What is the Deal with Running Shoes?!

What is the Deal with Running Shoes?!

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I have been a running and triathlon coach for over 10 years and have had a lot of clients ask me what they should do for this injury or that injury… the first answer I ALWAYS give is “How old are your running shoes? “.

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A common reason for running aches and pains is an old pair of shoes. A worn-out pair of shoes will not do much good in protecting the legs from the hard pavement. Most running shoes last 300 to 600 miles, depending on their cushioning, your weight, and the type of terrain they are used on.

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I tell my endurance runners to find a specialty running store and get properly “fit” for their particular foot.  There are three types of variations of pronation for running feet: overpronation, neutral, and underpromotion. People also have various arch types. Both arch type and pronation affect the way the foot strikes while running, thus can cause issues up the leg and hips. 

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Most specialty running stores will have the client walk or run as the employee watches. They then can offer different types of shoes based on their observations. There are so many running shoe brands, each with several models specific to a different type of pronation in mind. The goal is to have a comfortable, well-fitting shoe that supports the foot and allows a nice ride. With pronation issues corrected, the hope is to alleviate any little aches and pains that have crept up and prevent further injury. 

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If pain still persists my suggestion is to go see an exercise chiropractor or physical therapist to help diagnose the issue.

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Happy Runnings!