The past month or so I've started to run. I'm experiencing pain in my heels that lasts for a couple days.

Is this just something I need to toughen up or could it be my crappy shoes?

I've never been so sore in my life. LOL
I'm diggin it though as I get better.

Shoes would be the first thing I'd look in to... you should have one pair for nothing but running. People that run hardcore say you should change every few months or so, there's an exact number of miles you should put on each pair of shoes before changing but I don't know it. I'd get some proper new running shoes and see how that goes, and go from there.

Is it a sharp pain or just a soreness pain?

If it's sharp it could be due to heel spurs which are very painful.

plantar fasciitis, heel spur, heel pain

Do you have any specialist running shoe stores near you?
Most will carry out an inspection and analysis of your running technique for you and tell you if there's something you're doing that's causing it

When you say the "heel", are you talking about the bone or is the pain in the arch towards the back near the heel?

Its a sharp pain like stepping on a nail or something. That doesn't sound good.
Is there anything I can do to alleviate it?

The only way to tell is to go see a doc and have them x-ray it.

If it's a heel spur, which it sounds like it is from my experiance, your doc will try a cortisone shots first. If that doesn't work then minor surgery may be required but that's last resort.

Def get it checked by a doc if it persists. I waited a long time to get mine taken care of and they got worse over time.

Thanks LV I'll see how it goes.

Most good running specialty stores will have a staff that is there to assist you in finding the shoe that is just right in terms of how it feels on you but more importantly how it assists you in running and helps protect your body.

I got new running shoes back in march (then got hurt shortly there after) and am just now getting back into my running. I went to a running specialty store for the first time and i spent an hour with the employee as he watched me walk, watched me run and determined what type of step i have.

Then we spent time going through shoes. he sized me and brought out 6 different sets of running shoes. i compared each brand, eliminating the ones i immediately disliked and then compared the ones i did like and finally put on the pair of shoes from the one i ended up on and had a quick run around the store. Once you have those picked out it is recomended that you either buy a 2nd pair immediately or find them cheaper elsewhere and buy 2 sets. this way you have 2 pairs of viable running shoes that are identical and you know are good for you.

I think most shoes top out at 500 miles of running, depending on care and the type of running you subject them too.

How old are the shoes you are running in? Are they old and compressed or are they fairly new? If they are new then they are likely not the types of shoes you need and are probably not providing enough cushioning as you need.

As for the heel spur, the only self-treatment that you can do is to not run for a while and see if it goes away. you don't want it getting worse cause it hurts like a mother.

You don't necessarily need a shot of cortisone. I had a heel spur and just got a custom gel pad to put in my track shoe. Eventually the spur went away, but it took about 9 months.

BTW, when you're running, your heel shouldn't be touching the ground. Your heel has virtually zero shock absorbing capacity. It's not designed to be a shock absorber and what will eventually happen is that the heel bone(s) will transfer the shock upward and you'll get injuries to the ankle, shin, knees, hips, and the lower back.

I told you I run like Middle Aged Man. LOL

Seriously tho, I don't think my heel touches the ground but for whatever reason it hurts. Its actually gone right now, finally.

You're right that you shouldn't land on your heels, but you aren't supposed to land on your toeseither unless you're a sprinter. i was a toe runner when i was young (like 3rd grade when we first started running the mile for physical fitness tests) and god did my calves hurt afterwards.

Once I started running x-c i quickly learned to use my foot and not my toes alone. you should be landing just forward of your heal, rolling your foot forward as you prepare to push off with your toes.

And I'm not trying to argue with you cause you were technically right.

I know

I was a sprinter, so that running technique is slightly different than a long distance runner's technique

If a long distance runner ran like a sprinter, they'd be hurting.

I feel you man, i ran long distance track and field last year. Good too run and get in shape. Bad when you were about 60 minutes in and finishing up your seventh mile.

First I would like to suggest you that should be taken one pair of better shoes from branded companies like Rbk,Action etc.But remember shoes only sports and comfortable according to your foot size.
Second thing is before sleeping in the night you have to washed your feet's by hot salt water and after washed rubbed crack cream on your feet's. It is a very good cream for your heel pain.