I started running seriously about 6 years ago. The first few years were filled with minor pulls and strains as I kept pushing my body to higher and higher limit and running races. One area in particular was a nagging problem; my heels always seemed sore.

I had always been told from the start by my running friends that choosing running shoes was a very important step to success in the sport. I made it a point to spend the money for a good pair. I started with New Balance running shoes. They cost about $90 and I thought I was doing well. But I still had that nagging ache in the back of my heel on a regular basis. I was choosing expensive running shoes, but was I choosing correctly?

Get A Foot Scan

After about two years, and four or five pairs of the New Balance shoes later, I received a coupon for a “free” foot scan at a local Running Shoes store. Actually the scans are free to anyone at The Athlete’s Foot shoe stores. The scan showed that my feet were pretty normal, and the clerk brought out five pairs of different shoes which matched my foot’s profile. I tried them all on and they ALL felt awful! I wondered if this was how I should be choosing running shoes. But the clerk sounded very knowledgeable and convinced me that these running shoes really did match my feet. I purchased the pair which felt the best.

Get the Right Shoes!

A note to treadmill runners: You need the right shoes too! I have treadmill training tips here.

Later that day I went for a run. It was the worst run of my young running career! My new shoes felt horrible! They made me feel off-balance. I was not happy at all. But the confidence the clerk had in them being the right shoes for me caused me to keep running with them over the next several days. The next day I disliked them a little less. And the days afterward I got used to them. And then one day about 2 weeks later I realized something. My heels were not hurting! That was the first time they had not been sore for almost two years! Having an expert help in choosing running shoes was a GREAT idea I had discovered!

My new brand of running shoes cost about the same as my old pairs, but they make a world of difference to my running! I did not realize my first pairs of shoes were not supporting me like they should have been. They were very comfortable, but they just didn’t work for my feet. There are several different types of running shoes available for different feet. The foot scan really helped determine what type my feet were. I highly suggest going for a scan and trying a pair of running shoes the scan suggests. If you purchase your shoes online, you can still do that after purchasing the ones in the store. It would be a little tacky of you to get the scan and then buy a pair which they suggested online.

Choosing correct running shoes is very important for running success. Try a foot scan and see if it makes a difference!