Official inaugural Tower of Terror 10 miler thread. September 29, 2012

[AnotherPrincess]

I over pronate and my shoes that I have now are heavier than I'm used to. I almost took them back but I got used to them by the third run in them. They are saucony. I had brooks Ravenna 2 and they were super light weight. I loved them til I wore them out. I got the brooks Ravenna 3 and they hurt my feet. Go figure! As far as always over pronating, that may not be true. My most recent sales person said it can correct itself with the right shoe. She wasn't even sure I was over pronating enough to need the extra stability. In some brands I didn't. Also, my old brooks Ravennas were wearing more toward the outside, indicating they were over correcting the problem. So, mine has definitely improved.

 

[LilJennaBell]

For those who overpronate... do you all wear heavy shoes? These don't flex at all. In the end these will be a much better shoe for me. I just really liked how light my other shoes were and how they looked... but.. seriously... I didn't like how my ankles were doing.

Have you tried the Brooks Ghost 4? I didn't realize how bad I was overpronating till I went to our local running store and they salesman showed me the bottom of my Nike Frees. I too was a bit disappointed in the selection but my Ghosts still have a fun pink sole! They felt a bit heavier and even a bit awkward in the store but feel like running on a cloud compared to my Frees! Good luck in your search!

 

[PrincessV]

I have 6 miles scheduled...I guess I could do it on the treadmill at the gym, but I'm not sure what sounds worse...that or the snakes.

Both sound scary, lol! I've only seen a nice black racer so far on my runs, but I know there are plenty of rattlers lurking in our nature park. ~shudder~ I try not to think about it, but then there are signs everywhere warning of them! Right next to the signs saying "Do not feed the alligators."

For those who overpronate... do you all wear heavy shoes? These don't flex at all....

Nope, at least I don't find them heavy at all - Mizuno Wave Inspire 8. 8.8oz. I cannot wear any shoe that doesn't flex well, which took a good many brands out of the running.

But... I'm starting to take a somewhat unorthodox view that overpronation maybe isn't something that has to be corrected/treated by a shoe. Maybe it depends on how long you've been running/walking/ellipticaling/etc. I mean, I've been dancing, walking, running with my "over" pronating feet since I was 5; I feel like my body mechanics have adjusted for that and trying to "fix" the overpronation screws up a host of other muscle groups. Though the Wave Inspires are incredibly comfortable, they do make my left instep and ankle ache because they hold my foot in what's now an unnatural position. I ran in my Mizuno Wave Precicions last night (a neutral, performance shoe) and had non of that. I'm also a mid-foot striker, which feels like it reduces the effects of overpronating, if that makes sense. But when I walk, I roll from outer heel to inner big toe big-time and prefer a good amount of shoe stability. I had a nice discount offer with Road Runner Sports and decided to give Newtons a try, so we'll see.

I guess my point is that there might not be a single perfect shoe for all runs; I'm finding that I like different levels of support and stability depending on distance, how my legs and feet feel, etc.

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

Thanks for all of the running watch suggestions! I went with the Garmin 210 - hopefully she likes it.

 

[Cripey]

Both sound scary, lol! I've only seen a nice black racer so far on my runs, but I know there are plenty of rattlers lurking in our nature park. ~shudder~ I try not to think about it, but then there are signs everywhere warning of them! Right next to the signs saying "Do not feed the alligators."

OMG, alligators! Maybe I need to move out there...my pace would probably improve! I'm usually only worried about kamakazie squirrels. I swear those things sit on the edge of the sidewalk and purposely wait for me to get right next to them before they decide to dart across. I've nearly fallen face first I don't know how many times because of them!

I think I'm just going to hit the treadmill Friday at the gym...I'm just a little too freaked out still...plus, I won't have anyone to call for moral support/help, or have anyone waiting for me to finish...and come look for me if I don't show up...since it's a weekday and the BF will be at work. Normally we'll run the same out and back route where he'll pass and high-five me on his way back and then wait for me at the last corner to run the last quarter mile or so with me...eventhough he's already ran a longer distance than me Must be nice!

