Running Shoes: A Good Pair May Just Save You
Have you decided to take on running? Good One! Running may make a difference to your life if you only let it.
However, before you go out there you must be prepared. Injuries are painful and frustrating, and the wrong running shoes for you may put you off track for a long time.
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Why Can’t I Run Like I Used To?
Running should be easy, right? Everyone can do it. Everyone does it when they’re kids – so why is it so difficult as adults to start running after we haven’t for a few years?
There are many possible answers. Children, for example, tend to run differently. They run more on the balls of their feet and do not strike the ground with their heels as much as adults do. (You may re-learn to run like that, it is a method called “The Pose Method of Running” – but beware, some feet injuries are believed to be connected to running on the balls of your feet, e.g. plantar fasciitis).
Also, the last time you ran you may have been a few pounds lighter on your feet – and that makes a tremendous difference. Add to that the possibilities of weaker muscles, especially at the front of your shins – and other pains and injuries are thrown into the equation.
All in all – if you haven’t run for a long time, chances are it’s going to be difficult to start again.
Image via Wikipedia
What Do My Running Shoes Have To Do With Any Of It?
Good question. Running shoes, regardless of how good they are, will not help strengthen your weak muscles or magically remove those extra pounds. However, a good pair of shoes may help prevent some of the pain of running by providing cushioning, support and enough comfort to prevent blisters, burns and possible mis-steps.
Ok, So What Should I Look For In A Shoe?
First and most important – the shoe must fit the way your feet meet the ground when you run. You are either a natural runner, meaning you land on your feet straight and naturally, or you roll your foot as you land on it – either inside – a condition called pronation – or outside (supination).
Before Deciding which running shoe to buy, you may want to have your running style analyzed. Most professional shoe stores can do this for you, usually free of charge.
Finding out what is your running style limits your choices to a set of running shoes to choose from.
Got My Style Analyzed – Now What?
After you know which type of shoes you should go for, you need to analyze your running needs. Are you going to run mainly outside or on a treadmill? Paved roads or soft grass? Rugged or smooth terrain? Different shoes are adequate for different conditions – and you should consider these before you choose.
Apart from terrain, you may want to look at how comfortable are the shoes, how much they weigh compared to other possible models, how durable they are and how much they cost.
When you have done all that – take the shoes you want for a run. Most stores will let you do that – or at least let you buy them and swap them after a few days if you feel they aren’t right for you.
To find out more about different running shoes – come over to the choozza website. You can compare popular models against each other, and personalize the comparison to your desires.
Two of the comparisons you can find on Choozza are:
