Question:I am about to start training for the Chicago marathon and would like some
advice on shoes?
Answer:
I doubt if the tendentious is caused by the shoes. I believe there are
really a number of causes for tendentious thus there are a number of
different solutions. In my case I believe it was an indirect result of a
cancer problem I had 30 years ago and the surgery that saved my life. Long
story.
I suggest checking prior threads on this subject for Ozzie's advice. I
believe it worked for me. I can't say for sure, but after a year and a half
of problems following his advice has left me free of the problem for a year
and a half.
I don't know where you live, but do try to find a real running store.
Not a shoe store or a super sporting goods store that sells shoes.
They can do a lot to help you pick the shoes that are right for you.
But of course if they weren't a relative factor you wouldn't have mentioned
that, right?
Shoes are THE MOST COMMON cause of ANY injury in runners. Pretty simple, isn't
it?
Achilles tendonitis most often occurs (1) when increasing your weekly
mileage too fast, or (2) when switching from soft to hard running
surface, or (3) if your running shoes have lost their damping effect.
Factors (2) and (3) can be corrected by selecting the right shoes or
replacing your shoes. Factor (1) can be avoided by sticking to a
proven training schedule. From what you've written I can't decide
which factor(s) apply to your situtation.
Although I'm not preparing for a marathon yet, I hope I can offer some
advice.
To avoid problems with weekly mileage, try to increase by no more than
10% extra distance per week, and try to moderate training pace when
you're increasing your weekly mileage. Do not increase both training
pace and training distance; doing both is a recipe for injuries.
To avoid the problems from going from soft soil to a harder surface,
try training on mixed surface, but mostly soft soil. Always temper
your pace when a different type of running surface presents itself in
your workout and increase your pace after you feel confident again.
My running style is quite destructive towards my running shoes. My
shoes often last no longer than 1000 km (620 miles), but I should
replace them sooner (800 km, 500 miles) to positively avoid training
injuries. After 1000 km they start falling apart, literally.
Because I train between 50 and 90 km per week (31-56 miles/week), this
means my running shoes should be replaced after 11-12 weeks (roughly 3
months). IOW I use 4 pairs of running shoes per year. I'm told by a
shoes salesman than his shoes often last 8-10 months, with a weekly 30
km of training. So people with less destructive running styles should
be able to run for 1000 - 1300 km (620 - 800 miles).
