So, it’s a new year. Does that mean I need new women’s running shoes? How often should I buy new shoes? What’s the right type? Dang, this is harder than buying a new car. I looked around and found out some interesting stuff. I love new info!!! Fills my brain up with more than just air, lol.
First, walking shoes or running shoes? I don’t know about you but walking shoes look funny… kinda like old lady shoes. And they are always plain white. Blah. Well, one article I found claimed that “it’s a well known fact that running shoes cannot substitute as walking shoes and vice versa” (1). Uh… I beg to differ since I didn’t know this fact. Supposedly running shoes have thicker soles and are more high tech. I can only agree with the more high tech portion. Running shoes nowadays are so thin and light, such as these shoes below, which weigh only 8.4 ounces (just a tad heavier than my Droid).
Another article says a runner should never wear walking shoes because that shoe lacks the support and cushion needed to prevent injury when running (2). Hmmm, sounds to me like it is pretty important to choose the right shoe. The way you stride when walking and running is completely different. When walking, you land on your heel and roll to your toe. Running causes you to land mid-sole or on the toes.
Ok, got it. I am gonna buy women’s running shoes. I don’t run per say, but I walk hard. And that brings me to my next question. How often should I buy running shoes? I have had my current pair for 3 years now. Is it time for them to go? It would seem obvious to me that if the threads were worn out, replace the shoe (such as a tire). However, there are more important way to tell when to buy new shoes and they are not so noticeable. If you are experiencing shin splints (raising my hand here), have joint paint (other than what may be normal if you have a joint issue such as arthritis) or feel muscle fatigue at the end of your run, then you’re shoes are shot and the cushioning in them is not good anymore. A rule of thumb is to replace shoes every 300 to 400 miles, but that also depends on many factors such as your weight, running style and more.
Now, I need a running shoe, and apparently need a new one. What kind should I get? Have you seen the options in women’s running shoes? It’s as scary as buying a pair of jeans. I think I might need help now. Let’s hit up the experts and see what they say (3). Hopefully the salesperson will ask me lots of questions about my needs and uses for the shoes. It is a must that he/she checks my foot shape and arch. A suggestion when buying a running shoe is to buy it ½ to full size larger to accommodate foot swelling. Depending on where our running shoe expert is, they might be able to do a running analysis to check my running style, i.e., does my foot turn in or out when it hits the ground. And last but not least, don’t buy the shoes just because they are pink (and pink is your favorite color, lol). Well, I am off to buy a new pair of shoes. I haven’t walked since shortly after New Year’s Day (and yes, it was a beautiful 75 degrees that day). I will be back to share my purchase. If you buy a new pair, show me, ok!!
Resouces used in this article:
(1) http://tinyurl.com/replaceshoes
6 comments:
You said it out loud just as I was thinking I'm FREEZING and the heat kicked on with a clang... yep, we need a new burner.
Now that is just as scary as running shoes.
Good thing for me is that I come with a "Doctors Note" for the phys ed - I have bad knees. Woohoo!
Seriously, though, I have to find something to do. Maybe your next bit of research can be a what-is-great-exercise-for-someone-with-bad-knees-and-knee-surgery-in-the-near-future article?
MWAH!
Yep - choosing a shoe for running/walking is scary! Especially with the variety and PRICES (eeek!) Here are a couple of sites I found helpful. Our local sports store had a very helpful staff too - they actually had some training that enabled them to fit my foot correctly.
Links:
http://www.runnersworld.com/video/1,8052,s6-4-0-4,00.html?bcpid=2891005001&bclid=1716449631&bctid=1716440001
http://www.runningplanet.com/training/running-shoes.html
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_1/184.shtml
Good luck with your purchase!
You just had to bring up the "E" Word didn't YOU! Well, I guess you are right. But I think my running shoes would be still good. Sad to say they just didn't get used enough to warrant a new pair.
But I have been wondering about the new one they have out that have a ball that is suppose to give you a good burn in the behind...Daughter says they are costly but I haven't checked them out yet.
Thank you for the links and information you found. I will watch for an update.
Hugs
Dawn
SO sorry Caryn that you are FREEZING and yet here I am wishing I had shaved my legs so I could wear shorts. lol.
Thanks for the great links Diane. I have never had someone help me buy shoes before but now I see why it is so important. My shins hurt soooo bad when I walk.
Dawn, those shoes you have seen are called Shape-ups by Skechers. I talked to a girl at the Skechers store a couple weeks ago because she was wearing them. She said at first you really do feel them working on your buns, hun. I want some but they are costly. I'll let you know what I do end up buying.
I personally think the Sketcher ones are ugly. I prefer the Reebok shaping and toning shoes. That's what I'm gonna buy one of these years. LOL Good luck!
I have the Curves toning shoes, but really wanted the Sketches ones. They all look kind of orthapedic to me but if they are going to make my muscles work harder I am going to try to get over my vanity and just jump in! I bought new running shoes right after Christmas and put them by the treadmill. I took them out of the box so I have to look at them, but two months later they are still brand new and not worn BECAUSE I've told myself I can only wear them to actually run! If my other ones wear out I will probably break down and wear them just out of frugality though!
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