Shoe experts? Advice needed

[daubernurse]

Hi WiSH Boards-

I am fairly new to running and working my way up to a 10 k in May. I was doing well~2-3 miles 3x per week with a walk/run approach and decided to go get running shoes. I went to our local running store which is very respectable and was recommended by a few co-workers that run. They watched me walk, checked out my old shoes, fitted, measured, the whole shebang! They said that I am a normal pronator with normal-slightly high arches and fitted me in Nike pegasus shoes, which feel like a dream. The problem is that since I've had the shoes, I've had nagging ankle and knee pain and swelling to both lower legs that has caused me to decrease my mileage and I even took a week off for the pain and swelling to subside. I decided to try a short 30 min session yesterday on the treadmill and once again, both legs are swollen and I have nagging ankle pains again.

I'm wondering if it could be the shoes or if it is just a coincidence that the pain occurred with the shoes. I hadn't increased mileage at all that week, just the run/walk ratio and not by much and since then I have decreased and then stopped.

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks,
Tina

 

[cewait]

Tina
First the Pegasus is a cushion shoe that would work well for a neutral foot. Second, Nike is well known for having higher arches.

It may be the shoe or it may be you had an injury that you did not know of until you changed shoes. What kind of shoes did you come from? Were that really old and hardened?

I am wondering if you may just be in the wrong shoe. If it’s too cushioned or it is pushing you to different mechanics than you are used to then you can suffer the injuries you are talking about. They watched you walk, how about run? I find that there are a few runners who change up their mechanics when they run. I think I would go back with the shoes and describe what you are feeling and see what they say. Don’t be in your face but have them look at you again. They really do want a happy runner leaving the store. Though even the best fitter can miss something every once in a while.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Definitely I would recommend going back with your shoes, if you have your old ones take those too. Usually the running stores are great in working with you to get the shoe that works for you.

 

[daisy2jae]

I'm in a very similar situation to you. I just got started with running on a regular basis Nov 10th. I knew my shoes had over 400 miles so I went to a local running store to get a new pair. After going over things with them they put me in a new shoe. I got home and started breaking them in at the gym. After 10 days I couldn't take it anymore. My knees, shins, and ankles were in pain. I used a heat rub to help and that made a world of difference. I took the shoes back and explained what was happening. I ended up returning them and going to Scheels. I love my new shoes but now have shin splints. I pushed myself a little too hard and increased by speed too fast two days in a row. I got greedy. I now heat rub them before and after each run. I probably need to take some time off but again I'm probably being a little greedy. I use Nike Plus and have goals I'm working towards. But if I don't rest and let the injury heal it's not going to get better. Take the shoes back and see what they think. Not every shoe works for everyone. They will understand and you probably aren't the first person to return a pair of shoes. They may have another pair for you to try. Good luck with your running!

 

[daubernurse]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I'm going to take them back and see what they say.

Tina

 

[John VN]

This might be contrary to proper procedure, but have you tried a short workout with your old shoes to see if the same thing happens. Just because you were fitted and they said the new shoes are the ones you need does not mean they are right.

Take both pair of shoes with you, get fitted again and make sure you run for them this time. Talk with them about your problems and see what happens.

Good Luck.

 

[DisFam95]

We're you in a 'running' shoe before.

I'm a strict walker/speed walker and I always used 'cross trainer' type shoe and before I knew better I found a deal on a 'runner' and bought it and immediately developed shin splints with just walking.

The different types of shoes have very different positioning.

 

[daubernurse]

Just wanted to update everyone! I went back to the store, a different person checked the fit, watched me walk with and without the shoes and then watched me run for a while. He was stumped at first, then he looked at my old shoes. He said the only difference he noted was that my old shoes were laced much looser than the new running shoes. He said that if I was lacing the shoes too tightly, it may cause the "normal" swelling that occurs when running to be displaced to the ankle, causing pressure and pain and then I may be trying to "compensate" for the pressure and pain and running with a poor gait afterwards. He also said that he was grasping for a reason at that point, because the shoes really appeared to be perfect for me. He recommended that I loosen the laces for about a week, and see what happened. Believe it or not, that was it!!! I've loosened the laces, the pain and the swelling are gone

Thanks everyone!