Fat man running, what shoes?

[Mike_in_FL]

So I want to get back into running. I bought a pair of New Balance running models that are super light. They're also super thin and I'm wondering if I'm getting enough arch support. I took the dog out last night and was just doing a pretty slow jog. My feet were cramping for lack of a better word. Right in the arch/ball of foot region. I had to stop and stretch out my feet every so often, or try to. It just got to the point where it felt better to jog than to walk on them. We did about 3 miles and I ran about the first mile or so with my foot stretching in there.

I'm wondering if it's my weight, not used to running, etc. that's killing my dogs. If you are in a similar boat, what shoes are you using? Should I go with something heavier like a cross trainer or just find whatever that has more arch support? Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Rhino79]

Let personal preference dictate what you go with. I'm a big guy and I run in Saucony Kinvara 3's which are a 10oz shoe in size 15. I didn't start in this type of shoe though I sort of found my way to it along the way. I started in a pair of Brooks Beast which are quite a bit heavier but they offered a lot more support. If you're not sure what you should be wearing or have any sort of pain you feel is coming from having the wrong shoe, go check out a store that specializes in running and let them analyze your gait and recommend a shoe. You don't necessarily have to buy them there. Some of them have a treadmill set up indoors and some fancy computer software to analyze what kind of runner you are.

 

[loper]

I'm with Rhino on this, go do a gait check at a running store. I was catching hell (just age, not weight) and my local guys got me into some shoes that work with me. Makes a world of difference.

 

[M25BeastShooter]

I'd go with New Balance. They have excellent support, great ankle wedge, and very well padded. They hold up very well.

 

[Archer762]

Research barefoot running, or with shoes like vibram five fingers. Arch support and cushion soles are not the way human feet are meant to impact the ground.

Also, if you are getting back into running, don't go out and do "lsd" (long slow distance) and put all that stress on your body with poor form. It is far more productive to only run the distance you can with proper form and good pace, take a short break, and repeat. Or cycle your pace: 30 sec jog, 20 run, 10 sprint. Working on 100, 200, and 400 yard sprints is also a very good way to get in shape.

Every day I see people looking miserable as they trudge along doing 10 minute miles. I wish more people knew there are far more productive ways to get good at running.

 

[green338 2.0]

I bought these:

Brooks Beast® Slam/Pavement/Black - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways

I'm 6'1" 210 pounds. I have a low arch and these helped with support on my knees and feet.

 

[jlitalien]

Sounds like you picked up a pair of minimus. Minimus are great but definitely something that you need to work into; expect sore feet and calf muscles if you run too long too soon. The thin sole shoes require a mid strike and not a heal strike. If you are just beginning a running regimen make sure to take is slow and look up mid strike drills. If you are considering a change in footwear you may want to consider the Newton Isaac.

By the way I am a natural running coach and own 3 pair of Newton's and 3 pair of New Balance.

 

[Capt Academy]

The best thing for you to do is go in and have one of the sales reps in the shop evaluate your running style. They will recommend what's best for you. We are all different, with different issues. I am 6' 190 and have run everyday since I was a kid playing sports. I need a stability shoe with lots of padding for my weight, as I am considered heavy for a runner. You may be neutral, or pronate, go have them evaluate you so you don't hurt yourself. they will do it for free.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Research barefoot running, or with shoes like vibram five fingers. Arch support and cushion soles are not the way human feet are meant to impact the ground.

Also, if you are getting back into running, don't go out and do "lsd" (long slow distance) and put all that stress on your body with poor form. It is far more productive to only run the distance you can with proper form and good pace, take a short break, and repeat. Or cycle your pace: 30 sec jog, 20 run, 10 sprint. Working on 100, 200, and 400 yard sprints is also a very good way to get in shape.

Every day I see people looking miserable as they trudge along doing 10 minute miles. I wish more people knew there are far more productive ways to get good at running.