 

[PrincessV]

OMG, alligators! Maybe I need to move out there...my pace would probably improve! I'm usually only worried about kamakazie squirrels. I swear those things sit on the edge of the sidewalk and purposely wait for me to get right next to them before they decide to dart across. I've nearly fallen face first I don't know how many times because of them!

I think I'm just going to hit the treadmill Friday at the gym...I'm just a little too freaked out still...plus, I won't have anyone to call for moral support/help, or have anyone waiting for me to finish...and come look for me if I don't show up...since it's a weekday and the BF will be at work. Normally we'll run the same out and back route where he'll pass and high-five me on his way back and then wait for me at the last corner to run the last quarter mile or so with me...eventhough he's already ran a longer distance than me Must be nice!

Yeah, southern squirrels are dumb! I have to admit, I totally run faster every time I pass water, either on the golf course or in the nature park. I've never heard of a runner being taken down by a gator springing out of a water hazard, but there's always a first time, right?!

Know what? I'm going to join you with the treadmill plan. I had yet another debilitatingly hot run last night and I just feel awful today. I'll aim to do my Thurs. short run on the 'mill and my Sat. speed work in my well-shaded neighborhood before sun-up.

 

[Tinker Gal]

If you've gotten the 'more info on the ToT' weekend e-mail, click on the iGift Bag, click on Coupons, there's an offer from brightroom for $50 e-gift card for $30. I clicked the link & it took me to the regular site. I e-mailed them & they said they hoped to have the link available next week to purchase the e-card.

Do you have an experience w/ brightroom? I ask since they're behind on their link (on that e-mail that went out over a week ago) - concerns me a little. I've recently been burned by a non-Disney related race vendor (probably no comparison) but it's made me cautious.

 

[PatsMinnie]

If you've gotten the 'more info on the ToT' weekend e-mail, click on the iGift Bag, click on Coupons, there's an offer from brightroom for $50 e-gift card for $30. I clicked the link & it took me to the regular site. I e-mailed them & they said they hoped to have the link available next week to purchase the e-card.

Do you have an experience w/ brightroom? I ask since they're behind on their link (on that e-mail that went out over a week ago) - concerns me a little. I've recently been burned by a non-Disney related race vendor (probably no comparison) but it's made me cautious.

I had a very good experience with brightroom after the Princess race this year. My only advice would be that if you're patient, wait till this have a promotional discount (usually on holidays) before actually purchasing a package.

 

[AnotherPrincess]

So can you use the $50 gift card bought for $30 deal along with the holiday package discounts you speak of?

 

[Cripey]

I had a very good experience with brightroom after the Princess race this year. My only advice would be that if you're patient, wait till this have a promotional discount (usually on holidays) before actually purchasing a package.

Agreed! I have purchased the gallery download for several of my Disney races from them and never had a problem with it...it's kind of pricey, but when you compare it to what they charge for individual prints, it's a much better deal if you end up with several pics that you like from one race. And definitely yes, like the other poster said...if you can be patient, discounts will be offered through email for several months...sometimes up to 30% I think. Actually they are running a deal now in conjunction with the Olympics, where I think the discount they are offering goes up every day based on the # of medals won by the USA...or something like that, but only a limited # of discounts are alotted per day so you have to jump on it. They still have the Tinker Bell pics from January available so I'm thinking about jumping on that deal for those. I'd email their customer service though about using the promotional gift card on an order with a % off...I haven't had any experience with them on anything like that.

