BUYING TRAINING SHOES – Part 2


INTRODUCTION

Here the first of two articles is presented. This month's article outlines the essentials of more complex inter-relating technical and medical factors influencing your choice of training shoe. The themes of my first two articles now collide - how shoes can cause injuries dovetails into buying the right pair of running shoes so as to avoid injuries. I have tried to present it in an entertaining way so as to turn a seemingly dry academic reading into 'a good read' livened up with illustrations. Above all, I would like you to do all the practical exercises .....

CHECKLIST

My previous article finished with a checklist of questions which you should know the answers to. Please read them again, think about the answers, and then I will move on to look at more technical aspects of training shoe construction so that you buy the right type of shoe for your style of running.

1. Am I saving regularly in a savings account for my next pair of training shoes?

2. Do I fully understand the tremendous shock my body has to absorb whilst running?

3. Do I fully understand how vital the right pair of running shoes are to me?

4. Are my training shoes more roomy than my ordinary shoes?

5. Are light weight racing shoes which only benefit the top 10% elite athletes really suitable for me? Am I better off with a good pair, albeit a little heavier?

6. Is the heel counter sound and well padded?

7. Is the Achilles tendon protector tab going to rub my Achilles tendon?

8. Is the Achilles tendon protector tab cut away and so definitely not going to rub my Achilles tendon?

9. Have I been to a pediatrist (foot doctor) and got some suitable orthotics (inserts) customised to the shape of my feet?

10. Are the soles very flexible, with no rigidity at all, especially at the ball of the foot?

11. Is there enough room in the toes box to allow my toes to spread - about ¼ of an inch?

12. Are the lace eyelets strong?

13. When in the shop, do I find the right shoe for my own individual feet - try on a lot of pairs, and inspect them thoroughly?

14. Do I have two pairs of running shoe and do I rotate them properly?

15. Do I tie the laces up properly, and do I check, adjust the laces, and re-lace my shoes regularly?

16. Do I carry spare laces around with me all the time?

The copyright of the article BUYING TRAINING SHOES – Part 2 in Training for Running is owned by Clive Maxwell Prestt. Permission to republish BUYING TRAINING SHOES – Part 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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