Ever drop a basketball that has lost a little of its air? Instead of a bounce, it gives you a thunk and the aim to alley oop and dunk some hoops is gone.
Just like that flattened ball hit the surface of pavement loses momentum, so can a runner lose stamina when your feet repeatedly hit the the hard concrete. The mechanics of running and walking takes a toil and seemingly the balls of your feet lose their bounce.
Even more so when the asphalt is covered in snow and ice. So expanding the terrain is essential for improving the impact you have when your foot hits the ground to the reverberations it creates in your body, especially your knee’s joints.
Just as the need to find new terrain (and a new soundtrack) motivates you, the need to find new kicks may coincide as well. And ELM Shoes is expert at recommending a pair that maximizes your potential while enhancing your performance physically and in dexterity.
Every pair has a different story; every pair a different purpose. It’s knowing what yours has gone through that will determine when and why you need to upgrade so you can keep going until you cross the finish line. There are solutions for when a runner’s high turns into a runner’s low due Here’s how to decipher what your sneakers are saying:
YESTERDAY – Letting them go.
Don’t judge a shoe by its look, but by its sole: Dirty shoes mean you’re doing it right. They are put to use. Today there are color runs, mud runs, tough mudder runs (someone has to one up someone else), turkey trots, 3ks, 5ks, 10ks, ks across the bridge and beyond. Even if it’s on your treadmill, they are bound to get dirty. But underneath the dirt, examine the tread. If you can’t find that, if the eyelets, the aglets and the interior of the actual shoe have expanded, it means your actual foot is on the loose because there is too much room, therefore, causing more room for injury. Time to chuck the shoes, maybe? A resounding yes.
TODAY – Picking the perfect pair.
Let’s talk your walk. So you walk into ELM, the trusted old pair perhaps still on your feet, or laces tied together, flung over your shoulder. Either way, they are ready to be retired and switched out; laid to rest in the new shoebox.
Just like determining the transition to saying bye-bye to your worn out sneakers isn’t based on looks, so shouldn’t the new pair be based only on looks.
Here’s what you need to figures out:
What are they primarily for?
- Running: [ruhn-ing} noun: the act of a person, animal or thing that runs
- Training: [trey-ning] noun: the education, instruction or discipline of a person or thing that is being trained
- Lifestyle: [lahyf-stahyl] noun: the typical way of life of an individual, group or culture
- Walking: [waw-king] noun: the activity of walking for exercise
Where will you be running or walking?
Just like you wouldn’t wear the same workout clothes from the beach to the treadmill, so shouldn’t you wear the same shoes from the city streets to the country roads. Here’s a few tips to get you started:
- City Streets – Once you determine your arch and gait type, you can figure out the best type of technology that suits your needs. Moreover, if you wear orthotics, running, jogging, brisk or leisurely walking with them on is vital as well. Stability sneakers are always a key component!
- Green Fields – Since grass is softer, your legs and feet have less impact to draw from and have more work to do. Having shoes with cushioning and traction play a vital role in supporting your body with stability.
- The Shoreline – Barefoot sandals or shoes with a lot of upper synthetic mesh for easier drainage help you focus on running in already heavy circumstances without carrying extra water weight.
- Country Roads/Trails – Shoes with a more substantial outsole to withstand the wear and tear of rocks and other rough terrain keep you going forward and not falling on your face.
- Treadmill – A lighter pair of shoes to complement the diverse range of settings you can push yourself through – incline, decline, fast, slow, etc.
TOMORROW – Ensuring they last.
Don’t run away from your responsibilities. Untie them, don’t toe them off. And clean them. Remember how we told you dirt was a sign of proper use? That doesn’t mean that badge of honor has to stay there.
For more information on your fit, come on in to ELM Shoes to find your matching pair. ELM Shoes. It fits.
-Your Missing Sock