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Neutral shoe with a low arch support? (Read 1554 times)

Eustace Tierney


YoYo

    Hi Folks! Just throwing this one out there! I have recently started getting some knee and hip pain, my right knee in particular under the knee cap. Im guessing this is an alignment problem until I get a proper diagnosis. I have been referred to a specialist but this could be 2 to 3 weeks away so for now Im self diagnosing and looking for answers. I had been running for about 12 months in a neutral shoe (Asics Gel Nimbus 7) and had no problems although my mileage didnt go much above25 m/wk. I then purchased a pair of Nimbus 9's but felt they were not as cushioned in the forefoot and after a few weeks these began to blister the arch of my foot. These were retired! I then moved to Saucony Pro Grid Hurricane 9 which have a little bit of motion control. I had no problems with these either(did around 450miles in these). My mileage was still less than 30m/wk. I then decided to start training for a marathon, purchased a pair of Hurricane 10's and started ramping up the miles and was doing 40 - 50m/wk. In the last few weeks i started to get a little hip pain on longer runs, I then developed a sore toe, (left foot middle toe at the base of the toe itself). Just over a week ago i developed quite a sharp pain under the knee cap. While resting for a few days I decided to assess my footwear. My new Hurricanes had about 250 miles on them but were quite badly worn on the heel. They also seemed to be wearing only on the outside of the shoe with some wear to the central toe area. I realised I should be pronating more than this and this was a likely cause of my problem. I dug out the old Asics and compared the wear. The Asics definitely were wearing (in my opinion more correctly). I had a Gait analysis done about 2 years back by Asics and was told the Nimbus was right for me. So a neutral shoe would seem to be the answer! I dug out the old Nimbus 9's last Sunday and went for a 6miler. Well no problem with the knee but my arch blistered again. So that rules the Nimbus out. I decided to check the advice on buying running shoes. I seem to have a low arch although not flat footed which means I should be wearing motion control shoes to stop me over pronating. But having wore the Saucony's which have some pronation control I am running only on the outside of my foot. So despite having a low arch I still need a neutral shoe. Ah the Asics Nimbus! Mmm! These now appear to be designed for runners with a high arch! What do I do? Are all neutral shoes designed for high arches? I have dug out my old Nimbus 7's which are a bit knackered but Im going to give them a run to see if they annoy my arch, as it may have collapsed a bit since I wore them last. Has anyone similar problems? Can you recommend a neutral shoe with a low arch support?

    "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare." Goals: Keep on running!

    zoom-zoom


    rectumdamnnearkilledem

      Perhaps you need a shoe with *some* stability, but not as much as the Hurricane. Manufacturers have started coming out with shoes in a "guidance" category, which generally includes a smaller medial post...so they offer stability, but only a mild big. If you like the fit of the Hurricane, maybe try the Progrid Guide. I wore a pair briefly, before my achilles area decided that the heel tabs were too high and curved. In hind sight I wonder if I should have simply hacked 'em off with a scissors. Too much stability is as bad as too little (and I have a helluva time finding the right degree and am considering having a podiatrist make me custom orthotics). Another thought is to try an OTC orthotic insole in a neutral shoe (Superfeet, Sole, Powerstep).

      Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

      remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.    

           ~ Sarah Kay

        Can you recommend a neutral shoe with a low arch support?
        Brooks Dyad. Smile BTW, pronation or lack thereof has nada to do with where your foot initially lands and wears your shoe. If the Nimbus arch is too much, remove the insole and get a lower one or try running without the insole.

        Ricky

        —our ability to perform up to our physiological potential in a race is determined by whether or not we truly psychologically believe that what we are attempting is realistic. Anton Krupicka

        Eustace Tierney


        YoYo

          Thanks folks. Found info on the Brooks Dyad. Just trying find a stockist now. Will try the Nimbus without the insole too. Sometimes we overlook the easy solutions! Smile

          "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare." Goals: Keep on running!