With the NYC Marathon upon us and the Marine Corps Marathon behind us, this is clearly a time when runners put extra miles on their shoes. It is estimated that 70 percent of all runners will experience an injury from running, so taking a look at all aspects of the sport including shoe choice may help to decrease this percentage.
Proper Shoe Choice
The Washington Post highlighted choosing the proper shoe in their wellness section last week. Shoes are designed to correct issues like pronation and supination with structural support in addition to providing shock absorption. Before buying a new pair of shoes, they suggest looking at your existing shoe treads for a wear pattern. That can often help the fitter determine your running pattern. Your shoe type should not be the only driving force; comfort is a huge factor here. If the shoe is made for people who pronate and you are a pronator but it is not comfortable then it is not the right shoe. Do not buy shoes that are not comfortable in hopes you will break them in later.
Size, Surface & Brand
Other interesting points to consider when buying running shoes are sizing, surface and brand. Brand loyalty should not be a factor when choosing a shoe; there are so many changes in models and styles, so getting the right fit are much more important than the brand. A little known fact is that running shoes are sized to be worn with thick socks as compared to thinner socks for dress shoes. This can equate to a whole size difference when purchasing your shoes and a loose shoe could certainly cause injury. The last point to consider is running surface when trying on shoes. You want to make sure that you assess running shoes on different surfaces like concrete, asphalt and a treadmill. Ideally, you want shoes that are comfortable on your chosen running surface.
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