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Stacy Vaillancourt
Chief Administrative Officer
Kelley Sanchez
Director, Corporate Communications
Jaime Huss
Senior Communications Specialist
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Find the running shoe that’s right for you
A new year brings new resolutions. And for many Americans, that includes health and fitness goals. If getting into a
running routine is part of yours, start 2013 on the right foot with these tips.
Q
How should my running
shoes fit?
A
A good-fitting shoe should
be snug in the mid-foot, have
wiggle room in the toes and include
arch support. The arch of the shoe
should align with your arch and not
be too high or so low that you cannot
feel it.
You should always have a bit of
room between the end of your lon-
gest toe and the end of the shoe. The
specific length depends on how long
you’re in the shoes. Someone who
walks two miles will not need as much
room as a marathon runner. Feet swell
at different rates, so be sure to have
a professional look at the amount
of room you have in your shoes to
ensure proper fit.
Aaron Samansky
Owner, Sierra Running
Company – Fresno
Ask the expert: Aaron Samansky
Q
How do I know it’s time to get
new running shoes?
A
Shoes break down faster than
most people think. All shoe
mid-soles are made from foam that
compresses over time, so the shoe
will eventually start to feel flat or hard.
When this happens, the support and
cushion start to dissipate and the
shoe is nearing the end of its life span.
Another indicator is if you feel more
aches and pains than when your shoes
were new. Always listen to your body.
Most well-made shoes last from 300
to 500 miles. Many factors determine
the number of miles your shoes will
last: terrain, weight and how your foot
strikes the ground. If you don’t know
how many miles you have on your
shoes, there are a few tests that your
local shoe retailer can run to see if the
shoe has a bit of life left in it.
Q
Does it matter if I get a running
shoe versus a walking shoe?
A
Running shoes tend to be the
best choice for both runners
and walkers. Running shoes are made
for specific foot types, have more
cushion and can be fit to the indi-
vidual’s foot. Walking shoes are more
generic. Shoe manufacturers put
more research and development into
running-specific models, which – in
turn – makes them a better choice.
CHECK THIS OUT!
How much do you know about
fitness? Test your understand-
ing of exercise and dozens of
other health topics through
our health assessment online
tools. Visit
>
Healthy Liv-
ing > Health
Tools
, or scan
this code
with your
smartphone.
One shoe type does not fit all
Regardless of your running habits, having well-fitted shoes is a must.
Picking the right shoe depends a lot on how your feet are built and
your running style.
Normal pronator (the most ideal running gait):
This is character-
ized by a neutral arch, with your foot rolling inward slightly. Stability
shoes are best.
Overpronator:
This is characterized by a low arch, with your foot roll-
ing inward more than a normal pronator. Motion-control shoes are ideal.
Underpronator:
This is characterized by a high arch, with your foot
rolling outward when running. Cushioning shoes are best.
The wear and tear on the bottom of your running shoe can tell you
a lot about your foot type.
To find the best fit, talk to your local running shoe retailer.
Normal
pronator
Under-
pronator
Over-
pronator
Wear
pattern
Winter 2013