Can anyone point me to some running shoes?

[EduStudent]

So, I've decided to take my life in my hands and give the couch to 5k a go. However, I need some running shoes.

We have a big family history of dodgy feet, knees and backs, so I went into the sports shop in town yesterday who did the gait analysis thingy and as suspected I overpronate quite a lot. I tried on some Asics which were the supportive ones, and they helped a bit but I could probably do with a bit better support. However, as I'm only just heading out and not in any kind of athletic way, I don't want to spend too much.

In the shop, they didn't have any that were supportive enough and fitted. The Asics 7 was a bit too small.

So, can anyoone with a tad more knowledge than me suggest which shoes I might want to look at, where I could look online and if I've got a hope in hell of getting anything half decent for less than £50? I will love you forever.

I overpronate a lot too. New balance are my favourites, but I can't recommend any particular style number I'm afraid. You could try looking in tkmaxx, but make sure the style you buy is a stability shoe.

These were the ones I got, my link will probably not be good.

www.asics.co.uk/running/products/gel-virage-women/

Really comfortable, although i did get them half price and i cant remember where from. The only thing is they come up a tad small. I tried my friends, the next size up, and they were perfect.

There are bargains to be had in the sales but I think you really should hunt them out in the shops and try them on. You could look up shops' websites and see what they have in stock and phone them up to put them aside for you try.

If you can up your budget to £60 you'll get a lot more choice.

If you're a 7 try a 7.5 or an 8. It's pretty common to size up in sports shoes. You could also try mens shoes - usually made a little wider, so have more space inside for the same numerical size.

Whatever you buy, wear them around the house for several hours before you go outside in them. That way you'll get an indication of any problems and the shoes would still be clean enough to take back if necessary.

You need to try on loads to find ones that fit. I got mine from Sports Direct aftger trying on a lot. The New Balance and Asics size 7 don't fit my feet, I ended up with a lovely pair of Nikes for £59 which was more expensive that the other shoes I tried on.

I recommend you go to Sports Direct one morning mid-week (first thing in the morning, before the masses get there), they are all labelled as to what type of support they offer, and there are good discounts to be had and a wide enough selection that you will find a good pair of shoes.

GIve yourself enough time to try on lots, and afterwards you might need to regain your sanity in a darkened room with a coffee for surviving the hell that is Sports Direct.

Ah, thanks everyone. I tried Sports Direct in Bham Bullring earlier but had to run away before I started weeping. Terrifying shop, I've only just about recovered. My local one is much more civilised.

Glad to hear New Balance are recommendable, they definitely seem to be on the cheaper end of things

Will have to try and brave Sports Direct again...

Sports direct is full of smelly people with B.O. who look like they have never done a days exercise in their life!! Think overweight in trackie pants and footie shirt.
I hate it but brave it for the boys gumshields and stuff.

Ah, it wasn't the people, it's the fact the shops got a double height ceiling, is packed to the rafters and the shelves make an incredible maze.

Pick your Sports Direct carefully. I fear the staff in in my local one wouldn't know an actual running shoe even if Usain Bolt was wearing it...

When I went to the Asics shop in Oxford Circus they made me run on a treadmill and filmed me - there were lots of beautiful people around and I was wobbling all over the place - mortified!

Anyway I overpronate and they sold me the extra supportive ones which I find really comfortable. Think they were about £90 though

Can you get to an Up and Running shop. They were very helpful when I did the gait analysis. I think I ended up with Brookes trainers.

You need to go to a specialist shop eg Up and Running not a sports fashion store. Some names mentioned above but obviously the area you live may have less choice. New Balance are a good make, Asics are popular and Nike do a great range but you may be paying extra for Nike

I was just about to say birmingham runner is where i brought my shoes paid £38 for them and had a foot analysis done there is one Shirley and one sutton coldfield.

Good tip I got when starting out was buy something fairly neutral but supportive - I went for Nike Lunar Lites (around 60 quid) and loved them - then see if you can get some supportive insoles from Boots or similar, which are usually v. cheap; I got great ones from Lloyds Pharmacy. This tip was from a member of staff in Up and Running because at the time I wasn't sure I'd get very into running. I did, that was 2.5 yrs ago, and tho I've now upgraded the Lunars are still in good enough shape to be used on the odd day. But if you get into running and get going over 5k then do upgrade your shoes.

Thanks everyone, I've gone with some New Balance ones from Amazon as nowhere seemed to have anything in my size in store. I'll make sure to give them a good go round the house first

This does mean I've actually got to start running though... Bollocks.

Running is great! once you get over the first couple of weeks when you feel like you're going to die
You'll enjoy it eventually
:)

I think it's might take months,rather than weeks.