Running For Women

It’s all about the shoes!  Running is such a great sport because there’s very little “equipment” to buy.  However, a good pair of shoes is the biggest - and best - investment you can make in your running career.  Don’t skimp!  You know the old adage - you get what you pay for - and it’s especially true of shoes.  Don’t endeavor to buy the least expensive shoe you can find.  They’re inexpensive because they’re not made of high quality material that will cushion and support your feet.  This leads to a dramatically increased risk of injury, which is the last thing you need when your enthusiasim is at an all-time high! 

First of all, you must purchase shoes which are specifically designed for running.  Not court shoes, not cross-trainers, not walking shoes.  Running makes unique demands on the foot, and shoes for this sport are built to meet these requirements.

You must find a shoe that accommodates your individual biomechanics; that is, the way your foot strikes the ground, and then takes off.   Each person will have varying efficiency in their stride.  Some will have too much motion on landing, some will have rigid feet, some will be “neutral” i.e. most efficient with landing and take-off.  There are three major types of shoes to fit these biomechanical profiles, and numerous styles within these categories.  Just plan on an hour or so in a running specialty store to get that perfect shoe.

A store focused entirely on running will have staff trained to watch you run, analyze your gait, and offer you a variety of brands to try.  Bring your worn running shoes (or walking shoes) if you have them, so the staff can see your wear pattern.  Feet swell during the day due to gravity, exercise, heat, and hydration, so shop in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest.   Tell the staff-person if you’ve had any previous spine, hip, leg, ankle, or foot injuries due to walking, running, or any other causes.  Wear the socks you plan to run in when trying on your shoes.  You should also receive instructions about how to break in your new shoes.  If you don’t, ask!

Once you find that great pair of shoes, lace them up, and you’re ready to take that first step!

This is the eye-catching tag line that seems to resonate with countless women who’ve always wanted to run, but like most of us, set arbitrary limits on our abilities. “I’m too old, too fat, too slow, too klutzy,” and on and on and on! I was one of those women, back when I thought I was too fat to run! However, I bought a Runner’s World magazine one fateful day, and I was struck by how healthy and happy the people in it appeared. With all my heart, I wanted to be just like them.

I was at rock bottom with my weight problem, and I was looking for a way to dig myself out. I knew that people who ran were fit, and that running burned a lot of calories. So I went down to my local running specialty store, and spent hours there with my copy of RW, looking for the perfect pair of shoes.

The following day, I set out completely incognito - dark blue sweats, sunglasses, and a cap with a very large brim to cover my face. I was so embarrassed to be seen - this fat person plodding along the very public roads. I couldn’t run for long, I had to stop and walk - A LOT - huffing and puffing, and wondering if I could make it back home.

I made it through that first run, and many runs thereafter. It look awhile for my body to adapt to the demands of aerobic exercise, but the thing that kept me coming back for more was that incredible feeling I got at the end of my workouts.

With that very first attempt at running, okay plodding, I discovered the inherent benefits of the run/walk method of training. This is the best way for women to ease into running. It allows for instant success, and success builds on itself, motivating you to stay with your program.

On my site, www.runningforwomen.com, I discuss the benefits of run/walk, but suffice it to say, it’s a magical way to train! You’ll achieve goals you never imagined you could. Your imagined limits will disappear, being replaced by a sense of empowerment. I’m living proof. Running saved. . . and changed my life!