Hi Hollywood

We will be just as cheap after the refit as we were 9 years ago (well in principle anyway, subject to inflation and all that), we just tried to create a nicer environment to shop in, where it is easier to find what we have, that said I do understand what you mean, there is something very homely and reassuring about your 'Aladdins Cave' type specialist environment, it feels like there is more 'soul' and that you could always find that special bargain if you look hard enough. I think that you'll like it when it is finished, more space, more stock and more analysis and assessment areas.

As for your racing shoes, you obviously have your head screwed on and know your stuff so I doubt that this is news to you. At 20 mins for 5K the benefit of a racing shoe would be questionable, alot depends on your size and weight, but for me at 13stone a racing shoe would slow me down, not speed me up. There is undoubtedly a psychological boost of putting on a racer, but the 2 oz you save per shoe is likely to be not noticeable after a mile or so, and then the muscle fatigue caused by wearing such a flexible shoe with significantly less cushioning and support could take over. My advice would be to go for a lightweight trainer like a DS Trainer, or the new Skylon/Apace, but I wouldn't put you off a racing shoe if you had your heart set on it, I would just urge you to be sensible and aware of the possible pitfalls.

An interesting choice, as you were excited by the Mayfly's, could be the new VaporFly. The launch is imminent and it is the big brother to the Mayfly, essentially it is the same principle as the Mayfly but for a little bit further and to last a little bit longer.

They should be in store in 2-3 weeks.

La la la la - can't hear you. Don't you even start putting thoughts into my head about racing shoes making me slower!

Thanks for the advice. I'd not heard of the vaporfly - so sounds interesting. Hope they come in Union Jack colours too!

I'm going to race the tri in my new Nike's this weekend. Will then try some of the other options out when I find them in stock...

H, I could defo second Nick's recommendation for the DS Trainers, I have the X version and absolutely love them. I really only do the odd training session in them and then races up to 10k. First time I wore the I knocked about 40s off my 5k PB (that said the extra training could've been an influence on that too!).

Only problem as you say could be Asics not fitting you too well!

Been racing in the Skylon's recently and they seem quite good - not sure how they'll hold out for the longer races though - I think that lack of upper structure might actually count against them?

Meanwhile... Nick been back to Sweatshop Teddington again and the current sale is very good :-) One slightly negative comment though - I think you could do with investing some more time in training up the crew on the GPS and ipod gadgets - I know it's hard cos they're gadgets and they'll keep changing, but some of the advice I overheard was just plain wrong - e.g. advice like the Garmins only show pace and not speed! Maybe just send all of your staff out for a trial run or trial week with each device? If you do then I think they'll sell more ;-)

Nick,
I recently changed from a neutral shoe to Brooks Adrenaline when I started getting pains in my knees. The shoe shop I bought them from observed that I was landing heavily on my left foot and that I overpronate on my right foot.

I've been suffering with ITBS, PFP and piriformis. Since changing shoes the pain has eased on my right side - I still get a few niggles but the pain has persisted on my left side and all my muscles are so much tighter on my left side. My therapist believes my left leg is shorter and when running I also land on my forefoot.

Are there shoes out there for me or are orthotics my best option?

Hey Hollywood

Sorry for the delay in replying, not ignoring the 'constructive' feedback, just been on holiday, and out of the country a couple of times.

I agree 100% with your points about training, we invest really heavily in training, there are monthly customer service courses for all staff, biomechanics courses run by Roehampton Institute espescially for our staff and all stores are expected to liase with the brands directly to arrange regular technical training about products, all staff now have to pass a product knowledge test at the end of their probationary period also. It is more difficult with technology pieces you are right, but in this day and age where we are all competing with low overhead operators on the internet, knowing the product inside out, caring for our customers and offering great advice are the tools we have to make ourselves a better option, we should use them to the best of our ability, so although it is harder, it doesn't justify it.

In fairness to that particular store they have had an incredibly high turnover of staff in the last 18 months and as good as a staff member looks at interview, you just never know until they start, the thing with technical training is that you can dedicate as much resource to it as you like, it is up to the individual however to want to learn. I will feed back your comments to the manager because he will be keen to address it.

As always I value your comments and custom.

Take care

Hi Edwina

My apologies for the length of time it took me to reply to your post, you will have to excuse my bad manners, I hope I can still be of some help.

It is very difficult to give you a precise answer, firstly you have an excellent pair of shoes, well supportive and cushioned.

Unfortunately however, running is a stressfull and demanding form of exercise and there isn't always an off the shelf solution to that. It is estimated that nearly 50% of runners will get injured at least once a year, and research also tells us that despite the developments in shoe technology and comfort over the last 20 years, that the incidence of running injuries is just as high now as then, why ?, because its so damn tough !

My broad advice is that your shoe choice is a good one, I am a believer in having support in a shoe and am yet to understand how people get injured from having a shoe with more support than they need, although this is reguarly reported by runners, I cannot see a logical reason to why it would happen.

My other advice, as simplistic as it is, is to do everything gradually. Although your body is vunerable, it is also incredibly resourceful if you condition it. If by reducing your mileage back down you can find an amount of running that doesn't cause you pain, stay at that level for a while, and then gradually increase. Mileage should never be increased by more than 10% per week. This way you are conditioning your body to accept the workload.

I'm reluctant to advise orthotics, it may well be that it is the perfect solution for you, however the cost can be very high, there is no guarantee they will work and medical opinion differs wildy, you could go to 4 different people and get 4 different orthitics so I would always look for a personal recommendation with regard to where to go.

Sorry I couldn't be more help

No thank your insight is useful - I have got some orthotics to complement by Brooks Adrenaline but its good to hear that you think they are a good shoe. I was wondering if I should have gone with the Mizuno Lady Wave Alchemy.

With regards to the cost of orthotics lets just say if I've been extremely fortunate in my podiatrist. I haven't run in them yet but they are comfortable to walk in.

When I return to running I'm planning on run walking again and to build up slowly. My left leg isn't actually shorter but I've had a problem in my back, which affected the alignment of my pelvis.

when i am run for about 45 mins my arch in my left foot hurts any advice