In store:
Getting your gait assessed in store when buying trainers is no bad thing if you have no idea what type of runner you are. But the rules they use to match you to a pair of shoes are very over simplified. They can guide you on what shoes may suit your running style but they have no knowledge on the underlying causes of why you run like that. You may be advised to wear a stability shoe due to flat feet or overpronation – but in fact, if your foot shape and movement is down to skeletal structure as opposed to muscle function and you will find a stability shoe too aggressive and uncomfortable.
These people tend to say ‘I was advised to get a stability shoe to address my foot posture but I had to stop wearing them because they felt like the arches were poking into the soles of my feet.’ These shoes are therefore not appropriate. If it doesn’t feel totally perfect in store then they are not going to start to feel good once you’ve left the store.
Any shop selling you running trainers should have the availability for you to try the trainers whilst running. You will move in a totally different way when running compared to standing or walking and what feels good standing in a shop does not necessarily mean it feels good to run in.
When you get home with your new running trainers:
The key thing with any new running trainers is to break them in gradually. Even between brands and between models within brands there are variations in the technology and materials used. Changes in the amount of shock absorption or areas of stability/mobility will change how much stress goes through each area of your foot and ankle. Any sudden change in stressors will have the potential to overload tissues in the body and lead to injury.
Start with shorter runs and build up the time spent in your new trainers gradually. Be guided by any ‘hot spots’ of soreness you feel after a run in them. If you run too far too soon you are more likely to miss these warning signs and get a full-blown injury.
