WHAT ARE YOU RUNNING IN?
When selecting the right running shoe, make sure that you find the right shoe for your foot. Most people just walk into a store that sells “running shoes” and buys what looks cool or matches what they wear to work out in. Although this is a great way to look good, it isn’t the smartest way to select running shoes. If you are a beginner or just want to start getting into shape, then make sure that you are getting the shoe that best fits your biomechanical structure and gait. To do this, you will need to visit a store that specializes in running shoes with a knowledgeable staff of runners (not “shoe models”). I suggest stores like Boca Hawaii, Runner’s HI, or The Running Room here in Hawaii.
They will evaluate your stride to determine if you are a neutral, pronating or supinating runner. This is important because if you are not in the correct shoe for your gait style, then you can cause unnecessary joint or muscular pain every time you take a step. These terms describe the rotation of the ankle during the foot strike and determine how the impact of each step is translated through the body. If you are in the wrong shoe, you can be misaligning your natural biomechanics without even knowing it. By having your gait evaluated by a running professional (there should never be a charge for this service) they can ensure that you are in the correct shoe, which can help to correct any existing problems while simultaneously eliminating future problems resulting from being in the wrong shoes.
