Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Fetch!
On a more positive note, over the past weekend, I took my youngest son to be fitted for running shoes. He's not a runner per se, but he is a multisport athlete and participates in sports that involve a great deal of running. If you recall, last fall he tore his MCL playing football. He did rehab through physical therapy. One of the therapist's main concerns was his lack of hip strength. She said he needed different running shoes, more for stability, as he tends to roll inward (pronate) when he runs. Since he's conditioning for rugby and doing a lot of running again, I wanted to get him some new shoes. We headed over to Road Runner Sports to get him properly fitted for running shoes.
I've never been fitted for running shoes. I have a neutral gait, and have run in the same shoes, Asics Gel Nimbus, for years. So being fitted for running shoes was new to me. I was really impressed by the technology at the store. And found my new favorite running app, the Shoe Dog. There's an app on the website too, but obviously if you can go to the store, it is much more hands on.
Shoe Dog asks all kinds of questions, like your age, gender, terrain where you run, arch type, foot mechanics (pronator, neutral, supinator), injuries, and some specs like mileage and weight. At the store, my son ran on a treadmill and the person helping him was able to observe him running and comment on his foot position. He stood on a pad and had the sole of his foot analyzed to determine where he put the most weight. She also had fitted him for custom inserts to provide more support for his highly arched feet. Then she made recommendations for shoes. She selected the Nike Lunar Glide, Brooks Adrenaline, and Asics GT-2000.
He's a 15 year old boy. Can you guess which shoe he picked?
If you guessed the Nike, you were correct. Fashion and brand comes first, after all... He said the other shoes looked too much like running shoes. As if that were a bad thing...these are pretty cool looking, actually.
And the outcome? He wore his new shoes last night at rugby and said they felt great. No knee pain either. He'll be using these for football conditioning too. I'm glad we did this. It's all very high tech and very hands on. If you don't know what kind of shoes you should be in, this is a great way to find out.
Disclaimer: this post is not in any way endorsed by Road Runner Sports. This post is solely my opinion.
I'm linking this post up with Tuesdays on the Run! MCM mama runs, Run the Great Wide Somewhere, and My No-Guilt Life! Head on over and see check out other bloggers' favorite fitness apps!
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I've never been fitted for running shoes either. I even have a friend who owns a running store (Runner's Roost) here in Denver and still, I haven't gone. We definitely do more for our kiddos than ourselves, don't we?
ReplyDeleteOh, you know it!!!! It was a really great experience, tho!
DeleteThe technologies used to fit someone in runnnig shoes is really cool! I still struggle with finding a perfect pair, even though I get fitted regularly. I overpronote but the Asics GT-2000's did NOT work for me at all...it actually killed my arches! When you've got the right pair for you, stick with it (until they stop making the shoes smh)
ReplyDeleteThat's the plan!
DeleteI've been fitted several times and I don't know why, but I'm always hoping they'll be able to tell me something about my gait I don't already know. But they don't. I'm a neutral runner already in the right shoe, which I found on my own. My kids go to Nike like moths to a light as well. I guess their marketing is working.
ReplyDeleteAnd the shoes "look" pretty cool
DeleteGlad he had a great experience getting fitted! The Lunarglide is a really good shoe. Glad he's now able to run pain-free with better support!
ReplyDeleteI was amazed, really. What a great system, I think.
DeleteThe Mizuno website has a great page that helps first timers find the right shoe too ( even if they aren't Mizunos). Glad he's liking his new shoes. Style use to come first with me to, but not anymore. It's all about comfort for sure! -M
ReplyDeleteMe too. And I always try to find the previous years' model of my shoes. No matter what color they are.
DeleteI have and I love being able to try different shoes and run in them. I have even returned a pair that I thought was good but wasn't. However, I don't always buy my shoes at that store. I buy them online and on sale.
ReplyDeleteI buy mine online, since I always buy the same model!
DeleteI've been fitted for shoes and found it has made a huge difference...until they switched to the Brooks Ravenna 4's. Now I am in Saucony Guides and find they are just "Ok"...
ReplyDeleteYou need to find your forever shoes!
DeleteI love that Shoe Dog app! I'm so glad your son has some great new shoes to run in; hope things are going okay for you. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I took him to get fitted! Wish my other son would start running...
DeleteHip strength can be a big problem - definitely a good idea to help accommodate with proper equipment! Glad he found a pair he likes :)
ReplyDeleteNow if I could get him to do clamshells...
DeleteI have been professionally fitted and they got it so very wrong. Word of caution...if it doesn't work it doesn't work no matter who says it should.
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous.. I wish I could get to Road Runner Sports. I order from them online all of the time. We don't have a physical store here.
ReplyDeleteThe one near me just opened and it's like a candy store for runners!
DeleteNice! My almost 13 year old will need new shoes for football conditioning as well, he was constantly complaining about his feet last year. We'll have to look into this, thank you :)
ReplyDeleteJen@jpabstfitness
It was a great experience!
DeleteThose are cool shoes! My first running shoes ever were Nike Shox (?) but they weren't really right for me!
ReplyDeleteHe's pretty excited about them!
DeleteI have never been fitted for shoes, but I would like to sometime. Those Nike shoes are nice! I have a 15 year old stepson, and he's the exact same way- fashion and brand before anything else!
ReplyDeleteThat's why I wanted him to get fitted--he always picks his shoes on the way they look!
DeleteI thought running shoes were fashionable now? No? Not surprising he went with the Nike :) I have been fitted many times I definitely think it's a necessity!!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great experience.
DeleteMy son just did the shoe dog eval as well a few weeks ago. It was really helpful for him.
ReplyDeleteI was fit in Sept 2013 at Road Runner. It was the best decision I have ever made in regards to my running.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear! :)
Deletefunny that we both took our kids for running shoes this weekend! It is super cool technology! I was glad I did it and I wear Asics too but at least now I am in the right size!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was great too!
Delete