Running Shoes

Overall, I have to think that running is one of the cheapest sports or forms of exercise.  You don't need any special equipment, just comfortable clothes and a good pair of shoes will do in a pinch.  You don't need a raquet, balls, pads, weights, nothing. 

But with so little few necessities, there's still a lot of question out there.  Shopping for the shoes alone can be intimidating.  Running shoes come in all shapes, sizes, varieties, and colors.  There are stability shoes, motion control shoes, performance shoes, trail running shoes, and that doesn't factor in orthodics.  So where to begin, right?  Well, best advice I can give is to seek out a professional's help.  That means, go to a running store where they know what they're talking about (read: not a Footlocker).  Here in Palm Beach County, we have Running Sports in Juno Beach and Fit 2 Run in Wellington. 

I got fitted over at Fit 2 Run.  They had me run on a treadmill where they videotaped my feet.  Then we got to play it back to see if I underpronate or overpronate (I do overpronate, which means my foot rolls in as I run.  See an example of the difference here: Pronation, Explained).  I also got to stand on a pad that measured the amount of pressure I put on my foot and where.  That tells you if you've got flat, normal, or high arches.  You can test this for yourself using a pan of water and a brown paper bag.  Here's how: Wet Test.  Both pronation and your arches come into play in choosing a shoe.  I was also interested to learn that running shoes should be about a full size larger than your normal shoe size. 

So, with all the tests and videos I did, what did I come out with?  Brooks Trance 9 in a size 11 (yikes I've got big feet!) with orthodics for overpronation.  They didn't come cheap, but they did eliminate the numbness I was getting in my toes after running in my too-small Asics.

Now, all of this sounds like a lot to learn.  And you may be asking, why bother, right?  Can't I just run in what I wear to walk around and go grocery shopping?  In a word, no.  For one thing, it reduces your risk of injury if you run with the proper shoes.  It also makes you run better.  So why not give it a try.  In the long run, it's still probably the cheapest sport there is.

New Running Plan

I started running the "First Steps" running program from Runner's World. Darren is going to be running along with me (more than likely in front of me since he's faster). If you're interested, it can be found here: Runner's World First Steps 5K Training. It seems like a pretty doable plan and with my Garmin Forerunner strapped to me, it will beep at the appropriate run/walk times. I went out today for my first week 1 run. It was a challenge, but the heat was more a problem for me than the running. Running when it's in the high 80's, with humidity that makes it feels like the 90's, is just grotesque. I'm planning to run in the mornings this week, seeing as I don't have to be in court and can go into the office a little later than usual. It's going to be down to a brisk 72 degrees at 6 am tomorrow, so that's the plan. Well, maybe I'll push it to 6:30. What's one more degree hotter, right?

Reading Up

I bought a couple of new running books today. One is Runner's World's Complete Book of Running. So far, I think it's pretty good, basically a mish-mosh of their magazine. The other is Running by Jeff Galloway, an Olympian and Runner's World columnist. Galloway is advocating his run-walk method. Both seem to be more introductory guides more than anything. I'm looking forward to delving into them in the coming weeks.

I've agreed to head up a running team again this year for my office for the Lawyer's Have Heart 5K in October. This year, however, I am dedicating myself to running the entire race. No walking! Sorry, Galloway. I was doing great in my training last year right up until a few weeks beforehand. Then I trailed off and wound up walking more than I ran. I hated that. So this year, I'm running it. I don't care how slow I am, I'm running.

From there, hopefully a half marathon. But I'm trying to not get too far ahead of myself. Right now, the focus is on the 5K.