What shoes do you run in?

[Woosta]

SNIPPET:

Dr Daniel Lieberman, professor of biological anthropology at Harvard University, has been studying the growing injury crisis in the developed world for some time and has come to a startling conclusion: 'A lot of foot and knee injuries currently plaguing us are caused by people running with shoes that actually make our feet weak, cause us to over-pronate (ankle rotation) and give us knee problems.

'Until 1972, when the modern athletic shoe was invented, people ran in very thin-soled shoes, had strong feet and had a much lower incidence of knee injuries.'

Lieberman also believes that if modern trainers never existed more people would be running. And if more people ran, fewer would be suffering from heart disease, hypertension, blocked arteries, diabetes, and most other deadly ailments of the Western world.

'Humans need aerobic exercise in order to stay healthy,' says Lieberman. 'If there's any magic bullet to make human beings healthy, it's to run.'

The modern running shoe was essentially invented by Nike. The company was founded in the Seventies by Phil Knight, a University of Oregon runner, and Bill Bowerman, the University of Oregon coach.

Before these two men got together, the modern running shoe as we know it didn't exist. Runners from Jesse Owens through to Roger Bannister all ran with backs straight, knees bent, feet scratching back under their hips. They had no choice: their only shock absorption came from the compression of their legs and their thick pad of midfoot fat. Thumping down on their heels was not an option.

SOURCE:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/hom...shoes-waste-money.html

MY THOUGHTS:

I'm just starting to get into running, so I guess I shouldn't be going for the expensive trainers. Right now I'm just using some Nike Basketball shoes but will go for some el cheapo pair of Nike Airs. What do you run in?

 

[slayer202]

I'd say most sneakers probably are ok, moreso the stuff actually meant for sports

 

[BudAshes]

i think people are just bigger wussies and complain more about injuries now a days.

 

[Megatomic]

There have been more than a few of these convos over in the H&F subforum. There are as many opinions as there are posters. I personally wear NB sneakers, but I'm looking for some nice long distance trail runners atm.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I don't know if I would agree with that assessment. Couldn't it just as likely be that because of changing lifestyles that the excess weight (and generally lack of exercise) be the cause of the rise in knee problems, not the other way around? Its just a simple fact that people don't get out as often, and when they do, they generally are not as active as they used to be (for many, going out is their form of relaxation so they take it easy). This will build up over time, and so people who do try to get in shape find it more difficult because they have a lower base level and so if they push themselves they're more likely to suffer injury. I'm sure it is true of a lot of people, but I don't think I'd say shoes and/or trainers were the leading cause.

I've been running in some New Balance cross trainers. Just last fall I started to make myself get out and walk/jog/run, and after being so lazy and getting so out of shape for so long (and being probably 50lbs overweight) it was slow going and my legs hurt. After a couple of months they still hurt (sorta like shin splints), and I figured out it was a variety of factors (was not training my legs well enough when I do light weight lifting, was pushing for too high of a pace, I was striding wrong, and it was really cold which was hurting circulation to my lower legs).

 

[TheVrolok]

I run in a fairly generic puma running shoe. I'm not a huge distance runner or anything though, so I'm not putting miles and miles on these things.

 

[Woosta]

Since I'm still trying to decide, would anyone like to pitch in? I'm a 11.5, but these are shoes I like and while some of the 11.5s are out of stock ( though I can probably find them from another outlet ) - but if you could give your opinion?

http://www.runningwarehouse.co...scpageMRS-AADZRPR.html
http://www.runningwarehouse.co...scpageMRS-NMFR5BB.html
http://www.runningwarehouse.co...scpageMRS-NMZVICY.html

 

[alkemyst]

First if you think you have any kind of foot alignment issue see a doctor first. Also I'd go to a local runner specialty store and get fitted properly at least once.

If you are serious on running (covering 5 or more miles a week) the risk of giving yourself a repetitive stress injury is pretty high if you are wearing the wrong shoes...then you will be sitting on the sidelines for a long while.

