Running Shoe Reviews for the Wide-Footed Woman

I currently run 2-3 times a week, 3 miles at a time, using a forefoot / mid foot strike.  After various injuries (newbie running post here) and my old gym shoes literally falling apart, I knew it was time to invest in some real running shoes.  When I first started looking into them, all of the different options seemed overwhelming.  The easiest thing to do is start with going to a running shoe store.  The SAs there should be able to help you evaluate your gait and get you fitted.

Some shoe tips:

• Your feet get a little wider throughout the day and also swell a little bit while running.  If possible, try to do your shoe fittings later in the day when your feet are biggest.  Some shoes felt great in the morning but became very uncomfortable by mid-day.
• Go up 1/2 a size to account for foot swelling.
• Bring your typical running socks and ask if you can do a light jog in the shoes you're trying.  Some stores will have treadmills for this.
• Identify the attributes you'd like in your shoes (high cushioning, minimalist, etc.) as well as the problems you've had in the past

Let's start with the shoe winner:

Asics Gel Nimbus 14, 8.5D Width, (buy here)

Neutral

Gel cushioning at forefoot and heel for shock absorption

Nimbus 14 has a wider toe box than Nimbus 13

After 2 failed running shoe store recommendations (below), I took what I learned from my SAs to search for my own shoe.  Asics is known for their comfort and cushioning, so I knew I wanted to start there.  I searched the Runner's World amazingly comprehensive site for highly rated shoes and then went to my local DSW (this location was in the athletic part of town where it seems like people are running / biking 24/7 - other locations, and even dsw.com, did not have these shoes) to try on the options.  I tried this one, Gel Cumulus 14, and Gel Kayano 18.  The Kayanos were the most comfortable, followed by Nimbus and then Cumulus.  Though I was tempted to go with the Kayanos (consistently rated well), I hesitated because my last SA was very adamant that I should be running in a neutral shoe.  I decided to go with Nimbus and ordered online since wide widths were not available in the store.  All of the normal width shoes rubbed against my pinky toe.

I tried both 8D and 8.5D.  They were vastly different.  Though my foot length fit the 8, the width did not.  One of my SAs had previously explained that different sizes as well as different shoe companies will widen the shoe at different points.  The 8.5 was roomier in length (which to me was actually more comfortable) and the width was perfect.  Make sure to try a couple sizes in a given width before moving on to a different shoe.

Overall, I'm quite happy with my purchase.  The cushioning is amazing and it does have a pillow-y quality to it.  I still run on my forefoot / mid foot, but when I walk afterwards, the heel cushioning is a treat and makes each step feel positively springy.

I'm still curious about the Kayanos though and wonder if a stability shoe would be better suited to my needs than a neutral one.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12, 8.5D Width, (buy here)

Stability

My first SA put me in a Stability shoe after seeing me walk barefoot (with socks) around the store.  I agreed with her because I knew I had at least one pair of sneakers that had completely collapsed inwards at the arch.  Trusting her expertise, I went for a couple of runs in these shoes and didn't bother trying them on for an extended period of time indoors.  After those runs, I couldn't bear to wear them anymore due to the foot pain it was causing.  The forefoot area was just too firm and stiff. The heels felt nice, so I think maybe this shoe is better suited for heel-strikers.

I went back to the store hoping that maybe they could recommend a good insole for me.  I was surprised that they instead suggested I return them despite being worn outside.  An older SA (so I assumed more experience) then suggested Saucony (below).  

Saucony ProGrid Ride 5, 8B Width

Neutral

After returning the Adrenalines, the next SA re-evaluated my walk and decided that I needed a neutral shoe at a normal width.  She didn't want my foot to move too much while running and explained that Saucony features a racquet shape to allow for a roomier toe box without having to go to a D width.  They felt pretty good in the store so I took them home for further evaluation.

Wary from the Adrenalines, I wore them indoors for a few hours to see how they felt through a longer wear period.  As the day wore on, I started to feel more and more rubbing against my pinky toe on top of not feeling like I had enough forefoot cushioning.  So I returned these and was thankful to find the Asics Gel Nimbus 14 (above).

In the end...

I think the lesson here is to get guidance from experts and know that it may take several iterations to find the right shoe for you.  

I wound up also getting a pair of orthotic inserts (Powerstep Pinnacle) which, in conjunction with lots of stretching and not pushing myself too hard, seems to have really helped me recover from shin splints.

How did you find your perfect shoes?

