Mizuno Wave Kaze

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Mizuno Wave Kaze
What type of shoe should I be looking for if I've had problems with Shin Splints and Plantar Fasciitis?

For some reason, this never posts when I put links to the shoes that I'm looking at, so I'll try again...

I'm a sprinter in track, and leg pains caused major issues for me last year (I didn't place at state, primarily due to the fact that my legs were unbelievably stiff...), so I want to know that I'm making the right decision when I get new shoes (not spikes, since I already have a pair of those. I'm talking about practice shoes here).

I've been looking at the Saucony Shay XC 2 (Flats), and my current spikes are the Mizuno Wave Kaze 5, which have worked out pretty well.

I'm not really sure if this is the right place to ask or not, but I'd like to be certain.
Thanks

Okay, well I'm not a sprinter, but a distance runner, so some of this may not work for you..

When you're looking at training shoes, I would recommend some shoes with good cushioning. What have you been wearing to practice in the past? If you wear spikes for too long it will definitely hurt you in the long run. Spikes are meant to get you up on your toes and run faster. If you wear them for to long, you will notice your calves starting to cramp up, your shins and feet hurting, and you will be really stiff the next day. Wear your spikes if you're in the blocks and working on starts, but (see below) get a good pair of trainers for your workouts. As for the two shoes you were talking about practicing in.. well flats are designed for distance runners running races like a 5k or a 10k on a track, typically not for sprinters. They are a mix between a spike and a training shoe, because they have a little cushion but are very lightweight.

What you need for practices is a good pair of training shoes. Try something like the Asics Gel Nimbus - they tend to have a lot of cushion and are great if you have shin splints. You could also go to a local running store and ask someone to help you pick out a good pair of training shoes. Anyway, I speak from experience here, because I've dealt with stress fractures in my shins, and the Gel-Nimbuses have helped me out a lot with all the mileage I run. I know as a sprinter, you won't run as many miles but they still will help you have some cushioning.

Also, one thing that we try and do on my team is barefoot running. This is typically more of a distance thing, but if your shins are still hurting after switching to trainers, try to find some turf or even grass, and just jog around without shoes on because it will strengthen the tendons in your feet to prevent plantar fascitis as well as shin splints.