Shoe Changes to Make After Injury

Oh my god. You can't win. Just give up.

You asked for advice. You're getting it!

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

I'm not overweight, just not at my ideal running weight.

As far as base running, I've been base running for over a year w/o problems, so I felt the urge to do some sort of workout. However, he particular hill I chose was too much.

I've tried 3 different sets of orthotics in the past from 3 different doctors telling me 3 different (and disagreeing) theories on my biomechanics. I still got injured. That's why I switched to minimalism (see threads on mininalism and light weight shoes).

So, maybe running is just not your thing. You can change your body so much and if it is not enough to make you run injury free, then you should accept the fact and move on. Shoe is important, but it is not magic and can not off set all your biomechanical issues.

It is just like asking the question: What kind of shoe I need to wear so that I can train myself from a 19 min. 5Ker to OG qualifier? The answer is: There is none.

LHS speaks the truth. Although it may be harsh, the fact of the matter may be, no matter how much you love running, your body cannot handle it.

You've no doubt been inspired by stories like jaguar's: the injury-prone athlete who struggles until she changes her shoes, then goes on to qualify for the OTs. You probably see a lot of yourself in her, especially since you're two of the most visible women at Letsrun. But for every jaguar there are a dozen runners you don't hear about who make a change and get worse and worse.

You didn't get this latest stress fracture from that one hill workout. It may have been the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back, but even if you had kept to the flats and done your 30 miles per week you would have still got it. It's more than likely a biomechanical issue. It may not ever be fixed.

I'm sorry if you wanted sunshine blown up your ass, but sometimes you have to know when to pack it in. Take up cycling. Get in the pool more. Try kayaking. You can even run once in a while if you want. But I fear that any kind of serious training will only hurt you.

I said so in my previous post just as what I think the truth is - There is no bad intention. Someone need to say it and you may hate me for a while. But, if you can find something else that you enjoy doing, it would be better for you in the long term.

As a runner myself, I totally understand it - I gave up so much just to be able to run on a daily basis, although I know for a fact that I will never be fast. It is a passion and when it hurt you again and again, you have to make the decision.

Do you use shock absorbers? If not try them!

http://www.lb-sorbothane.com/

okay wrote:

Let me add: this assumes you have weight to lose. I've found the old "2 pounds per inch of height" rule is a remarkably accurate guide. When I allow my weight to creep above this level, an injury inevitably follows. When my weight is below this, I run strong and healthy. Why? Less body weight = less force being sent throughout the body while running.

Is that really a well known rule? I'm 5-10 and 145 and I don't see any way I could ever get down to 120. That would be 25 pounds of muscle...

dumbass. 5'10" is 70 inches which would correspond to 140 pounds by that rule of thumb.

RunningArt: not if they have amenorrhea, which many highly training female runners do.

I know people think the newton shoe is a gimmick but it really does amazing things in terms of preventing injury, it sucks though because they are wayyyy too much money though, a terrific shoe though

Dean Smith wrote:

dumbass. 5'10" is 70 inches which would correspond to 140 pounds by that rule of thumb.

hmm, so it is. So it is.

When was the last time you did any form drills with regularity?

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

I've tried 3 different sets of orthotics in the past from 3 different doctors telling me 3 different (and disagreeing) theories on my biomechanics. I still got injured. That's why I switched to minimalism (see threads on mininalism and light weight shoes).

My advice on shoes is that although minimalism has worked for me, I found going SOMEWHAT minimalist better than going completely minimalist in terms of shoes. Things were better running in a shoe that had less heel, less crap on it, more simple, but not running in one that was so low on cushioning you simply encountered different problems (e.g. one that feels like a pump, such as nike zoom marathoners).

Steph, I'm impressed that you keep sticking with it. Most people, even on this site, would have quite the sport a long time ago. Way to go.I'd suggest a shoe rotation. I'm minimalist too, doing a lot of my training in cross country waffles (Kilkenny, Shay XC, Waffle Racer). However, I also use mid-weight road flats (Hyperspeed 2, T5). On the morning after a tough workout, a light trainer is usually my choice (Hayward 3, NB800--great trainer, designed for midfoot striking). When my lower legs and feet are feeling beat-up, then I use a more substantial shoe.I believe that minimalism produces efficient form (thus preventing injuries), but I also believe that cushioning works. By rotating, I maintain my good, minimalist form, even while running on cushioned shoes. The cushioning saves me for long runs on concrete, and for days when my legs are especially fatigued.

track chick wrote:

My advice on shoes is that although minimalism has worked for me, I found going SOMEWHAT minimalist better than going completely minimalist in terms of shoes. Things were better running in a shoe that had less heel, less crap on it, more simple, but not running in one that was so low on cushioning you simply encountered different problems (e.g. one that feels like a pump, such as nike zoom marathoners).

First, thanks for your many contributions to LetsRun.

It seems that your problem has three factors:

1. Wrong or poorly fitted shoes

2. Low bone density due to lack of a diligent plan to maintain or increase it.

3. Possibly form flaws in footstrike, although I'd rate this least likely in your case.

A narrow shoe can contribute to foot stress fractures. Obviously, impact forces can also contribute. If you don't need a lot of arch support, or if you have light orthotics, you might consider the Spira Stinger. It gets a bad rap here on LetsRun, but I'm a forefoot striker with a slightly wider foot and I love them. The springs have worn out in mine, so I switched to Saucony Fastwitch 2, but even the worn-out Stingers felt better... to me.

I tried the minimalist route and found that it works... up to a point. I passed the point and now have gone the other way to find a balance that works for me. It sounds like you *might* have passed that point as well. There's a point where some of us need to trade off minimalism for a more supportive shoe.

Oh, and try to avoid pavement and sidewalks for some of your workouts. It'll help prevent stress fractures. Best of luck.

" I was thinking something like the Nike Free or Nike Lunar Racer. Any suggestions or experiences with these? I've had the Free 5.0"

I would stay away from these shoes.

Pick something that you feel comfortable in. Maybe a asics ds trainer/racer or something along those lines.