 

[schmcktgt]

annmarieda, i understand about the cute shoes. i have to wear extra wide shoes, especially for running. my work shoes and everyday shoes can be just a plain wide width. but since my feet swell when i run, i need those extra wides. and there is no color choice. so i try on 3 or 4 different styles and pick whichever feels best on my feet. i sometimes feel like i have to suffer twice. ugly shoes for my ugly feet. but the pain of shoes that don't fit is terrible. so i compensate with cute hairbands instead. bicbands are my favorite.

on a running note, it has been hot and humid and we are getting almost daily thunderstorms (always during the time i have free to run - it never rains on a rest day!). so i run on the treadmill. with the air-conditioning and tvs, it's not so bad. the timer and exact mileage count is making me competitive. i am always pushing myself to beat my last run.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Thanks for all of the running watch suggestions! I went with the Garmin 210 - hopefully she likes it.

Yay! Please keep us posted and let us know what she thinks!

 

[annmarieda]

I over pronate and my shoes that I have now are heavier than I'm used to. I almost took them back but I got used to them by the third run in them. They are saucony. I had brooks Ravenna 2 and they were super light weight. I loved them til I wore them out. I got the brooks Ravenna 3 and they hurt my feet. Go figure! As far as always over pronating, that may not be true. My most recent sales person said it can correct itself with the right shoe. She wasn't even sure I was over pronating enough to need the extra stability. In some brands I didn't. Also, my old brooks Ravennas were wearing more toward the outside, indicating they were over correcting the problem. So, mine has definitely improved.

So you gave it a few runs... ok... that makes me feel a bit better. Today's run kinda made me want to cry. It was hot... and I never do particularly well in the heat, and I do have some swelling in my ankles...but with the new shoes I didn't do nearly as well as i thought I should. In fact... my knee is now hurting. (I NEVER have my knee hurt) I wonder if I am like you in that I may not need the extra stability in every shoe. My first shoe wore more to the outside. The second even throughout. It wasn't until this last pair where I started swelling and I could notice myself that I was overpronating just by looking at my feet. Those shoes... I have only ran in 9 times. The almost still look new. But when you think of how many miles go into those 9 times.... not so new.

Have you tried the Brooks Ghost 4? I didn't realize how bad I was overpronating till I went to our local running store and they salesman showed me the bottom of my Nike Frees. I too was a bit disappointed in the selection but my Ghosts still have a fun pink sole! They felt a bit heavier and even a bit awkward in the store but feel like running on a cloud compared to my Frees! Good luck in your search!

Going from running in a minimalist shoe to this heavy one is very hard. How long did it take you to get use to? I felt like I had bricks on my feet almost the entire run today...not to mention they felt hot. (minimalist shoes are great in the heat..can be worn without socks and feel cool)

:
Nope, at least I don't find them heavy at all - Mizuno Wave Inspire 8. 8.8oz. I cannot wear any shoe that doesn't flex well, which took a good many brands out of the running.

But... I'm starting to take a somewhat unorthodox view that overpronation maybe isn't something that has to be corrected/treated by a shoe. Maybe it depends on how long you've been running/walking/ellipticaling/etc. I mean, I've been dancing, walking, running with my "over" pronating feet since I was 5; I feel like my body mechanics have adjusted for that and trying to "fix" the overpronation screws up a host of other muscle groups. Though the Wave Inspires are incredibly comfortable, they do make my left instep and ankle ache because they hold my foot in what's now an unnatural position. I ran in my Mizuno Wave Precicions last night (a neutral, performance shoe) and had non of that. I'm also a mid-foot striker, which feels like it reduces the effects of overpronating, if that makes sense. But when I walk, I roll from outer heel to inner big toe big-time and prefer a good amount of shoe stability. I had a nice discount offer with Road Runner Sports and decided to give Newtons a try, so we'll see.

I guess my point is that there might not be a single perfect shoe for all runs; I'm finding that I like different levels of support and stability depending on distance, how my legs and feet feel, etc.

