Are proper running shoes meant to be agony?

[QuentinInQuarantino]

I started running in my old, flat, holey Nike Roshe trainers and completed the couch to 5k but with knee and hip joint pain I decided to buy some shoes which are designed for running in and bought the Nike Pegasus.

I've had to abort the last two runs after 10 minutes because of awful calf muscle pain as well as very sore feet.

They fit and are comfy until I am actually running in them.

(I can't go did a gait analysis as no running shops are open)

Is it a case of wearing them in? Will it get better!? Thank you.

No, they're not. My running shoes have always been the only shoes I can put straight on out of the box and haven't required 'breaking in'.

Is it possible that the new shoes are making you run in a different style? (Longer strides? Or heel striking?) Could you get someone to video you running and then try to take a look yourself?

It's so frustrating without shops open.

No, they shouldn't be agony, and you shouldn't keep running in them if they hurt. I get terrible calf pain with the wrong trainers when I run in them (but not if I walk in them).

Nope nope nope - if they are hurting you they are bad shoes for you. You shouldn’t have to wear them in or be covering your feet with moleskin to prevent blisters. I think it can be useful to see if you run with feet out or in - you can do this by asking someone to watch you run or by running through a puddle and looking at your footprints - then buy a shoe made for that type of gait. Some of my best shoes have been real cheapies - I had a pair of New Balance £30 sale one that were the dogs bollocks.

They're very different because they're full of comfort gel and they're wonderful to potter around town in. It isn't blisters or rubbing, it's more a muscular pain, like when you stretch your calf, and then the foot pin is harder to describe, but a dull ache rather than rubbing or pinching.

Oh no, they weren't cheap and I obviously can't return them. I want to cry!

Why not have a look on something like this www.sportsshoes.com/gait-analysis/ or this www.brooksrunning.com/en_gb/ShoeFinder

They are diy gait analysers and will help you identify the type of shoe you need ie neutral, support etc. If you then need to buy online at least you will be more informed. I’d try a couple to check they are all telling you the same thing.

I googled my Roshe shoes and apparently they are supposed to be terrible for running

My running shoes (3 pairs) are all falling apart. They are cheap Sports Direct things, Nike, Karrimore, Adidas?. They don't cause me any pain. I don't know what's wrong with yours sorry, but not normal anyway.

If I were OP, I guess i would wear them for a lot of walking (say 4 hours at least) & see if somehow breaking them in improved them for running after that.

Dh thinks im just overdoing it as I've been trying to run a bit every day (I don't think he really knows what hes talking about tbh) but I guess i could switch to a long walk in them to see.

thank you, i feel a bit better now. ill try the gait analysis online tool thing this evening and see what it recommends.

no, they definitely shouldn't hurt.

are they big enough? (you need at least a thumb wide space between toes and tip of shoe)

Apparently the Pegasus & Roshe are both considered 'neutral' shoes so I'm not sure that gait analysis is relevant to OP's problem.

Thank you redcandle, yes they fit well, there's space at the end and they are fitting well on the heel. They're delightful until about 10 minutes in and then it's like horrible calf agony.

I did actually buy some €10 Lidl ones and had the same issue hence splashing out on some "proper" ones.

Are the Roshe ok for running? They're very flat inside. I bought them for trudging round cities in. They have holes in now! I also have big chunky air max trainers which I could use but they're not supposed to be for running.

Just feel a bit of a frumpy failure sat here in the bath after my second aborted run!

Definitely do the Gait Analysis as it makes such a huge difference having shoes which have correct structure for your feet.
I over pronate and couldn't run without my Asics Gel Kayano shoes as they are super cushioned for me. Brooks also have great running shoes. I have one Nike pair which are okay but find other brands have more of a selection related to gait analysis.

I did the DIY gait analysis, and I wasn't very sure whether I was doing it right, but my running shoes are lovely - it's so much easier than the old pair of trainers I started in.

No! My running shoes (I use brooks ghost) are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own and don't give me any pain. Absolute nightmare for you that you cant go to a specilised shop and try them all on using a treadmill which is how I hit on these (I don't like any of the asics running trainers for example, which loads of people swear by).

Not sure what to suggest really but if you're a new runner I also wouldn't run every day - if I do this I start to feel really achy and lacklustre. Intersperse the running with strength work, core - weights, pilates, yoga, hiit - whatever you fancy. This will make you a better runner if you have stronger muscles and put less stress on your joints. Also try to run shorter distances faster as well as going as far as you can - I find nike run club really helpful for suggesting 3 or 4 runs which fit together well each week and help you get better (you can put in your speed, goals etc and I find the guided runs stop me giving up on bad days!)

So (clutching at straws) it probably isn't connected to them having all the cushioning and arch when I've only run in loose flat things before? And a case of getting used to that? I did the gait water footprint test on the link and it showed a footprint half way between the one for "cushioning" and the overpronation "support" one, but the Pegasus was suggested as a neutral shoe.. argh.

Asics are the best.

How old are you ? Are you stretching before and after you run ? And doing a warm up and a cold down ?

Oh @Wobblybobblyboo I've just started with the Nike run club and I love it!!!! I started running because I have depression, stress and anxiety and I wanted to treat the physical symptoms of those. It's been amazing, and so now I want to actually get better at it!

Op, physios local to me are open - essential service - and some do gait analysis. Worth having a look if you’re in pain? They can help with exercises as well.

@Travelledtheworld

How old are you ? Are you stretching before and after you run ? And doing a warm up and a cold down ?

I'm 34 but my body feels much older. And no... probably not stretching and warming up enough although I did have a good old calf stretch today before hand to help it, and i do the school run (not in the uk so still doing that) and then run a very long way home, so theres a walking warm up!? I'm actually clueless, having not done any exercise since school really. I use a treadmill and outside but have the same problem on both. I'm also looking for a personal trainer so that might help with overall strength if I can supplement with my own runs. I have so loved my 5k jogs this week (awful times of 40 odd minutes) but I feel like a new woman, big black cloud slowly lifting.

I can't run in any nike shoes. They never seem to support my foot enough. For me they are great for walking round town but for running I'd go for ASICS.

Make sure u are warming up and stretching those calves out before u start running and u can you a gait thing at home get some coloured paper and wet feet and stand on paper see how your arch looks ect u may need more support or a wider shoe xx

Pegasus are neutral. If you need a shoe for overpronation, they won't do. I have a pair of pegasus but i wouldn't run in them. They're a bit crap really, as they aren't great for walking either.

In reply to a pp, Asics is generally very good, but you will need the right shoes.
Brooks is popular with overpronators.

The brand I go towards is Saucony - I wear neutral shoes and they usually last for ages. I also wear Asics and Mizunos. Asics tend to be wonderful from the get go, and Mizunos tend to feel a bit different.

You will probably need to go up half a size in running shoes. Try lacing your shoes in different ways to see if that helps. Running sites will have instructions.

Get the gait analysis done. It makes a difference.

That's a real shame OP. It does sound as though they don't suit you, but it could just be that they are very different shoes to your old ones and your body is taking time to adjust. Nike Pegasus are a real classic that suit a lot of runners so it was a good choice on your part. I would try walking in them, instead of running, see how they go for a few days and then try and run at the weekend.

I wonder what the heel drop is compared to your old ones? I tried the very new crazy price nikes and the drop was really small and I got calf pain!

Fwiw if you bought from Nike direct they have a 90 day return policy even if you’ve worn them...if you join ASICS they offer the same so you can get them and try them!