New running trainers - how long until they feel 'right'

[actiongirl1978]

I went to buy new trainers yesterday from a proper running shop. I had the gait analysis done and tried about 9 pairs of different shoes on. The comfiest were the Brooks Pureflow, I ran on the treadmill in the shop and then went around the block from the shop in them.

I wore them around the house all day yesterday and this morning I went for an easy 6.5km in them. Now I expected that as I had gone from a traditional running shoe (albeit completely knackered) that I would maybe get some aching calves from the drop down to the 4mm heel.

I had to rearrange the laces about 5 times to get them comfy as I was running but again I expected this as they are new and need breaking in and I need to find the right tension for the laces.

But I didn't expect to come home with an aching knee! It has been throbbing on and off all day and I just don't know what to do. I love the shoe, I think it could be perfect but as this is only my second pair of running shoes (and the first came off the shelf from decathlon with no advice attached!) I don't know if I should take them back to the shop, try them for another run in the morning assuming it is dry or just keep them and hope my knee is ok.

So seasoned runners, is this normal to feel aches and pains when you change shoe, especially taking into account the drop in heel height, or should I buff up the soles and take them back and ask to exchange them?

Help!

Husband thinks I should try another run in them, but I am nervous about the shop then exchanging them - though surely proper running shops would do this?

I think I know pretty much straight away, I took some back recently (sweatshop, they have a 30 day thing and they didn't care that the shoes were seriously wet and muddy and smelt of horse poo) and swapped for a slightly too-big pair (my feet seem to get bigger and bigger the further I run so I'll grow into them ) but most of my road shoes I just buy online, almost any Saucony incarnation fits me well and feels great, it's just trail shoes I have issues with

if they are worrying you now just take them back, see what they have to say?

it's weird though, I had some mizuno road shoes that felt like cotton wool and memory foam round my feet, they were so lovely and comfortable but I will forever associate them with my calf strain even though I know it was an overuse injury I feel superstitious about any change in shoes

Yep, went in today and mentioned I had the knee pain, they suggested it might be IT band related, suggested some stretches and told me to give it a week of runs then they could exchange them if they still weren't right. I was very impressed actually! (Alton sports, Eastleigh for anyone who is interested!)

I did 4k this morning and it wasn't as bad though they still felt a bit odd, but will give it the week and some stretches. Hoping I don't have the same issue with the trail shoe as I got the matching one, though I can't ever see me doing the same distances on a trail...

I want to get to that point Mitch where I know my shoe and brand and can just trust myself to buy online, but this was my first gait analysis so I needed to bite the bullet this time and can then crack on myself next time.

ouch, never had lasting IT band woes but can guarantee when we are doing something particularly horrible in yoga the instructor will gleefully announce that it is a nice IT band stretch for all the runners

fingers crossed it is all ok soon!

Thanks mitchy, in blooming agony at the moment after nearly making myself sick pushing myself over a foam roller earlier!

I dreamed about my foam roller a few nights ago!

(I never use it, but woke up with tight calves so am assuming I need to reacquaint myself with it)