Presented By:  Tina & Kevin Conley, MOT Running Company

Running shoes should be selected carefully. Factors to weigh when looking for a new shoe include:
*Past experience with shoes
*Current Problems
*Biomechanical Needs
*Environmental Factors
*Running and Racing Requirements

One of the best means of finding out information about running shoes is to locate a good running shoe store, which maintains an excellent reputation among your local running community. They can help you not only with fit but also review desired shoe characteristics with you. Failing to replace worn shoes is a major cause of running injuries. Estimates vary, as do individuals, as to when is the best time to replace your running shoes. The usual estimates place the mileage at somewhere between 350 and 550 miles. This means that many individuals should be replacing their shoes before they show major wear. In spite of the lack of wear the shoe will be gradually losing its shock absorption capacity as well as possibly starting to lose some of its stability.

Examine the soles of your shoes. Most people seem to be amazed that their shoes wear at the rear outer corner. Most rearfoot strikers will wear at this part of the shoe. The reason for this is that for most heel strikers it is the point of first contact of the shoe with the ground. Most people walk and run with their feet slightly rotated from center. Forefoot wear may point to an individual who is a sprinter, runs fast, contacts the ground with the forefoot first or all of the above. Uneven forefoot wear may show where one metatarsal is plantarflexed relative to the others or where one metatarsal may be longer than the others. In the presence of significant forefoot wear, you are at risk of stress fractures.

Next put your shoes on the table and look from the back of the shoe to the toe. If the counter of your shoe is tilted in or bulges over the inner part of your shoe, you might be one who excessively pronates. If this is so, you may want to look for a shoe with more stability or replace your shoe a bit sooner next time.

If your shoe tilts to the outside, you may have a high arched foot. This in some cases can lead to ankle sprains and also increased transmission of forces to the leg and back. Sometimes individuals with this type of foot may have lateral knee pain, low back pain and outer leg pain. It will probably be important to make sure that your shoe has a fair amount of shock absorption and is not excessively controlling.

Looking at the top of your shoe, you should note if you can see the outline of your toes in the upper or either your large or small toe on either side. If you do and have discomfort in these areas or have had “black toe” you should consider wider or longer shoes or both wider and longer.

If you have a flexible and pronated foot, you might do better with a board lasted shoe. But looking for a good counter and a sole that is rigid until the point where your toes attach is an easier empirical way to find a good shoe. This offers resistance to torsion and inhibits pronation. Slip lasted shoes are frequently good for high arched feet. Combination lasted shoes are supposed to offer the best of both worlds: stability in the rearfoot and flexibility in the forefoot.

Go to a running shoe store that has a good reputation. Make sure you try on both shoes. Most good stores will allow you to run up and down the block, outside a few times. This is the only way to experience what running will feel like. You should also keep the shoe on your foot for about 10 minutes to make sure that it remains comfortable. Make sure that nothing pinches and that you like the feel of the shoe and your stride.

After your careful and wise selection of your brand new running shoe. Bring it home, put it on and enjoy your run! Don’t forget to stop and change your shoe, before you’ve gone too far though.

For more information, or for all your athletic shoe needs visit M.O.T Running Company located at 3 E. Main Street, Middletown, Delaware 19709. Visit them online at www.motrunningcompany.com or call Kevin at 302-464-1037. He can also be reached via email at Kevin@motrunningcompany.com.

Welcome to M.O.T Running Company. We are your premier source for today’s best running shoes and apparel. Whether you are looking for shoes, apparel, or accessories, we carry the latest from some of the world’s top running companies. MOTRC carries a wide range of sizes, so you can count on the perfect fit. Our unique inventory and low overhead allow us to offer a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

Our store philosophy is to provide the best customer service possible for all levels of athletes. This includes helping people understand why we recommend a particular shoe or piece of apparel. It is important to note that the staff of M.O.T. Running Company is not on a sales commission and does not promote any specific brand when fitting shoes. We recommend the shoe that is best for you. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step”

In order to properly analyze our customers, the store utilizes slow-motion video analysis and computerized foot scanning to prescribe the best running shoe for each customer. Our staff has been trained in the proper shoe fit and how to recommend the proper shoe based on foot type and any foot or lower leg problems. The combination of these tools allows us to put you in the proper shoe for your athletic needs as well as correct any imbalances that may occur even if you’re not experiencing foot pain. Though they may go unnoticed, these imbalances contribute to postural misalignments, pain in areas throughout your body, and fatigue.