Happy Friday, everyone! Because we welcomed a bunch of new readers and subscribers this week, I wanted to take a moment to introduce you all to Hollie Sick, a great friend who’s also been a longtime writer for The Half Marathoner.
For the past several years, she’s worked in run specialty and is also a highly accomplished runner herself, with more than 40 half marathons and many marathons under her belt, including the NYC Marathon. (You can follow her adventures on Twitter and Instagram too.)
She knows just about everything there is to know about running shoes, so I wanted to give you all a chance to ask her anything you’d like to know about what to wear, how to choose the right shoe, what her opinions on different brands are, or anything else you’d like to know.
(She’s also written a fantastic new ebook all about running shoes, which you can download here.)
I’ll mostly take a back seat today, and let Hollie lead the conversation today 😃 You guys have a great time, and ask away! — Terrell
Hello! I’ve worked in run speciality for the last 6-7 years and have seen everything from the chronic plantar fasciitis to walkers walking 5-10 miles a day (a day!!). Don’t be shy, I’ve been asked most questions about shoes you can think of.
Hey Hollie!! Thanks for making yourself available to answer a few questions from us. :) My question is, how important is the cushion level in your shoe? I mainly run on roads and paved trails and in neutral, springy Brooks. I don’t have any pain while running, thankfully, but as I’m increasing mileage this summer, it makes me wonder if I should add more cushion, and if so, will that be more of a hindrance or a help in the long run?
You can't go wrong with more cushion but if your body is happy in your current shoe you should be fine. You might need to replace your running shoes more often. In the book, I also talk about different reasons why maybe having two shoes could benefit you. For instance a shoe for your long run days (more cushion) and your regular running days (your already favorite shoe). More cushion won't rally hinder you. The main goal is to always be comfortable.
Hi Hollie! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! I'm a pretty novice runner, ran a few half marathons in the past, thinking of running one in October. What is the typical shelf life for a pair of running shoes? This might be a stupid question and i apologize, but you should wear the shoes you train in for the race, right? Then should you consider them toast? I have been using Asics and i love them for my flat feet. I usually go about a size bigger as well, and have to get Men's sizes because as you mention, the Ladies are too narrow for my flippers. Also, what do you mean by "drop" as mentioned in the below post? Thanks so much again!! ~Mal
So my book will better explain what drop is and everything about shelf life of shoes. It goes into great detail about both! The short answers are: The shelf life of a shoe graters varies from person to person. It’s not weight dependent but how hard you are on shoes. For some people it’s 200 miles, others it’s 400 or 500. I tell people if things don’t feel good anymore it’s probably the shoes. I don’t even track mileage, I just know when my legs/shins/knees are sore it’s typically the shoes. The drop is the height of a shoe in the heel minus the height of a shoe in the forefront. For instance, a ladies high heel has a huge heel to toe drop where a ladies flat Is zero. It’s the same with running shoes, some brands like Asics have high drops (11-12 mm) and some brands like altra have low (0 mm).
Hey Hollie. Over the past few years I have been going through shoes with different drops...from zero drop on the trails to 12mm drop on the road. Is there a way to tell what drop is best for a foot type? Is using a low drop trail shoe and higher drop road shoe bad for the joints and legs?
Every drop is good for different people. Me personally, I work best at 11-12 mm drop. The lower the drop the less pressure on your knees. (But more pressure on your feet!) The higher the drop the less pressure on your calves and Achilles (but sometimes more pressure on your knees). If you tend to get more Achilles and calf problems, the higher drop is better. If you get more knee problems, a lower drop might benefit you!
Hi Hollie, I think I may be in the early stages of a neuroma due to my feet swelling in my shoes in the heat. Any recommendations on a good distance shoe with a wide toe box?
It’s very dependent on your foot and I always recommend run speciality but don’t be afraid to go in a wide. Many women’s shoes only widen the front and toe box to accommodate or bunions. Most Brooks and New balance shoes are good about this. Try a wide, even if your feet aren’t “wide” it’s going to take that pressure off the neuroma and you don’t have ay consequence from going into a wide shoe.
Hello Hollie. Thank you for taking time to answer questions. I am just getting over chronic plantar fasciitis. Ugh. I haven't been able to run since February until a week ago. I started back with walking long distance and after a few miles my foot was sore and stiff. Just not sure if my shoes are proper for the condition. I have ASICS gel at this point
You might need to get refitted. Many Asics shoes run very narrow and 90% of runners/walkers need to adjust sizes in Asics shoes. Plantar fasciitis can be aggravated by too small of a shoe. Both the Asics Kayano and nimbus have a lot of cushion. The Kayano is made for someone who needs more arch support.
Hollie, I love lighter weight, springy shoes but if I run too many miles in them my feet/heels start to hurt and I need to go back to my more cushioned shoes (currently Brooks ghosts). Is there a happy medium or do I just need to stick with the cushion?
