What Shoe Are You!

One thing that most walkers/runners struggle with is finding the right shoe for them.  You can go get fitted at a specialty shoe store in your area, but sometimes you still find that the shoe just does not work for you.  What do you do......well for most, they return them and try a new pair. 



It took quite a while for me to figure out what shoe was best for me especially when running.  Since I do a lot of cross training, I figured out really quick that the shoes I run in I can't cross train in.  I have a pair of shoes for boot camp/cross fit, a pair for short distance runs including sprinting, a pair for long distance runs including hill repeats and of course my half marathons.  Now, call me crazy, but all of the shoes you see below except for two of them (the worn out pair at the bottom right & the brand new shoe to the right of those) all have plenty of miles left on them.  I like to have a variety of shoes because I want my shoes to last as long as possible especially when a couple of them are your favorite.  Now, I am not telling you that running in the same shoe is wrong, but I do think you should have one for longer distances and another for shorter distances.  It is also important to not use your RUNNING shoes for CROSSTRAINING. 

 

Saucony Girl!

I use to run in Nike's and New Balances, but the Nike's were not providing me enough support and the New Balance's toe box was too wide for my narrow foot.  I ended up wearing Saucony at my doctors recommendation AND I get even more wear out of those shoes because I put orthotics(not custom made, but purchased from the podiatrist office) which allows me to keep my foot inline when running.  When doing plyometrics you must have the right support because you do not want to roll your ankle then you have another issue to deal with.  I paid $50 for my orthotics and they last me 6 months which I think is very reasonable.  You can purchase some from sporting good stores, but they never have a big variety for your to chose from and there are no experts there to tell you if it's good for your foot or not.  Go back and read the article I put up about your wear pattern and this will help you to realize if you are a pronator, supinator or neutral.

Here are some common mistakes people make when buying shoes:

 

courtesy of Runners World

 

1.  Buying shoes that are too small. "Tight-fitting shoes lead to blisters and black toenails and that kind of thing. Women in particular are used to wearing their shoes close-fitting, as they're often more self-conscious about the size of their feet. We like to say, 'Play the piano with your toes,' meaning the fit should be roomy enough in the forefoot—about half an inch—but not sloppy."

—Mike Johnson, Road Runner Sports , San Diego

 

2.  Buying for looks. "Some runners are too concerned with fashion, and we try and steer people away from that. Often, when they get a shoe that looks cool, they end up coming back in a few months and saying, 'This shoe hurts me. I had a problem with it.' When you buy, think feel and fit, not fashion."
—Bryan Mahon, Philadelphia Runner , Philadelphia

 

3.  Assuming your size. "People assume that a size is a size—that an 8 in a Nike will be the same as an 8 in a New Balance. But sizes differ because of different lasts (foot forms), the different shape of the upper, and the way the shoe is stitched together. Have your feet measured every time you buy, and always try the shoes on for fit."
—Johnny Halberstadt, Boulder Running Company , Boulder, Colorado

4.  Not asking for deals. "When you're ready to pay, ask if there are any discounts available for running club members. Most specialty stores offer discounts from 10 to 20 percent; we offer 10 percent to our local track club. It costs $20 to join it, so if you buy two pairs of shoes, your track membership is paid for."
—Tim Rhodes, Run For Your Life , Charlotte, North Carolina

So, what you should take away from this is make sure that you are buying the right shoes for YOU and make sure you are being properly fitted by a professional.  Don't assume that shoe is for you and don't just busy because they are cute because I know we all have done that.  Treat your feet right, you only get 2 pair of them at the end of the day.  Remember that if your feet are not in line, it can affect your hips and also give you back issue which you do not want.  So, if you are confused and don't know what to do make sure you are going to a specialty shoe store or consult with your Orthopedic Doctor or Podiatrist as I did.  It does not hurt to ask.  Rather be safe that sorry later!