I am such an inexperienced runner.. I would have no clue what shoe to wear under different conditions. All I know is that my new shoes didn't seem to help me a whole lot over all today.

annmarieda, i understand about the cute shoes. i have to wear extra wide shoes, especially for running. my work shoes and everyday shoes can be just a plain wide width. but since my feet swell when i run, i need those extra wides. and there is no color choice. so i try on 3 or 4 different styles and pick whichever feels best on my feet. i sometimes feel like i have to suffer twice. ugly shoes for my ugly feet. but the pain of shoes that don't fit is terrible. so i compensate with cute hairbands instead. bicbands are my favorite.

on a running note, it has been hot and humid and we are getting almost daily thunderstorms (always during the time i have free to run - it never rains on a rest day!). so i run on the treadmill. with the air-conditioning and tvs, it's not so bad. the timer and exact mileage count is making me competitive. i am always pushing myself to beat my last run.

Your comment about suffering twice made me giggle.... cause sooo how I feel. Like it isn't enough that I am all swollen and my feet are gross and my time is getting worse... but now I have to wear big clunky shoes? To be fair and honest, the ones I got are not HORRIBLE to look at... but they are not anywhere near as comfy or cute as my old shoes or any other kind of minimalist shoe on the market.

Also... I too am always trying to beat my last run..even though I only shave off seconds per mile... I still feel better if my over all time per mile is less each time. Due to all my ankle woes my time jumped back up to where it was a month to two months ago. VERY discouraging.

 

[annmarieda]

So new question... if one buys a pair of shoes and then runs in them, are stores good about taking them back? And if so does it have to be after one run..two..?

I ran today in my shoes I got a couple days ago. I just don't feel "in love" with them.

1. My knee hurts. At about mile one it started to hurt and now really hurts. I am icing it..but I have never had knee problems with any of my other shoes

2. I kinda hate that the laces on these are not long enough to actually tie into a bow. When I came home I had to have dh help me get them off since they had to be tied in a square knot to run in - which worked fine..they didn't come untied - but at the end of the run being tired, I didnt want to be stooped over trying to get them undone.

3. They are hot. Since these are not minimalist shoes, they have all sorts of padding and thick sole... and by the end of the run I felt like my feet were on fire.

4. They really are heavy. I felt like I had bricks strapped to my feet a good amount of my run. Parts though, I did lose that feeling...so I figure I will get used to the weight.

5. They are stiff. The don't even flex much in the toe. I think this adds to the "running with a brick" feeling.

So I can recognize that I probably will become accustom to #4 and #5..probably #3. And I could get new laces. (I assume there are longer laces) Or... could I just skip some of the eyelets and only partially lace them in order to make the laces "longer"? The main concern I have is the knee pain. Is that something that will go away? Maybe just caused from them being new.. not "broken in"?

I really don't have a long list of "love" for these shoes. I guess I could say that I do like that my ankles seemed more supported. However, with the swelling down in them, I think I do not overpronate quite as much so I am not sure how much of my lack of ankle pain has to do with the shoes and just the fact that the ankles are not nearly as swollen as they were just days ago.

Thanks again for letting me rant and ask questions

 

[AnotherPrincess]

Yes, they will take them back. Most stores are very generous with this. As I understand it, the manufacturer will reimburse the running store. I hate that anyone has to eat the cost but that's just the nature of the sport I suppose. I'd take them back. Yes, mine felt fine by run 3 but I don't think it's even supposed to take that long. I was going to take them back but just couldn't find the time. I still had to run in something and my old ones were shot. It was sort of the lesser of 2 evils. Then it just worked out somehow. The knee pain would for sure concern me and I think that's something they need to know about. Of course, I'm inexperienced too so take it for what it's worth. Lol

 

[JRM393]

Feeling a bit discouraged... I have been having more and more trouble with ankle swelling. I went to doc and she decided my insulin levels were too high causing edema..so put me back on my medication at a low dose. It helped only slightly.

Then the heat got pretty bad over the last few days and after today's run my ankles looked so gross.. Just standing upright caused a crease in the skin near the shine because they were so swollen.

Add in that my time/mile has almost increased by a minute and I figured I should go in for new shoes.

