Sunday, January 13, 2008

Retro shoes?

There are many factors that lead to a running injury. I feel that one of the largest contributing factors is our luck in finding the right running shoe to match the needs of our body. In my view this is becoming harder, in a large part because of all the choices with the latest "technology". More and more shoe companies are trying new combinations of light weight midsole materials and thinner outsoles. Many have large and soft crash pads on the outer edge of the midsole. Some of the running population may get away with their choices. Many, I fear will make choices that may initially feel and look good. But, as the miles accumulate and the thin outsoles prematurely wear down their biomechanics will change for the worse. This change will help increase stress to their lateral hips, knees, shins, achilles and plantar fasicia. With cumulative stress overload, an overuse injury is more likely to develop. I have switched many runners from these types of shoes with a shoes that have more traditional construction. Be careful with the softness of the midsole and the crash pad. Be careful with outsole splits in the lateral heel.
Seek help from a running speciality store and/or a running friendly health professional. Best yet, learn to look for yourself. All you need is a treadmill and a video camera. Film from behind in your old shoes, and a couple of new shoes. Study how your foot lands and how you push off. Look at the crash pad (lateral heel of the midsole) and get an idea of how much it compresses compare to a stiffer shoe.

Again, shoes are only one of the contributing factors for an overuse injury. If you find one that works, stick with it! Remember not to stay in a shoe too long. Inspect the outsole wear pattern. If it is starting to look worn in one area, you better get another new shoe going soon.
More on shoes later. Perhaps some pictures will help illustrate my point.

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