Did you know that choosing your running shoes affects your performance? In fact, by finding the ideal shoes for the shape of your feet, you will run with so much more ease than with ordinary running shoes.
First comes the heel of the shoe which should fit snug, but not exactly tight. Second, we have the in-step which should fit comfortably and firmly on top of your feet. In case it’s too tight, you can try a different way to lace up your shoes. If that doesn’t work, either you should try another pair.
Third comes the width of the shoe. It should leave enough room for your toes to move freely from one side to the other and not feel squished. Since your feet can swell as you run, you need a bit of extra space. Then we have the length of the shoe. When you take your thumb and place it horizontally at the top of the shoe, you can determine the ideal space at the edge of your longest toe so you’ll know for sure that you have a bit of space when running.
Another thing to consider is the arch support, which is divided into three categories: the low arch, the normal arch and the high arch. Ideally, there’s a type of shoe that fits each type of foot arch.
If you have a low arch, you have the tendency to land on the external part of your foot and roll into the internal part of your foot as you transfer your weight. If you fit this type you’ll need a pair of motion control running shoes. They improve the stability of your feet and prevent them from moving around too much.
If your arch is normal, you have a tendency to land in the middle, toward the outer corner of your heel and roll lightly toward the inside ball of your feet. The shoes that would suit you best are stability running shoes, which add just the right amount of balance to your sole.
Finally, if you have a high arch, you tend to land on the external corner of your feet and carry the rest of your body weight along the lateral side of your feet to your little toes. Experts call this ‘under pronation’ because the foot doesn’t get enough rotation. The shoes that will fit you best in this case will be cushioned running shoes. These absorb the shock and leave room for flexibility and better rotation of your feet.
So, when it comes to finding your perfect pair of running shoes, take these tips into account when shopping and you’ll be thanking yourself later! If you already have the perfect pair of shoes, check out Hill Running For Beginners to put them to use!
You don’t have your ideal pair yet? Jog over to Cataraqui Centre and use this guide to check out their sports and foot ware stores!