The minimalist shoes I was wearing... well, apparently are not for me. I am now overpronating. (my previous shoes that I started running in, I didn't overpronate and the wear was super even) Now though, even just standing in my shoes my ankles tipped inward.

The first pair of shoes the salesgal brought out felt like I strapped bricks onto my feet.

The next pair, not too bad.. but really unattractive.

The third pair felt the best..weighed the least and are not horrible to look at (but not super cute either)

For those who overpronate... do you all wear heavy shoes? These don't flex at all. In the end these will be a much better shoe for me. I just really liked how light my other shoes were and how they looked... but.. seriously... I didn't like how my ankles were doing.

The sales person said I will always overpronate. This makes me sad too... no more cute light weight shoes for me?

Ok.. off my pitty box. I realize it makes me sound so silly and vain. "cute shoes"

thanks for letting me share...

I've been reading these pots now for a few months, decided maybe i'd start to join in!

It might be a little different, since I am male, and personally don't care what my shoes look like. I overpronate and wear some heavy running shoes, the Brooks Adrenelines. They take some getting used to, it's not really an easy transition especially if you've been running in minimalist shoes, they are going to be about double the weight. I've been running about 2.5 years, so im still fairly inexperienced I guess when it comes to actual running, but I kept trying different pairs to see if they felt better. Another thing you can do is go onto runners world and they have a shoe finder or shoe guide on the site. You can look up the shoes you have, and then look up comparable shoes. Since you overpronate, you'll just want to look for stability shoes. They give you all the specs for the shoes too (including weight). Since it sounds like you are trying to go as light as possible it may be something to look into. I saw you posted some other stuff as well with different questions here later on.

Your knee may hurt because you are now going to be running different, if you were in minimalist before, and now in stabilty your running form may be off, so your legs may be working differently. It may take some time to get used to them, you could also try wearing something like a knee brace to give yourself some extra compression

That runnersworld shoe site gives you other specs too and reviews. It sounds like you are looking for light and flexible, I think it gives you the specs on them compared to other shoes, so you can maybe look to compare a few different types and then see which ones may suit you best and go to the store to look.

Also, I know my running store has a 30 day return policy, if you don't like em, just bring em on back. Their motto is they aren't happy until you are, hopefully your store is the same!

I'd say if your knee pain continues, go see a doctor, When I first started running (and i've always run in stability shoes) I had knee pain, so maybe it's just running in stability shoes that can cause knee pain? But at this point I don't need to wear a knee brace, don't know if it's because im used to running in those types of shoes now or what exactly. Good luck though!
(sorry for the reply, especially my first one!)

 

[annmarieda]

Yes, they will take them back. Most stores are very generous with this. As I understand it, the manufacturer will reimburse the running store. I hate that anyone has to eat the cost but that's just the nature of the sport I suppose. I'd take them back. Yes, mine felt fine by run 3 but I don't think it's even supposed to take that long. I was going to take them back but just couldn't find the time. I still had to run in something and my old ones were shot. It was sort of the lesser of 2 evils. Then it just worked out somehow. The knee pain would for sure concern me and I think that's something they need to know about. Of course, I'm inexperienced too so take it for what it's worth. Lol

I feel bad taking them back. I also feel like I was a bit rushed when buying them. They gave me three options... and I liked this one the most, but my dd (who is 22) was getting frustrated that she was watching my 7 year old. I wanted them to go to near by stores.. but she was done and brought her into the running store..so I felt like I had to be done.

Thanks for the response. I will watch the knee pain.

I've been reading these pots now for a few months, decided maybe i'd start to join in!

