so i go and get my stride and strike analyzed yesterday and buy a new pair of shoes. i'm doing this because a whacky marathon-running relative invited me to do the midnight sun marathon in arctic bay canada in july. i've already started training on my older (still less than 300 mile old) shoes, then i bought new ones. i gleefully run in them on the treadmill and now my left foot hurts and one of my knees. mind you, i only ran 3 miles. but i did run at a faster pace than normal.

is it the shoes or it is the faster pace that did me in? and i do realize there is no definitive answer on this, nor can there be. but i know there are some serious runners here who may be able to shed light on what happens to them when they switch or get a new pair...adjustment period? temporary mileage change or pace...whatever. any insight will be appreciated (and no, tico and GV, i'm not going barefoot before, during or after).

also, they sold me a larger shoe than i'm used to. i have faith in the shoe seller as i believe she knew what she was talking about, the store has a superb reputation and the shoe really did feel good. i was surprised at how it felt large when i put it on, but fit just right while running.

(and since someone will ask: saucony grid shadow 9s is what i got---apparently, i have 'chunky' feet and needed something a bit wider than the higher end shoes can offer ).

It could also be the treadmill. Did you incline it at all? That will alter the geometry of your footstrike, and 3 miles of it continuously can pose some problems. IME pains that come from a single run usually go away quickly.

Other than the top end of the hill the Park's pretty clear. Try the shoes outside in normal conditions at a normal pace. How long since you ran last? Doing it after a layoff may show up odd twinges that you didn't have before and which may go away again.

I've run in those shoes without a problem. Didn't love 'em, didn't hate 'em either.

You know where to find me - Iif you like I'll follow you round Prospect for a lap (or even two) to see if I notice anything untoward. WeeVee may also be there - he's tougher than Bill Bowerman...

as a follow-up, i ran this morning in my new shoes again, and went at my normal pace. no pain. shoes still feel weird being bigger in size, but they don't feel bad in any way--just different.

the key....more stretching and lotsa x-c skiing!!!!