The Right Running Shoe Makes All The Difference
As a committed runner, you work hard and make sure that you do all the right things to build up your endurance and power. You probably have a carefully designed training program and a healthy diet packed with all the right sorts of nutrients. However, if you don’t buy the right type of running shoe, then all that effort and sacrifice will be in vain. So, what are the things that you need to consider before you go out and purchase your perfect pair of sneakers?
To start with, you need to take into account the type of running that you do – in other words, are you into road running, or are you a cross-country buff? There are different types of shoes designed for each of these. Road running shoes are built for packed surfaces such as gravel paths. They are typically flexible and light, and are designed to cushion and stabilize your feet as they pound along on hard surfaces. On the other hand, trail running shoes are much more solidly constructed, and have heavy soles that deliver superior traction and stability while protecting your feet from rocks and other obstacles.
It’s important to get the right size of shoe, but that is not the only factor that makes a shoe a good fit. For instance, it is important to take into account the shape of your arch. To find out which type you have, look at the shape of the footprints you leave on the floor as you step out of the shower. If these are very narrow with a big curve eating into them from one side, then you have a high arch. In fact, this can be so extreme that the prints from the ball of the foot and the heel will not be connected. On the other hand, if you see a very wide footprint with relatively straight sides, then you are flat-footed. If you see something in between these two extremes, then you have a normal arch.
The shape of your arch determines the type of last that you want on your shoe. The last is basically the form around which the shoe is constructed, which, among other things, controls the shape of the sole. If you have a flat arch, you are going to want a straight last, since this will conform to and support your foot, while if you have a high arch you are going to need a curved last. If you have a normal foot, then buy a shoe with a semi-curved last, which is a middle ground.
Another thing to consider is how your foot typically strikes the ground when you run. There are basically three variations on this. If you strike the ground primarily with the outside of your foot, then you have what is known as overpronation – which can either be mild or severe. On the other hand, if you strike with the inside of your foot, this is known as supination. Of course, you may do neither of these, in which case you are neutral. A podiatrist will be able to tell you which category you fall into, but there is also an easier way of telling – simply look at the wear pattern on the soles of an old pair of your running shoes.
Depending on which pattern you exhibit, you will need to choose a different type of shoe. For example, if you have mild pronation, you should probably choose a stability shoe, which will prevent your foot from rolling over to the outside. If you have moderate to severe overpronation, choose a motion control shoe, which includes features such as stiff heels and straight lasts to restrict foot movement. Finally, if you are neutral or a supinator, buy a cushioning shoe, which provides good shock absorption and minimal support on the arch side of your foot. A cushioning shoe can also be a good selection for someone with very mild overpronation, but should be avoided in more extreme cases.
If you follow these guidelines when you buy shoes, you will end up with a much more pleasurable running experience. However, one other thing to remember is that your feet tend to swell as the day goes on, and therefore if you try on shoes in the morning, there is a chance that you will buy a pair that don’t fit. Instead, wait until the end of the day to make sure that you get the right size.
