Oy. Back to square one. I seem to have a slight issue finding shoes to run in. No, I am not here asking for what kind I should run in, I know everyone has a unique foot and should be fitted at a running store, and I have done this twice. I seem to be a special case because of my foot injury and it is driving me batty not being able to figure this out!
I started out 2012 in Newtons.
I LOVE these shoes. I had no issues in them, ran a half marathon PR in them, and they were super comfortable. But then, in June, I started to have foot pain which I went to the doctor for. At the time I didn’t consider the shoe itself as being the problem, and thought it was just me. However, my doctor told me I did need a more supportive shoe since I have a very high arch and pronate badly. It just so happened that Mizuno had sent me a free pair of shoes, and I used their awesome website to help me figure out which shoe was for me. I ended up with the Wave Inspire which was hopefully going to help.
I ran a few shorter distances in them, and really liked them until i got up to 8-10 miles, and I started experiencing hip pain. I have heard some people say these shoes may have TOO much support wich could be causing this pain. So, just as a test, I ran a long run in my old Newtons and had no hip pain…but my foot hurt, bad. Of course that’s when it hit me that these shoes were obviously contributing to my foot pain, but my Mizuno’s were making my hips hurt. So for race day I had to decide, hip pain or foot pain.
I went with the hip pain because the foot pain is so much more of an unknown, and I didn’t want to “upset” it, while I know the hip pain is just tightness associated with my IT bands. As I mentioned in my race recap, I DID end up with a bit of foot pain during my race, and slight hip pain (but not too bad, however I was on Tylenol) and I thought I was in the clear.
Then, I took my shoes off. I decided not to take a picture because it was gross. Both socks were soaked with blood. Ew. I took them off and found the source, both of my 4th toes were very bloody, on both feet. Well, I guess that means I won’t be wearing my Mizuno’s on long runs anymore. Sad. Luckily, I brought my Altra’s with me on the trip, and wore those around in the parks and had no pain. See, with Morton’s Neuroma, it’s better to wear shoes that let your toes spread out, and Altras have an awesome wide toe box.
Me and hubby in our Altra’s in Disneyland
My “issue’ with Altra is three fold. (The meaning of the box is three fold—FRIENDS anyone? 1.) They give me blisters on my heel 2.) They are a zero drop shoe, which I am not used to wearing, and don’t know if I will be ready to race in them in a month. I ran three miles in them the other day and my shins and calves were on fire. 3.) I don’t know if the zero drop gives my arch enough support.
I thought about wearing my custom orthotics inside my Altra’s to see if that helps but have yet to try it out, I may do that today. I would really really love to find a shoe that works for me and my crazy body!
QOTD: Have you ever had a problem finding the right running shoe, or any workout shoe?
*Please keep in mind I love all three of these shoe brands and am not knocking their shoes, they work wonders for a LOT of people, and encourage you to get fitted and don’t shy away from these brands!
Oh boy, that is a dilemma! Is there a running store that you can go to for a fitting? Good luck! Sometimes I feel like Goldie Locks when searching for new shoes. It takes time but there is a pair out there!
I have been fitted twice at two different stores, what fixes one problem causes another (ex: shoes for pronation too rigid and case IT band pain)
Hi Heather,
that is a huge problem indeed. I recently got some blisters on my heel from new shoes and it was really painful. Running is basically impossible with that kind of pain. It’s not just about running shoes, I think for me it’s shoes in general, and I can’t say I have found a perfect brand yet.
Im cracking up because I have been going through the exact same thing! I’m on my 4th pair of shoes this year…the brooks pure flow. It’s soooo frustrating! I feel your pain (seriously).
good to know I”m not alone!
I have been looking for the perfect shoe for at least 30 years and still haven’t found it. I have gone through a bunch of shoes this year, someday I will find one that does everything I want and so will you. Have you looked at your running form on video to see how you land in the different shoes? That is part of my problem my form is not consistent :-).
the second place where I was fitted does video but the shoes that help my pronation actually hurt my IT bands b/c its too much support.
