Running Shoes: Don’t Go Cheap-Get Fitted if You Can!

Are your feet hurting? It’s no wonder. During running:

1. Your foot strikes the ground about180 times per minute
2. Your body places about 3X the amount of your body weight of force onto those poor little footsie wootsies

Shoes . . .

A lot of girls are crazy about them.

We buy them in doubles and triples when they are on sale, all different colors, heels and flats, boots and sandals and of course the standard flip flop for summer. My best friend loves shoes so much, and purchases them so often, that she has to hide them from her husband.

Carrie Bradshaw and her Shoes

Carrie Bradshaw couldn’t get enough of shoes, and that girl would spend big bucks to get them without blinking an eye.

While the average gal may shell out a hundred bucks or more for a nice pair of pumps, when it comes to running shoes I have often heard ladies say, “I don’t want to pay more than $50.” Or, “I don’t want to go to the running store to get fitted because those shoes are so much more expensive than they are elsewhere.”

Girlfriend, stop! Let this mama marathoner tell you that a good pair of shoes is essential to training. Not only are good fitting shoes more comfortable but they:

• Make our runs more tolerable by fitting correctly
• Offer enough space for our feet when our feet swell
• Offer the right type of support for our stride
• Protect our bodies from injuries, including our shins, knees, hips and pelvic area

You probably didn’t know they were that important, now did you?!

When I first started running I thought I could buy shoes on my own without a running store. I believed too that those specialty stores would offer higher priced shoes, so I went to a discount store and picked up a pair. I almost immediately had leg pain, which I associated with running-not with my shoes.

Time went on. I trained for a marathon. I ended up with numb toes.

Saw the podiatrist who said, “Shoes need inserts, its from the impact.”

Got the inserts and guess what? They didn’t work.

Stopped at a local running store and the sales guy said, “Your shoes are too small. Your feet are swelling; you need to go a size or two higher.”

I got fitted, during which I found out that I overpronate (my foot rolls inward a lot while striking the ground, which can lead to knee injury among other things), and got a new pair of shoes to adjust to this problem (motion control).

Immediately, pain was GONE! (sans inserts, by the way). The entire marathon I ran numb-toes free.

Buy a good pair of shoes. Don’t skimp! Have your feet fitted at a running store-this is generally done for free by the sales person-to see how you run and to watch your stride. If you overpronate or underpronate or have some other interesting gait, the sales person will pick up on this and recommend a shoe that will work.

I wear Saucony’s and LOVE them. Other brands work just as well for different runners. By finding out how you run, yu’ll then know what works best for your gait; you will then be able to find a shoe that will help protect not only your feet but your entire body from injury.

And by the way, I don’t pay more than about $100 for a pair of shoes. They will last about 500 miles, so at 30 miles per week I keep them for about 4 to 5 months.

Saucony

Coming Up:

I have exciting news: I have been in the development of building a website focused on women who are active. It’s a social site that allows you to meet other women in your area interested in similar sports and activities. We hope to have things up and running in the next week or so, so keep posted! We will be doing a giveaway each month as well-hint hint, February is for the core . . .

My Run Today:
The girls and I are fighting colds. Mine was the form of a sore throat and being really tired; my youngest had a really bad nose yesterday and was very tired. We stayed home all day, resting on the couch and reading stories and coloring. This morning I should have done 5 but did a slower 4 instead. I did some speedwork at the end but could only get down to 8 minute miles; I was just too tired. Doubt I averaged better than 9:30 but I’m glad I went. Tomorrow I’ll try to do my 5.

My New Plan:
I need to switch things up some. I want to:

• Increase mid-week mileage so the shortest run is 4, then at least a 5 or 6 and then at least an 8 and up
• Do two 20 milers before the next marathon instead of only one
• Try to find a June or July race where I can go, run, and take my mom and the girls for a mini vacation (anyone know of any great summer races near the east coast?)

I did see two fox while running! That’s the amazing thing about running around here: The wildlife I see.    I was actually walking for half a minute at the time, trying to get my couch under control, and i looked over and there they were in someone’s front yard, watching me. The one slunk down, laid down really, in the grass. I have to tell you they were super cute, but it was really dark out so I picked up my pace!

Happy Running, Moms!