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Calling all gym rats/runners

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Fashionvictim

Shiny_Rock
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I''m in the market for a new pair of running shoes, with enough time to break in for my annual Spring 5K race in June.

I have Nike Shox right now and I hate them, they are way too heavy and I''m very little. I saw Gwyneth Paltrow carrying Mizuno''s to the gym, and I thought, with her money she must have her pick of running shoes, and chose those, so maybe I''ll get them. I''ve heard they are very light.

What do you wear on your feet to the gym or running? Do you like them? Anyone ever tried Mizuno shoes?


Thanks!
 

crown1

Brilliant_Rock
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i have been wearing nike but the sa talked me into asics about a month ago and i am liking them.
 

neatfreak

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The local specialized running store here carries tons of mizunos and many of the employees who are tri athletes and runners swear by them. Asics have served me well as have adidas, but that is because my feet are narrow. Next ones I am going to try are the Mizunos since they seem so popular with the people who really care about their feet.

I am with you on the Nikes...HATE them!
 

Skippy123

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Asics Gel Kinsei are awesome!!! They cost about $120 but so worth it.
 

elsie

Shiny_Rock
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I just started running and have been wearing the Mizuno Wave Alchemy for about a month. They''re pretty comfortable and have really great arch support. I do recommend them, although I really have nothing to compare them to since I had never bought the "right" shoes for my feet (I''m flat-footed) before this! My local running shop was really helpful in pointing out what types of shoes would be good for my feet.
 

San Diego Bride

Shiny_Rock
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i would really recommend that you go to a specialty running store. shoes are different for everyone. some people are pronators, others supinators, etc. at a specialty store they will fit you with different running shoes and watch you walk/run in them. they definitely don''t have bargain running shoes (like dsw would, for example), but the specialized service is well worth it. it''s also helpful if you bring in your old running shoes so they can see where the "wear" is. if price is an issue, you can be fitted at a specialty store, take note of the brand/model and then find it cheaper elsewhere.

now to answer your original question... i had several pairs of adidas running shoes that were ok. then i got new balance ones which i really liked, but i recently went to a new running place and got a pair of mizuno''s. i''d never heard of them, but they work very well for my feet. and they''re very light, which i like.
 

Siamese Kitty

Brilliant_Rock
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I really like my Saucony running shoes-very light. I know a lot of people like NB, but I find they are high on the heel for me, and therefore uncomfortable. I''ve never heard of these Mizuno shoes-are they really expensive? Where can you buy them?
 

Skippy123

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Date: 3/30/2007 11:41:57 PM
Author: novia

i would really recommend that you go to a specialty running store. shoes are different for everyone. some people are pronators, others supinators, etc. at a specialty store they will fit you with different running shoes and watch you walk/run in them. they definitely don''t have bargain running shoes (like dsw would, for example), but the specialized service is well worth it. it''s also helpful if you bring in your old running shoes so they can see where the ''wear'' is. if price is an issue, you can be fitted at a specialty store, take note of the brand/model and then find it cheaper elsewhere.

now to answer your original question... i had several pairs of adidas running shoes that were ok. then i got new balance ones which i really liked, but i recently went to a new running place and got a pair of mizuno''s. i''d never heard of them, but they work very well for my feet. and they''re very light, which i like.

I so agree with novia. I went to my local running shoe store and the had me on a treadmill walking/job and then told me what shoes were best for me.

I have heard of mizuno''s and they rated well in a magazine. I would shop around and try several out and see what you like best.
 

Mara

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I have Mizunos! I had no idea what they were until I went to this specialty running shop and they did the whole 'walk on the treadmill' video thing to see what my gait was like and then started recommending shoes for me. I liked all the ones I tried on but the Mizunos were the best feeling and looking for me. I have had them for about 5 months and am probably going to need to get a new pair in the next 2 months or so, I have been walking a lot with these and I can feel them not quite as cushy as before. But I think I will get the same shoe because these have been great for me.

