Running Shoes for a Marathon

If you are training for a marathon, then its a high possibility that you know tha
t you should not run in old, torn running shoes. During your marathon training,
you should get new shoes when you have exhausted the limit of the typical runnin
g shoes, which is about 400 to 500 miles.
During the day of the marathon, it is obviously not a great idea to run with tor
n running shoes, but freshly purchased running shoes are not also better. You sh
ould use running shoes that are just slightly used, for about 50-60 miles, so th
at they still have the appropriate padding and fit. Thus, you can purchase a new
pair of running shoes about two to three weeks before the marathon and run seve
ral miles for you to be acquainted with them. If the training is fine, you can g
et another pair, exact design and size of your current running shoes. Theres not
enough reason to try other running shoes when the marathon day is just days away
. Like in automobiles, you should have a breaking in period.
Using your running shoes before the actual marathon will just compress your shoe
s. Instead, wear a different pair of shoes or flip flops when you are walking ar
ound before the marathon day.
Maybe you are bombarded with different advertisements claiming that each kind of
shoe is the best for marathons, such as Nike, Adidas, Rebbok and etc. However,
there is no best brand for everyone, since people have different type of feet. G
enerally, there are three factors to consider when you are purchasing a running
shoe for marathon. The first factor includes what foot type you have (high arch,
flat, neutral/normal). The second one is the athletes strike (heel striker, mid-
foot striker, forefoot striker). Lastly, the stride rhythm (pronator, supinator
or normal). However, we will discuss the common consideration in selecting runni
ng shoes for a marathon.
1. Buy running shoes from shoe stores specializing in running shoes or from
a professional well-trained on determining the right kind of running shoes base
d on your foot type and stride pattern.
2. Try out shoes later in the day when your feet have swollen to its maximu
m capacity.
3. In determining the appropriate size of your shoe you need, make sure tha
t there is about at least .5 inch of room between the front of the shoe and your
longest toe.
4. On the day of your purchase, carry your socks you will use for the marat
hon. It is recommended to wear synthetic socks since cotton socks traps dampness
.
5. Consider the need to buy running shoes depending on the miles you have d
one your run using your old pair. Never base your decision to buy a new pair by
spotting how much stumps are left on the exterior sole. The middle sole of most
running shoes deteriorates at 400-500 miles, or lesser on certain factors and de
als minimal or zero protection after the maximum mileage. It is essential to rem
ember that running shoes offer the premium line of protection against future inj
uries during the marathon.
6. Buy new running shoes that you will use on the day of the marathon at le
ast two to three weeks before the actual marathon. These running shoes should be
the exact design that you find you are comfortable with during your marathon tr
aining. The key idea here is to have enough time to compress the new running sho
es, by running 50-60 miles involving one marathon-like run before the marathon d
ay.