Oof! Sounds horrible. Thankfully I found Mizuno Wave Riders early on and haven’t looked back. Now, there may be a better shoe out there for me, but so far so good. Fingers crossed you find your match soon!
I suspect that most runners are on a permanent quest for the perfect shoe. I’ve been running is Asics for 15 years, but I still get lured away by shoe promises. I seem to always come back to the Asics though.
I’m sorry you’re having issues with your feet and hips. I hope you find the perfect combination.
I too have a high arch. I am wearing the Brooks Defeyance. I really suggest going to a running store and having them fit you! If you explain the issues you have been having with the shoes you have been wearing they may be able to suggest a shoe. Also, what do you wear when you aren’t running? I have found that I can’t wear really flat sandals, with no arch support, anymore. I have switched to wearing a flip flop style with a real arch from Orthaheel. You may want to think about the effect your every day shoes are having on your feet, legs and hips once you get the running shoes straightened out!
I have done this twice at two different stores. 🙂
Since my foot problem I have been wearing running shoe sin the house b/c it feels like there is a bruise on the ball of my foot if I don’t. 🙁
Hey girl, I too have had problems with shoes too. Ad far as the Altras go, I had to go through 3 different sizes with them to find one that doesn’t give me a blister;(. Suggestion; try the Saucony Kinvara. The only reason I am suggesting it is because I too have hip/ IT problems. And I have bad bunions on my feet. The only shoe that gives me overall comfort is the Saucony Kinvara. The toe base is large but the mid to heel is fitted. I know Saucony let’s you try shoes for 30 days, if you don’t like them you can return them. I hope you can find done comfort in a show soon. It’s a pain dealing with injuries, good luck;) Larisa
Silly question – but have you ever been fitted for running shoes?? That alone saved my feet! I really hope you find your magical prince of a running shoe SOON!! 🙂
yes, twice. 🙂 Due to the multiple problems I have a shoe usually fixes one but causes another, etc.
I have had the same problem…Nike Pegasuses got me through many 5Ks…but they caused some serious foot pain when I tried going any further. So I have Mizuno Wave Nirvanas…and I love them. So far. Haven’t run further than a half in them yet.
Have you tried the Brooks Cadence? I was having all sorts of issues. Switched over to them. Just ran a half marathon in them. I wasn’t sure how that was going to work out since my long runs in them was only 8-10 miles however it turned out well. I love the Cadence
I have a friend who has had major foot issues and has been fit for 1000 shoes, and finally did well with a cross-trainer type shoe. The shoe, with her custom orthotics, and special socks were finally the recipe for a comfortable run. You may just need to mess with the variables a little bit more to find your perfect fit. Good luck. 🙂
Sidenote…my husband grew up on the MS gulf coast. 🙂
I guess I got really lucky with a great local running store. They put me in the right shoe immediately. I’m also lucky in that I have a very neutral gait and naturally land forefoot. However, I do supinate so I destroy the outsides of my shoes. I’ll say that I wear Brooks and LOVE them. I hear wonderful things about Mizuno but I firmly believe it’s not the brand but the right shoe.
I hate shoe issues! I’ve had several tries with different shoes…I’ve tried Nikes, Brooks, Mizunos, New Balance. Finally I got Asics GT 2170’s and I love them! I ran a full marathon in them and had no issues at all! But now…Asics is no longer making my shoe!!! Ugh!!! So like you I am going to be on the search for a new shoe soon. Luckily I have one more new pair of my beloved Asics to get me through the Disney full. After that…the search is on. 🙁
Shoes are a tough thing to nail down. I get sick thinking of how many different pairs I’ve purchased that didn’t work out. I also have very high arches (but do not pronate). I have to say low or zero drop shoes have been a nightmare for my high arches. I would not recommend putting the custom insoles in the minimalist shoes – I ended up with intense foot tendon pain by doing this! Also zero drops should have a super slow transition – like 6 months or so to run more than a few miles (<5K distance).
If you need a wide toe box, I have always thought that Asics were pretty generous (I have the opposite problem – narrow, thin feet). I also had a pair of Brooks Ghost that were wide in the toe box. I currently wear the New Balance 890 and love it. New Balance might also have some options, because they have SO many different models.
