Choosing the Right Shoes: Running
Choosing the right running shoe is an important decision not only for comfort, but to avoid the painful consequences of inadequate footwear, like shin splints or aching heels.
When you go to make that purchase, be sure to go prepared to pick the pair that will best suit the needs of a runner, as well as the unique needs of your own feet.
Why You Need a Separate Pair While it would be great if your walking shoes could double as your running sneakers, shoes made for walking are very different from those made for running.
A good pair for walking is going to be stiff, while the sneakers you need to run in will be more flexible and have extra padding for handling tougher impact.
It should be fairly easy to recognize the difference, but if you are having trouble, be sure to ask a salesperson.
Your Unique Feet Even if you feel like you know your shoe size, take the time to try on to double check; a lot of people actually don't know their true size because the measuring devices that they have in stores are only able to measure length and width, leaving out height.
The best way to see if you are getting the right size is to try on while standing, not sitting, and move around a bit.
If the shoe fits, there should be about 3/8 to ½ inch between your big toe and the tip (about the width of your thumb).
And, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, you should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes once it's on.
Come Prepared When you go to the store, you should bring your own socks because they're what you will be running in.
Also, though this may sound strange, it is better to go shopping later in the day.
Feet tend to swell when you run or walk, and they also do so throughout the day.
If you try them on later, they will probably resemble the state they are in when you run the most accurately.
Custom Orthotics No matter which pair you choose, your shoes can be made much more conducive to running safely and comfortably with a pair of custom orthotic inserts.
Custom orthotics can be made to relieve sore feet (and backs, and other parts affected by improper footwear) after an individualized assessment of each of your feet, both standing and walking, that reads abnormalities in body weight distribution.
This way, you can hit the road without having to worry about getting slowed down by the wrong kind of pain.
When you go to make that purchase, be sure to go prepared to pick the pair that will best suit the needs of a runner, as well as the unique needs of your own feet.
Why You Need a Separate Pair While it would be great if your walking shoes could double as your running sneakers, shoes made for walking are very different from those made for running.
A good pair for walking is going to be stiff, while the sneakers you need to run in will be more flexible and have extra padding for handling tougher impact.
It should be fairly easy to recognize the difference, but if you are having trouble, be sure to ask a salesperson.
Your Unique Feet Even if you feel like you know your shoe size, take the time to try on to double check; a lot of people actually don't know their true size because the measuring devices that they have in stores are only able to measure length and width, leaving out height.
The best way to see if you are getting the right size is to try on while standing, not sitting, and move around a bit.
If the shoe fits, there should be about 3/8 to ½ inch between your big toe and the tip (about the width of your thumb).
And, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, you should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes once it's on.
Come Prepared When you go to the store, you should bring your own socks because they're what you will be running in.
Also, though this may sound strange, it is better to go shopping later in the day.
Feet tend to swell when you run or walk, and they also do so throughout the day.
If you try them on later, they will probably resemble the state they are in when you run the most accurately.
Custom Orthotics No matter which pair you choose, your shoes can be made much more conducive to running safely and comfortably with a pair of custom orthotic inserts.
Custom orthotics can be made to relieve sore feet (and backs, and other parts affected by improper footwear) after an individualized assessment of each of your feet, both standing and walking, that reads abnormalities in body weight distribution.
This way, you can hit the road without having to worry about getting slowed down by the wrong kind of pain.
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