Can anyone recommend some cheap running shoes?

SG27

Just received my new balance trainers I decided on for £35. Had a little run up and down the garden and they certainly seem to take a lot of impact away. They feel very springy which is nice. Can't wait to give them a proper run when my knees recover.

Dustyblinds

Following this with interest.
I've recently started running again and was thinking of getting a new pair of running shoes. I have osteoarthritis in my right knee and plantar fasciitis (heel Spurs) so could do with something to cushion the impact.

warriorsq

SG27 wrote: »

Just received my new balance trainers I decided on for £35. Had a little run up and down the garden and they certainly seem to take a lot of impact away. They feel very springy which is nice. Can't wait to give them a proper run when my knees recover.

Good luck with them. I change mine every 500 miles or so to keep the impact down as they get less springy and avoid joint injuries. I get through 3 pairs a year but for £30-35 a pair I don't mind

SG27

Just done my first run in new shoes. Only 1.5 miles but felt very comfortable and a good fit. They seem much more cushioned than my other shoes.

I've noticed that I often land heel first so have been trying to run more flat footed but it seems a bit awkward. Think I'm getting the hang of it. I'm planning a half marathon Saturday afternoon so that will be the real test of the trainers, hopefully that and a better tecinque will save my knees!

SG27

Did my half marathon run yesterday as planned. It was very hard. I paced it all wrong and also become starving hungry by mile 7 so maybe I didn't eat enough beforehand. Unfortunately my knees are just as painful today so think I'll give it another week recovery and drop the distance to 6.5 miles to see if I can build up again without the knee pain. On the plus side the new trainers were amazingly comfy.

laughingcow81

I've got some knee pain from running recently and so have given myself two weeks off from running completely - it's best to let them recover properly before trying again otherwise you might do more damage.

Now I've got to listen to my own advice!

SG27

laughingcow81 wrote: »

I've got some knee pain from running recently and so have given myself two weeks off from running completely - it's best to let them recover properly before trying again otherwise you might do more damage.

Now I've got to listen to my own advice!

Yes total rest I think is best. My knees have actually recovered about twice as quick this time so hoping I'm getting used to long distances. Could also be the more cushioned trainers. Hoping for another half marathon Saturday morning and maybe 3 miles tomorrow.

downhillfast

SG27 wrote: »

I've been running a few weeks after not running since stopping playing rugby 3 years ago. I've run a couple of long runs half marathon last weekend and a 15 mile yesterday. Problem is my knees are hurting afterwards, not during running. I think this maybe partly going to far too early and partly wrong trainers. I'm using my north face walking trainers which are comfortable and light but I don't think designed for running. Can any recommend a decent pair of running shoes preferably under £30ish? Or will I need to save up and spend more?

I'm looking to run a marathon length run in a few weeks hopefully.

How many weeks have you gone from zero to HM?

SG27 wrote: »

The running in my life up to now has consisted of high speed short distance on a rugby pitch so long distance is very different. Also I gave up rugby 3ish years ago. I think looking at and adjusting my running form may be a good idea, I've not even considered any running technique and I suppose like most things there is more to it than you first think!

I'm giving my knees a full weeks rest to recover although I also have a physical job so do lots of walking lifting and carrying so not really full rest.

It sounds like your enthusiasm and general fitness are ahead of your legs capabilites at the moment. You need to reduce the amount of mileage you are doing until they catch up! I've been running for years with a couple of months downtime occassionally and wouldn't dream of hitting that kind of mileage that quickly after a break. I did a marathon 10 weeks ago (4:05:07 for anyone interested ) and due to a new baby arriving 7 weeks ago hadn't run at all until last week - 3 miles at less than my marathon pace and my legs really felt it! :rotfl:

SG27 wrote: »

I've noticed that I often land heel first so have been trying to run more flat footed but it seems a bit awkward. Think I'm getting the hang of it. I'm planning a half marathon Saturday afternoon so that will be the real test of the trainers, hopefully that and a better tecinque will save my knees!

There is more to running form than just how your feet hit the ground - you need to consider whereabouts in relation to your body they are making first contact and the angle at which your whole body is positioned. Ideally to promote a mid-foot/fore-foot strike you should lean forwards (not just from the hips but your entire body) and aim to make contact with the ground no further forward than your chest. For an effective technique you should be looking to have a high cadence with a shorter stride rather than a stonkingly long stride and slow cadence (cadence is how many foot strikes per minute - 180 is deemed to be optimum)

SG27 wrote: »

Did my half marathon run yesterday as planned. It was very hard. I paced it all wrong and also become starving hungry by mile 7 so maybe I didn't eat enough beforehand. Unfortunately my knees are just as painful today so think I'll give it another week recovery and drop the distance to 6.5 miles to see if I can build up again without the knee pain. On the plus side the new trainers were amazingly comfy.

A general rule is not to increase distance of long runs by more than 10% each week... then every 3-4 weeks drop it back a notch before building back up by a further 10% (kind of like 3-4 steps forward, 1 step back... 3-4 steps forward, one step back...)

SG27 wrote: »

Yes total rest I think is best. My knees have actually recovered about twice as quick this time so hoping I'm getting used to long distances. Could also be the more cushioned trainers. Hoping for another half marathon Saturday morning and maybe 3 miles tomorrow.

Go easy on that mileage... you really could be heading for a painful injury at this rate.

Ivana_Tinkle

I agree with the others that going from nothing to a half marathon in a few weeks is guaranteed to give you sore knees! I had exactly the same experience last year. If your cardiovascular fitness is pretty good it's very easy to get carried away and run far too far when your legs just aren't strong enough. I got really sore knees, pushed on anyway, and ended up messing up my ITB.

I'd be looking at doing some strength training (especially your glutes and hips, as that seems to be where the problems usually lie), rather than looking at your shoes. There's lots of articles about this online if you google, and lots of suggested workouts on youtube.

SG27

downhillfast wrote: »

How many weeks have you gone from zero to HM?

Erm, just two! I did a 3.7miles then 10 miles then the half marathon. Week 3 I did 15 miles. I really enjoy the long runs.

Thank you for a very helpful and informative post I will be taking your advice and won't go any further. I think I'll drop back to 10k and gradually build back up from there.