The Running Shoe Dilemma
Hope you all are having a great Wednesday. Today is a bit dreary outside, but at least its not freezing cold today. I’m really excited for warm weather and sunshine, whenever that will be!
My posts for the next few weeks are going to be a bit sporadic, so bear with me! I’m going to be super busy with school, work, and other things, and things are going to be hectic!
First, I’m going to share with you my workout from last night. I headed to the gym after work since I wasn’t feeling the weather (dreary + wet), and ran a short 2.0 mile run on the treadmill in 19 minutes. I didn’t push it because my feet were feeling tender from my 10 miler on Sunday. You see, I’ve been having a bit of a running shoe dilemma.
A brief history of my running shoes:
May 2010 – February 2011 – I wore the New Balance 760s (they’ve now been updated to the 860), which were working out great. I went through two pair. However, about four months into wearing them they left me with blisters.
So, I went and got fitted at Fleet Feet, our local running store. They do not have much in my size (8.5 Wide or Double Wide, ahhh fail) so I was left with only the New Balance 850 (the now updated 940) to try on.
They seemed okay so I went with those. Flash forward to the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler and they left my feet in more pain and it had only been 2 months of running in them. Boo!
April 2011 – I ordered New Balance 890s, and they are pretty sweet. They’re lightweight and super comfortable. However, I left my orthotics out and I ran a 5.0 mile race in them and they were great!
(source)
Until I ran 10 miles in them on the treadmill. My left foot (the problem foot) felt like a blister was forming on the ball of my foot. Solutions: 1) put orthotics back in and see how they feel during a run, 2) if they still cause pain return them (sadly) and go back to try the 860, the updated version of the 760.
I have no idea what to do! I like my new 890s so much for shorter runs, but I have to see if my orthotics work in them for long runs.
So that is the story of my running shoes. Shoes are so so so important. I’m really struggling with finding the perfect pair! Fleet Feet never has my size to try on and I’m always afraid of ordering a pair online that doesn’t fit, so I have to send them back, etc. It seems like a pain.
Does anyone have any shoe suggestions? Here are my problems:
- I have super wide feet due to bunions & bunionettes and need a shoe that comes in wide width
- I underpronate
- I have high arches
- I have custom orthotics
- I was diagnosed with planters fasciitis when I was overweight, although now since losing the weight it has mostly gone away
I really, really, need to find the perfect pair!
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14 Comments
Cap2Cap
The 890s look like the Nike Frees I used to have – low to the ground, not tons of support, so great for shorter runs (but not well-suited to a 10 miler on the Mill). I have been wearing some version of the Mizuno Wave Inspire for the past few years – I switch them every 300-350 miles. I like to look at the Runners World guides for shoes so I can search by what I need (under/overpronating, etc).
Jen
i love them for short runs, but i hate to drop another $100 on the 860s for my long runs….no idea what to do…i still have my old pair of 760s to wear if i need to…
Kate @ NaturaStride
Hi! Have you considered minimal running shoes? The decision needs to be yours – and they definitely need to be “eased into”, however I switched over about a year ago and will never go back to traditional running shoes. I started with Nike Free 7.0’s, and worked my way down to 5.0’s, and then 3.0’s. I just switched to the New Balance Minimus 2 weeks ago. I suffered from chronic knee pain for years – and now have none. I typically run 5+ miles in them and also ran my fastest 1/2 marathon last fall in them.
I also have wide feet and used to have plantar fasciitis.
May be worth looking into & researching – good luck!
PS – loved your post on runner’s yoga poses. I’m taking a power yoga class tonight and will keep them in mind!
Jen
thanks! i’ve thought about it…but my feet are so screwed up i’m afraid of doing more damage. i’ve heard good things about minimialist shoes though, so maybe someday!
David H.
I suggest checking out Injinji toe socks first and see if you like them — I got my first pair about four months ago and now run most of the time with them. “Regular” socks just don’t feel right. That being said, if you change your socks, it may change your shoes. For me, I’ve stayed in the same shoes.
