Coach Jeff talks about the right shoe for you.

Lately there’s been a lot of talk both offline and in the social media such as twitter and facebook about a certain brand of shoes. Sir Isaac Newtons. I happen to like them. However, that isn’t the point of this tip!

Over the years I have come across mountains of suggestions from coaches, magazines, fellow runners and triathletes, directed toward one thing, making the sports of running and triathlon safer, easier, and more enjoyable. Having spent a large part of my professional career in the althletic shoe industry, I thought I should pass along some personal tips for getting in “the right shoe for you.”

Hands down the most valuable tool in the runners arsenal (after a good coach:-)) is their shoe. We all know how miserable a day can be if we walk around in shoes that don’t fit properly or don’t give you the right support. So imagine all the problems that can occur if your running shoes are not right for you. Taking the time to find the right pair of shoes for you, prior to getting started on a running program is the single most important thing you can do. (aside from a good coach:-)) The one piece of advice I can give you that you should take to heart without question is; find a very good running shoe store in your area that will take the time to properly assess your feet, your gait, and then put you in a shoe that is right for you. I take this advice so seriously that I go to the running shoe store with my local clients to ensure they get the right attention and buy the shoe that is right for them. The list of injuries you can avoid by having the right shoe includes; blisters, plantar faciitis, ankle strains, sore knees, hip troubles, lower back pain and more. So please take the time to carefully select the shoe that is right for you.

It’s obvious by my childish highlighting of the phrase right for you, how important I think that is in making a shoe choice. Look, there are a lot of really good running shoes on the market today. Almost every manufacturer has a least one really good training shoe and some make a complete line of good shoes for different types of runners. The important thing is don’t be persuaded by names and prices. Just because it cost $150.00 and has a great T.V. campagn or big name athlete pushing it doesn’t make it the right shoe for you.

I’ve been running competitively for 40 years, worked in the shoe industry for 10 and have been coaching for 15, and I don’t own a pair of shoes that cost $100.00. That doesn’t mean that costly shoes are bad . It just means we come in all shapes and sizes, we come with different strides, different foot plants and different bio-mechenical deficiencies. Pretty near all of our needs can be addressed with a shoe that is right for you.

So go out to see your local running shoe experts. Let them analyize your feet, legs and body type. Then try on a few different shoes they select. Take your time, walk around the store, get on their treadmill if they have one. Take the shoe home and jog around the house to really make sure before you get out there on your run. Most importantly, if it doesn’t feel right take it back and try another. Trust me I have found the good stores will be willing to help you make the right decision. Fort Collins is lucky to have the great staff at Runners Roost to serve them.

Your feet are a big part of happy, healthy running. They’re worth the time.