The Dope On Shoe Biz

Now that I have a pair of lightweight runners, I plan to use them for just that. It’s a good rule of thumb that many runners use. If you have shoes for racing, just use them for racing. I had a great pair of runners many years ago I used exclusively for training. When I finally retired them I knew the condition they were in was a direct result of my pounding them on the pavement and nothing else. I logged hundreds of miles in those shoes. What I’m saying here is simple. Buy a pair of shoes to train in. Use them only for that reason. Don’t decide to wear them to work, or in the yard cutting the lawn or whatever. Your training shoes are a very important piece of the training puzzle and should be used for no other reason. While I’m on the subject of shoes, someone told me many years ago something about winter tires I’ve never forgotten. What do winter tires and running shoes have in common? Well, I recall I was trying to save a few dollars with all-season tires when it was pointed out to me that the only thing between me and the road were tires and they should be good tires in order for me to drive safely in the winter. That pretty much convinced me to buy good winter tires for winter use. The same goes with running shoes. They are the only thing between your feet and the pavement and you should have a good pair of running shoes in order to prevent unnecessary injuries. That doesn’t mean buy the most expensive shoes, but get the right type for what you plan on using them for and you should be able to get a good pair regardless of your budget. I prefer a pair with extra support around the back of the heel and because I haven’t run for a few years I looked for extra cushioning for my whole foot. Your needs may be very different and with so many different brands and styles available it shouldn’t be too hard to find the right match.