above advice is right. A good local running shop will have a wide selection of shoes and the expertise to get you in the right one for you (and there will still be some trial and error). They will have you jogging up and down the store and stuff. I agree that it costs more, but it makes the funnel a lot narrower initially and once you find the right one lots of shops have a club or punch card where you buy 8, get the 9th free or similar. I hesitate to recommend a particular brand, as I went through about all of them before settling on Saucony, but I hear that lots of people who take a wide shoe end up liking New Balance. __________________ ************************** Make it have many characteristicses of these musical instruments, include the quasi- and generous sound area and vivid key of specially accurate sound to respond, can give musical performance to start out to hear easily thus of voice!

December 19th, 2007, 01:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
Steveinthesticks TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 70	Shoes I too second what Getbent said. As a marathoner, triathlete, and former triathlon coach, a 'great' pair of shoes recommended by a friend, magazine, etc. that is wrong for my running mechanics in not a great pair of shoes but a prescription for future injuries. Find out how or whether you pronate/overpronate, then try on all the shoes in stock that suit the combination of your individual mechanics and weight. A good runners store will do this for you. I like to have two different brands of shoes specific to my mechanics to run on alternate days in, the slight difference encourages stability muscle development and allows them to dry which extends their life. When you know what shoes work for you, you can frequently pick them up new in box on ebay cheap particularly in the winter after new years resolutions are history. I struggled with injuries when I started doing marathons, as you increase your distances the right shoe and good running form become critical. Good luck with your race! Steve

December 18th, 2007, 09:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 8,511	I had a neighbor who ran, weighing about 210-220, who replaced his shoes every three weeks, or about every 150 miles. That's radical, but at 200 pounds even a shoe real well suited for you is not going to last real long. I tended to rotate 4 or more pairs, and let them dry out between runs. It would not be a bad idea at all, if you are already experiencing knee pain, to find several models of running shoes and test them out and adopt several pairs of the model or models that suit you best. Also, if knee pain is already a factor, push way more of your miles off pavement, although I do not recommend trail running at night unless you know every inch of the way. Take it from somebody who'd still be running actively if I'd spent less hours pounding concrete. Bubbanov

December 18th, 2007, 09:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
drjordan Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oxford, GA Age: 27 Posts: 154	Have you tried going to a NB store? I'm in a police academy so I've been running more and more (PT's a real doozy). Any way...I had a pair of Saucony shoes (my last pair of those) that were killing me. I went to a NB store that had a computer that I stood on that told exactly what size, insole support, and arch support that I need. My new shoes have been great. I'm a much heavier guy, and I don't run as far. But I'm 250lbs. and run 5 miles around in 55 minutes without pain. More than I can say about any other shoes I've had in a long time.

December 18th, 2007, 10:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
ednew Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Whidbey Island, WA Age: 61 Posts: 437	NB 900 series is a good shoe under normal weather conditions. You don't want to be caught in a heavy rain though--they become VERY uncomfortable seeping sponges. E

December 19th, 2007, 12:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
jimd Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Age: 42 Posts: 565	Getbent is right on. The people at a dedicated running store are usually amazing. They can get you into the right shoe based on your body type and foot strike. And once they know the type of shoe you like they can tell you which of the new models will work for you. Just like a local guitar shop, the extra service might cost you a few more bucks, but the service is worth it.