I also have dealt with plantar faciitis, but it was only after going to a completely different person to get shoes (it was actually at a race expo) that things changed for me. I went from having inserts and a orthodicts to being completely pain free with that injury.
Hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I could probably go on and on about this topic!
David H. recently posted..From 290 to a marathoner- Meet A Healthy Dad
JoJo
There are a couple of options. (I work for an orthotic provider) I’d recommend the Aetrex line for life longevity of the shoe, they also carry wide and extra wide sizes. The Aetrex shoes can also accommodate your orthotics if you need to put them in your shoes. If you want to go to a shoes tore, I think that Delmar Bootery in Stuyvesant Plaza carries them. You can also check with an orthotic company in the area if they have any recommendations. Let me know if you need some places to check with! Good luck!
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Nikki
I used to wear Asics Gel Keyanos and loved them. Now that I have orthotics, I’ve scaled back to a stability shoe in the Brooks adrenaline. Love, love, love them. I tried on both (and the NB too) and the Brooks felt like I wasn’t wearing anything. Wore them for my marathon in October and got one blister (but none before or after) and will wear them again in my June marathon. Good luck!
Stephanie
I went through almost the same problem! I had bunions on both feet since I was born. I couldn’t deal with the pain anymore and got custom orthotics. After awhile they just weren’t cutting it. I finally gave into corrective surgery on both feet and so far everything has been perfect! Throughout the process it was a pain, but it was honestly the best decision of my life because mine were so bad(I was basically told no high impact exercise for the rest of my life). Since surgery I can run pain free and do any sport without custom orthotics as long as I have a good shoe with the support I need. Before I had surgery, though, I was having some of the same problems that you are. Have you ever tried a mens running shoe? I know it sounds weird but they tend to run wider so there may be more options for you to try. If that doesn’t work I’d suggest trying another brand outside of New Balance. Before my surgery I used to absolutely love New Balance but after awhile though I was having similar problems so I changed to Nike. However, I feel like Nike has changed their foot beds(or because my foot isn’t the same as it used to) and I’ve been running in asics instead. It’s such a tricky dilemma but I hope your situation gets better! 🙂
Mardi
“Bare with you”? Not until the weather’s warmer! lol
I have big feet too, size 10 wide. I have mail-ordered sneakers and been satisfied. I don’t run, though, so my advice goes only so far.
Cynthia (It All Changes)
Have you looked into switching brands? I have Asics and wide width feet.
Also so companies will allow you to return shoes after you’ve had a chance to try them out on the road. Or you can convince Chris to take you to Boston or NYC for a bigger shoe store like Jack Rabbit Sports or City Sports.
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Jen
yes, but i’m afraid of ordering shoes and them not fitting and having to send them back..haha.
elysie
I use roadrunnersports.com. They have a VIP program where you get 10% off all purchases and you can try out shoes that they mail you for up to 60 days and send them back no questions asked. You do have to pay the return shipping and there’s a fee to join the program (I think $25/year) but you also get the discount on all running products (clothes, shoes, gear..).
It was great for me when I was trying out lots of different shoes. I just have to be able to run in shoes to know if I’m going to like them.
By the way, I also have wide feet and high arches and I love Brooks!
Nikki
Right now the VIP program was $1.99 on the web — it’s sweet. Free shipping on your purchases! I get my shoes from roadrunnersports.com too. Though, if I feel the need to try something new, do go to my local Running Room store to buy that first pair.
Courtney
I recommend ordering from zappos or runningwearhouse.com. They both have free shipping and free return shipping. I often order from zappos to try on and send them back, I’ve even ordered 2 pairs in different sizes knowing I’ll send one back. It’s really easy to send them back as long as you keep all the boxes.
If you need more toe box area maybe try a Brooks shoe? I’ve worn different Brooks shoes for years and have never gotten a blister. My one pair of NBs gave me blisters on my toe.