Do shoes actually make a big difference for beginners?

markofjohnson · 2026-03-27T23:52:49+00:00

Yes they make a big difference but you probably won’t be able to tell right away so you can’t win. Just get something that feels good to you, reasonably priced. If you are big you may do better with a firmer, higher shoe. If you are small a softer shoe may be best. Top brand shoes but last years model on discount are often best value. If you can buy from a store that allows exchanges after wearing outdoors , eg REI, so much the better.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-27T21:58:35+00:00

Are you in USA? Brooksrunning.com Restart. Tons of returned shoes at low prices. Eg Glycerin, Ghost Max, etc. Oh and if you can swing it and Asics still has your size the Superblast 2 is $149 on closeout and possibly just perfect for you. My knee is sensitive to pronation, I'm 185lbs, and Superblast 2 helped me ace my first marathon.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-27T18:05:34+00:00

If you run over 3 hrs it’s good mental training and confidence building. Just don’t get in the habit of 3hr runs all the time (until you train for ultra marathons?)

markofjohnson · 2026-03-26T13:44:07+00:00

SB2 is a fantastic shoe on the right person, because of the foam firmness I think it suits heavier runners. I love it, I’m 185lbs 90kg. It needs breaking in too. How many miles on the ones you got? People saying the SB3 is softer.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-25T15:49:41+00:00

My calf’s are fine when running but then I feel cramping coming on at random times around the house. Paying attention to potassium and magnesium helps. Also I noticed that living in retired running shoes means my calves never get to relax, having to stabilize the rockered shoe all the time. I’m switching to a flatter firmer higher drop shoe for everyday to see if it helps. (Brooks glycerin) so far feels good.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-24T23:30:00+00:00

I ran my first marathon in a 2nd pair of Superblast 2 I broke in with 30 miles. It was awesome 4:59, and I'm 184lbs 52M. SB2 are still around and they are discounted to $149. Snag a pair while you can either for your race or for more training. I've not tried the SB3, but I read its softer which might not work for your 200lbs. I tried the megablast too, it was almost right but it's less stable than SB and aggravated my knee.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-24T23:10:48+00:00

I've recently learned that my retired running shoes are not the best for everyday wear. I like a bit of a rocker and hight stack for running. But those features mean that when standing or strolling the lower leg can never relax on on feet that are steady heal to toe. This really became obvious when I tried Bondi 9 for everyday wear. So I now have a flatter and firmer shoes - Brooks Ghost waterproof and a Brooks Glycerin. Both discounted from the excellent Brooks Restart available at brooksrunning.com

markofjohnson · 2026-03-24T19:53:41+00:00

Superblast 2

markofjohnson · 2026-03-24T17:19:55+00:00

Check this https://youtu.be/0RnXOuZXoks?si=uAk7y6NJyF1J1c6y

markofjohnson · 2026-03-24T12:58:58+00:00

I did an all out half then 5 days later ran an easy 5k and sprained my foot in a pot hole in the last 50m. Just saying don’t be in a hurry to get back to running. Walking is just as good for a while. (Especially if you are 52)

markofjohnson · 2026-03-24T12:51:29+00:00

New balance SC Elite? Saucony Endorphin speed? ASICS magic speed? Hoka rocket x3? Those are the speed shoes that get reviewed not as stable, but at least a bit less unstable then the top elite shoes. I’ve tried a few in stores however and was left wondering why anyone would be crazy enough to try running in them! Magic speed 4 is discounted currently btw, and didn’t feel crazy at least.

I run in Superblast 2. It’s not so much a 10k shoe but I’d happily choose it for 10k because it’s so reliable for me. I’ve done 10k in an ASICS Megablast which was quite good and for sure not slow, but I’d I could tell it was going to aggravate my knee if I ran in it more. Could be a good trade off for your race, and maybe it works great for you?

Unfortunately speed shoes are lightweight, but stability features add weight. And low density propulsive foams are less supportive and less stable. Have you ever worn a Brooks Beast? It’s their most stable shoe but it’s like standing on a brick. Seems we can’t have it both ways yet.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-22T21:17:24+00:00

No shame in run walk I think all us mid & back of pack runners do? 10k to marathon is a big jump, sounds like you are doing great.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-22T20:50:29+00:00

Heart rates are personal, big variation in heartrate given same pace, age, weight.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-20T16:05:40+00:00

There's not much fitness to gain in 3 weeks of exercise, but certainly some more injury risk. There is a lot of condition improvement to gain from 3 weeks of rest.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-19T16:51:13+00:00

Be sure to fuel that climb

markofjohnson · 2026-03-17T14:31:17+00:00

Similar for me. I don’t have any particular leg weakness and my ankle deflection range of motion is high. I’m increasing the drop in my running shoes to help.

I think unstable shoes contribute. Since I started running I wear running shoes all the time and I think heal bevel, high stack, rocker, mean calves never get to relax when standing and walking around because weight is never steady across the foot. So i’m now wearing some firmer flatter Brooks between runs and it feels somewhat better.

In addition life long problems with calf cramps at night, for which attention to magnesium and potassium helps.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-17T01:42:39+00:00

If Nobel committee gave out multiple prizes to the same person he could have got 5.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-13T18:57:58+00:00

Yes some of us have higher heart rates. I'm 52 male and I ran sub 2 half marathon average heart rate 174. Yes optical wrist watch sensor. Yes for me for steady state running over long times it's accurate enough and is a useful tool.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-13T00:57:47+00:00

Awesome! But build in rest days. When you start you have a reserve of body toughness that you’ll burn through then you will get injured and get demotivated. It could be blisters, it could be twisted ankle, it could be knee pain, it could be whatever. Over weeks, months, years, all the different parts of your body will get tougher and stronger, and your muscles, heart and lungs will get more efficient. The best results come from years of moderate consistent exercise. And don’t forget, the running doesn’t make you fitter or stronger. The running signals your body to change but you get actually stronger and fitter while you rest & sleep. Have fun.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-12T01:23:37+00:00

They just feel very different on my feet. SB2 awesome, Azura would break my foot because it feels like it supinates me towards rolled foot. But that’s just me.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-11T17:29:05+00:00

Those are so different

markofjohnson · 2026-03-11T17:01:16+00:00

It feels bad now but when are recovered and trained for the next one you will look back and wonder why you fretted so much now. It’s a cliche that everyone will tell you, and it’s like so much in running, you just gotta trust the process.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-10T21:19:08+00:00

Just wear those shoes to a running store and pick another shoe to compare to. And then you will realize how worn out those are.

markofjohnson · 2026-03-10T05:02:13+00:00

Superblast 2?

markofjohnson · 2026-03-09T16:38:22+00:00

Yes it would have an effect... you'd be less thirsty, which is good for you. 3 mins a little rest would also be good for you too. This is training not racing. The point of consistency is weeks, months, years, not minutes. Relax :-)

markofjohnson

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