Opinions Are Like Socks, April 2008 Edition: Your First Pair of Running Shoes!

About once a month, I receive questions either in email or comments asking my opinion on some running-related topic. As I’m no expert coach or medical professional, I am much more comfortable with opinions rather than advice. Advice means something. Opinions, it turns out, are not like those, ummm, other things (ahem!). They are more like socks– there are lots of choices. If this applies to nothing else, it applies to running, because though I am hardly a veteran or even close, I’ve learned this much: runners are some researching kind of folk.

It seems, though, that instead of just responding in email it would be even better and more fun to post these questions. That way, we can open up the question to even more advice and opinions, advice and opinions that we’re actually asking for (as opposed to those when we’re not, but we get them anyway. Well-meaning, of course). Great, right?So here we go, the JustRunJustLiveJustBe: Opinions Are Like Socks.

You may remember the last time I did this. Well, my, oh my, did the questions pour in after that. Like, by the millions or so. Minus about 999,999. But still! I received a shoe question a couple days ago and we all know I can pass that up about as easily as I can not laugh at someone tripping and falling down. As long as they’re okay, of course. Yeah, so I’m a little mean. We can talk about that another day. For now, we have a shoe question!

Hello The Just Run!

About a month ago I decided to start running on the treadmill at my gym. I am in the process of losing weight on Weight Watchers (you are too right?) and I think running is the best way to work out hard in the least amount of time. I don’t know if this is right or not but it sure feels that way. So anyway I have been running about twenty minutes at a time and it is going alright but I feel like my shoes are not supportive enough. These are shoes I bought when I first started Weight Watchers and wanted to get to the gym. I got them at Big 5. If I want to run more and start trying to run longer, what kind of shoes should I get?

Thanks!

Audrey

Hi Audrey,

Okay, a couple of things: First, I adore the name Audrey. It is so pretty. Second, thank you for calling me “The” Just Run. I like the idea of adding “The” in there. It’s like I’m a super hero or something. You know, like The Crusader or The Lightning. Or something cooler, but you know what I mean. I’m going to make people start addressing me using The all the time now. Awesome.

Oh, and before I forget, yes I am doing the Weight Watchers thing too. So far, so good. I like it and I don’t really feel like my life has been affected that much. Well, except for my pants, if ya know what I’m sayin’. And I think ya do. Good for you, too!

Now, for the running. So yes, yay for running! I am so glad you’ve found that you a) like it and b) want to do it more. I tell ya, these days there are few things that get me more excited than a new runner. I’m so glad you are thinking about shoes at this stage. That is smart smart smart because you’re going to prevent lots of potential pain, injury, and/or confusion in your future.

My answer (the beginning at least) is simple: Get thee to a running store! Pronto! No joke. I know being new to running you may not really feel like a runner, but that is okay. We all start somewhere and those of us who are smart want to stay pain and injury free start at a running store. They are there to help you, and in all my years of running and hanging out with runners, I’ve never heard of an unwelcoming running store (if that happens, leave. I really doubt it though.). Depending on where you live, you can just open the phone book and check it out. Should you be in a smaller community, I’d even go so far as to say plan a road trip to the big city. At least for your first pair, it is that important.

The reasoning behind this is a good running store will analyze your gait. Either by watching you run outside or on a treadmill, they will determine what sort of shoe is best for you. Have you heard of pronation? Well this is what the staff at the store will be looking for. You either over pronate, under pronate, have neutral pronation or a little of both, depending on the foot. A little complicated, no? So have someone who knows what they’re doing help you. This is your best bet in staying comfortable and injury free. Also, the running store will exchange your shoes as many times as may be needed if they’re not right for you after a couple of runs.

Another thing that might be intimidating about running shoes is the cost. Most runners I know spend between $85 and $120 on each pair of shoes. (Well, except my friend Tom who wears a size 15 shoe! Those suckers are expensive. I don’t know exactly how much because Tom and I don’t talk a lot while running due to the impossibly LOUD smacking of the size 15 feet on the ground. Heh!) That said, you don’t have to spend that much. Just go into the store (or even call), tell them what price range you’re looking for, and let them bring shoes to you. There are all kinds of opinions on shoes and cost, but you’re going to be most comfortable in a shoe that’s not only right for your foot, but doesn’t make you feel like you have to take out a second on the house every time you reach 500 miles (give or take)!

Which brings me to the next point: Tell the staff at the running store what kind of running you are doing, and what you hope to do in the future. This will also help them gauge the best shoe for you. Depending on if you’re going to stick with the treadmill or get out on the road (weather getting nicer! Must celebrate! Must soak up sun!) or even a local trail will effect the shoes you buy.

Finally, I agree with you regarding the cardio benefits of running. There is, in most opinions, no better way to get the amount of cardio fitness in you’ll get with running in the same amount of time. This is not to say running is the only thing you should ever do, but it’s going to work you the best. And in the right shoes, you are going to be just fine.

Thanks so much for your question and have fun!

“The” Just Run

Now let’s see what everyone else has to say…

(If you happen to have a question, go ahead and email it to me. (justrunjustlivejustbe [at] gmail [dot] com) I don’t expect a barrage, but you know, just in case.)