Why not use both Robyn? You don't have to only have one pair of shoes? You can alternate between two? I like the faster shoe for faster runs but also use a more cushioned shoe for longer/easier runs. That way my body stays healthier.
Hello! I’ve worked in run speciality for the last 6-7 years and have seen everything from the chronic plantar fasciitis to walkers walking 5-10 miles a day (a day!!). Don’t be shy, I’ve been asked most questions about shoes you can think of.
Hey Hollie!! Thanks for making yourself available to answer a few questions from us. :) My question is, how important is the cushion level in your shoe? I mainly run on roads and paved trails and in neutral, springy Brooks. I don’t have any pain while running, thankfully, but as I’m increasing mileage this summer, it makes me wonder if I should add more cushion, and if so, will that be more of a hindrance or a help in the long run?
You can't go wrong with more cushion but if your body is happy in your current shoe you should be fine. You might need to replace your running shoes more often. In the book, I also talk about different reasons why maybe having two shoes could benefit you. For instance a shoe for your long run days (more cushion) and your regular running days (your already favorite shoe). More cushion won't rally hinder you. The main goal is to always be comfortable.
Hi Hollie! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! I'm a pretty novice runner, ran a few half marathons in the past, thinking of running one in October. What is the typical shelf life for a pair of running shoes? This might be a stupid question and i apologize, but you should wear the shoes you train in for the race, right? Then should you consider them toast? I have been using Asics and i love them for my flat feet. I usually go about a size bigger as well, and have to get Men's sizes because as you mention, the Ladies are too narrow for my flippers. Also, what do you mean by "drop" as mentioned in the below post? Thanks so much again!! ~Mal
So my book will better explain what drop is and everything about shelf life of shoes. It goes into great detail about both! The short answers are: The shelf life of a shoe graters varies from person to person. It’s not weight dependent but how hard you are on shoes. For some people it’s 200 miles, others it’s 400 or 500. I tell people if things don’t feel good anymore it’s probably the shoes. I don’t even track mileage, I just know when my legs/shins/knees are sore it’s typically the shoes. The drop is the height of a shoe in the heel minus the height of a shoe in the forefront. For instance, a ladies high heel has a huge heel to toe drop where a ladies flat Is zero. It’s the same with running shoes, some brands like Asics have high drops (11-12 mm) and some brands like altra have low (0 mm).
Oh great!! Thank you so much, Hollie!!
Hey Hollie. Over the past few years I have been going through shoes with different drops...from zero drop on the trails to 12mm drop on the road. Is there a way to tell what drop is best for a foot type? Is using a low drop trail shoe and higher drop road shoe bad for the joints and legs?
Every drop is good for different people. Me personally, I work best at 11-12 mm drop. The lower the drop the less pressure on your knees. (But more pressure on your feet!) The higher the drop the less pressure on your calves and Achilles (but sometimes more pressure on your knees). If you tend to get more Achilles and calf problems, the higher drop is better. If you get more knee problems, a lower drop might benefit you!
Hi Hollie, I think I may be in the early stages of a neuroma due to my feet swelling in my shoes in the heat. Any recommendations on a good distance shoe with a wide toe box?
It’s very dependent on your foot and I always recommend run speciality but don’t be afraid to go in a wide. Many women’s shoes only widen the front and toe box to accommodate or bunions. Most Brooks and New balance shoes are good about this. Try a wide, even if your feet aren’t “wide” it’s going to take that pressure off the neuroma and you don’t have ay consequence from going into a wide shoe.
Hello Hollie. Thank you for taking time to answer questions. I am just getting over chronic plantar fasciitis. Ugh. I haven't been able to run since February until a week ago. I started back with walking long distance and after a few miles my foot was sore and stiff. Just not sure if my shoes are proper for the condition. I have ASICS gel at this point
You might need to get refitted. Many Asics shoes run very narrow and 90% of runners/walkers need to adjust sizes in Asics shoes. Plantar fasciitis can be aggravated by too small of a shoe. Both the Asics Kayano and nimbus have a lot of cushion. The Kayano is made for someone who needs more arch support.
Great. Thank you
Of course. Just to give you an idea, I wear a women’s size 10 in running shoes for most brands and wear a women’s size 11 wide for Asics.
Oh wow. Ok. Good to know for sure. Would you recommend an insert for more support?
Hollie, I love lighter weight, springy shoes but if I run too many miles in them my feet/heels start to hurt and I need to go back to my more cushioned shoes (currently Brooks ghosts). Is there a happy medium or do I just need to stick with the cushion?
Why not use both Robyn? You don't have to only have one pair of shoes? You can alternate between two? I like the faster shoe for faster runs but also use a more cushioned shoe for longer/easier runs. That way my body stays healthier.