| Your shoes will last longer and you'll enjoy running in | | | | around their store, or on a treadmill, or on the |
| them more by choosing the correct shoes for your | | | | sidewalk outside. Then they will have you try some |
| biomechanics and level of fitness. When you are new | | | | shoes on and make sure that you get a proper fit. |
| to running, or have been running for a while but | | | | If you wear orthotics, then make sure that you bring |
| never paid much attention to your shoes, you should | | | | them with you and let the folks at the store know |
| seek out the help of somebody that knows what | | | | about them. They'll fit you in some neutral shoes that |
| they are talking about. | | | | aren't designed to change your running gait, because |
| These sort of people are not usually difficult to find; | | | | that is the job of the orthotics and if you were to |
| if you have a running shoe specialty store near you, | | | | wear stability shoes then they'd work against one |
| you have some local experts (in most situations). | | | | another. |
| Everywhere that I have ever lived there has always | | | | If you visit a box store chain that you find in your |
| been at least one or two running shoe stores within | | | | local shopping mall, don't expect the same kind of |
| easy driving distance. Most of the time, the people | | | | knowledge or experience. In fact, unless you know |
| who run those stores are accomplished runners who | | | | what you want to buy before you go in, you are |
| know how to fit people for the proper shoes. | | | | better off avoiding these stores because the clerks |
| A good fitting process may involve examining your | | | | there are usually minimum wage and have had little to |
| old pair of running shoes for wear, watching you walk | | | | no training on how to actually fit shoes for a runner. |
| or run barefoot, and even putting you on a machine | | | | Their suggestions are usually going to be for the |
| that can tell the person fitting you what shape your | | | | more expensive shoes just because they cost more. |
| foot is and where your center of balance is. | | | | Be sure to ask questions if you are confused about |
| You will hear words like pronation and supination, the | | | | anything. They are there to help you. By choosing |
| rolling of your foot towards the inside or outside as it | | | | the proper shoes, you will be less likely to hurt |
| strikes the ground) but you will not need to worry | | | | yourself and you will be much more comfortable |
| about it. The person fitting you will watch you run | | | | while you are out training. |