CONDITIONS

As the spring air refreshes our lungs and warms our faces, the urge to lace up that old pair of running shoes beckons. After all, running is a great cardiovascular exercise. It clears the mind, relieves stress, and helps you see little sections of the world you wouldn’t even notice in a car. Before you head out on a long, cathartic run, you may want to consider getting a new pair of running shoes. Most running shoes are only designed to last about 500 miles. How many miles have you already put on yours? However, there are some important facets you may want to consider when hunting for the perfect running shoe. By understanding your foot structure and running style, you can choose a pair with the exact features you need to increase performance and prevent injury. The Benefits of Good Running Shoes Like many things in life, running shoes fall into the category of you get what you pay for. While you may be tempted to search for a bargain, running shoes should be considered an investment. Good running shoes offer several benefits including: Protection: Your shoes separate your feet from the road, sidewalk, or trail. As any runner knows, there are all sorts of hazards on your route. Jagged rocks, broken glass, even the occasional “surprise” left behind by an animal. Running shoes are your line of defense from cuts, bruises, and incredibly dirty socks. Preventing injuries: All the health benefits of running won’t mean a thing if you’re injured. Running on hard surfaces like asphalt or concrete can be stressful to your feet, legs, and hips. High-quality running shoes give you support and shock absorption that can prevent conditions like shin splints or plantar fasciitis. Increasing running performance: The right shoes will give you the proper support and improve your biomechanics. As a result, you may be able to run faster or longer. Finding the Perfect Running Shoe Before you head out to your favorite retailer, you probably want to learn more about your foot and how you run. How Do You Run? Take some time to examine your old pair of running shoes. The wear and tear patterns on the soles can help you determine your running mechanics. What can the soles of your shoes tell you? The natural tendencies of your movements while running—also known as your gait. More specifically, the degree of pronation—the roll of your foot as the heel strikes the ground. Neutral pronation: If the wear pattern of your shoes is at the center of the ball of your foot and a small outer section of the heel, then congratulations! You have what’s considered neutral pronation. This running style efficiently absorbs impact and helps to relieve pressure on the knees and joints. Overpronation: If the wear patterns are near the inside, along the balls of the feet and heels you may have a tendency to roll your foot inward while running. This is a common movement many runners unknowingly make. Unfortunately, overpronation