Selecting the Right Running Shoes
This is my favorite time of year for outdoor running and a great time to ramp up your cardio routine and your fall/winter wordrobe and fitness gear. The proper footwear is key in preventing injury and providing comfort and support while exercising.
Here are a few pointers on how to select the best shoe for your foot. If you are an avid runner I also suggest visiting a specialty store and have your gait assessed and a professional help you select the right shoe. I prefer Gear West in Long Lake but there are many stores throughout the Twin Cities that could help you.
First, off you need to find out if you have high, low, or normal arches. You can find this out by standing in a shallow puddle of water and then stepping onto a paper bag and see what your foot print looks like. If you see a curve inward that stops about mid-foot you have normal arches, if your curve only goes in about as far as your second two you have low (flat) arches and if the curve runs all the way to the other side of your foot you have high arches.
In general most people will have normal or low arches. If you have low (flat) arches this can be a potential problem and lead to overpronation, or to much rolling inward of the ankle. Common injuries associated with this include plantar fascitis and Achilles tendon pain. The most important thing to look for in a running shoe if you overpronate is one with good stability. If you have normal arches you want a shoe with good cushioning.
The last type of foot is the high arch and this person tends to supinate, ankle tends to roll outward and landing is on the outside of the foot. This is the least common type of foot and you will often see greater wear on the outside of your shoes. This person tends to take to much shock through the lower leg and needs a good cushioning shoe even more so then the normal arch person.
Remember, a good shoe does not need to be "broken in" and should fit right from the start. Make sure it is wide enough or narrow enough for your foot shape and is the proper shoe design for your activity.
Good luck and happy running this fall.
Here are a few pointers on how to select the best shoe for your foot. If you are an avid runner I also suggest visiting a specialty store and have your gait assessed and a professional help you select the right shoe. I prefer Gear West in Long Lake but there are many stores throughout the Twin Cities that could help you.
First, off you need to find out if you have high, low, or normal arches. You can find this out by standing in a shallow puddle of water and then stepping onto a paper bag and see what your foot print looks like. If you see a curve inward that stops about mid-foot you have normal arches, if your curve only goes in about as far as your second two you have low (flat) arches and if the curve runs all the way to the other side of your foot you have high arches.
In general most people will have normal or low arches. If you have low (flat) arches this can be a potential problem and lead to overpronation, or to much rolling inward of the ankle. Common injuries associated with this include plantar fascitis and Achilles tendon pain. The most important thing to look for in a running shoe if you overpronate is one with good stability. If you have normal arches you want a shoe with good cushioning.
The last type of foot is the high arch and this person tends to supinate, ankle tends to roll outward and landing is on the outside of the foot. This is the least common type of foot and you will often see greater wear on the outside of your shoes. This person tends to take to much shock through the lower leg and needs a good cushioning shoe even more so then the normal arch person.
Remember, a good shoe does not need to be "broken in" and should fit right from the start. Make sure it is wide enough or narrow enough for your foot shape and is the proper shoe design for your activity.
Good luck and happy running this fall.
Amy, is there some sort of code to look for on the shoe or the box that lets you know if the shoe is neutral/supinate/pronate? I have been buying shoes at The Running Room, so they have them laid out that way, but I would like to go to Sports Authority or somewhere like that, and I can't tell which ones I need. I loved Mizuno Wave Precision 10 (3 pair!), but now they are being phased out and I need to find another shoe!
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At stores like Sport Authority and Kohl's etc..they don't have them marked usually and the sales people will have no clue. I would go to the running store and find what shoe works the best and then you can always look online and try to find it cheaper that way. Also, go directly to the shoe manufacturers website and they will usually tell you what shoe is best for your foot. I wear Asics and there site is great. I have never worn the Mizuno so I am not sure about there site.
Hope that helps.
Amy
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