Question:
I'm very new to running and I'm
looking to start this week. First,
I'd like to get a good shoe. I'll
list some details about myself,
hopefully some will be useful in
helping me determine the best shoe
for me. Some attributes may be totally
unnecessary, so bare with me.
I'm 6'4, 245lb. I'm 21 years old
and have size 14 feet with a fairly
high instep.
I'm going to begin to run for a
few reasons, the two min ones are
too lose
weight and get in shape. I'll be
running mainly on pavement
Answer:
I am not really a shoe expert, but
I do have some advice for you. Because
you are new to running and a big
guy with big feet (potentially hard
to find a selection of shoes in
your size in stock), I think it
is really important for you to go
to a good quality running shoe specialty
store for help with getting the
right fit and proper type of shoe
for you.
You don't
want a store to stick you in just
any pair of shoes just because they
had that one in a size 14 (happens
to my son, a 13.5, all the time).
You need to go to a
place where you can run in the shoe
in the store and where a knowledgeable
person can watch how you are striking
to be sure the shoe is doing what
it needs to do in terms of pronation,
support, etc.
The right
shoe can make all the difference
between starting out with constant
aches, pains, and potential injury
and starting in relative comfort.
Even if you have to drive
a little ways to get what you need,
it will be worth it in the long
run. Once you have some experience,
you may be able to know what shoes
will work for you without needing
the extra help, but at the beginning
working with someone who knows what
he/she is doing is the best thing,
IMO.
My second piece of advice, FWIW,
would be to try to run on something
beside the sidewalk if possible.
That is about the most jarring and
damaging surface you can run on.
Trails, gr or even asphalt are easier
on the body.