Postpartum Fitness: Newbie Running

Today's post is atypical in 2 ways.  1 - It has nothing to do with DIY or shopping.  2 - This is a word-driven post rather than a picture-driven one.  Bear with me and I'll get you back to regularly scheduled programming on Sunday :)

The Postpartum Body
After my first pregnancy, the pounds and fat melted away rather easily.  At about 6 months postpartum, I was actually 10lbs under my pre pregnancy weight from breast milk production (burning ~500 calories a day).  Of course, once that stopped, my weight went back to normal at what I guess is it's state of equilibrium.

Fast forward to today.  I'm 9 months postpartum from my 2nd pregnancy and though my weight is at equilibrium state, my body, sadly, is not.  Frustrated, I did the one thing I've never really stuck with  before - I ran.

Getting Started
You must be thinking, "Big whoop, tons of people run. Why is it such a big deal that you started?"  Well, my friends, I am that special combination of a person who not only is crazy slow, but also hates running.  Yes, the gasp-y, out-of-breath, super sweaty person who can't catch her breath even at a 15+ minute pace.

I started slow.  My goal was to run as long as I could without taking walking breaks.  Why?  Given that I have "daikon legs", I didn't want to bulk them further with intense interval training (my brief track career in sprinting made my calves much bigger).  Plus, I tend to cheat at intervals.  Taking a few extra seconds at each break until I'm pretty much just walking the whole time.

On Day 1, I ran a whopping 0.25 miles and felt like I was going to throw up a lung.  Thankfully, each day got a little better and after 2 weeks of running everyday, I was running 2 miles followed by a 1 mile walking cool-down.  I was feeling good!  I lost an inch each in the tummy and hip area (excess water I'm sure, but still very motivating).

Getting Invested
At this point, I was feeling all athletic and proud so I started investing in my new sport.  By the way, I should note that I still hated running, but I loved the feeling of accomplishment afterwards.  I bought new shoes, a visor, and a modern fanny pack (hehe, never thought THAT was going to happen).

SPIbelt (buy here) holds my iPhone & keys

I love this thing!  Does not ride up or fall down. Can be easily concealed under my shirt if desired.

The shoes were a mistake.  Blinded by the sale signs, I purchased some Asics a 1/2 size too small (you should purchase running shoes a 1/2 size larger) than normal in hopes I could just stretch them out through enough wears.  At a $2 price tag (I had $30 in rewards), I just couldn't resist.  At first, they felt good as Asics cushioning really can't be beat, but then my wide feet, which got wider after pregnancy, started to run into the sides and cause some pain.  I tried a shoe-stretcher but I just couldn't get comfortable in them.

Getting Injured
When I thought buying new, more expensive shoes was the worst thing to happen, I strained my hip flexor.  I limped around the house for a few days and started to feel dejected.  I needed that post-workout high!  Every time I tried to run, a shooting pain in my hip would stop me.

I turned to low-impact activities like the elliptical (sooooo boring compared to running outside) and riding my bike.  To hopefully keep up the intensity of running, I followed the 2/3 rule from one of the running forums.  I would do 3 miles of low-impact activity to try to mimic my 2 miles of running.  It wasn't the same, but I kept telling myself I'd be back on the road soon.

Recovering
Every few weeks, I would test out how running felt and would feel my hip tighten.  After 5 weeks, I went to physical therapy.  I learned some stretches and exercises that will hopefully strengthen my hip.  I tried to run again after an additional 2 weeks of PT + low impact exercises, but my hip acted up after 0.5 miles.  Hubby pointed me towards a running article in his issue of Mens' Health and suggested that my running posture was exacerbating things.  I'm apparently a heel-striker when I should be running on the balls of my feet.  New news to me!  Makes sense though if I think about animals adapted to running.

Forefoot Striking & Shuffling
I've been running with a forefoot strike for a month now and my hip only acts up every once in a while.  On a side note, I can't believe this strained hip flexor is still so sensitive after nearly 3 months!  My knees bug me every once in a while during runs, but if I shuffle, I find it goes away.  Changing my foot strike has made a huge difference, but it felt like starting from square 1 again in terms of slowly building up distance.  Forefoot striking places much more emphasis on my calves (fingers crossed that they do not bulk up from this!) and it took me 3 weeks to get back to running 2 miles continuously.  I've been running in a pair of decade-old Adidas sneakers and the sole flew off the other day.  At the moment, they are gorilla-glued back on, but I know I definitely need new shoes now.  My next "fitness" post will revolve around running shoe reviews.

And if you're wondering, the weight loss / body changes have plateaued.  My legs are toning up continuously, but that belly is staying put at the moment.  Must work through this stage!

Whew!
I know that was one heck of a long (and boring) post.  If you've read this far, you deserve a big hug :)

For any runners out there, do you have any tips to share?  Shoes to recommend?  My eventual goal will be to run 3 continuous miles on a daily basis.  That way, I'll be 5K-ready for all of my company's races.