Just bought my first pair Sir Isaac S. First run will be this evening. I see many Pros to using these shoes but what are the Con’s? Any suggestions to breaking in these shoes? Thanks
Make it a short run if you’ve only run in traditional running shoes before. I’d say 2-5 miles max, and be prepared to quit if your feet aren’t feeling right.
-Robert
My first run in Newtons was a six mile run. BUT, I was already of fore-foot runner and had been using a low ramp shoe previous to the Newtons. If you have been running in “traditional” running shoes or are a mid-foot or heel striker you will need to adjust slowly to the Newtons by running a very short first run and then gradually increasing your mileage.
If I was not running in the shoes just released by SkoraRunning.com, I would be in the Newtons. They are a great shoe for athletes with a midfoot landing. The only real downside to them would be lack of ground feel and they being rather built up.
I’m facing the exact situation. I just got a pair last weekend and was planning on running in them today at lunch (~4.5 mile easy run). I’ve been slowly trying to become more of a forefoot striker, with some success. I still find myself going to longer strides/more heel striking when i get fatigued.
If i’m also planning my long run tomorrow (not in Newton’s), is it a bad idea to make today my trial run?
This is how the Newton site says to break them in
http://www.newtonrunning.com/shoes/about-shoes/adjusting-to-the-shoes
.
Do 3-4 shorter runs 3-5 miles and ease into them. Also, do when convenient with your race schedule to give you time to adjust. I switched and haven’t regretted it. They’re a bit pricey but I do feel I’ve gotten faster and more efficient by using them.
It depends on the shoe you’re coming from. I came from vibrams and xc streak flats and had no adjustment period… but i think it’s always good to take the first run fairly easy in any new shoe.
ive been in the distance now for over a year. at first i had some minor achilles issues as i was not used to forefoot running. had bad shin splints before, but now i absolutely love my newtons and wouldnt switch. i find that even when i get tired late in my longer runs, i still have decent form and dont heel strike.
I have been running in Newtons for about 4 years. I recall it took quite a long time to adjust to them initially. I think they are very effective running shoes and I have had no issues with them. They have also consistently lasted well.
2 things that helped me get off of my heel: One, keep your cadence high, 85+, and it is very difficult not to land on mid/forefoot. Two, video tape yourself. Regardless of what you think you are doing, you are doing something else. Video shows it.
Thanks for the link, i ended up not running in the Newton’s today. I’m committed to making the switch, but i’m slightly concerned about doing something stupid or rushing things, and then getting hurt. Obviously the right shoe will help, but i think you can work on your form in any shoe.
To answer the OP’s question…
cons:
they’re expensive shoes
for me they seem to wear kinda quickly (but I’m a Clydesdale)
But the Pro’s outweigh the cons for me, as my foot pains have disappeared
I switched to the Newtons in Dec. am wearing the same shoe. Was warned about adjusting into these shoes. Your calves are not going to be happy for while, if your like me I was not a mid/front impact runner. It will take some time to strengthen those muscles. Expensive Yes, but I’m told your going to get more miles than a conventional shoe. A Newton rep has even told me as he put it to lifestyle the shoe or wear them as a casual shoe. They are not going to wear of feel bad and you strengthen the calves as you are wearing them. I’ve done it a few times and I find them much more comfortable then a standard running shoe.
They felt great the first time I put them on. And I’ve run faster in my training runs ever since I started using them. Which is what it is all about.
Just bought my first pair Sir Isaac S. First run will be this evening. I see many Pros to using these shoes but what are the Con’s? Any suggestions to breaking in these shoes? Thanks
After 6 pairs of Newtons I finally gave up on them. My last pair was the sir isaacs, they are OK, seems build pretty well but kinda heavy considering the other trainers out there. I have found that the forced position the newtons put me in caused my ITB/hamstring to become very tight. Been rocking Brooks now for a little while and they seem to be doing fine. Remember something about the newtons, they are expensive, kinda gimicky, and will probably not make you any faster. Sure, they may help people get rid of pain or help someone get a better running form but for every person who says “best things ever!” there is someone behind them saying “waste of fucking money”. YMMV though…
2 things that helped me get off of my heel: One, keep your cadence high, 85+, and it is very difficult not to land on mid/forefoot. Two, video tape yourself. Regardless of what you think you are doing, you are doing something else. Video shows it.
^ This, absolutely…well, at least the second part. (I have a very high cadence (currently 100+) and I can still heel strike. yes, a higher cadence makes it more difficult, but it can still be done.)
But the second part is key - you can think you aren’t heel striking, or that your feet are landing inline with your CG, whatever, but a video tape will often show something very different. I have a video of me heel striking in a freakin’ pair of Vibrams at a 90+ cadence…shocked the hell outta me. I woulda sworn up and down that I was driving my toes into the ground.
Make sure to rotate them with your other shoes as the wear out more quickly than other shoes. I really enjoy them - just wish they weren’t so $$$
I’ve had the Sir Isaacs since August of last year. It took me at least 2 months to get used to them. I was coming from Asics Gel Nimbus type shoes and it was hard on my achilles and heels. I started at 20 minutes, took a day off in between running, and then built back up to normal running mileage. I just now feel like I’m really used to them.
All that being said, I really like them. I don’t get sore after runs like I used to with the Nimbus and I’m a big guy.
Make sure to rotate them with your other shoes as the wear out more quickly than other shoes. I really enjoy them - just wish they weren’t so $$$
It’s interesting. Some say they wear out quickly, and then I’ve seen more than one person with well over 1000 miles in Newtons.
I’ve got over 500 on my distance model and they look like I could easily get another 250 out of them.
And I’m not a 140lb marathoner, I’m 170lb average guy.