| As a runner the most important piece of equipment | | | | when they touch the ground. |
| you can have are your shoes. | | | | All feet roll inwards as the ball of the foot touches |
| This is the reason that runners spend a great deal of | | | | the ground. You can either check this out yourself by |
| time checking out shoes, until they find the best | | | | looking at the wear patterns on your old running |
| running shoes for their feet, not only for the fit, but | | | | shoes. |
| also for the kind of running, and training they will be | | | | If you tend to wear out your shoes first on the |
| doing. | | | | outside, you probably tend to underpronate; if you |
| Whatever you do, you must not pick a shoe | | | | wear out your shoes first significantly more to the |
| because it looks good in the shop, so what are you | | | | inside, look for a shoe for over-pronators. |
| to do to make sure you pick the right shoe, because | | | | It isn't complicated but you would do well to find |
| be reassured there could be several shoes that will | | | | someone with experience as a runner to watch you |
| be right for your feet and your running requirements. | | | | running from behind before you make a new |
| How do you find the right shoe, and why is that so | | | | purchase. |
| important? | | | | There are four categories based on the degree of |
| The scope of this article is limited, so rather than try | | | | pronation. |
| to make recommendations, which will probably be | | | | 1. Neutral Pronation, require shoes with a good |
| wrong, as I don't know anything at all about your | | | | balance of stability and flexibility. |
| feet, or your requirements. | | | | 2. Under Pronation has not enough foot motion, and |
| In other words, are you going to use them as track | | | | they require good cushioning and flexibility in their |
| shoes or trail shoes. There is a huge difference | | | | running shoes |
| between running on a flat track, and on a boulder | | | | 3. Moderate Over Pronation require Stability Trainers |
| strewn, wet, muddy trail!! | | | | 4. Severe Over Pronation requires Motion-control |
| Add to this the fact that your feet will hit the ground | | | | trainers. |
| hard over 1600 times every mile that you run. | | | | You should by now have worked out your pronation |
| If your footwear is the wrong size or unsuited to | | | | factor, so your shoe selection must be governed by |
| your biomechanical needs, you are going to find it | | | | this. |
| uncomfortable, probably annoying, and even worse it | | | | The other consideration is shoe fit, and the easiest |
| could lead to injury. | | | | judgement, is does it feel good, and is there room |
| What is the right shoe for my feet? | | | | between the end of your longest toe and the front |
| A combination of a good fit and excellent | | | | of the shoe. The shoe needs to feel snug at the |
| biomechanics. | | | | heel, and comfortable. |
| The fit is obvious, but what do I mean by | | | | At the end of the day, if you have used and liked a |
| biomechanics? | | | | particular make of running shoe, then stick with that |
| Put simply it is all about a word called pronation. | | | | brand, but make sure you are buying the correct |
| Pronation is the natural movement of your feet | | | | shoe model bearing in mind your pronation factor. |