you asked

I am just getting into running -- well, jogging. After not exercising for 5 years I thought it was about time. 
I have a problem: I cant find good shoes. I have tried on about a dozen pairs and none feel just right. 
Could you point me in the right direction and tell me some good pairs.? Thank you so much for answering these questions, it's great for us beginners! - Dee

What are the best shoes to wear during running? Wendy

I can’t seem to find a comfortable pair of shoes. I know everybody’s feet are different, but after several pairs I still haven’t found a good shoe for me. I’m 40, 5′7″, 118lbs. Currently, I get numbness in the toes of one foot. The bottoms of my feet feel bruised after workout. All the running shoes I have feel too wide in the toe box and often too loose in the heel area. After a long workout, my knees hurt behind my kneecaps. Can you recommend good brands of running shoes to correct any of these issues? Thanks for your advice! - Elizabeth

Can you recommend a good running sneaker? - LuluLuver

What are the best running shoes to wear? Kim H.

a runner responds

Dee, Wendy, Elizabeth, LuluLuver, & Kim,

Finding good shoes are like finding a good man – you just have to keep on looking and trying until you find that sweet shoe that works for YOU – and then stick with it forever! My favourite shoes to run in are the Mizuno Wave Creation (check out their site for local retailers). I’ve worn Mizunos for 8 years, and they never disappoint.

I would suggest that you try a specialty running store for your shoe hunt. They usually have a good return policy in case you give your runner’s a trial run indoors on a treadmill. They are an important investment, and a good fit is critical. A good shoe should feel great as soon as you have it on, and it should not give you blisters. I do not believe in a “break in” period for good runners. Some great running shoe brands to try are Asics, New Balance, Mizuno, Saucony, & Newton. But be sure to have a running shoe fit expert from a specialty run store look at your run gait and follow their advice.

Ainslie

Ainslie is the first run expert featured in our Ask a Runner series. Check out her Triple Threat Training website to get to know her better.

Upcoming run post from Ainslie:

- How to stay motivated – May 28