PLEASE recommend cheap but good running trainers... need some ASAP

[juicychops]

i have a marathon in 4 weeks and was planning to scrape through with the trainers i have and get some new ones after, but i really think they have had it so need some new ones ASAP so that i can get them well worn in before marathon day

The only thing is i have zero money at the moment so they need to be on the cheap side, but without scraping on quality

I tried the Sweatshop hoping to get some in the sale but there was no sale ones... they all started at £90

Im going to look at Sports Direct as they are cheaper but you obviously dont get the service as most of the staff have no clue, and neither do i which is why recommendations would be much appreciated

i think i need a neutral shoe if that is any help

Have a look on sportsshoes.com (not a typo, you do need the double s in the middle!)
Good range of shoes and prices.
Good luck with the marathon, I'm seriously impressed

I got a great pair in tk maxx, although obviously this is quite hit or miss

Get your gait analysed at somewhere like sweatshop
and see what they recommend. Then look somewhere like sportsshoes or wiggle to find last years model. If you're running a mara in them they need to be right!

Try sports direct online, Windsors shoe's or eBay . xx

I have a neutral shoe and have these www.soactive.com/24410-0838-new-balance-w880v3-whiteblue.html?filter_name=new%20balance

I first bought them in Sweatshop following an assessment but bought a 2nd pair for when the first ones wore out from SoActive. SoActive also have various other trainers on offer around half price so it's worth a look. Can you find a similar model to your old ones?

I can't believe you're actually running a marathon yet looking for cheap shoes

Sorry - didn't finish post

You have to have good/decent shoes for running that distance - and you must know that?

Have you had your gait analysed? You can get insoles for around £45, that you could put into cheaper trainers, if you can't afford decent runing shoes

If you are running a marathon, then you must have run before. Search SoActive, Wiggle etc for what you've had before.

There is no such thing as a "good" running shoe. What might work really well for one person might be totally wrong for you depending on gait, running style, foot shape etc. None of the big name shoes will be "bad" but they won't all be the best for you. I really like New Balance, they fit my feet well; never got on with Mizuno; Saucony ok. But that's me.

I second new balance. Mine were £30 and even my proper athlete friends rate them

Startfitness are always well priced.

Failing that I managed to find a pair of decent Nike (can't remember the bloody name) in decathlon?

I wouldn't skimp on footwear for a marathon! Can you/have you got custom insoles? Dh is only a 10k runner but sad his have made all the difference (getting myself some once I'm not pregnant)!

Good luck

I've only managed 5K, but had to have weeks of treatment at the osteopath because of injury, so I do understand how important technique is - which includes the right shoes

New Balance are great for me, as are some Nikes, but yes, you really need to make sure that you get the right ones for you. I got talked into some Karrimor rubbish by a Sports Direct sales person (was bored and fed up and feeling particularly gullible! ) and ended up with a bad back and creaky knees. I only run 5-7km at a time!

so you are going to do one (at most two) long runs in a new pair of shoes and then the marathon?

good luck

can you get the same as you have now, or as close as possible?

When I was marathon training I bought a new pair exactly the same as my old ones. I really wouldn't risk anything new, I think you'd be better to stick with what you've got.

With the wrong shoes you risk injury or a very miserable marathon.

If you really don't have the money I would keep going with what you have got.

Try ebay. i just got my much lusted after but unaffordable nike running shoes for half the price they are online. brand new in box, i am over the moon.

Gait analysis is so important, even if you do it yourself with a wet footprint on a bathmat it is better than nothing. I started out in neutral shoes and had constant knee pain. It disappeared when I switched to a more supportive pair.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I did the wet footprint test and got some nike running trainers from sports direct. They had good reviews so thought I'd give them a go as they were only £40. Did 7 miles in them this morning and they were fine. Not as bouncy as I was hoping they would be... when I got my maximal they were really bouncy like running on air! But I think they will be ok for now

I have enough time to give them a 40 mile wear in so they should be fine for marathon day. I plan to do a last long run this week and a couple of medium runs over the next 2 weeks, then a few short runs too. Hopefully I'll get used to them

Good luck for the marathon Juicey

Thanks