Comments on: Be Careful About Converting Your Experience into a Prescription for All Runners

By: Don Byers

Don Byers — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

One more thing about new runners and something I don't see being discussed as often as it should, is the difference between running shoes and the "sport" shoes sold at department stores. Many new runners use these sport shoes because they look like running shoes and they're less expensive. I can't remember where, but I saw some sales statistics indicating when these sport shoes are included that department stores sell the majority of "running" shoes. Of course this means the majority of runners may be using shoes not designed for more than casual running - a few miles a week. Or is that necessarily true? Are these kind of shoes, which are typically written off as junk by "real" runners, actually decent running shoes? Are there any studies showing people get injured more often in these cheaper shoes? Could these shoes be an alternative to expensive traditional running shoes and expensive barefoot shoes? Lots of people use them for running, yet there is little information about any of them. Is our bias against these shoes a disservice to new runners?

By: Don Byers

Don Byers — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

There are very few absolutes in running, but among them are these - there is no single "best way" to run for everyone, and there is no shoe type that works well for everyone. People are far too variable.
It gets difficult in my line of work when a person who is new to running wants me to tell them what will work best for them. We try to narrow it down through a series of questions and the use of tools like gait analysis and arch profiles, but not everyone fits neatly into a one size fits all box. While these things often produce good results for people using traditional shoes, it's far from perfect. These tools are of very questionable value for people wanting barefoot type shoes.
Trying to shoe horn everyone into doing only what works for ourselves is a recipe for failure.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Matthew Noll.

I'd be very wary of any advice suggesting that cadence shouldn't vary with pace... https://runblogger.com/2011...

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By: beckip

beckip — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Pete Larson.

I agree with Pete on this one. The 180 steps per minute came from Jack Daniels observing a small sample of elite men running what was I think a 5000m race. I'm not sure that a group of elite guys racing probably at 4:10 pace is the best representation of what is best for everyone. If you tried to run at that pace, your cadence would most likely be well north of 180 (unless you actually can generate some sick power upon toe-off!). I'm pretty sure Pete has another article on here that lists the cadences of elite runners at a given point at Boston (from the fast year with the tailwind, I think). Lots of variability there too...and some of them were surprisingly high.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Nick J.

Thanks Nick, agree completely. I might have to grab that URL!
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By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Guest.

There's a difference between sharing your experience so that others might benefit, such as you have done, and taking a my way or the highway approach. The latter is what I was criticizing here. It's important that people be open minded about things they may disagree with.

By: Matthew Noll

Matthew Noll — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Pete Larson.

I understand cadence can and often will vary with speed, but ideally you want to be as close to a constant 180bpm as possible.

http://www.goodformrunning.com...

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Matthew Noll.

There is zero evidence whatsoever to support running at 180 at all times. The idea that it is a magic number is a myth.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Tom Quade.

Thanks Tom - hope to have a bunch of new reviews up in the coming weeks, finally have some time to write!

By: Flaming June

Flaming June — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

What an excellent post! It is refreshing to hear some common sense inserted into the ever-present running debates! As an older, injury-prone female runner, I am often frustrated by the elitists – those who think their way is the only way. And it isn’t just on blogs. I had an employee at a Dick’s Sporting Goods tell me how silly he thought the whole minimalist trend was while I sat there in tears because none of the shoes he kept foisting on me actually fit my feet! Even as a beginning runner – with little knowledge of this whole debate, I couldn’t figure out why he would limit MY choices based on HIS preference!
BTW, I am so glad that your wife is able to run more and that the Hoka’s are working for her! I tried on the Hokas (after your post about them helping with your wife’s hip pain) and actually liked them! In the meantime icing and massage have greatly improved my foot pain and I am back in love with my Skecher’s GoRuns. In fact, I just purchased the last 3 pairs that Amazon had in my size because I am so afraid they will quit making them (the original in E width). Just wanted you to know how helpful your blog has been! Keep up the good work!

By: Carl Kleinhenz

Carl Kleinhenz — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I am a runner of 36 years, with the first truly debilitating injury. It is a combination of piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve, rendering it impossible for me to comfortably run. This is the third injury in a year while running on minimalist shoes, so I suspect I need to return to full cushion and hope for the best. It is humbling and frustrating after successfully racing, but I just hope I can continue to run at all. The lesson must be that one has no guarantee, that running is not a right but a privilege, and that the biomechanics of running suit some better than others. I just hope for the best, that I will be able to run effortlessly without pain once again.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Flaming June.

Thanks June! Way to snap up those GoRuns :)
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