Training Thursday: Why You Should Vary Your Running Shoes
Happy Training Thursday and Friday-eve! Can you believe that I’m back to blogging at least once a week?!? I know- maybe I shouldn’t gloat too much. You never know what can happen over the next few weeks! This past weekend we had a scare with my Dad, who had a small heart attack. So, I was unable to bring you my weekend recap. He is doing much better now (he also had a stroke less than 3 years ago, so we are very very lucky with him) and hope that varying his medications will decrease his chances of having another one. I’ve heard of being blessed (and also unfortunate) with being in the “know” regarding healthcare when you become a nurse, but I definitely experienced it this past weekend. I knew what his prognosis could be, what they should be doing with his treatment (and maybe, what they didn’t do well-enough) and also hopeful when test results started coming back. Guess this means I’m almost an RN now or something?
Anyways, let’s bring you back into the running world and discuss why you should vary your running shoes! I never wear the same running shoe twice in a row and always switch them up based on the workout I’m doing/ running route I’m going on/ how I’m feeling etc.
They provide your feet with varied pressure points and challenge them.
Your feet are less likely to become relaxed if you’re constantly changing where they have cushion/ where there is less cushion/ where you have more vs. less support. It’s like a small workout for not just your feet, but also your body. You are forced to adjust your form to adapt to the change-of-scenery for your feet. If you’re going out for a run, why not get the most out of it and challenge your feet in a new way (and give them a vacation from the shoes that you wore yesterday)!
Your performance will improve if you have the right type of equipment.
If you have the necessary equipment, then you’re better prepared for the environment (and that includes your running shoes)! If I know that I’m going to be running on the roads, then I grab my shoes that have better grips (like my Brooks Cascadia or Ghosts). If I know that I’m going to be on the track, then I grab for my lightest shoes (Brooks Launch is my favorite). You also should be varying your running routes and terrain to save your joints from the constant wear-and-tear of the same terrain.
You’ll decrease your chance of injuries.
I haven’t (knock-on-wood) dealt with an injury related to running since I began rotating through my running shoes often. Before, I may have grabbed for the same shoe twice in a row or hung onto that beloved pair of sneaks for a bit too long. Now, I know that if I want to prevent injuries -> I never grab for the same thing twice and I retire my shoes earlier rather than later (a new pair of running shoes is a lot less expensive than repeated sessions of physical therapy or surgery)!
What goes with one outfit, certainly doesn’t go with another. (Just Kidding- well, kinda…)
I mean if you don’t look or feel cute in your running outfit, then are you even doing it right? I’m just kidding! But seriously, I save my favorite shoes (currently Brooks Glycerins) for those runs when I need some extra pep in my step. Maybe you’ve got a favorite pair of sneaks or those ‘special sneakers’ or maybe you need a pair! Whatever it is, I think that everyone should get their own pair of ‘ruby red slippers’ like Dorothy has and feel like they’re “home” when they slip into them.
