Talk to me, like I'm 5, about switching to a minimalist shoe

[agswife]

I currently run in the Brooks Ravenna and I hate them. They're SUPER heavy and my feet literally hurt after every run.

I spoke with someone at my local running store and they recommended Mizuno. I'm poor, so I ordered a few pairs on clearance from Running Warehouse. They're super light weight (which I'm loving), but I'm just having trouble running in shoes that I didn't get fitted for. I have a half in October and that's why I wanted new shoes - I'd start wearing them on my long runs now so they were just worn in enough for my race. 

Is this a stupid idea? Should I just return them and go get fitted again? (And probably spend twice as much money . . . though I'd rather spend the money now on sneakers than on re-hab if I hurt myself.) I was told I needed the Ravenna's because I ever so slightly over pronate on my right side since I was pregnant/gave birth (but I don't over pronate at all on my left side.) But I just hate them. I used to LOVE the Brooks Glycerin 8s, but I can't find them anywhere (I tried the 9s and 10s and wasn't a fan of those, either.)

[hannahb]

Which mizunos did you get? They are lighter weight but not all are minimalist. You may be ok in them.

[texassmith]

Definitely don't run in shoes you weren't fitted for. You will pay for it (financially and physically) in the long run. I recently switched from a traditional shoe (Asics 2170) to a lightweight but non-minimalist shoe (Asics DS 18 Trainer) and I'm loving them. Maybe companies make an in between traditional and minimalist, so I'd ask someone at your lrs about those options.

[agswife]

Aug 21, 2013 18:48:19 GMT -5 hannahb said:

Which mizunos did you get? They are lighter weight but not all are minimalist. You may be ok in them.

The Wave Evo Levitas

[agswife]

FWIW, these were recommended to me in the store. I just didn't try/buy them there.

[cinco]

How do they feel when you run? I know I need a stability shoe, so I have ordered around with out getting fitted. I feel like I can tell what works on my feet better than the employees at the LRS. I have been wearing Mizunos for a long time and they work well for me. I stick with the Stability family though, the Inspires and Elixirs are my favorite. If you are sticking in the same group (Stability vs. Motion Control vs. Nuetral), I do not see an issue at all.

[hannahb]

I'm not sure if those are minimalist or not. I know the stability line since that's what I wear but I don't see an issue with the shoes if they are in the same category. Did the running store recommend them to you because they were similar to what you had before?

[agswife]

Aug 21, 2013 19:45:53 GMT -5 cinco said:

How do they feel when you run? I know I need a stability shoe, so I have ordered around with out getting fitted. I feel like I can tell what works on my feet better than the employees at the LRS. I have been wearing Mizunos for a long time and they work well for me. I stick with the Stability family though, the Inspires and Elixirs are my favorite. If you are sticking in the same group (Stability vs. Motion Control vs. Nuetral), I do not see an issue at all.

They felt good. Different, because they're much lighter than the shoe I'm wearing now (I ran in them for like, literally a minute - I was afraid to do much longer for fear they wouldn't take them back if I returned them.) Pre-baby I was wearing a neutral shoe and I much prefer that. 

[agswife]

Aug 21, 2013 19:53:30 GMT -5 hannahb said:

I'm not sure if those are minimalist or not. I know the stability line since that's what I wear but I don't see an issue with the shoes if they are in the same category. Did the running store recommend them to you because they were similar to what you had before?

They were recommended because I don't have a terrible over-pronation and because I prefer a lighter weight shoe. 

[hannahb]

Aug 21, 2013 19:56:16 GMT -5 agswife said:

Aug 21, 2013 19:53:30 GMT -5 hannahb said:

I'm not sure if those are minimalist or not. I know the stability line since that's what I wear but I don't see an issue with the shoes if they are in the same category. Did the running store recommend them to you because they were similar to what you had before?

They were recommended because I don't have a terrible over-pronation and because I prefer a lighter weight shoe. 

I looked them up. They do look like they have less support than your brooks but if they were recommended then I don't see a problem with trying them out. You also mention that your other shoes make your feet hurt which shouldn't happen even in a slightly heavier shoe. It almost makes me wonder if they have maybe a little too much for you and the mizunos would be better.
Sometimes I feel like people doing gait analysis at running stores, while they know shoes don't always know how much pronation is normal and don't account for that. Pronation is a normal part of gait and needed for shock absorption. If you are only mild on one side and neutral on the other, I see nothing wrong with testing out those shoes. It may be a little trial and error. Please don't hunt me down if they don't work!

[agswife]

Aug 21, 2013 22:36:10 GMT -5 hannahb said:

Aug 21, 2013 19:56:16 GMT -5 agswife said:

They were recommended because I don't have a terrible over-pronation and because I prefer a lighter weight shoe. 

I looked them up. They do look like they have less support than your brooks but if they were recommended then I don't see a problem with trying them out. You also mention that your other shoes make your feet hurt which shouldn't happen even in a slightly heavier shoe. It almost makes me wonder if they have maybe a little too much for you and the mizunos would be better.
Sometimes I feel like people doing gait analysis at running stores, while they know shoes don't always know how much pronation is normal and don't account for that. Pronation is a normal part of gait and needed for shock absorption. If you are only mild on one side and neutral on the other, I see nothing wrong with testing out those shoes. It may be a little trial and error. Please don't hunt me down if they don't work!

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I promise to not hunt you down. After sleeping on it, I actually think I'm going to return them and order a slightly more supportive Mizuno to try first.