I also just read an article that was really interesting – that misfiring/non-firing glutes can be the source of all kinds of pain (even foot issues!). You might want to check it out! http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=26959&cm_mmc=Twitter-_-RT-_-Content-Training-_-HibernatingHeinies&PageNum=1
I ran in newtons for 7 months and they are pretty close to zero drop, so I am luckily not “starting from scratch” with zero drop shoes. I have heard new balance has some wider toe box shoes, I need to do some more research. I am just petrified to spend money on shoes that won’t work ha!
Thanks for the article!
I am so sorry the Mizuno’s gave you problems. I love mine and I know you were dissappointed. At least you do not do long runs every day and can get some good use out of them. Don’t forget you roller to work your IT band. It might help. I have IT issues as well, and hate using the roller (I think that’s what it’s called!) Good luck! You might just do best using different shoes for differenct runs:)
I have been foam rolling every day! I will still wear them on short runs and cross training but no double digit runs!
I know you’ve been fitted professionally, but did you ask the sports doc you saw to fit you? Just a thought! My poor mother has really messed up feet and she brings all her shoes (not just athletic ones) to her podiatrist to make sure they’re OK for her. Sometimes he inserts custom orthotics directly into the shoe. This must be such a pain for you. Can’t imagine how frustrated you must feel. 🙁
I brought my mizunos with me when I went to the doctor and he confirmed my high arches and that I “need support” for them but too much support is killing my IT bands/hips so I’m not sure where to go from here.
Oh my gosh, YES! I have high arches, overpronate on one foot and the other is normal (I have a theory that it’s related to breaking that leg as a child, but that’s another story). Shoes that don’t have enough support make my knee hurt (and why I now have patellar tendonitis) and shoes with too much support hurt my normal pronating knee. I think I finally found the right shoe in my Brooks Trance, but if they ever change them I am back to the drawing board! I also love my LRS because I can return them after a week or two if they don’t feel right 9which I have had to do!)
I think thats my issue with the inspires, too much support is not allowing my legs normal rotation so my hips are hurting!
UGH, yes. This is a huge hassle for me, too. I have two different arches – one is low, one is normal. I pronate. I have IT band issues. One leg is longer than the other. I wish I were making these things up!
I started in Nike Pegasus, which are not meant for someone who pronates as much as I do (moderate pronation). The shoes were encouraging my ankles to basically collapse inward when I landed. Um, no. I’ve been in Brooks Adrenaline since then, and I like them quite a bit. I do walk around a lot in Merrell Pace Gloves, but I can’t run in them, since I need more support than that!
I love being able to talk shoes with people. My non-runner friends don’t get it. 🙂
I hear ya on all the different ailments. I have scoliosis so one hip is higher than the other so my biomechanics are all off which causes a lot of my problems!
I wonder if you might do well in Asics… They seem to have a big selection with a wider toe box and lots of shoes that cater to high arches and over pronating. I love my Asics Gel Fortitude 5 (wide toe box, high arch), but they are for a neutral, large framed runner, which you aren’t.
I actually wore asics before my newtons and am considering going back to them!
I have woes all of the time. I start out thinking a shoe is great but then all hell breaks loose with pains/blisters/blood. ugh. Sorry about your experience! I now only buy shoes from places where I can return them after trying for a bit – Maine Running Co gives me 3 weeks to try out shoes and Road Runner Sports – 90 days!
thats great! I need to check out some policies…
Hi Heather,
I know you’re not necessarily looking for reccomendations, but I’ve recently been running in the Saucony Triumphs and love them! I had trouble with my 4th toenails bruising and bleeding on long runs too in my Mizuno’s and find that the Triumps have a much larger toe box. They are probably middle of the road on support and heel-toe drop (8mm), just thought I’d throw it out there as something to try!
I have the same problem as you, very high arches and I still have not found a pair that provide enough support. I am interested to find which ones you choose. I know I should get fitted at a running store but the closest one is probably 2 hours away (I live in the country) so until then, I’m keeping the ones I have.
oh that stinks. I may try going back to asics, I wore those before the newtons.
