Running 8

Shoes:

Unlike football, or baseball or the vast majority of sports, running doesn't require much equipment. In fact, beside some basic clothing, shoes is all it asks for. However, having the right shoe is crucial to avoiding injury and maximizing workout success.

There are a few technical aspects when it comes to buying a shoe that go further than how comfortable the shoe feels. A comfortable shoe isn't necessarily the right shoe for you. There are somethings that change over time, and others that do not. For instance, do you know if you are flat-footed, or if you have an arch? If not, you can find out simply by wetting the bottom of your foot (to where it's wet, but not dripping) and stepping on a dry newspaper. Step naturally and don't exert any extra pressure by pushing or stomping. Look at the shape of your foot print. Compare your print to the picture on the left.

Being flat footed isn't wrong. All it means is that you need a different shoe to give you the support you need where you need it. Be sure to ask if a shoe you are about to buy was made for flat footed people.

Another very important aspect of running is how your foot lands on the ground. Do you land on the front of your foot (fore foot), middle of your foot (mid foot) or your heel (heel striking). The most efficient way of running is fore-footing. Fore-footing allows for a fluid motion and propulsion without loosing momentum. When your foot lands, it can spring back up quickly and effectively. Heel striking is the most common tendency for runners in shoes, and it is the exact opposite from the fore-foot. You loose momentum when your heel hits the ground, and you must wait for your whole foot to traverse the ground before picking up again. Notice, I said it was the most common tendency for runners in shoes. This is because the human body will naturally fore-foot or mid-foot when bare-foot running.

While it is best to fore-foot or mid-foot, not every body does, nor can. Heel-strikers can train themselves to fore-foot over time (you may feel an extra workout in your calves), however, in the mean time, it is best to wear a shoe that best fits how you run the majority of the time. Most running stores will have an employee who can best diagnose you with your running style and give you the best shoe.