Good points. I've read about what you're saying. In hindsight it was a mistake to take the dog along but I kind of figured it would turn into a walk fairly quickly.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Sounds like you picked up a pair of minimus. Minimus are great but definitely something that you need to work into; expect sore feet and calf muscles if you run too long too soon. The thin sole shoes require a mid strike and not a heal strike. If you are just beginning a running regimen make sure to take is slow and look up mid strike drills. If you are considering a change in footwear you may want to consider the Newton Isaac.

By the way I am a natural running coach and own 3 pair of Newton's and 3 pair of New Balance.

Yes, they are the Minimus. I think getting analyzed at a store would be a good idea. I think I am "trying" to mid strike in these shoes but I think I've always been a heel striker. These are really the first pair of running shoes I ever purchased.

 

[limamike56]

Brooks Beast hands down. I have run 17 marathons in them with no issues. Both times when I switched to a lighter shoes I ended up getting injured. good luck

 

[tiNdvenTFHwMdqKW]

Just take it slow and easy. Find your comfortable limit and then progress from there. When your feet get sore, walk for a while, then try and run some more.

In the early days, shoes aren't going to make that big of a difference. Starting running when you are already overweight sucks. It gets better. If you can keep it up for a month you can start looking at better shoes.

 

[Genius.]

I just got into running this spring and am training for the Marine Corps Marathon. Before I ran my first mile I went tithe local runnig store and got properly fitted for the right shoe. One interesting thing, my whole adult life I figured I wore a 12-12 1/2 shoe, my store measured me and measured a 13, they said for running they normally like to put someone in 1/2- 1 size larger shoe. I ended up leaving with a 14.

When I started running I expected to have hurting feet, but with the propper shoe, I have. One of that.


Between running and watching what you eat it's a great way to loose weight. 8-9 weeks ago when I started running I was 6'3" 225 pounds. I am now right at 200 now. At 30 I feel better than I have sence high school, at the end of the day I have plenty of energy, where as before by the time 9pm came I was toast.


Keep on keeping on and don't give up, it does get easyer

 

[ChemE1975]

Anyone looking to get into running or needing running shoes should figure out what is the best local running store, then go in and let those folks help. If the shop is good, they will likely have a treadmill there that you can run on for them to analyze your mechanics. From there they can suggest shoes. Also, most good shops have a return policy that if the shoes do not work out after running on them for a few weeks, you can return them and trade into a different shoe...this is usually until you find a shoe that works well.

You are going to pay more at a brick and mortar shop like this, but it is well worth it. You can use them to figure out your shoe, and then on subsequent purchase either go back and get the same shoe or you can source the shoe elsewhere if the price is to high.

 

[Former0302]

+1 on everyone's advice about getting a running store to evaluate you. Trust me, you don't want to suffer through shin splints and/or plantar faciitis. After a lifetime of running, I thought I knew what shoes to get...made the wrong choice and then made an even worse decision to not switch out my shoes when problems began to happen. I'm just now getting back into running after a year and half of plantar faciitis and a trip to an orthopedic guy.

Newton's are great BTW, what I ended up in. Neutral heal lift and some cushion too...sort of the best of both worlds. Running stores that sell them usually have running clinics. Like any other sport, proper form makes a big difference in performance and injury prevention. What you don't know about running is eye opening...I mean...it's running right?!...how much is there to learn about form? A lot.

 

[pepito]

To help support your weight and reduce strain on your feet try running on the grass or dirt next to the sidewalk or walkway. I do a fair bit of long distance jogs a few times every week and when I switched to minimalist shoes my feet ached for the first week or so.

 

[huntinstud101]

I run outside in VFFs and I also have a pair of minimus 20s. The VFFs are the way to go, but go a size or two up and get a few pairs of socks. I had a huge curve getting into minimalist shoes but once you build up the muscles in your feet, "normal" shoes will be almost uncomfortable. i try to run completely naked foot when I know I am in soft stuff (sand, soft dirt) but the vffs are the best IMO

 

[the_gun_slinger19]

Im on my 3rd pair of Reebok zigs....i run them to death and my knees say thank'ya.

