Feeling inspired after the Bluenose? Change in the weather making you want to be outside? If you are considering lacing up those sneakers, this is the first question you need to ask.
Do I need new sneakers?
Shoes that may be poorly fitting or have lost their cushioning or support are not worth using, as you are risking an injury. If that seems overly dramatic for something you aren’t sure you will even enjoy, take a moment to read the following tips:
– Get properly fitted and try different shoes.
-Talk to the staff as they are a terrific resource.
-Find out about the return policy.
-Do they have a running group or learn to run clinic?
With your new shoes, you have reduced the likelihood of a repetitive injury. Running is one
step after another, right? If your toes don’t have enough room, or if there is inadequate
cushioning or poor arch support, the minor stresses to your foot and ankle may accumulate resulting in injury. You may experience foot and ankle trouble or it may be muscle strain, low back pain or knee issues, etc. But it is not worth the risk, so do yourself a favor and talk to the experts like a sports medicine doctor.
Better to be proactive and spend a bit of money up front. Even if you dislike running and decide it is not for you, at least you are not left with an injury to make you really hate running! And if you have found your favourite stress-reliever/passion/time to yourself/way to meet new people, then wasn’t it worth it?
