Desperate help for new shoes

Dawn Cass

Hello...really hoping for some help on running shoes...am at wits end.....

Ran in Asics 1070/2170 for many many years. After IM 2013 couldn't get them anymore so started to try others...settled on Newtons. Got injured end of '13 and didn't race/run much in 2014.

2015...back in the game. Time to try new shoes. Stayed away from Newtons in case any link to injury. Not really happy with options but settled with Asics Kayano size 9.5 and got through IM '15 but shoes never really comfortable, and got massive blisters on toes from the race (too small?)

Determined to get shoes that are comfortable I have now tried many. Most all of the shoes I have tried now are making my feet very painful...not injury painful but awful rubbing painful. Blisters and callous are forming....outside of foot, side of the ball and also inside of foot, also on the ball.

I have been to the PT who says I am have mild over pronation. Got measured at run shop and they say I am a 10, (one foot a bit shorter) normal width.

I have tried:
Hokas one ones. Size 10
Saucony guide (size 10, and 10 wide)
Asics 2000 - 4, size 10.5
Mizuno wave catalyst size 10
Asics Kayano size 10

I have also tried many different types of socks...thick thin smart wool, others.

No combination seems to work. I know shoes are a personal preference however wonder if anyone out there has had such troubles with fit and what you did about it.

Would love to hear thoughts and any help!! I am struggling to run 5 miles without having the sandpaper rub so need a solution!

Steve Ross

Hey Dawn, desperate help for desperate measures not true, but you have a true issue we all deal with in our run career and shoe choice's. As a runner we all have foot to hip issues but the bottom line is to assess what's "best for you". There is so much out on the web that A) Makes your mind up or Confuse's me/you ! Bottom line figure out what type of foot stryker you are, pronator/neutral/supernator. See bottom of shoes. Population, pronators you seem to be confirmed on that. Another thing to think about is the MM drop .Heel drop is essentially a measurement for how fat a running shoe's heel feels. It's short for “heel to toe drop,” often shortened to just “drop.” It's often called "offset," and sometimes called a "ramp angle." Whatever you call it, it just tells you how much taller the heel is than the forefoot. That was a copy/paste. I went from a 2 MM  drop to A 5 mm drop. What I have learned and gained -  find the shoe that fits you and not the buying market. Shoes have a huge impact on your fitness life "find them and don't let go so easily. Two sites I have a lot of confidence with research in without involving the medical world has been: http://runblogger.com/ and http://www.runningwarehouse.com/. Good luck on your research and journey !

 

Francis Picard

had you give a try to the NB ? I had blisters just by looking shoes.. and been on the NB since 3 years and nothing, feet feels perfect. I was also unconfortable and was painfull on the top of the foot.

Last time I went to the store, I bought 10 pairs (thats all they had left of my size to be sure !! hah). I use the 880.

good luck!

Brad Marcus

@Dawn - x2 on everything that Steve says above. What works for one person DEFINITELY does not mean it will work for you. But general advice that I can suggest:

-If you have only mild pronation or supination, I'd lean towards a neutral shoe. Running with a "corrective" shoe can screw you up if it's not needed.
-If you are a size 10, I would consider sizing up to an 11. When we run distances that we do, our feet swell. I measure as a 11.5 and run in 12.5-13 depending on the shoe.
-I can't stress the importance of socks! I've seen so many people spend $150 on expensive running shoes and wear some crappy cotton socks. It was a game changer for me when I figured this out. I use Feetures, which have anatomically left and right socks, which I like. Try a couple brands and figure what works best for you.
-As Steve mentions, Running Warehouse is excellent. Not only are their prices great (especially with the EN discount), but they offer virtually everything and their return policy is superb. I haven't done it often, but when I tried Hokas and realized that they weren't for me, they took them back after me running in them for 2 weeks.
-When the distances ramp up for me and the weather gets hot, I use a little anti-friction glide for the "hot" areas on my feet where I feel I may get a blister. I suggest 2-Toms roll-on, but body glide or others will work too. In the rare instance when I've gotten the beginnings of a blister, I'll use a J & J blister bandaide. You can cut them to size and they work well.
-Lastly, NO drastic changes in heel drop!!! I can't stress that enough. That's a sure way to join the injured list!

Good luck!

Dawn Cass

Thanks Steve and Francis. I am a mild over-pronator so dial myself into shoes that are suitable. After looking at the wear on last year's shoes, it looks like the Kayanos may have been pushing my feet to far out so the shop advised more of a neutral shoe. I did look into the drop of shoes a lot when I was getting into my Newtons. Since then, I haven't thought about it to much. Not sure if the drop of the shoe could be forcing the rub up front? Steve, thanks for the website...runblogger, I haven't come across that one yet and will do some surfing.

Francis - I have never actually worn NB....so with the amount of shoes I have gone through and are sitting in the basement unused, I am willing to give everything a try. The ones you mention, are they on the heavy side?

William Jenks

There is a physical running shoe store in our area that has you put on the shoes and run around outside. At a minimum, that would be a plus, don't you think? Certainly worth a few bucks to buy shoes from someone who let you really try them on.

That said, I completely agree about figuring out what socks work for you as well...and trying something like Running Warehouse (there are others) to buy several pairs and then choose the ones you want and send the rest back. I don't think you should feel guilty about that practice if you buy a few more pairs from them. :-)

Francis Picard

Dawn : yes I think they are on the heavy side of their models

Dawn Cass

William - There is a great shop near me...they sized me and recommend Mizuno Wave. I have 60 days to try them and can return if I don't like them. They have been ok until the last 6 mile run and my feet were raw (again). Only difference in that run vs others was that it was near 80 degrees and other runs in those shoes were at colder temps or on treadmill. I wonder if it's a sock/heat issue more than a shoe.

Thanks Francis - I may still give NB a go just to see.

Mark Maurer

Hi Dawn, 

I have been wearing Newton's since 2010 and I used to have rubbing issues, especially when it got hot, until I started wearing shoes that feel like they should be a 1/2 size too big. The toe box feels really big when I put them on, but at the end of a long run they don't feel so big any more. I haven't had any problems with them when it's cold or on short runs either. Of course it could be socks or a lacing problem. 

Dawn Cass

Brad & Mark...thanks for the comments. Will have a look at the different socks as well as size changes to see if it works. I will have a look at running warehouse as well...I have normally gone to Amazon with free returns. Appreciate the ideas!!

Shaughn Simmons

Another thought might be to consider running form.  Very hard for any type of shoe/sock combination to fix a form problem, especially when extended miles are put in on top of a form issue.

An idea is to have some one record you running after a 2+ mile warm up on a track.  Send the video to Patrick. IMO he is one of the best running coaches around and can dissect that issue as well as prescribe specific workouts for the issue.

At a minimum he can eliminate there being a form issue.

Hope that is helpful DC!

SS

Dawn Cass

Shaughn, thanks for the suggestions/comments. I didn't realise Patrick was available to analyse form on running so will certainly give him a shout to see if any help.

Dawn

Brent Bills

Dawn, I also ran in the asic 2100 series. When they went to the 2000 series many of my friends had issues simalar to what you have described. I did not have the same issues, but I am the only one of my friends that runs in prescription orthodics. I have had hot spots when my feet get wet, but a little body glide foot cream imediatly solves the problem. I don't know how helpful this is, but just thought I wpuld share my experience.