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Running shoes: Store that will help me pick the right one?

easygo65101

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 17:14

Where do the people of Dubai go for their runs/JOGGING?

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ASHT

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 09:12

I second Intersport next to ACE at Festival Centre. They measured our feet and we ran on the mat, connected to the computer. the sales assistant then went into detail about the findings on the computer and recommended trainers for us. DH and I both went for Saucony ones as they were the most comfortable. You can use a treadmill to try them out as well.

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LDC

205

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 21:42

Are these just another 'shoe' gimmick? I watched the Olympics and didn't see anyone wearing anything like a barefoot option. Your thoughts ladies.

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Bundles

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 17:07

I saw the video based on the book in youtube a few months ago and its really mind blowing! I have been trying to do a forefoot strike, but do end up feeling like a horse... (the scene in the movie, Black Beauty, just after beauty wears the saddle for the first time, and is taken to ride, you see him stepping out one foot at a time, thats the feeling :) ) I did notice that trying an all out run in a forefoot strike does not get me anywhere... however trying to jog and then increase the number of steps and speed from the jog helps to keep in forefoot mode longer... still figuring it out though... *hope I made some sense* Just make sure you're leaning slightly forward with your foot landing beneath you, not outstretched, then increase/decrease your cadence (speed) as necessary. As long as you're doing that any heelstrike won't be as bad. I'm also trying to do this and feel like I'm just shuffling along looking very awkward but I'm hoping that will improve with time and practice! :)

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sumi

138

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 07:41

...Also at 800 Dhms a time they would have to work miracles. ouch! thats super expensive. I have just about managed to convince DH to shell out about 500+ for asics or saucony... if I were to ask him for another 300 more, think he would have a faint! Maybe next year (2014) when I have perfected the art of running :) A lot of people buy the barefoot shoes but still heelstrike, which can cause even more, and sometimes worse injury. A good book to read is Born To Run by Christopher McDougall. :) I saw the video based on the book in youtube a few months ago and its really mind blowing! I have been trying to do a forefoot strike, but do end up feeling like a horse... (the scene in the movie, Black Beauty, just after beauty wears the saddle for the first time, and is taken to ride, you see him stepping out one foot at a time, thats the feeling :) ) I did notice that trying an all out run in a forefoot strike does not get me anywhere... however trying to jog and then increase the number of steps and speed from the jog helps to keep in forefoot mode longer... still figuring it out though... *hope I made some sense*

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Feefmick56943

1370

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 21:50

I couldn't get my toes into 5 finger shoes but did buy a barefoot alternative version. They are painful if one steps on a stone LOL. I'd always been very injury prone and hoped they would help. I still use them a bit but find that a lightweight racing shoe is the best compromise for me. More support than the 5 finger but not as much as aconventional shoe. Don't buy the 5 fingers without trying them as some people just can't separate their toes (apparently this is not a good sign regarding injuries..it's much healthier if you can separate your toes. Phyio told me that I should be able to move each toe independently of each other..no chance LOL)

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LDC

205

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 21:46

Saw the video clip whilst I was trying on the VFF's. As Bundles so rightly said you have to change your running technique if you change to Natural or Barefoot (VFF) running. How easy would it be to change a running style, not sure!! If it was me I'm sure I would (out of habit) keep reverting back to how I have always run and end up causing myself damage.

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Bundles

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 21:40

My DH recently converted to Newton's and loves them. He was struggling with a knee injury for months so went to Up and Running on Al Wasl road and they recommended them with his custom orthotics. The trick with natural running is to change your running style. You should shorten your stride to land midfoot/forefoot right below your centre of gravity. A lot of people buy the barefoot shoes but still heelstrike, which can cause even more, and sometimes worse injury. A good book to read is Born To Run by Christopher McDougall. :)

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LDC

205

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 21:40

I'm also waiting for feedback from the EW ladies to see if anyone has tried the Vibran Five Fingers. I love my Asics but am interested in the VFF's as they are reported to straighten out your toes (I have a bunion) not really bad but it rubs on most shoes. Went and tried VFF's and after doing more wriggling than a fish in water to try and get my toes in the things I gave up thinking I definitely wouldn't have the patience. Also at 800 Dhms a time they would have to work miracles. Any ladies that have tried the Vibran Five Fingers could you please let me know what you think of them positive or negative. Would appreciate it very much.

