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Lead Stories: Friday, May 16, 2008

Choose Running Shoes
by Arch Height

Posted September 17th, 2007 at 11:00 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes, Training Tips

running shoe store selection Check the height of your arches when you shop for new running or walking shoes. If you have high arches, you usually need shoes with good shock absorption. If you have low arches, you will probably benefit from shoes with good motion control (Gait & Posture, July 2007).

When you run, you land on the outside bottom of your foot and roll inward. This is called pronation, which helps to protect you from injury. If you landed on your foot and did not roll, the force of the impact would be transmitted up your leg to increase your chance of breaking bones and tearing muscles. However, as you roll in from the outside bottom to the inside bottom of your foot, you will see that your lower leg twists inward.

Excessive pronation twists your lower leg, which can cause stress fractures of the lower leg bones. It can cause knee pain because it forces your kneecap to rub against the bone of your upper leg. Excessive pronation can even twist your hip joint to cause pain in the hips and lower back.
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It’s time! … To start rotating your running shoes!

Posted January 26th, 2007 at 9:00 AM by Jim Fortner

Section: Running & Training, Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes, Training Tips

Jim Fortner is a weekly, guest contributor to TFS. Also check out his own personal running and advice site: “Jim2’s Running Page”.

Rotating two or more pairs of running shoes can produce the following benefits:

Reduced risk of injury.

Extended lifespan of shoes.

Flexibility to use different types of shoes for different types of runs.

It takes up to 48 hours after just a few miles of running for the midsoles of running shoes to fully recover their shock absorption properties. Allowing them time to recover at least that long reduces one’s risk of injury and extends the life span of the shoes.
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TFS Review: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 6

Posted January 6th, 2007 at 2:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes, Special Features, TFS Reviews

Through an upgrade of the Adrenaline GTS 5’s, Brooks was actually able to successfully improve upon what was arguably the best stability shoe on the market.

Product: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 6
Price: $90.00
Type: Stability
Fit: True to size and width
Weight: 11.8 oz (Men); 9.75 oz (Women)
Pronation factor: Moderate Over-Pronation
Best for: Runners with a medium build and low to medium arches

This is one of, if not the, best choice for moderate over-pronators who want an amalgamation of stability and cushioning. Although we had some quams regarding breathability, the Adrenalines received exceptional reviews from our wear-testers; all of whom were very impressed.
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Foot type, pronation and how to choose the right shoes

Posted December 17th, 2006 at 6:09 AM by Emily Hoskins

Section: Running & Training, Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes, Training Tips

Everyone can relate to the overwhelming feeling of walking into a sporting goods store to buy new shoes and being faced with a seemingly infinite number of choices. Sure, you want your shoes to look cool, it is of far greater importance that your shoes are right for your foot type.

Proper shoes will go a long way in preventing running related injuries and improving your long-term performance. So how do you decide?
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Changing your running shoe type . . .

Posted November 4th, 2006 at 7:00 AM by Jim Fortner

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes, Training Tips

Jim Fortner is a weekly, guest contributor to TFS. Make sure to also check out his own personal running and advice site: “Jim2’s Running Page”.

A word of caution about making too much of a sudden change to the type of shoes that you use. At least, I will offer my personal experiences, which may or may not apply to you.

In 1983, during the first year of my first running life, I developed a severe case of ITBS at my right knee which completely stopped me from running. A visit to a sports medicine center determined that it was caused by overpronation…..that was when I learned that I am a moderate overpronator, especially on the right side. Read the rest of this entry »

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