Old shoes hurt, new shoes hurt, first triathlon in 2 weeks. Help? (xpost from r/running)

maryjones2k101

New member
Hello all! I apologize in advance if this seems like a dumb question, but I wanted to gather a few opinions before I took any action. Story and explanations below!

I haven't been an avid runner until I began training for my first sprint triathlon. The shoes I have been training with (Saucony Kinvara 4) are about 2-3 years old, and I've used them for gym, a little bit of running, Zumba classes, etc. I figured since I didn't use them a lot, they'd be okay and I wouldn't have to switch. However, 90% of the time I ran in the past few months, my knees would hurt. I tried everything first: I tried adjusting my stride, I warmed up more, I stretched, iced, compressed, I did everything under the Sun before giving in and buying new shoes. Enter the new shoes, Nike Zoom Pegasus 32—they fit like a dream, and after I bought them I took them on a couple of test runs and my knees didn't hurt at all after those. Success! It was also easy to tell the difference in cushioning between those and my old Kinvaras (which had very little, if any, at this point).

Then, things started to get messy. I have an extra bone on each foot, below the ankle and above the arch—haven't checked my x-ray results for proper diagnosis yet, but based on photo comparisons I believe it's the accessory navicular bone. I've always had it, but it only started bothering me when I started running and found out certain shoes bothered it, including this one. The thicker cushioning around the rim rubs up against the bones and it's very irritating. It's gotten to the point where I can't walk a mile without the bones throbbing, even after I loosen the laces almost to the point where my heel is sliding out ever so slightly.

I've been told that you shouldn't have to "break in" running shoes at all, so I'm thinking of exchanging these for a less-side-cushioned shoe like my previous Kinvaras. I'm really sad because everything else about it felt perfect :(

The triathlon is now 2 weeks away. The run is only 5k, which is still kind of "max" for me. It's too late now to find a new shoe, wait to see if it works well with my stupid extra bones, and train with it, but at the same time I know going back to my old Kinvaras will make my knees hurt. My question now is, what should I do? Is there anything I can do to alleviate the pressure on my knees while wearing my old shoes? Someone suggested I still get new shoes, just the updated version of what I already have.

A lot of things are definitely on me—I realize that my biggest mistake is trying to get a new shoe too late in the game, and I will definitely be seeing a doctor about this. I heard orthotics really help with having these extra bones, so I'll see if those are needed, but they will need to wait until after the triathlon.

TLDR: Old shoes hurt my knees, new shoes hurt my feet because I have accessory navicular bones, first triathlon is 2 weeks away and the run is 5k, what can I do to keep training in my old shoes while minimizing knee pain?
 
@maryjones2k101 I'm sorry I can't give you more help for your current situation, but in the future it would be beneficial to use your running shoes for running only. Use an old pair for the gym, Zumba etc.

It's a little late to choose a new pair of shoes for the race (even if you don't have to break them in perse, it's not a good idea to run a race with a brand new [never worn] pair of shoes), I would try going to a shoe store that specializes in running shoes. You'll have better luck being fitted properly, though you may pay approx 10-15% more if you purchased at say, Dick's. In your case, I think it will be money well spent.

With proper fitting, two weeks may just be enough time to get you through it (it's "only" 3.1 miles). Good luck : )
 
@heresyforlife So it's okay to use my old pair for Zumba and stuff still? If i can keep them around for non-running purposes that'd be cool :) I did go to a running store and the Pegasus's fit me well, but only on the soles, I didn't feel the rubbing on my bones until after a few walks and runs. I believe I'm going to go with the so far popular suggestion of just getting the same shoe I have but the newer version (another Kinvara, basically). Thanks yo :)
 
@maryjones2k101 If it were me, I'd say screw this triathlon, do one that's later...it's not worth the pain and damage youre going to do to your knees.

See a podiatrist ASAP. i have a foot bone problem (one of my bones is too long and it causes me to walk in a certain way that puts a ton of pressure on my big toes and the joints there, causes toe pain and bad ingrown nails) and had a custom orthotic made to correct this. I'd be very surprised if your podiatrist does not suggest a custom orthotic. I'm almost positive they will. But see one as soon as possible because it took a long time for my orthotics to be made--like a month and a half. And then you still have to make an appointment to have them fit into your shoe which I actually haven't done yet..I moved to another state while I was still waiting for my orthotics, and figured they would just be "shoe shaped" like the ones you buy at the store. Wrong. I gotta go back and make an appointment to have them fit into shoes...which is inconvenient because I wear a lot of different shoes every day but I guess I'll have to go for my work sneakers because that's when I am on my feet the most.
 
@woman2blame Thanks for your input! I definitely plan on seeing a podiatrist and taking a break from triathlon training after the race. I still want to do it because I'm fine pretty much everywhere else, and I can isolate the knee pain to only when I'm wearing the old shoes—heck, it doesn't even happen when I'm going barefoot workouts! I will walk the run portion if I must, haha :)
 
@maryjones2k101 I'd try the new version of your old shoes first to make sure there aren't any changes. I ran a half marathon in brand new shoes for a similar reason (began to hate the pair I was training in). No break in needed if you know the product is good.
 
@maryjones2k101 Do you have to do the triathalon? Do you think it's worth it, especially since you "can't walk a mile without the bones throbbing"?

This is why I hate races sometimes. People will do them if they've signed up, come hell or high water. Even if it means pushing their body into a state of pain and possible long term damage. I'm a big fan of pushing your body...but this seems dangerous to me. Running is hard on the body at the best of times, but if it really hurts, considering opting out of this one.
 
@dawn16 Sorry, I realized I hadn't made it clear—The bones are only throbbing in my new shoes so those are gonna go back for sure, my old ones still fit fine but the cushioning is very little by now. As to your race question, yes I still plan on doing the race. I've trained for it and spent quite a bit on it and the equipments that got me to this point, so I'd still like to go. I'm just wondering if there's a better way to utilize my old shoes or to find another similar shoe but newer :) it won't really matter for the swim and the bike portion, just the run!
 
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