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sumi

138

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 21:08

After getting your gait analysis, why not think about getting either a pair of Vibram Five Fingers or Newton's which are for 'barefoot' running. This should help with your plantar fascitis as you don't land on your heel. VFF's are available at Athlete's Foot and Newton's at Adventure HQ in Times Square. Good luck with your training! Thanks Bundles, but I heard somewhere that I should avoid barefoot due to the plantar fascists? Not sure though... :( I was even initially misdiagnosed with tendonitis by one doc and then as I had no relief after almost a week got a second opinion and told it was plantar fascitis and maybe a bit of tendonitis... and given silicone insoles to walk with. I am open to trying anything thats good and comfortable for my feet and in helping me complete my training and the half marathon... but just dont want to make a wrong choice... Have you had any personal experience or someone you know might have had? regarding this please? Would love to know more... edited by sumi on 09/09/2012

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Bundles

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 20:46

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Buy me a Pony36483

687

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EW GURU

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 19:56

LDC - that's interesting - that you believed the shoes in Karama were not authentic. They certainly looked the part and at the time I can remember thinking how difficult it would be to replicate trainers with all their colours etc. Next time I am there I will have to have an even closer look as I was thinking I might go there and get the shoes I should have!! LOL

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sarassister

176

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 18:41

New Balance in Mercato. They have a treadmill in there so you can try them.

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LDC

205

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 17:27

I find Karama not to be authentic (yes, go on laugh) even the trainers that look the part. The sole and the gel insert are not right. How to get our of a shop without buying: Look them straight in the eye and say thank you so much, you have been very helpful but: a) They are not right for me b) They are too expensive c) They are just not comfortable Don't feel bad, that is what customer service is all about. Never feel pressured into buying something that you don't feel is right!! Hope this helps

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Buy me a Pony36483

687

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EW GURU

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 17:19

You could also try Karama if you know what model you want. I saw some Sauconys there while back but it was before I knew what model I was supposed to have. a lot cheaper...

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sumi

138

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 16:48

Will do LDC, but need to get my gait analysed first to be sure I don't pick up the wrong kind of shoes... And after I get that done need to figure a good excuse to get out of the shop without buying their recommendations so that I can shop for them elsewhere...

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LDC

205

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 16:32

Why don't you give the 'Outlet Mall' a call and see if any of the Sports stores sell Asics and what price they are there??

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sumi

138

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 16:29

It's just too bad all the sales have ended :( Asics had a sale during ramdan just before I left on vacation, but I didn't know what shoes to buy and DH felt it was an unnecessary expense as I already had my Adidas duramo... Anyway havng watched me limp in pain with plantar fascitis and now with me signing up for a 10k & a half marathon, DH seems to be convinced though he was still shocked at the price. Now I feel like crying... Aarrgh!

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LDC

205

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 16:10

I pronounce it 'Aysics' but it's named Asics. My last pair was the TN749 F360509 PY style with Gel and bought them from Ibn Batutta Go Sport (2 years ago) and still going strong. The Asics pair prior to that, (a basic pair) is also still going strong after much wear. There appears to be more selection for ladies in Athletes foot and there is a young lady in there that seems quite knowledgeable on their products. Anyone tried the Vibran Five Fingers yet for running?

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emlsnre

1692

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 16:09

emlsnre, The gait assessment set up sounds really good. Question: Does the store then suggest what sports shoe is best for you personally or is the store only allowed to suggest their own brands? I've tried Nike, Adidas, Reebok and find that for me Asics are the most supportive and also the most comfortable. Yes, they are expensive but I always wait until the sales and then buy another pair. Will definitely go for the gait assessment though, thanks for the information. Good luck with the 10K. Has anyone tried the Vibran Five fingers? No bias, they recommended either a asics or saucony for me.

