Getting Started: Running Shoes

Question: What kind of running shoes should I buy? Where can I get good running shoes?

A good pair of running shoes is essential to healthy running. It's important to get fitted for running shoes to ensure the best results and injury free running.  It's also important to get properly fitted w/ the right shoe to address these points: running stride, gait, and foot structure. Going to a running store like Road Runner Sports is what I recommend for beginning runners. Places like Road Runners have you run on a treadmill, examine your foot structure, and pick different shoes for you to try on. They are usually brand neutral and select from all the top running shoe brands. This experience will help you understand your running anatomy and get you started on the right foot! (No pun intended!) Most shoes range between $75-150 and have a life of 500-600 miles. I also recommend you forgo the "cool look" of the shoe and select the one that feels comfortable - the one that fits like a glove. It's also best to buy your shoe at least a half size bigger than you normally wear b/c your feet will naturally swell when running.

Years ago when I was a poor college student taking on running to lose weight , I didn't know better and bought the cool looking name brand running shoes. I wanted the PINK and I wanted the swoosh logo. Little did I know the "cool looking" shoes made my knees and ankles ache after a  4 mile run. I didn't take running seriously and blamed in on my bad knees. Once I got a little older and wiser, I figured it was the running shoe and not my aging body. Haha! Being properly fitted for a running shoe rocked my running world! This last year I turned 30 and ran over 600 miles - my knees and ankles still feel healthy and I'm ready to log 700 miles in 2011!