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Retail Shoe Fag answers all. RetailShoeFag !!pBjh1tMCJaH
Howdy /fit

You might have seen my responses to some footwear/running related questions in the board, and hopefully they have been of some use to you.

So, a little about me. I work for << and I have amassed a rather disturbing amount of Lower anatomy and shoe knowledge. I run and cycle, and although I'm not the most fit person in the world, I'm quite happy with where I am at.

So, where does this bring us?

I'm here at your disposal. Please feel free to ask me any questions that you feel are in my scope of knowledge. I have a limited knowledge of the other 3 high end runners (Asics, Mizuno, and Saucony) so I can attempt to help you out with them as well. Also, if you can provide a "Wet foot test" (G.I.M.F) I will try to put you in the appropriate runner if you provide weekly millage, weight, running surface (trail, concrete, treadmill)

TL:DR - Ask the Retail Shoe Fag foot and running shoe related questions.
>> Anonymous
Why do running shoes insist on having huge heels with padding when running does not involve the heel touching the ground?
>> Anonymous
What the hell is the difference between a "Runner" and a "Cross-trainer"?

What should I go for to do outdoor jogging (half concrete, half grass)?
>> RetailShoeFag !!pBjh1tMCJaH
Most people Strike with their Heels. Approx. 3.5 to 5 times your weight is exerted on a heel strike, and it initiates the foots natural Shock absorbing mechanics. All that padding is put there to ensure the shock doesn't fly up your legs to the more sensitive knee cartiledge/miniscus.

If you strike in the mid foot and your heel doesn't hit first, chances are you have a shortened Achelles tendon and cannot extend your lower leg far enough to put it in the proper position.
>> Anonymous
>>45633
you run on your toes?

maybe you're confusing running and sprinting. they're not the same thing.
>> RetailShoeFag !!pBjh1tMCJaH
>>45634
runner and cross trainer.
Think of Cross trainers as the jack of all trades, king of none. They can do a little of everything, but do not excel in any one thing. (except weight training) Cross trainers also have an better lateral motion support via better, more supportive uppers. This is what allows you to move side to side Quickly without getting the rolling sensation that you get when you use a runner to do the same movements.
>> RetailShoeFag !!pBjh1tMCJaH
also, for running on mixed, its better to use a road running shoe, and not a trail running shoe. Trail runners typically have reinforced midsoles with plastic plates that are there to prevent you from feeling twigs and rocks. those plates take the space that would otherwise be occupied by sweet sweet cushioning.
>> Anonymous
I also walk on my toes.
As you said, landing on your heel takes out the natural shock absorbtion of the foot and calve and transfers all of your weight into your knee. You are then trying to generate all of your power with your quads instead of your entire leg.
>> sage !jyye8faDxg
>>45637
try running barefoot(the way the human body was built to run) and you'll realize that heel striking is NOT natural.
>> Anonymous
>>45644
i don't think that's what they said at all.

>>45646
running barefoot on concrete is not natural. barefoot on grass is just fine and dandy.
>> Anonymous
Hey guy.

Does my fatness have anything to do with the bottom of my shoes getting fucked up so easily?

Also, I have a pair of retro new balances that awesome but they have a very hard part that it just so painful on the middle of the top of my foot. Just wanted to say that.
>> RetailShoeFag !!pBjh1tMCJaH
If i grew up without shoes and had a hardened Calcanear fat pad, then yes, I would run bare foot.

As it is, when getting my Gait looked at, I can run bare foot for 15 minutes with my heels striking the ground first.

That being said, Everyone runs different. Most of what i do is by following guidelines, but then there are certain things that we do for mid foot strikers (later stage over-pronation support, deeper toe boxes, Higher fore-foot Cushioning, seamless toe boxes)
>> sage !jyye8faDxg
>>45647
and heel striking on concrete is even worse
>> RetailShoeFag !!pBjh1tMCJaH
>>45649

the reason the bottom of your shoes getting fucked is due to improper support. try throwing something like Super Feet into your shoe and get some Medial Arch support. also ,Lost some weight and get a shoe with a better rubber compound on the bottom of the shoe. in new balance, the technology is called "N-Durance"

As for the top part of your foot (the Instep) hurting, try not crossing the laces over the part of your foot that hurts.

o o
. .
. . << Run the lace like this over the part . . that hurts on your instep
o o
. .
.
. .
o o
. .
.
. .
o....o
>> Anonymous
>>45651
you seem to be under the impression that bashing the heel into the ground is what is meant here. the word 'strike' might be throwing you.

i run long distance and sprint differently. i wonder if you do either of these things at all.
>> RetailShoeFag !!pBjh1tMCJaH
     File :-(, x)
this is what i was trying to describe with my crappy ascii art.
>> Guil
Odd. I land on the balls of my feet. I guess when I jog I land flat footed, I really don't run often. I'll try and pay more attention next time I do but I know I don't naturally land on my heel when doing any running/jogging. It seems so odd to point my toes UPWARD while mid stride so that I do..?
>> RetailShoeFag !!pBjh1tMCJaH
>> 45673

try placing your heel further forward when you jog/run and try not to bop up and down too much. Chances are you're having too much vertical movement with not a lot of forward movement, and that is causing your shorter stride to make you land less on your heel and more on your mid/forefoot.
>> Anonymous
What should I be looking for if I want a shoe that's good for HIIT (extreme sprinting followed by slow jogging)? I should mention that I'm also extremely flat-footed.
>> RetailShoeFag !!pBjh1tMCJaH
>> 45677

For HIIT running/jogging with a flat foot, grab a running shoe with the following characteristics:

- Lots of Medial (inside aspect of the arch) posting. it usually is grey foam sometimes reinforced with thermal plastic. This will insure that you don't mess up your lower leg alignment with improper balance.

-Flexable forefoot that does not bend past the balls of the feet. If it bends in the middle of the shoe, you're not going to be getting a rigid lever-like support in the shoe that you need for HIIT training.

-Firm Cushioning, not soft. Soft cushioning will sap your energy that you are exerting into the ground, and it will fatigue you faster than a firmer cushioning system will. In new balance, the Technology to look for is "abzorb DTS", "Abzorb SBS" and "NB Zip"

- a properly fitted Shoe. Don't freak out when the sales person tells you a Quarter to half an inch of space from the edge of the toe box to the edge of your longest toe. We're here to make sure you don't get black toenails and other disgusting stuff.
>> Anonymous
>>45690
Damn, you're good. Thanks.
>> RetailShoeFag !!pBjh1tMCJaH
Thanks for the great questions /fit/
I'm off for the night, but I'll try to be available next week with another thread. take care ^^