Uh oh I hope you find a shoe that works for you! I tried Nike Frees at first and they destroyed my foot, since then I have been using Sauconys (Mirages, Kinvaras and Peregrines depending on the type of run) and I haven’t had any issues.
The Nike Frees caused so many issues with my feet, so I definitely feel your pain!
That sounds awful 🙁 I am sorry that you are having such bad luck with shoes, but you actually answered a lingering question I’ve had for a while. I’ve never actually been fitted for running shoes *gasp!* but recently I’ve been experiencing a lot of hip pain when I go on my longer distance runs…or any run at all. I thought it might be the way I am sleeping, but we just bought a new mattress and I’ve never slept better. Now I question the shoes…
SOme shoes actually have TOO MUCH stability for some people and don’t allow enough movement, so it could be your problem!
I’ve been in the same boat as you, but more for general workout shoes … it’s so hard and really once you’re fitted the rest is just trial and error!
I’m scared because my running shoes have a new version now … I hope the fit the same when I go get a new pair!!
I hate when they discontinue my shoe for a newer model, they never fit the same! boo!
I run in Wave Inspires too! Love them!
I have pretty much a flat foot and my all the tips and advice, should be in a shoe that has control. I tried Mizuno and that was a hot mess. I have Brooks Ghost 5 and wouldn’t ever run in anything different. I know going to get fitted for a shoe is supposed to be the best thing to do, but I have found that was “should” work for me- doesn’t. Sadly, its hard to tell in a short run or just walking around a store in the shoe.
I also vote for Asics! I have massive probation issues as well, and have remained injury free for a decade running 60-70 mpw with them! They are stability, not motion control, so should address your issues with too much support. Nice wide toe box as well! Why did you stop wearing them previosly!
I got a stress fracture in my 3rd metatarsal last November in my Asics. However, I had just run 3 half’s in 22 days so I am sure that was the culprit, but just to be safe I wanted a “clean start” and got a free pair of newtons and decided to try them out and loved them…until June when I started having the bottom of foot pain!
No advice to give, just sympathy. 🙁
That sucks! Have you tried some non-shoe options as well – like new socks, or vaseline on your feet (one of my friends swears by vaseline inside your socks)?
Good luck! xx
Yikes… you are all over the place. I run in Asics Kayanos and have been for over 6 years. I need the support and they are a high stability shoe. I have never had issues. I started in Brooks (i forget which), and they gave me knee issues over 13 miles. Been on Asics ever since. I know people have gone the other way (asics to brooks). Just some info.
I think we have TWIN FEET. Seriously. My dream shoe:
1) good amount of cushion
2) not too stable
3) WIDE TOE BOX!!
I have been running in Nike LunarGlides and doing okay with them. I really want to try the Altras though and they sound like they could be a good option…but I know I would have to take the time to build to a minimalist zero drop shoe. Dang running shoes and all their drama!
do you have high arches? mine are super high and that is the problem with wearing the altras, no support. Asics have a pretty wide toe box so i think I’m going back to them (i chat about why in todays vlog)
I’m so sorry you’re having a hard time with shoes but SO HAPPY I read this post. I’ve always run in Mizunos and I love them but I just switched to the Inspires and I’ve been having bad hip/IT band pain. They’re actually less supportive than the pair I switched from so I figured the pain was from my desk chair/getting back into running after not running at all but I’m still only going 2-3 miles at a time. But…duh. It might be the shoes. Never even crossed my mind. So obvious but it took reading what you were saying to make it click. Thanks Heather!
so glad I could help lol! of course not glad about your pain, but you know what I mean!
I am having major shoe issues too.. I can’t seem to find the right fit. Either too much support or not enough. My feet feel like they are hanging out on the side or my toes are crunched.. My knees hurt or they dont. I can relate with not wanting to drop money on shoes that dont work.. I recently returned a pair because they were so awful. Have you thought about inserts in the newtons?? Might help the foot pain?
Have you thought about just replacing them with another pair of Newtons that are new? Maybe you’ve reached the end of the old pairs life.
those only had 200 miles on them so I doubt that was the issue unfortnately