Shoes! Let’s talk shoes. It’s super important to find the perfect match for you. It took me years to finally figure out what worked best for me. I used to run in Adidas or Saucony, but for the last 5 years straight I am Asics

GT-2000 series all the way. My husband always loved his, so I decided to give them a try myself. They are super supportive and feel great to run in, especially when the miles start to add up during race season.

During training for my first half marathon, I was starting to get pain in my right hip flexor after mile 7 on my long runs. Part of the problem was I didn’t to much strength training so my body was trying to compensate my weak spots during those long runs. But, to make sure my Asics weren’t the problem, I went to a running store where they assess your actual stride and make sure your shoes are good for your running style. I highly recommend doing so, whether you run for short or long distances. They made sure my shoes still had enough life left in them to run my race, and recommended an insert to help with my discomfort. The cool part about the insert was it wasn’t expensive at all, maybe $30, and it lasts long enough for 3 pairs of shoes! I haven’t had a problem since.

So here’s my advice for a starting point. Go find a local store that assesses your gait and start from there. Have them take a look at your shoes and how you run. Certain brands are excellent for support, and others are great for over pronation, so it’s really good to get a shoe that works with you based on how you run. There isn’t a one size fits all shoe, especially when it comes to running. Once you find that perfect shoe and insert combination, you’ll be ready to hit the track!

Have you had your gait assessed? What shoes do you love for running?

Happy running!

Warmly,

Dani