Chosing your running trainers

Running is a relatively cheap sport to get into. At the most basic you need a top, shorts, socks and trainers and you’re away.

When I first started running I went to the big sport store in town and picked a pair of trainers that looked good and had lots of technical terms in the leaflet attached.

My first few runs were good but then things went a little pear-shaped. I started having all sorts of pains in my feet and injuries to my legs.

When this didn’t clear up I went to the doctors. I was partly advised to go to a specialist running shop.

So I took a trip to Coventry Runner - no affiliation to them but I found their enthusiasm and knowledge excellent and I believe it’s the only specialist running shop in Coventry.

So what do they offer that’s different to a larger store?

• For a £10 fee they scan your foot – the fee was waived when I purchased a pair of trainers – you walk along a pressure pad and this then shows them what type of shoe you’re best suited to. (there’s links to articles on pronation below)
• They’ll then recommend a number of trainers for you.
• They have a treadmill inside the shop so that you can try out the trainers and see how they feel when running – your feet expand after your run for a while. Coventry Runner will watch you as you run – they’re checking your gait to make sure that there aren’t any obvious problems.
• Knowledge and experience – everyone i’ve spoken to in a speacialist running shop is a runner so they should know what they’re talking about and be able to offer advice and suggestions

Other tips:

• It really doesn’t matter what the trainers look like – go for comfort over fashion
• Bring a pair of running socks with you so you’ll get the right fit
• If the trainers don’t feel right then tell them
• You don’t need to spend a fortune – £50+ should get you a more than decent pair of suitable trainers
• I think current thinking is that you should replace your trainers every 450 – 550 miles (but remember to have replaced them by the time you really need to get rid of them so you can break them in easily).

Further reading on this:

What to consider when buying a running shoe
The Anatomy of a running shoe
What is Pronation?
Choosing a Shoe: The Very Basics