I don't know about that article but I am willing to bet those percentages are the same for any person serious about athletics. You push yourself you get hurt sometimes. The difference is is it a serious injury or one that just ice and a good night's sleep can take care of.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
If you are serious on running (covering 5 or more miles a week) the risk of giving yourself a repetitive stress injury is pretty high if you are wearing the wrong shoes...then you will be sitting on the sidelines for a long while.

Really? I've never been much of a runner, but 5 miles a week is risky?

 

[shortylickens]

I use regular Aasic running shoes and have never experienced problems.
Never owned any fancy cross-trainers or basket ball shoes so I cant comment on those.

This doc make sense to me, but I'm not doing anything wrong so I have nothing to change.

 

[videogames101]

I just buy a plain pair nike running shoes, $50 and they last for years.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: alkemyst
If you are serious on running (covering 5 or more miles a week) the risk of giving yourself a repetitive stress injury is pretty high if you are wearing the wrong shoes...then you will be sitting on the sidelines for a long while.

Really? I've never been much of a runner, but 5 miles a week is risky?

Didn't say it was risky...said you risk injury more if you are not running properly or in the right shoes.

Personally I can't run more than 1-2 miles a day if I have to run on concrete. After about a week of that my joints start hurting. I can run pretty much unlimited on asphalt/roadside.

I am not running now, but I used to run 30-45mins everyday covering 3-5miles+

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: videogames101
I just buy a plain pair nike running shoes, $50 and they last for years.

How much do you run? You should replace them about every 300 or so miles at best. I used to move my old running shoes to lawn work duty.

 

[nerp]

Humans are designed to run. Barefoot. There are more than enough examples of people who train barefoot and run without shoes and have had less problems than with shoes.

 

[vi edit]

Or it could be our otherwise sendentary lifestlyles making us weak and any strenuous exercise results in injury.

Or it could be higher rates of diagnosis.

Or it could be that there more people running now.

Or it could be that the people that do run try to do too much too fast without building a foundation.

Or it could be that even well prepared people are actually overtraining.

Or it could just be that our training methods have put too much empahsis on strenght and not enough on flexibility or durability and we're too strong for our bodies. How many knee tendo blowouts happen in the NFL now vs. 30 years ago?

Technology and training methods are pushing bodies further than they have ever been able to go and in mass numbers over who used to be able to do it. Just look at the constant breaking of world records in various olympic events.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: nerp
Humans are designed to run. Barefoot. There are more than enough examples of people who train barefoot and run without shoes and have had less problems than with shoes.

The problem is that we aren't raised barefoot and it's not really tolerated in a typical civilized society(no shoes, no shirt, no service). Trying to do it on nights and weekends when you run isn't going to end well. It's kind of an all or none deal.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: nerp
Humans are designed to run. Barefoot. There are more than enough examples of people who train barefoot and run without shoes and have had less problems than with shoes.

The problem is that we aren't raised barefoot and it's not really tolerated in a typical civilized society(no shoes, no shirt, no service). Trying to do it on nights and weekends when you run isn't going to end well. It's kind of an all or none deal.

QFT plus good luck with nails, glass and rocks on anything but a controlled running track.

 

[oboeguy]

Originally posted by: vi edit
Or it could be our otherwise sendentary lifestlyles making us weak and any strenuous exercise results in injury.

Or it could be higher rates of diagnosis.

Or it could be that there more people running now.

Or it could be that the people that do run try to do too much too fast without building a foundation.

Or it could be that even well prepared people are actually overtraining.

Or it could just be that our training methods have put too much empahsis on strenght and not enough on flexibility or durability and we're too strong for our bodies. How many knee tendo blowouts happen in the NFL now vs. 30 years ago?

Technology and training methods are pushing bodies further than they have ever been able to go and in mass numbers over who used to be able to do it. Just look at the constant breaking of world records in various olympic events.

Indeed. Correlation != causation and all that jazz.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I never liked trainers simply because, on average, they're heavier than running shoes. I never could stand running in them either, but recently picked up a cheap pair from Scamazon. They're light and comfortable. Every shoe is engineered different and most feet have their arch in a slightly different place. Insoles can alter the shoe's performance, the outsole and weight of the shoe are really durability versus wearability. A trainer is great if you run track and don't want to wear cleats everywhere....but a solid running shoe is a more acceptable platform if you ask me.