It might be a little different, since I am male, and personally don't care what my shoes look like. I overpronate and wear some heavy running shoes, the Brooks Adrenelines. They take some getting used to, it's not really an easy transition especially if you've been running in minimalist shoes, they are going to be about double the weight. I've been running about 2.5 years, so im still fairly inexperienced I guess when it comes to actual running, but I kept trying different pairs to see if they felt better. Another thing you can do is go onto runners world and they have a shoe finder or shoe guide on the site. You can look up the shoes you have, and then look up comparable shoes. Since you overpronate, you'll just want to look for stability shoes. They give you all the specs for the shoes too (including weight). Since it sounds like you are trying to go as light as possible it may be something to look into. I saw you posted some other stuff as well with different questions here later on.

Your knee may hurt because you are now going to be running different, if you were in minimalist before, and now in stabilty your running form may be off, so your legs may be working differently. It may take some time to get used to them, you could also try wearing something like a knee brace to give yourself some extra compression

That runnersworld shoe site gives you other specs too and reviews. It sounds like you are looking for light and flexible, I think it gives you the specs on them compared to other shoes, so you can maybe look to compare a few different types and then see which ones may suit you best and go to the store to look.

Also, I know my running store has a 30 day return policy, if you don't like em, just bring em on back. Their motto is they aren't happy until you are, hopefully your store is the same!

I'd say if your knee pain continues, go see a doctor, When I first started running (and i've always run in stability shoes) I had knee pain, so maybe it's just running in stability shoes that can cause knee pain? But at this point I don't need to wear a knee brace, don't know if it's because im used to running in those types of shoes now or what exactly. Good luck though!
(sorry for the reply, especially my first one!)

Thanks so much for the reply. I think I will try another run in them to see if they are better. They were the lightest of the ones the store gave me to try on. I just am not sure any stability shoe will feel light to me. It makes sense though that maybe my legs will be working differently...but I am going to watch the knee pain. My doc.. I am not sure she would be of much help if I went in with knee pain. She wasn't quite sure what to do about the edema. She put me back on my medication..but only at a quarter of what I was previously taking. It helped some.. but it didn't completely go away. I increased my dose and now my ankles finally almost look normal.

 

[JRM393]

I feel bad taking them back. I also feel like I was a bit rushed when buying them. They gave me three options... and I liked this one the most, but my dd (who is 22) was getting frustrated that she was watching my 7 year old. I wanted them to go to near by stores.. but she was done and brought her into the running store..so I felt like I had to be done.

Thanks for the response. I will watch the knee pain.




Thanks so much for the reply. I think I will try another run in them to see if they are better. They were the lightest of the ones the store gave me to try on. I just am not sure any stability shoe will feel light to me. It makes sense though that maybe my legs will be working differently...but I am going to watch the knee pain. My doc.. I am not sure she would be of much help if I went in with knee pain. She wasn't quite sure what to do about the edema. She put me back on my medication..but only at a quarter of what I was previously taking. It helped some.. but it didn't completely go away. I increased my dose and now my ankles finally almost look normal.

If your doctor isn't all that helpful, look for a sports podiatrist in your area. They might be a little more helpful. I found an article online about knee pain, always worth taking a look at (it won't let me post it because I have under 10 posts, but you can look up articles on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome which is also called "Runner's Knee"

Not sure about your experience, running history and all that, but obviously could be any number of things. Best suggestion if your knee doesn't get better, certainly go see someone.

 

[annmarieda]

If your doctor isn't all that helpful, look for a sports podiatrist in your area. They might be a little more helpful. I found an article online about knee pain, always worth taking a look at (it won't let me post it because I have under 10 posts, but you can look up articles on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome which is also called "Runner's Knee"

Not sure about your experience, running history and all that, but obviously could be any number of things. Best suggestion if your knee doesn't get better, certainly go see someone.

Yeah, if it doesn't get better I will get a referal from her to a sports medicine doc. I suspect the knee is just because of the new shoes...

I will have to do a little reading on "runners knee"

Thanks so much

 

[jeanigor]

DP wants to get decent running shoes. He suggested going to Dick's Sports. I politely chortled and said we'd visit a running store to see what they suggested. I've never been looked over by the pro's there, so we both will see what they have to say.