Wow wonder if we have the same running store LOL! I had a very similar experience. I'd always worn size 9's in New Balances and after I stepped on the plate thing they have, they determined my correct size was 8.5. When I put them on, they were uncomfortable and elt like they were suffocating my feet but they told me that was normal and to run in them. So against my better judgment thinking they were the experts, I did and before the end of mile 1, I had blisters and hot spots forming all over my feet. I've never had a pair of running shoes where I blistered so much so fast - I don't usually blister at all with the right shoe. I tried to take them back and they would not accept a return since I'd worn them (for less than a mile, no dirt or wear/tear on them at all) and were reluctant to allow me to make an exchange. I got Brooks Ghost 3 shoes and have been in them ever since (well, not the same pair, but that's what I always buy). And no blisters from day 1! They don't make those anymore so I'm back to the drawing board and due for shoes soon.
Wow, ugh! This may be harsh, but I think a good running store should absolutely accept a return of shoes that have been run in and work with you until they find a shoe that works for you. I know my local store gives you 30 days and guarantees their sales 100% with or without a receipt. I've only returned a pair once for an exchange in size, but it is good to know their policy is in place.
I've never had my foot scanned, but for what it's worth, here's why my local store doesn't use scanners: (pasted from their web site)
ScannerMany people wonder why we don't use a "foot scanner" that you can step on to determine what shoe or insole is right for you. These computerized scanners, which are being installed in drug stores and superstores, show your foot's pressure points and arch type. It's a fancy way of doing the "Wet Test": wet your feet and stand on a surface, like a brown paper bag, that leaves a visible footprint. The wider the band that connects your heel and ball, the lower the arch you have.
Your arch type effects your biomechanics and is an important component of choosing the right shoe for your foot, but it is only part of the FIT story since at least 20% of people's arches act differently than they "should". Here at Fleet Feet Sports, our FIT Process has three main components that help us define your foot and make the best shoe recommendations for you: foot morphology, biomechanical assessment and "other".
Foot morphology is a fancy way of saying that we analyze your foot size, shape and arch type. This is done by visually looking at the foot statically and dynamically (important since you are in motion when you run!) and taking multiple measurements with an old-fashioned Brannock device. This helps us to choose the right size shoe and shoe brand since each shoe company fits a certain shaped foot better. That is why your friend may swear by his Asics shoes, but they cause you pain.
Next, we examine your biomechanics by determining your arch flexibility and doing a gait analysis (either watching you walk barefoot or with our video gait analysis software). This tells us if you overpronate, supinate or are naturally efficient which in turn, governs what type of shoe (neutral, stability or motion control) you need, as well as the curvature of your shoe's last. Key here is arch flexibility since a rigid arch needs extra cushioning to help attenuate the shock produced when the foot hits the ground at forces of 2-4 times body weight. Whereas, a flexible arch disperses shock better, but all that flexibility in the mid and fore foot can cause overpronation which stresses and torques your feet, shins, knees, hips and back causing its own host of problems.
Finally, we take other special considerations into account like your gender, weight, training surface, weekly mileage, injury status, orthotics and structural deviations in the foot like bunions and extra bones. We put all this data together and bring out 2-3 pairs of shoes that we think will fit you best. Don't be surprised if one of those first shoes feels amazing - it means that we did our job right!
When you think about it, the foot is a marvelous structure. It has 28 bones (including the sesmoids), 33 joints, 112 ligaments, plus tendons, nerves and blood vessels that work in unison to support, balance and propel your body. No two feet are exactly the same nor do they always fit into a specific category. Don't cheat your feet and let a computer scan recommend an orthotic or running shoe for you. An injury is going to cost you a lot more, monetarily and mentally, than a good pair of shoes. Invest in your feet. Let our Fit Professionals teach you about your feet and help you find the perfect fit. We guarantee it!
Another Princess for some early morning silliness. Did you also get the race retreat?
I started in corral B and finished in just under 2 hrs, so I probably missed a lot of the traffic heading out. If you plan on not making a mad dash for the car like I did and actually enjoying the festivities, maybe stash some baby wipes and deoderant spray in the car along with a change of clothes just in case the traffic looks bad so you can poke around Epcot and wait for it to die down? Of course that would mean park admission, so I guess that could come into play depending on your plans.
I was forced to walk so much of it, not to mention repeatedly pull over to stretch, that I ended with an average 16:20/mile pace. Before being injured, I was solidly sub-12:00, so this is incredibly disappointing. There's a timed 10K near me Nov. 17, so I'm just hoping I'm well enough to do that and nail a decent pace to submit for the Princess. Fingers crossed...