If you have any sort of specialty running shoe shop near you (we have a few locally here) then go and have them do the video/treadmill thing and recommend shoes for you...the best part is that the shoes were not any more expensive than at the local mall store (mine were I think $80), and yet someone is actually REALLY helping you find shoes rather than you just blindly shopping on your own, like I used to do!
 

neatfreak

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Date: 3/31/2007 1:41:27 AM
Author: Mara
I have Mizunos! I had no idea what they were until I went to this specialty running shop and they did the whole ''walk on the treadmill'' video thing to see what my gait was like and then started recommending shoes for me. I liked all the ones I tried on but the Mizunos were the best feeling and looking for me. I have had them for about 5 months and am probably going to need to get a new pair in the next 2 months or so, I have been walking a lot with these and I can feel them not quite as cushy as before. But I think I will get the same shoe because these have been great for me.


If you have any sort of specialty running shoe shop near you (we have a few locally here) then go and have them do the video/treadmill thing and recommend shoes for you...the best part is that the shoes were not any more expensive than at the local mall store (mine were I think $80), and yet someone is actually REALLY helping you find shoes rather than you just blindly shopping on your own, like I used to do!

TOTALLY agree with Mara. Go to a local running store and have them watch you on the treadmill. The one thing is that you have to go in and be willing to let THEM pick them for you. I will admit I used to pick my running shoes by looks, and now that I have turned it over to the local running store, my feet are sooooo much more comfortable, even if I do hate the look of my last pair! But it''s worth it for foot comfort.
 

Fancy605

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Date: 3/30/2007 11:42:49 PM
Author: Siamese Kitty
I know a lot of people like NB, but I find they are high on the heel for me, and therefore uncomfortable.

Oh no, to me NB have no arch support. The people I know who rave about them generally say "Off course I have to put in inserts for support." That doesn''t make sense to me. Buy shoes with the proper support in the first place.

I have a pair of Aviva shoes that I love. They are cheap, but totally comfortable. I got mine for $20 at Ross or TJ Max or one of those places just to try because I figured, "Hey, if I don''t like them, they were only $20." and now I am hoping I''ll be able to find them again because it won''t make me sad when I wear them out because, hey, it''s only $20.

I have worn Asics too, and they are VERY comfortable, especially for running.

I know a lot of people who wear Nikes, and only a handful of them really like them.
 

starryeyed

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Date: 3/30/2007 11:42:49 PM
Author: Siamese Kitty
I really like my Saucony running shoes-very light. I know a lot of people like NB, but I find they are high on the heel for me, and therefore uncomfortable. I''ve never heard of these Mizuno shoes-are they really expensive? Where can you buy them?
I agree with Siamese Kitty and Novia. Personally I wear the New Balance 992''s. They are a very stable shoe. NB makes others that are less roll-proof, but lighter. The 992''s are around $120, but NB makes less expensive shoes also. I have worn Saucony and found them to be excellent as well.

New Balance, like Saucony, has been around forever. NB builds sneakers for runners - that''s their business and has been for a long time. They do not spend their money on big ticket athletes to advertise their products. They spend their money on product development.

I don''t know anything about Mizuno''s, but let''s face it - they make golf equipment. This is the first time I''ve heard of them making running shoes. My guess would be they are paying Gwyneth Paltrow quite dearly to sport their shoes. Product placement is an effective advertising technique. They could be good, but be careful.

If I were you, I would go to a running store, tell them you need new shoes, and see what they say. Don''t mention any brands. See if they tell you whether you pronate or supinate. You should bring your old shoes for them to check out the wear pattern.

Getting the right shoes is soooo important. You can seriously injure yourself - your back, your knees, your hips, etc - without good shoes. Don''t be budget conscious when it comes to running shoes.
 