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sumi

138

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 16:00

The other thing you could do (not sure how ethical it is) is get Athlete's Foot to diagnose your gait (that's if you trust them to do that!) and recommend a shoe and a price, then come home and research on the net to check that: a. they are recommending the right shoe for your needs b. Look for an alternative Asics for your gait. Lol! :) considering the price we are paying, I guess we could be excused for that.. though I would have to leave DH outside the store as he does not like to inconvenience the sales people and then walk out without buying. But knowing the "knowledgable staff here" we cant be blamed.

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Buy me a Pony36483

687

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EW GURU

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 15:53

I hear what you're saying Sumi - my Saucony's cost me around 700 aed! The other thing you could do (not sure how ethical it is) is get Athlete's Foot to diagnose your gait (that's if you trust them to do that!) and recommend a shoe and a price, then come home and research on the net to check that: a. they are recommending the right shoe for your needs b. Look for an alternative Asics for your gait. I think I would do that anyway with Athlete's Foot here, as I took my kids there for school shoes and was appalled at the way their sales people operated (MoE). They really just did not care! In Australia, they are really into their jobs and all are university students, so can be trained properly and understand the science of it. Yes, well, I pronounce Asics as "As-ix", so if it's wrong, you won't be alone, LOL. Good luck!

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sumi

138

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 15:34

Thanks everyone, I think I will check out Intersport & Athlete's Foot as they seem to have some real good reviews. However Athlete's Foot no longer stock saucony :( so I guess its just Asics for me... Dont want to go to the saucony store and get improper shoes... especially considering the investment involved... btw, how do you pronounce Asics? as-ix? or something else?

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Fairfield10380

544

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 14:34

I know Athlete's Foot in Ibn Battuta has a gait assessment pad too. I got my last pair of Asics there, following their pronation diagnosis, and they've been great. FFx

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Buy me a Pony36483

687

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 12:26

Well, I was going to say the Saucony Shop in Dubai Mall as they recommended my current models, but when I went home to Oz over summer, I popped into my local Athlete's Foot and talked to them. They ran me across their foot machine and it turns out I do actually have a pronation (Saucony said not after watching me walk) and that Saucony sold me the wrong shoes for that. I am wearing Triumph 9's but should be wearing Hurricane's. So now I have had to go put some inner soles inside the T9's to try and stop the rolling *sigh*. Also I took my kids to the Saucony shop when they had a sale and they didn't even have an instrument to measure the size of the kids' feet! They wanted me to tell them what size. I said, "That's what I come to you for - to work out the size and width and tell me what shoe". Hopeless! So now I don't know where to go in Dubai. I've heard through the grapevine there's a good guy at Go Sport in Ibn Battuta, but I couldn't tell you his name. Basically in terms of shoes, I'd certainly go for Saucony or Asics for running, but as to which model, I have no idea :-/.

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LDC

205

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 12:23

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emlsnre

1692

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 11:23

The big Intersport store attached to ACE at Festival City. They have the gait assessment set up. So you run and mid point the pressure hits a mat which is computer linked, it shows the different points of your foot and where it is hitting. edited by emlsnre on 09/09/2012

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Mrsbrown nz

242

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 10:18

try the saucony shop in Dubai mall its next to Galleries Lafiyette

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sumi

138

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 10:16

Since the plantar fascitis which took me almost 4-6 weeks to recover, I have been using silicon insoles in my shoes to help me... however I am still worried of a re-injury so really need to get the right shoes... :(

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sumi

138

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 10:12

I am shopping for a pair of good running shoes that I hope to use in my daily walk/jog learn to run routine. Plan to do a 10k in November and a half marathon in feb. I already have an adidas that is ok, but I think I need a dedicated pair of running only shoes for my feet. 4 months ago injured my left foot, plantar fascitis... so dont want a replay of that and really need to find the right shoes to help. I am considering asics or saucony shoes as from what I read they seem to be the topper in running shoes. So even though the investment is a bit steep, having already suffered a foot injury, prefer to get the best for my dear feet. [i'>Anyone knows of any store in dubai that actually [u'>'KNOWS'[/u'> how to check the feet and will put some effort into helping me find the right kind of shoes for my feet and stride and not just overwhelm me with sales talk? :( [/i'> What are your experiences ladies please, runners especially? edited by sumi on 09/09/2012

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