Good trainers that can help running with plantar facilities

[NCTDN]

Can anyone recommend any? I'm doing ok for me with the couch to 5k but afterwards my heels really hurt. I'm guessing better supportive trainers would help easy the pain but are some better than others?

If it’s plantar fasciitis and you have it consistently trainers aren’t going to help until you’ve resolved it really. Took a year in my case. A year of wearing silly socks, physio and resting.
I still get flare ups but now use enertor insoles inside my trainers (I favour a brooks trainer personally).

I have PF and the only trainers I can wear to exercise in are the low/minimal drop ones. My fave pair are New Balance Minimus.

Thickly cushioned ones make the PF even worse!

(Good hard sports massage will probably help you - a lot of PF is linked to tight calves and releasing those can ease the tension.)

I had PF, and the only thing that eventually put paid to it (and I still do it to keep it away) is daily massage of calves. Mine seemed to be because my calf muscles were so tight (running made them so much worse 😟), so I had a professional massage to find techniques to be able to do at home - warning it was REALLY painful. I also did exercises recommended by podiatrist, and wore some insoles recommended, but au think it was the consistent calf massage that got rid.

Go and see a physio if you can.

You’ll get so much good advice tailored to you for about the same price as a pair of new trainers.

Ok thanks for the advice. So is it a podiatrist or a physio I need to see?

I saw a physio and a sports massage therapist. I didn’t see a podiatrist but a podiatrist might be more appropriate if you need custom insoles.

I have seen sports masseuse and also an acupuncturist (the intra-muscular dry needling type, not the woo invisible meridians type)

Both were very effective. Acupuncture broke the back of a really bad bout and then I was able to keep it at bay with sports massage roughly once every 2-3 months.

Thickly cushioned ones make the PF even worse!

Yes, when I had PF, my doctor said "firm and supportive" shoes - and he specifically said "Probably not trainers"

But are you stretching before & after running? You need to do really good long calf stretches, and heel drops, and then roll out your feet on a foot roller, or freeze a 250ml bottle full of water, and roll your foot out on that.

Superfeet insoles

I had PF for over a year.
Cured it with Fitflop and Skechers.

I would (did) find a private physio.

Just do it first, before you spend £100s on shoes and insoles that might not work for you. You will get specific advice based solely on your own biomechanics. It’s invaluable.