NB Fuel Cell Rebel V5 causing strain on lower legs - should I try some other shoes? And if so, which ones?!
Hello!
34, Female, 60 kg, 5ft8 runner here who's running her first marathon in October. About 6 weeks ago I purchased a pair of Women's Rebels after they came highly recommended in the shop (and felt good on the treadmill!)
Even though this will be my first marathon, I'm an experienced runner with no history of injury. But since I started running in the Rebels, I've been getting unusual lower leg pain (particularly around my soleus/sides of my calves).
It's not been *so* bad that I can't push through it during my runs, but afterwards my calfs are sore, achy and feel weak. It's as if my legs are strained during runs. At this point, I've tried to following to help improve the issue...
- Adding in strength training to target my lower legs
- Modifying my training schedule to incorporate more rest days when they feel particularly 'twingey'.
- Foam rolling and stretching the area after every run and on rest days. I've always been vigilant with this and practice yoga, which I think has helped in the past. But it's not really helping now!
- Paying attention to my running form - I don't think I'm doing anything specific which could be causing problems?
- I've alternated runs with my trail runners to gradually introduce the Rebels. My longer runs tend to incorporate a lot of fell running anyway - these are Topo Mountain Racers.
According to Runna I've done 72 miles in the Rebels, so surely any initial strain caused by new shoes should be easing by now? I'm concerned that if I continue it'll lead to injury. So... should I invest in another pair of road running shoes or do I simply need to be more patient?
My fear is that I'll end up spending a lot of money on another pair only to get the same problem. I don't understand enough about running shoes to know what aspect of the Rebel's might be leading to 'twinges' and strains so I'm hoping to get some advice from those who have more experience.
Has anyone else has ever had similar issues and who could point me in the right direction of what shoes to try?
I'm willing to introduce a third pair, but I need an objective nudge in the right direction without a running shop trying to upsell me the latest model. Or maybe there's something like an insole that could sort the problem?
Some other info for context:
- I live in a really hilly part of North Wales, I have to drive to find a flat route for tempo work! Maybe the Rebel's just aren't the best for hills?
- My gait analysis shows slight over-pronunciation, but nothing so significant that I require hardcore stability shoes.
- I have narrow feet and really narrow heels, so heel slipping has always been an issue even when I lace up to lock the heels. The NB's felt like a nice secure fit in the shop so I went for it, but after a few weeks I feel like they're sightly looser on my left - which is coincidently where I'm getting the majority of the strain.
- My Topo's have been doing the job on the trail, but even then I feel like my ankles/heels aren't well locked in and regularly have to stop and adjust my shoes which isn't ideal. I lace them really tight so they're secure around me heels but then have to readjust because they cut off circulation on the rest of my foot. I'm kind of making do with them until I can justify investing in some new trail runners!
- I've really not got along with Hoka's in the past. Also my last trail runners were Soloman Genesis which didn't work for me.
Any advice on a brand/model of shoe to invest in next would be so appreciated!