Running Shoes
For any runner the most important part of their running kit is what they wear on their feet. Running shoes have evolved over the years and are specifically designed for the task, protecting your feet from the hammering and twisting forces they get as they hit the ground. Just as you wouldn't play tennis with a cricket bat, you shouldn't wear a general sports shoe once you start to run seriously.
You will come across a lot of jargon and you may find the following explanations helpful:
Pronation is the term used to describe when the foot rolls too far inwards, causing the foot arch to flatten and stretches the muscle and tendons in the foot.
Supination is the opposite to pronation and refers to when the foot rolls outwards, placing strain on the muscles and tendons that stabilise the ankle. Some degree of supination and pronation of the food whilst running is perfectly normal.
Neutral is used to describe someone whose foot pronates and supinates in the right areas and in the right amounts.
You will also come across a number of different running shoes:
Neutral - these trainers are for runners who are neutral or under-pronate. Some shoes in this category may also be suitable for mild over-pronators. Under-pronators should look for a flexible pair of well cushioned neutral shoes.
Support - these still have the same kind of cushioning technologies as neutral shoes but in addition to this they have features to give extra support and guidance to slow and reduce over-pronation
Motion-Control - people who over-pronate severely and heavier runners who over-pronate can choose these shoes that provide extra support and guidance.
The following shoes are designed for specific activities.
Trail - specifically designed for off-road running.
Lightweights - for use in the fast training or racing. Less protective than regular training shoes, these shoes are either neutral or supportive.
Racers - made for racing or very fast training (eg track work). These shoes are very light but offer limited protection. Some offer some support for over-pronators.
You will come across a lot of jargon and you may find the following explanations helpful:
Pronation is the term used to describe when the foot rolls too far inwards, causing the foot arch to flatten and stretches the muscle and tendons in the foot.
Supination is the opposite to pronation and refers to when the foot rolls outwards, placing strain on the muscles and tendons that stabilise the ankle. Some degree of supination and pronation of the food whilst running is perfectly normal.
Neutral is used to describe someone whose foot pronates and supinates in the right areas and in the right amounts.
You will also come across a number of different running shoes:
Neutral - these trainers are for runners who are neutral or under-pronate. Some shoes in this category may also be suitable for mild over-pronators. Under-pronators should look for a flexible pair of well cushioned neutral shoes.
Support - these still have the same kind of cushioning technologies as neutral shoes but in addition to this they have features to give extra support and guidance to slow and reduce over-pronation
Motion-Control - people who over-pronate severely and heavier runners who over-pronate can choose these shoes that provide extra support and guidance.
The following shoes are designed for specific activities.
Trail - specifically designed for off-road running.
Lightweights - for use in the fast training or racing. Less protective than regular training shoes, these shoes are either neutral or supportive.
Racers - made for racing or very fast training (eg track work). These shoes are very light but offer limited protection. Some offer some support for over-pronators.