The importance of shoes with running.....

Some shoes in my current rotation

I was talking the other day to a co-worker who signed up for the Detroit Marathon this October.  It will be her first marathon.  In fact, the longest she has run is a 10k but it's a bucket list item for hers.  Of course, we've been talking about running and the subject of shoes came up.  I think I know a thing or two about running shoes.

Her training plan started last week and she is running in six year old running shoes.  I suggested that she might want to get a new pair(or three) - two to train in and one to break in before the marathon instead of running in old shoes.  Of course, my thought process is you really should have some new shoes that fit how you run.  There's no better way to do that than going to the local running store and buying a pair.  Yes, they are expensive but a couple hundred dollars is worth it to help prevent injury(in my opinion) and make sure they are the proper fit.

She does not feel it's needed and can run in what she has because, in her pre-training plan, she has not had any issues.  The longest run was five miles in the pre-training plan and while her she may have worked up to now, it's about to get real and distance makes a difference - at least I think so.

Her theory is that people run barefoot so shoes are not really that much of an issue. Perhaps some of you agree with that.  Or not....  Of course, they make all kinds of shoes and I've worn all kinds of shoes.  While I don't always like every shoe I've run in, for me, the shoes make a difference especially when I'm marathon training.  What works for me does not work for everyone but I believe most should start out in a properly fitted shoe.

So give me your thoughts and give her your suggestions.  Tell me your experiences.  I just don't want to see her get hurt and not be able to complete her goal of completing her marathon.

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!