Fit Your Feet With the Perfect Running Footwear

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Trending: Marathons

Lots of Marathon events were now organized particularly for charity purposes. To give you a recall, the Philippines uphold around 32 marathons for the year 2011. The biggest goes for the Milo Marathon and the Run for the Pasig River which is participated by a record breaking 116,000 runners. Recently, another marathon project shakes the first month of the year as the Unity Run (Run for Free College Education) as organized by the UNTV 37 and it’s CEO Daniel Razon gathered a 209,000 registered running enthusiast – a far more achievement than the record set by the Pasig River Marathon.

Still, more and more marathon events are yet to come. And one of the important considerations before the actual event is how well you are prepared enough to run? If you are a serious runner, a marathon is a serious matter. To complete a marathon, you need a seemingly endless source of energy and a stamina that can take you from the beginning all the way to the finish line.

Most of us would want to worry last their running shoe. Yet, it must be included in your preparation list. By the time you start running, you must have the confidence in your shoe. In many ways the issues facing a marathon entrant are the same as those facing any other runner. But with the distances multiplied the amount of time you spend in your shoes is multiplied too. That means increased potential for discomfort or even injury. And so footwear choice becomes important.

There are three top requirements that a runner must consider in choosing his/her footwear:

1.)   
      1. It must fit your feet.

Avoid looking for a shoe that looks great; instead look for a shoe that fits perfectly to your feet. And to find the perfect shoe, first you must analyze what kind of feet you have.

Flat Footed : Pronation Suport

Flat-footed marathon runners tend to pronate more than usual, which can be limiting and dangerous for a runner.

A runner with flat feet needs to control that movement with motion control shoes. These are shoes that rigidly support the foot so that it wouldn’t pronate during a run. If you have flat feet, also look for padding at the arch area.

High Arche : Supination Control

The next foot type is high-arched, which tend to cause supination, and to reduce this, the runner needs cushioned shoes. There should be sufficient padding in the arch area, the insole, and the outsole. Shock absorption is also a must.

Normal Type/Arch : Neutral Running Shoes

The last and most common type of feet is the normal type or normal arched. It’s not easy to find a shoe for a neutral runner. You need to look for a shoe that provides just the right level of cushioning and support; this lies in between cushioned shoes and motion control shoes.

2.)    2. A Rebound Energy Provider

Since a marathon can be rather tiring, you can really use additional sources of energy that can pump you up even in the middle of the marathon. So why don’t you get shoes that can give you a powerful surge of rebounding energy? Try an Air-Sole cushioning units that provides the runner with a forceful push forward each time the foot lands. As the foot lands, the air-based cushioning units compress then slowly expand again. As it expands to its original height, it pushes the runner off the ground as well with added energy.

3.)   3.  Lightweight and Flexile

Imagine the scene. You are running a marathon, and the sun is beating down on you. You are perspiring and are running at your best. But your foot feels so heavy now, and it’s growing heavier with every step you take. Your foot muscles also feel strained. You feel yourself slowing down.

That’s what can happen if you choose the wrong shoe. In this case, the wrong shoe is a running shoe that’s heavy, bulky, and restrictive. This is why you need a lightweight and flexible running shoe. Flexibility is important so your feet can take free and efficient strides without having to exert force and energy.

Bear in mind these factors upon choosing your running shoe. To show you some proven and recommended brands that meet these standards, we’ve got a couple of shoe models below:

Mens Asics Gel Kinsei 2

Also known as Asics Kinsei

These pair  do offer a high level of cushioning which comes with a very stable ride too. These are not support shoes but they do guide your feet very well. While the shoe is not particularly the responsiveness is surprisingly good for such a protective shoe.

Mens Adidas Supernova Glide

Also known as Adidas Supernova Glide

The Supernova Glidemay not get as much recognition as some other shoes in this ‘neutral’ category. But the shoe has good cushioning with some spring to it, as well as a stable and nicely guide ride. But it also feels responsive enough to use for some faster running so you can use it for those swifter runs and sessions or just enjoy that responsiveness in your steady runs.

Mens Mizuno Wave Alchemy 8

Also known as Mizuno Alchemy 8

This is one shoe it was hard to know where to place in this list. It has more support than the shoes above it so could be higher up among the more protective models. But it feels light and responsive for such a protective shoe. The cushioning will suit heavier runners as well as lighter guys who have bigger over-pronation issues.

Mens Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8

Also known as Brooks Adrenaline

The Adrenaline GTS are another shoe that score well on all the key attributes which you would want a training shoe to offer. The cushioning works well and in combination with the support and flexibility you get a comfortable and smooth ride. The upper fit is good and the shoe is ideal for logging up the miles of training for a marathon.

Mens Nike Air Zoom Elite+ 4

Also known as Nike Air Zoom Elite+ 4

A good support shoe particularly if you are a forefoot or midfoot striker. Nice support and cushioning mean lighter runners can use this as a trainer but it is well up to faster work.

Mens Saucony Grid Fastwitch 3

Also known as Saucony Fastwich 3

A good support shoe particularly if you are a forefoot or midfoot striker. Nice support and cushioning mean lighter runners can use this as a trainer but it is well up to faster work.

Mens Nike Air Jasari+

Also known as Nike Jasari+

Okay, there are some more lightweight racers out there that some runners will fancy for a marathon. But we’re putting this down as the most minimal of our neutral offerings. The shoe has a smooth and responsive ride. The upper does not give a huge amount of support but fits well and holds your foot quite nicely, and the midsole does have a relatively stable feel to it.

As you take your first step in the marathon proper, be mindful that what truly matters in every race are neither the winners nor the quitters. As long as you fought for it all the way to the finish line, you’ve already extend your arm to the benefactors of every marathon event.