Replacing running shoes?

I am a long distance track athlete. I run about 3-5 miles on average everyday. I have had my current shoes for 6 months as recreational shoes and were used as track shoes for about 4 months. I weigh about 137 pounds and I have an average mile of 6:25. Recently I have just started Spring Track about 3 weeks ago and I seem to get worse and worse. My times have gotten significantly worse. Also when I run, I feel that my lower part of my calf near my heal hurts when I run. I really feel that that is inhibiting me from running to the best of my abilities. I just want to know if it is my running shoes that are causing these problems or is my body just quitting on me, or if there is another reason. I have ran Cross Country in the fall, Winter Track, and am now doing Spring Track. This is also my first year of doing these sports. I think I have tracked about 20 miles each week for 6 months, give or take a couple miles. Should I replace my running shoes to get back on track?

Replacing running shoes?
Check it out...your body is NOT a machine! Remember, that it needs time to recuperate and heal after strenuous runs.





It's GREAT that you run so much, however, if you want to increase your speed, you need to allow your body time to grow, heal and develop...running 3-5 miles "everyday" will only gradually slow you down. As the heavier mileage you do, the more time for healing your body will need.





With that said, you might also look into new shoes too.





Depending on how long you've had the shoes and how many miles you've put on them, may be a HUGE factor to the pain you are experiencing.





Check it out, different styles of running demand different styles of shoes...I recommend going to a specialized running store.





The best thing you can do is go down a Running Lab. In fact there's a place by that name "The Running Lab", they are FANTASTIC! And they have all different brands of running shoes.





They will have you take off your shoes, watch you walk, and even take an imprint of your foot. After doing so, they will spend a few minutes analyzing everything. They will ask you a few questions about your running style and your level of running.





Once they have finished they will direct you to a wall of shoes, that has ALL different brands of shoes on it and say something like; "These are what we recommend for you based on your foot's shape, the way you run, where your foot actually impacts the ground and the width of slimness of your feet.





After they show you the selection, try a few pairs on, take them for a "test run" around the block and once you've found a pair that you like, then get them.





The benefit of getting a fitting is that you get a shoe that conforms well with your foot.





When my spouse got back from the Running Lab her expression was, I feel as if I have a spring in my step!





It increased her confidence and she didn't have any shin splints.





Typically, most shoes will work if you are just running here or there. However, once the miles start ADDING up, and believe me they add up pretty fast, your body will start to complain if your shoes are not right.





Most people feel free to use whatever they want at first. But since your calf is already hurting (your back, knees, feet, legs, shins and or other parts of your body might start complaining too) I'd seriously look into getting fitted for a great pair of shoes. It's honestly better to go before this starts, however, anytime is better than never.





The "Running Lab" doesn't charge you extra for their evaluations and the shoes are competitively priced.





Hope this helps...
Reply:There are shoes to compensate for greater or lesser than normal amounts of this standard foot motion, called pronation. The simplest way to determine this is to examine an old pair of running shoes and check the wear pattern. Excessive wear on the inside of the front part of the shoe indicates over pronation, such wear on the outside of the front of the shoe indicates supination.
Reply:you should replace your shoes every 6 months,sooner if your a runner. My 15yo ran cross country, lettered as a freshman,%26amp; did track in jr high. He found the best running shoes to be Asics, but when buying talk to a knowledgable shoe salesman/woman to be sure you are getting the proper running shoe for the surface your running on!They are an investment but well worth it to avoid injury ie the shin splints your getting right now!!!


GOOD LUCK %26amp; GO SHOE SHOPPING=}



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