Running is a pretty tough sport. It takes a lot of mental power to push through a tough race. There are many steps to take in order to prepare for a good run, but a really important factor is making sure to have a good pair of running shoes.
Rocky’s Cross Country runners Gabe Mahn and Ulana Richey are both experienced in the different kinds of running shoes available. Not all runners wear the same kind of shoes because everyone has different preferences about what shoes they feel are best for them. Gabe states, “Nike Dragonflies, they’re the fastest shoes I’ve ever worn.” Ulana says, “Asic Gel Nimbus 27 or Nike Invincibles.” This shows that not everyone will want to wear the same shoes because everyone has different opinions on what is comfortable.
Different shoes also have different features like one shoe can have more cushion and one can have more stability. Sometimes, runners need more stability because they need better support, and others prefer more cushion to feel more comfort on the joints, like Gabe states, “Stability, because cushion is not always enough stability for weak joints.” Ulana says, “Personally, I think stability, so that you know it’s good, and you won’t get injured.” Some runners will have weaker joints than others, so it’s important to make sure to pick the right shoe.
Newer runners sometimes struggle with finding the right shoe that works for them because they don’t have a lot of experience in shoes. “Go to a running store and have your feet examined,” says Gabe. If someone were struggling a lot with figuring out what feels right to them, there are a lot of running stores that will find shoes that work specifically for that runner. It’s also good to know what stores are the best to look at. Richey states, “My favorite place is Running Wild or Dicks because they help you find a shoe for you, and see if it’s good for you.” Running stores like these not only carry good running shoes, but they have staff that will help find shoes that fit perfectly for each individual.
Not only is it important for new runners to know what shoes to find, but it is also important to know when to get a new pair of shoes. “It’s important to switch shoes every season, or when they wear out so you don’t get hurt or develop ankle or shin problems,” states Ulana. After wearing a shoe for so long, the shoe can start to break down and the benefits of the shoe won’t work as well, which can cause injury, so it’s important to make sure a runner switches out their shoes once a new season starts.
There are more factors to running that a runner should also worry about, but shoes are a big priority because it has a lot to do with whether a runner feels comfortable and uninjured during a run.
