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.