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: nerp
Humans are designed to run. Barefoot. There are more than enough examples of people who train barefoot and run without shoes and have had less problems than with shoes.

The problem is that we aren't raised barefoot and it's not really tolerated in a typical civilized society(no shoes, no shirt, no service). Trying to do it on nights and weekends when you run isn't going to end well. It's kind of an all or none deal.

QFT plus good luck with nails, glass and rocks on anything but a controlled running track.

If you do it enough, rocks and stuff don't even phase you. Our feet shouldn't be as soft and tender as they are. Sure, you gotta work up to it, but it's doable. Just watch where you're running and avoid streets where slobs throw garbage out their cars.

 

[vi edit]

And I would *really* like to see the numbers on the study that says that people that buy the twice expensive shoe are twice as likely to be injured.

Could that be because maybe the people drawn to the more expensive shoes are also running 2x, 3x, 5x as often or far as the people who buy cheap ones?

If you've got an avid runner buying a pair of $100 trainers and he's running 60 miles a week he's obviously at much higher risk of injury than joe blow six pack doing 10 miles a week in his $40 shoes.

 

[Woosta]

I decided to purchase Nike Free shoes, http://i35.photobucket.com/alb...leticzone/IMG_0044.jpg

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Woosta
SNIPPET:

Dr Daniel Lieberman, professor of biological anthropology at Harvard University, has been studying the growing injury crisis in the developed world for some time and has come to a startling conclusion: 'A lot of foot and knee injuries currently plaguing us are caused by people running with shoes that actually make our feet weak, cause us to over-pronate (ankle rotation) and give us knee problems.

'Until 1972, when the modern athletic shoe was invented, people ran in very thin-soled shoes, had strong feet and had a much lower incidence of knee injuries.'

Lieberman also believes that if modern trainers never existed more people would be running. And if more people ran, fewer would be suffering from heart disease, hypertension, blocked arteries, diabetes, and most other deadly ailments of the Western world.

'Humans need aerobic exercise in order to stay healthy,' says Lieberman. 'If there's any magic bullet to make human beings healthy, it's to run.'

The modern running shoe was essentially invented by Nike. The company was founded in the Seventies by Phil Knight, a University of Oregon runner, and Bill Bowerman, the University of Oregon coach.

Before these two men got together, the modern running shoe as we know it didn't exist. Runners from Jesse Owens through to Roger Bannister all ran with backs straight, knees bent, feet scratching back under their hips. They had no choice: their only shock absorption came from the compression of their legs and their thick pad of midfoot fat. Thumping down on their heels was not an option.

SOURCE:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/hom...shoes-waste-money.html

MY THOUGHTS:

I'm just starting to get into running, so I guess I shouldn't be going for the expensive trainers. Right now I'm just using some Nike Basketball shoes but will go for some el cheapo pair of Nike Airs. What do you run in?

Based on this statement 'If there's any magic bullet to make human beings healthy, it's to run.', the author has no clue what he's talking about.

Actually, more people run today then ever. So, the author is completely wrong. Without modern footwear, you would have less people running. The author seems to be very ignorant. Today's Olympics/professional track athletes performing short-distance events still wear racing flats like Jesse Owens did and don't heel strike as it's inefficient.

Modern footwear has allowed humans to run faster, further and longer. The problem is people buying more shoe than they need and not buying footwear that meets their bio-mechanical needs.

I used to have numerous foot/leg issues when running but after being properly fitted. I have not had an issue in close to eight years, runnings upwards to 65 miles per week. The author is correct that you don't need expensive footwear. My runnings shoes only cost me $45/pair.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Woosta
I decided to purchase Nike Free shoes, http://i35.photobucket.com/alb...leticzone/IMG_0044.jpg

Please don't tell me you just ordered shoes online without knowing what kind of shoes you need and wearing them?

 

[Woosta]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Woosta
I decided to purchase Nike Free shoes, http://i35.photobucket.com/alb...leticzone/IMG_0044.jpg

Please don't tell me you just ordered shoes online without knowing what kind of shoes you need and wearing them?

I have neutral feet, and I already wear size 11 Nikes - even if I tried those particular pair out they would be different from what one would normally get.