They may look hinky but they are great. I ran during basic and AIT in crappy mil issue shoes and ended up tearing my ACL army dr said it was just over use because i started out very over weight....got a pair a zigs and had no problem with my knee...contless miles a new ACL and third pair of zigs and im back in the game..i started the year about 200lbs. Now down to 174 after month and half of hard training.
.keep running. Mix it up..30-60s and 60-120s one day 3 or 4 miles the

 

[Honky]

I always get trail runners. I've had a few pairs of Nike trail runners; just got a pair of New Balance trail runners and they're awesome: better than the Nike's, IMHO. Personally, I don't like featherweight running shoes, and prefer the more substantial trail runners, even when running on asphalt.

BTW, I'm 5'11''/165

 

[woodspider]

Go to a running shoe store and try a pair of "Hoka One One Stinson Tarmacs,"
you will love running in these shoes they are simply the best

 

[VJJPunisher]

Agree, brooks are the only running shoe I will ever buy

 

[djarecke]

Take a good look at Hoka 11's. They look ridiculous, but are like running on a cloud. I have coached dozens of triathletes (including several professionals) that have switched right into a minimalist shoe or a forefoot running shoe that have had achilles issues. Take a look at what Dr. Jack Daniels says regarding forefoot and minimalist running and if you are considering trying it out, do so very slowly cautiously.

One other piece of advice - if you do feel sensations of pain or cramping as you're exercising, you were very wise to stop and stretch it out. NEVER run through pain and be patient as you build up.

 

[djarecke]

Go to a running shoe store and try a pair of "Hoka One One Stinson Tarmacs,"
you will love running in these shoes they are simply the best

+1

 

[Mike]

Great advice, especially going to a running store. I am, by far, not a "runner" although I do run. Where my advice comes into play is the "fat man" part. If you're heavy (250+) The first thing you should ask the guys at the running store is how to change your form to a mid-strike. HUGE difference in my speed, comfort and knee pain and I'm well above 250.

Also, on the running store issue. There are a few in my area, a couple are known as nothing more than running specific Foot-Lockers. Ask the good runners in your area which store is the best.

 

[superde]

There are a bunch of great videos by Eric Orton about running correctly.

 

[Cstanm70]

Buy some 'merican made New Balances

 

[Mike_Honcho]

<-- 6'2" 220# and a ball of the foot striker.

Read / watch / talk with as many runners as you can, esp guys built like you with several years / marathons under their belts. What they have all talked to me about was injury. "Runners" weigh in under a buck fifty. Big bodies are going to have some other issues. Pay attention to your injuries and don't run through them.

If you have not been running in some time how is your overall level of fitness? How strong are your legs? I am a BIG fan of air squats and lunges, you don't need weight you need to do these. Initially try to get to a non stop set of 100 air squats (go to parallel and initiate the 'up' from high in your hamstrings - right under your ass, drive your hips all the way and squeeze your glutes at the top), then try and do multi sets. Do lunges for 25 yrds, then try and extend that 50, 75, 100 - then do multi sets. These two excercises are outstanding for running.

Stretch. Learn to love it. Get a foam roller - use it. Ice and ibuprofen - use it.

Shoes -do you need motion control or a neutral shoe?

I have run in the Mizuno Waves (hated them), the Asics Gel Nimbus, they were OK. I ran for a couple of years in Brooks Glycerins, they were petty good until they changed the last and narrowed the toe box. The ride was neutral and kinda like running on a waterbed - almost a spongy delay of impact. When they changed the last I switched to the Brooks Ghost. The last was better but the toe box was still narrow and the ride while still neutral was much firmer. About 6 months after I switched I developed plantar fasciitis - this sucks major ass BTW. Right now I am just getting going again - short little f'ed up stride, 10 minute miles, only 3 miles, 4 days a week and telling myself - I am not here to condition my body, I am here to condition my feet. Running in the Ghost shoes is a total 'no go'. Right now I am running in 0 offset (no height difference between the heel and the toe) Brooks Pure Drift - basically a barefoot running shoe. I am not super thrilled about these when I run in the marbles on the sides of the pavement, and I am concerned about running in the wet and cold now that winter is approaching. I may try to shift to a pair of Nike Free 3.0, or I may grind out over the winter w/ my Prue Drifts and a wool boot sock. The toe box is awesome in the Pure Drift BTW.

