Help with beginner running shoes please.......

[Surelyshirley4]

Please help me choose a beginner running shoe as I am so confused !! Background, the last time I "tried" to run about 15 years ago(!) I got shin splints but I am now determined that I can be a runner, not someone who has said for the last few years, oh I can't run, I get shin splints... So am going to give Couch to 5K a go to prove to myself it can be done!

Thought after much research I had found the perfect shoe - Nike Lunarglide 6 as says it offers stability & motion control which I think I need for my flattish feet. Trouble is I can't find them for less than about £85 and DH is telling me as a beginner runner I really shouldn't be spending more than £30/40.... Is he right? Am I being fussy wanting Nike and something good to start off with? I'm worried about injuring myself by wearing the wrong non supportive shoes.

By the way, I can't get to any specialist running shops to be fitted as live rurally and abroad so need to make the right purchase online.
Any recommendations for other cheaper shoes that would fit the bill for what I need?
Many thanks in advance for any advice

Your dh is wrong - theres no max you should be spending, though of course its not always necessary to spend loads.

It is a bit of a lottery buying shoes without trying, but if you've done the online guides from the various manufacturers you have a better chance.

Don't forget to order a size up from your normal shoe size

Thanks CMOTdibbler. Why do I order a size up?! I didn't even know that..... So, if I'm normally a 6, I'd go 6.5/40?

I think you should stop fretting about the shoes and internet shopping and actually go for a run. Your first few runs won't warrant fancy shoes at all and you won't get shin splints until you are running proper distances.

Put on your old trainers and just go. Even walking the route first, the build up to running the flat sections.

My advice is to buy the shoes once you are actually running.

Shin splints aren't caused by the wrong shoes, but by doing too much too soon. If you take C2C very slowly, repeating a week if necessary and resting completely at the first pain, you won't get them. If you do too much you will get them regardless of your shoes.

Loads of shoes offer "stability and motion control" which are actually the same thing, but IMO if you can't get to a running shop, neural would be your best bet. You'll do more damage from having support you don't need than not having support IYSWIM, especially as your mileages will be low to begin with.

For C2C there isn't any need to buy expensive shoes IMO. Try MoreMile. Not a fashion brand like Nike, where you're paying for the name and excellent quality for the money. Yes, at least one size up . I go 1 1/2 in most styles. It's to give your toes room so you don't get black toenails, although again unlikely on C2C.

Good point nevergooglebrandybutter! Though still not sure how I'll go about choosing the shoes once I've got in to the running! I'm just paranoid about the shin splints as it was agonising so thought I'd be sensible with some decent shoes.

Thank you Lasalle, will have a look at those. And thanks for the advice on the shin splints, sounds like I just need to go easy to prevent them, makes me feel more positive and less worried about getting them.

I got back to running in January this year. as much as I wanted to go shopping, its wasting valuable running time. I bought new trainers once I was able to run 5k.

I feel the difference and they are a real treat and I feel like I earned them.

FWIW I've run c. 50 miles pw for the last 8 years and I've never spent £85 on shoes, ever.

It's probably not what you want to hear but to walk/run 3 miles 3/4 times a week, it really doesn't matter what shoes you have. As brandybuter says, the main thing is to get out and do it, rather than keep finding excuses to start next week!

Good luck, it's the best thing ever, but I can't emphasise enough how important it is to start slowly. Doing too much too soon is the thing that makes most people decide running's not for them.

Thanks everyone, I will just get out there and do it, tomorrow! And treat myself to trainers when I've achieved something!

that's more like it enjoy.

Shin splints are stress on the tibia, can be caused by running on hard surfaces, muscle weakness etc but also poorly fitting or insufficient cushioning in shoes. If you get shin splints, rest up and recover well. Try to find good trainers asap, otherwise injury might put you off running all together.

You're right butterflies but just to clarify, the injury isn't to the tibia itself but an inflammation of the connective tissue covering the tibia. It's a common misconception, due to the name, that it's some sort of minor fracture or damage to the bone, but it's not.

Poorly cushioned shoes can lead to injury but only really where mileages are high. A sensible beginner's plan where distances build up gradually, like C25K, won't lead to shin splints.

i totally agree with the advice here to get running first.

My daughters run a LOT and they have never been injured touch wood and I have never spent over £50 on trainers for them.

I can't believe running for 28 minutes three times a week warrants 100 quid trainers