Footsy 101, School is in session, Discussion Topic.

[tigger2esq]

when I first started running I had all sorts of problems. I was running in a pair of nikes I got at I believe Dicks or Foot Locker. shin splints, blisters, PF. you name it. I then went to a small local running store, got personnally fitted for shoes (who knew I was an over pronator--heck back then when he told me I had no idea what he was talking about! LOL!) I got my first pair of Saucany's, got refitted a few years later at a marathon sports in boston. and I am happy to report that I ahve 2 marathons under my belt and I finished BOTH with very tired legs but with ZERO feet probelms. I was shocked. not a singhle blister. I wear the thin asics running socks and swear by them.

 

[princessrunner]

First on the sock issue, I have to highly recommend the Injinji toe socks that everyone raves about. I bought my first pair about a month before the half and was AMAZED at how well they work. Under 10 miles I wear a New Balance performance elite sock which is really thin. What I like best about the Injinji sock is that the top is padded thick which is where I get my blisters.

On the PF and feeling like your heel is splitting thing, I had that. I wore my orthotics and when I ran any mileage at all I thought I was doing more damage. I finally gave up my orthotics (yes Great Panda, I did it) and ran the half without them and I was not sore and had no pain during the run. The reason....Saucony Trigon 5 Guide shoes. The arch on the outside is hard as a rock and I CANNOT pronate, no way, now how. I am sold on these shoes. I actually asked for help at my local sports shop (we have no local running stores where I live) and these were recommended. I always bring my last pair of running shoes and left the orthotic in them and the Saucony's were superior by far.

Try on every shoe in the store is definitely good advice once they determine your foot type and what you need in a shoe. Have them get out every one that is for you and try, run around, jump up and down. And my only other piece of advice is put your old shoe on one foot and the new shoe on the other and do all the above before you decide. High mileage requires support. I also remember someone (I think it was Charles) recommending 2 pairs to rotate because it takes a day for the footbed to come back into shape.

So much great advice on this board, it is hard to take in all of it!!!!!!!!!! You are all the best!!

 

[escape]

Would an experienced pro want to offer some advice for me?

I'm just starting to run but do aerobics almost daily. I have shoes that work well for that but just got a new pair of shoes for running in. I'm not sure they're going to work out well and want your advice on what to do.

I'm currently seeing a podiatrist for plantar fascitis. I have prescribed orthodics that I use all the time. I took my orthodics to the store to try on with the running shoes to find the right shoe for me, but I did it on my own. Didn't think it would be worth the $$ to go to a real athletic shoe store. Now I'm rethinking that.

My podiatrist said to get New Balance for me, which I did, as I have a wide forefoot and NB seems to run wider in the toe area. Because of the orthodics I ended up getting a shoe half a size larger than I usually wear.

When I run my left shoe feels pretty good but my right feels like the heel is slipping some. I'm questioning whether to wear two socks on that foot? Or do you have other lacing advice for me? I've got the loose heel, the orthodics for super high arches, and a wide forefoot to contend with.

What would you do?

Here's an article from Runner's World that might help with the heel slipping problem:

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=482

I actually use the top method to secure my feet. Instead of looping back through the same hole, my shoe actually has another opening/hole (some call it a runner's hole) toward the top/side that I loop through. This method has worked for me and other runners I know.

As for spending the extra $$ at a running store, I highly recommend it. Your feet will thank you for it.

 

[Cruella de mom]

IMPORTANT: Black toe nails and blistered toes is caused by a shoe that is to small in the toe box. If you love the shoe and you get black toe nails, go a half size larger. What is causing the black nails is the toes hitting the front of the shoe, especially going down hill.

Um, not always. I had two toenails that were injured in the half marathon last weekend. One toe on each foot. They were fine all through training and I was not wearing new shoes nor going down hills. I think they were injured because I cut my toenails too short. I know, it sounds wierd. I knew they were injured after the half and they hurt the first few miles of the full then quit hurting. The nails have since turned black.

However, if you are a new runner and your toe nails hurt, I would definately get your shoes evaluated.

I get professionally fitted for every single pair of running shoes. I might pay a few dollars more, but it is well worth the cost to have happy feet and knees.

Cecilia

 

[tigger2esq]

I second the having 2 pair of shoes and rotating them. I always have at least 2 in the mix. One is my "breaking in" pair (that I will use for races etc.)and the other my "wearing out" pair (for my longer training runs etc.). when the wearing out pair is ready to get tossed, I get a new pair and they become my 'breaking in pair (for short runs/racing) and my "wearing out" pair that is already broken in becomes my pair for longer or messier runs.

its nice if I run 2 days in a row the one pair has time to recover and dry out etc.