Run Run Away

Question:

I’ve recently started running again after a long hiatus. After using my 5 year-old (and well-worn) "Nike Air Max" shoes for the first few weeks with no problems, friends convinced me that I should get a new pair. I got some "Reebok Premiere Road" shoes with a good deal of cushioning, as I have somewhat high arches and tend to pronate a bit too much. In any case, I was starting to feel pain in my feet only 10 or 15 minutes into the run and I figured that I wasn’t getting enough arch support (my old Nikes had two "arch cookies" underneath each insole). I put in some of the heel seat style arch supports, which feel great walking around, but after my first day running with them my feet hurt more than ever. Do you think I just need to break my shoes & inserts in a little more, or would you recommend pulling them out and sticking with only the original insoles? I’m thinking that maybe there is *too much* support now and my arches have nowhere to flex when I land. Also, does anyone have a suggestion for what kind of shoes work best for someone who pronates? Thanks, –Erik

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve recently started running again after a long hiatus. After using my 5 year-old (and well-worn) "Nike Air Max" shoes for the first few weeks with no problems, friends convinced me that I should get a new pair. I got some "Reebok Premiere Road" shoes with a good deal of cushioning, as I have somewhat high arches and tend to pronate a bit too much. In any case, I was starting to feel pain in my feet only 10 or 15 minutes into the run and I figured that I wasn’t getting enough arch support (my old Nikes had two "arch cookies" underneath each insole). I put in some of the heel seat style arch supports, which feel great walking around, but after my first day running with them my feet hurt more than ever. Do you think I just need to break my shoes & inserts in a little more, or would you recommend pulling them out and sticking with only the original insoles? I’m thinking that maybe there is *too much* support now and my arches have nowhere to flex when I land. Also, does anyone have a suggestion for what kind of shoes work best for someone who pronates? Thanks, –Erik

You got VERY bad advice. More cushioning will hurt a pronator like you and I. You need a pair of Asics 2090’s, the best MC shoe on the market today. Do not under any circumstances buy nikes, they are pure, overpriced crap. You can get twice the shoe for a 1/3 less money.

Response:

I’ve recently started running again after a long hiatus. After using my 5 year-old (and well-worn) "Nike Air Max" shoes for the first few weeks with no problems, friends convinced me that I should get a new pair. I got some "Reebok Premiere Road" shoes with a good deal of cushioning, as I have somewhat high arches and tend to pronate a bit too much.

If you pronate, you might consider stability (maybe motion control) shoes. Cushioning tends to aggravate that motion – at least it did for me. I have high arches and overpronate, and even cushioned walking shoes send my feet into a tizzy. Dot — "Success is different things to different people" -Bernd Heinrich in Racing the Antelope

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