Mara

Super_Ideal_Rock
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lol neat freak, i am a huge nut about how the shoes look too because i think i have large feet for a girl, size 9 for a 5'7" height. well no one else seems to think i have big feet but you know when you are convinced about something it just IS. anyway, i always like shoes that make my feet look smaller (to my eyes anyway), and the mizunos for me did that, looked good and felt good. it was between that and an Asics pair i think...but i just liked these better, also they have mesh sides for breathing and stuff. and they have held up great and i wear them all the time. i have another pair of nike's that i was wearing before that were not supporting me enough and i wear those when i have to like recently i went out in the rain with my Mizunos and they had to dry out...and when i was wearing the other shoes i was like gosh these are so loosey goosey feeling...!! couldn't wait to put my other ones back on. i don't know that Mizunos are the end all to be all or anything but they worked for me.
 

neatfreak

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Date: 3/31/2007 12:28:05 PM
Author: Mara
lol neat freak, i am a huge nut about how the shoes look too because i think i have large feet for a girl, size 9 for a 5''7'' height. well no one else seems to think i have big feet but you know when you are convinced about something it just IS. anyway, i always like shoes that make my feet look smaller (to my eyes anyway), and the mizunos for me did that, looked good and felt good. it was between that and an Asics pair i think...but i just liked these better, also they have mesh sides for breathing and stuff. and they have held up great and i wear them all the time. i have another pair of nike''s that i was wearing before that were not supporting me enough and i wear those when i have to like recently i went out in the rain with my Mizunos and they had to dry out...and when i was wearing the other shoes i was like gosh these are so loosey goosey feeling...!! couldn''t wait to put my other ones back on. i don''t know that Mizunos are the end all to be all or anything but they worked for me.

That''s nothing Mara! I am an 8 1/2 but only 5''3"! I always think I have huge feet too, but most of my friends wear a similar size so that somehow makes me feel better! I''m happy that at least my feet (and hands!) are narrow even if they are big!

Anyway, to bring this around full circle, I might try a pair of Mizuno''s next. Last time it was between a pair of mizuno''s and asics and I got the asics because they were prettier, lol. I volunteered for the Ironman triathlon here in Wisconsin last fall and watched as the sneakers went by and MANY MANY of the runners (and not the pro-sponsored ones) were wearing Mizunos. So I figure that there must be something to them!
 

TravelingGal

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Dec 29, 2004
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17,193
I have wide feet and narrow ankles. I''ve run two marathons in two different generations of the Saucony Hurricane (about 120 or 130 retail) and I love them.
 

ursulawrite

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Nov 17, 2004
Messages
388
I''m a pronator, have ITB issues on my left leg, and wear New Balance 1222s. I love them, as they give enough support without being heavy like, say, a Saucony made for the same condition. I recently ran a 3:18 marathon in them, and had no issues with my knee during or afterwards.

If I were you I would go to a specialist running shop and have them help you find the right pair for your stride. Good luck in your 5k -- it''s my favourite racing distance.
 

Siamese Kitty

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
909
wow-I''m going to have to get to one of these athletic stores! I''m getting ready to run a 1/2 marathon and it definitely makes sense to find the most proper shoe
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(I have IT band problems in my left leg, too.)

Oh, I''m also a card-carrying member of the bigfoot club-5''7 1/2 with a 9 1/2-10 shoe size
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FireGoddess

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Jan 25, 2005
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12,145
I can''t stress enough the importance of going to a specialty running store and doing the treadmill analysis. Since shoes are the only supplies you need, they should be the right ones. I am an overpronator and I have used Nike Althea and Nike Air Structure Triax stability shoes and they have been awesome. These aren''t the Nikes you''ll find at a regular shoe store though, so don''t be quick to toss Nikes out if they fit you just because you don''t like the Shox. Friends of mine have used Asics and right now I''ve got a pair of Sauconys. What matters most is the shoe is appropriate for the support you need and the way you walk/run, and that they feel comfortable.
 

rjdodd

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 4, 2007
Messages
108
Here''s an online selector: http://www.therunnershigh.com/shoes/?

If you can''t answer all the questions then you *really* need to go to a real running shoe store (definitely not a Foot Locker, and not even a New Balance store) to get help in slecting the right shoes.
 

Rock Candy

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 14, 2006
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630
I have narrow feet/high arches and wear Nike air max 360. They provide great support/stability. I''ll have to look into some of the other brands listed. Great thread!
 

scarleta

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Feb 25, 2006
Messages
1,572
You could ask your local podiatrist.with so many shoes on the market one has to be up to date to help you out.As suggested here a good shoe store will also help out.Make sure whatever you buy you are able to return it after trying indoors on a treadmill if possible.Good luck to you
 
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