Newtons causing hamstring pain?

Dawn Cass

Hello all, posted something similar in injury with no success...so will have a go here.

2013 season was injury free, ran in asics until Sept IM successfully. Wanted to try new shoes after the race so got a pair of newtons. Ran full marathon in them in Nov and continue to use them today (actually have 2 pair to alternate/keep tread.)

Ever since October time frame, I have had a very tight left hamstring. I completed the marathon just fine but with any long run, it seems to be sore after.

Running on the treadmill, in newtons doesn't cause the pain however.

Anyone else out there have hamstring problems with newtons? If not, any ideas of what is causing...and how to get rid?!

Appreciate help.

Dawn

Al Truscott

Two guesses…the Newton's have altered your mechanics in some subtle way. And/or the Newton's are improving your mechanics, and allowing you to use more of you muscle as you run. If the Asics you ran in had a relatively large heel/toe ramp (the difference between the height of the heel and the height of the toe), your body may be having a hard time adjusting. Newton's, depending on the model, have heels which are 0-4 mm higher than the toe, while some Asics models can have as much as 12 mm difference. The most common disruption people who switch to a lower ramp find is in their achilles tendon/calf area, but the hamstring might your weakest link.

I switched from Asics to Newton's about 2008/9, but I had been gradually reducing the heel/toe ramp over a couple of years prior to that (not from any grand plan, but in an attempt to run in lighter weight shoes; I didn't learn about the ramp significance until after I'd switched.) I've since moved on to Saucony Kinvaras and Virratas, mostly because they are much cheaper, and a little lighter, but with the same 0-4mm ramp.

What to do? My personal rule is, if a certain shoe is making things worse for me, I stop using it, and move on to find one which doesn't mess me up. There's obviously no one size fits all prescription for this, as our bodies and our feet and our capabilities are all different. IMO, though, the less structured and the lighter the shoe, the better it is for me, as long as it protects the bottom of my feet from too much pounding.

Robert Sabo

I have a hard time blaming the newtons but changing your shoes back would answer that question. I have been using Newtons continually since about 2008/9 like Al but have never left. I also developed a hamstring issue since a few weeks after IMLP 2013 and I am still treating it. I have since aggressively refit my bike to lower the sit and place less stress on the hamstring. I have been thru PT twice, tried extensive rest, ART, and PRP injections and now I am building myself back. So you can change your shoes and that would be the easiest thing you could do but you should look into some other things as well. Over kicking with fins can also be a culprit.
Hamstring strengthening/stretching as well as glute and hip stabilizer exercises. Stretch glutes, pyriformis and hip flexors. ART and PT would be the place to start.

William Jenks

Good advice here already.

Typically, when people report strain from Newtons, I don't hear hamstrings. I hear calves/achilles.

Your remark about Newtons and treadmills is interesting. I also run in Newtons, but I avoid them on the treadmill, because the combination does sometimes lead to soreness due to the change in stride inherent in a treadmill.

Dawn Cass

Thanks all for the advise. Honestly I love the newtons so am hoping they are not to blame. I may try asics for a bit but now having gotten used to forefoot running, a little nervous to go back to the traditional shoe. Will certainly try some of the exercises as well in the meantime.

Dawn Cass

Thanks all for the advise. Honestly I love the newtons so am hoping they are not to blame. I may try asics for a bit but now having gotten used to forefoot running, a little nervous to go back to the traditional shoe. Will certainly try some of the exercises as well in the meantime.

John Bayone

If you are used to fore foot to mid foot, I like the saucony shoes. For me they fit well, and recently having hip flexor and now a hamstring issue is not fun. It started around the end of the year when I started running on treadmill a couple times a week so now I am avoiding the treadmill and trying to be outside when possible, even doing a warm up on the bike in the house before going outside. Do far with that warm up it has helped a little.
Good luck.

Dawn Cass

Thanks again for more input helps! New pair of shoes coming so let's see. No chance it's swimming as I am in OS and haven't been in the pool for months (still feels odd!) biking, doesn't affect it. Short runs...no problem....it's the long-ish runs that are a killer. Started some exercises tonight so let's see. Half marathon in less than 3 weeks so would love to figure this out! A race is not until Madison IM in September so time...but don't want to waste it either!

Dawn Cass

Thanks again Al. Am thinking about trying the Saucony. From your experience, what is the difference in the two models you mentioned?

Al Truscott

Posted By Dawn Cass on 07 Apr 2014 09:26 AM


Thanks again Al. Am thinking about trying the Saucony. From your experience, what is the difference in the two models you mentioned?

The Virrata and the Kinvara are basically the same basic shoe in terms of shape and upper. The Virrata is about an ounce lighter, with a slightly softer sole and heel, so the bottom is a bit more flexible. Most important (in my mind), the Virrata has Zero difference between heel and toe heights; the Kinvara has 4 mm. Also, for me, the Virrata heel wears much faster than the Kinvara, limiting my to less than 200 miles, compared to 400+ for the Kinvara.

They are both marketed has a "natural" shoe meaning lower heel, more flexible, more akin to barefoot running.

I found I preferred the Kinvara as it (a) lasts longer and (b) the 4 mm heel rise is just enough to prevent bad calf pain after long runs for me. They both cost less than $100 full price, which is my cut-off for considering a shoe, given that I go through 3 pairs a year.

Dawn Cass

Thanks Al, helps a lot!! I am inclined to go with your choice and see how they fit. My current newtons are 3 or 4mm rise now so like the idea of something similar. Will give them a run on the treadmill before committing and see how it goes. ;-)

Thanks again.

Dawn Cass

Hello Al, thanks for the feedback.  I am inclined to follow you and give the Kinvara a go and see how they fit.  My current Newtons have a 3 or 4mm rise so like the fact that it's similar from that point of view.  I used to run in Saucony however has been probably 10/15 years or so since I had them.  Myself, and my training were a completely different animal way back then, and don't think "natural running" was a big deal!  ;-) 

Thanks again!