Dilemma, dilemma… not just what shoes to wear, but what to run in!

I am a forefront runner which means I run with toes/front of my foot hitting the ground first. My heels are optional to ever even hit the ground. My preference is a low to zero drop on the sole of shoe so my heels aren’t hitting the ground at same time as the pad of my foot. My wear is a neutral pronation.

Back in the day when I ran track (was not super fast then either), ASICS were my preference. Twenty years later, I still really like them for running. I have to go up a half shoe size in ASICS to be comfortable or the little piggy’s get crushed.  They just work well for me.  Here are two types I’ve worn recently:

The Asics Gel Frantic 7 that I put around 500 miles on in a size 8.5:

The ASICS Gel Noosa Tri 11 that I’ve only used to run a handful of times because uncomfortable in toes at size 8:

I bought a pair of Newton Gravity 6 recently to try and have been impressed with them.  There is an extended pad (lugs) at the ball of your foot specific for fore front runners.  I bought a size 8 in these.  After a 5k, I notice one of my big toes were bruised but didn’t feel any pain.  I only spent about a week breaking them in before the 5k.  I’ve wondered if I should go down a half size in the Newton because it has a nice wide toe area.  Next shoe purchase I will try on a 7.5.

I’ve not had trouble with my shins, calves, back, etc. running. I don’t generally get sore or ache unless I’ve pushed to a new distance or speed.  I’ve been pretty lucky.  There is a lot of debate on how to run so you have least impact on your knees and back.   There are lots of videos on proper running you can watch if your a beginner runner.  My advice is to just pay a lot of attention to your body so you can adjust accordingly.

I’ve done some research and am really interested in minimalist shoes or barefoot running.  I’ll have to give it a try, but that can wait until warmer weather.  If you’ve tried let me know your experience.  I’d love to hear your favorite running shoes!

If you’re new to running, go to a run/walk shoe shop.  They can help size you and get you shoes that will be most comfortable.  If you have an old pair of running shoes, they can look at those for your pronation to assist as well.

I’d also love to hear how many miles you’ll run in a pair of shoes.

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