If I were you, I'd read up barefoot running and *if* you choose to do it, know that it will take even more time and require more care, but realize there is a fair amount of evidence to suggest that supportive shoes F people up. As for me, I am not sure where I am headed. However I do think that plantar fasciitis (once you get through the acute stage) is cured by stretching and strengthening - not by supporting damaged tissue forever. Realistically I can see myself working to get my feet back in shape for the next 6 months before I can really think about trying run like I did before.

Take your time, listen to your body.


Best of luck to you, may the bug bite you, and you become dependent on the feeling you get from it.

 

[Cowbiker]

What woodspider said, hoka one one's, maximalist shoes. 6'1" 220# muscular and do 15-20 miles a week rain or shine. Love drymax brand socks too.

 

[DroidSniper]

I am fat and run in the same shoe I lift in. New Balance minimus (sp?). Learn the pose running method. Also I prefer to walk for low intensity and do hill sprint for high intensity. Long distance running with excess body weight = hell on your joints.

 

[Mike_Honcho]

Update - @ a week ago I picked up a pair of Brooks Pure Flow IIs - Brooks PureFlow 2 Men's Shoes Anthracite/Green $70 - which by most standards is very reasonable. I give them a thumbs up.

More of a neutral last, wider toe box than a standard shoe, enough padding, more flexible than a conventional shoe, 4mm of drop.

Been in the low 20's this week, been very happy to have switched out from the Brooks Pure Drift.

 

[Mike_Honcho]

Thought I'd update / bump this. So the plantar fasciitis is still there but I am running 4 days a week (trying to get to 5). After trying to run in some really minimalist shoes (Brooks Pure Drift) and then a slightly more sturdy version (Brooks Pure Drift 2) that still had @ a 4mm stack height (heel / toe height difference) I have come to realize they just don't have enough cushion for me (esp when you catch a rock off in the marbles - not cool). I have kept an eye on Newton Shoes Shop Natural Running Shoes for Men | Newton Running and picked up a pair of their Motion shoes through Running Warehouse as they had them for 20% off.

I have only run @ 20 miles in them but here are some thoughts for those that have read about them and might consider them:

Fit - fit is critical with these. I like my shoes a little big because I am a little wider than a D but not an EE, I bought them a 1/2 size big, and it was a mistake. The ball of your foot needs to line up with the center of the pads at the forefoot of the shoe, otherwise they are not comfortable.

Stack Height - aside from those goofy Hoka Running shoes these were about it for shoes with some real padding and minimal stack height. These are @ 4mm.

Cushioning: Semi firm

Thoughts - for me they are probably not a bad thing to run in for a while. They do (gently) force you to modify your stride and strike such that you land on the center of the ball of your foot, then let the heel down. I tend to run up on my toes, with a long stride - which at my size is a lot of force with each strike. These are forcing me to take shorter strides at a faster pace to turn the same times. It is different, but I am adapting well. I will say, and maybe it is just that the temps are up into mid 40's to mid 50's right now - my feet and knees feel much better, and I am attributing it to having shoes with some real cushioning as opposed to minimalist shoes made for guys who weigh @ 80#s less than I do.

In looking at the wear pattern that is starting to be established - my strike is definitely different and more as it should be - so they work as advertised.

I do think that their Energy Shoe line could be a better shoe ($55 cheaper) simply because the pads under the ball of the foot have been extended to the lateral edges of the shoe. To me this means they would (maybe) feel better just walking (the Motions feel weird - not like a normal running shoe - you have 4 very firm pads right under the ball of your foot) and would probably feel better when negotiating a tight turn (look at the difference of the pads across the ball of the foot on both and you will see what I mean).

I was not wild about forking out the $ for the Motions, but everything I have read indicates that I should get more miles out of them than most other shoes (hoping for @ 400 + miles). I got the Motions because I am a mild pronator and although I have been running in neutral shoes, I thought I'd give my feet the very best shot at healing up by getting a mildly corrective shoe.