In the past, this is how I picked my running shoes:
1. Visit an outlet mall.
2. Find a sporting goods specific store (Nike, Adidas, etc.)
3. Find the running shoes section.
4. Find the cheapest pair.
5. Try them on.
6. If they don’t cause any immediate pain, buy shoes.

Not really a scientific method. In fact, it’s probably one of the worst methods for picking shoes that exists. And after limping the last three miles in the Phoenix RnR marathon, I’ve come to the realization that I need to do everything in my power to protect my knees. Part of that is to make sure I’m using the right equipment.

My friend Marci did a triathlon with Team In Training and she recommended that I visit a local running shop, Red Rock Running Company, to be fit for running shoes. So I made the appointment.

Today I showed up at the store, told them a little about my history and about my upcoming plans. Then they had me run on a treadmill for a minute or so… barefoot! That was a surprise to me, but they needed that so they could analyze my gait. They recorded my feet from behind while doing the run. Then they played it back in slow motion to show me the way my feet move.

I am not an under- or over-pronator, just neutral. That’s good to know, since my previous running shoes were not made for that kind of stride.

The clerk brought out several pairs of shoes which I tried on, she checked to see where my toes hit (or didn’t hit as it should be) and sent me outside to run around the building a little in each pair. I found that I preferred lighter weight shoes, which are considered more “performance” based.

For the first time in my life I bought a pair of shoes without basing the decision on looking at the price tag. I chose the shoes that fit and felt best, thus I am now the proud owner of a pair of Saucony ProGrid Triumph 5’s.

I’ve been wandering around the house to get a feel for them, but I can’t wait to head out for a run in them!