Right shoes for race day
With Bridge to Brisbane just around the corner, having the right shoes for the big run is important!
I love Bridge to Brisbane’s. I’ve run in 8 of them as well as a stack of other fun runs over the years. Nothing beats the atmosphere and camaraderie of lining up with thousands of others who are also there to do their best as a first time runner or as a seasoned pro.
What I’ve learnt is having shoes that fit well and fit your running style – however unorthodox that maybe! – is what counts and will help get you over the line come race day.
Here are my five tips I’ve learnt that will help you decide on the right shoe for the job.
- Know your foot type. I’ve always had trouble finding shoes that fit well because I have wide, flat feet (low arch) and long toes (Morton forefoot). But knowing my foot type means I’m aware of common problems. The low arch means my feet roll in (over pronate) and my long toes means I need shoes with a wider fit throughout the shoe.
- Take note of your running style. Are you all legs and elbows? Do you swing and pump your arms? Do you have a tendency to run on the balls of your feet? Do you have a long or short stride? Your natural running style will help you figure out what type of shoe best suits how you move.
- Get fitted properly or ask for guidance. Take advantage of the retail staff in shoe stores and their knowledge. If you know your foot type and your running style, you’ll be in a much better place to have a good conversation about the type of shoe you’re looking for. While my foot type normally dictates needing a shoe with structured support and cushioning, I prefer to run as if I’m barefoot. So I opt for shoes like Nike Flex that have minimal cushioning and maximum breathability.
- Read runners guides. There’s a stack of them on the web! The running community is huge and there’s lots of runners that post reviews on which shoes stack up well and in different terrains.
- Try out a few brands. There’s no harm in having more than one set of runners that fit your running style! Just make sure the shoes you choose are the ones you train in and are the same ones you lace up with on race day.
If you’ve got a helpful hack for getting shoe fit for Bridge to Brisbane, please post in the comment box below!
Until next time
Maryanne K
