The right shoes to go the distance (Pt. 1)

To some, shoes are a nothing more than a foot's fashion statement. To runners, shoes are the gateway to a happy existence. Finding the right shoe isn't always easy: They can be ugly, or expensive, or both.

When it comes down to it, it doesn't matter if the shoe looks like it was made for Ronald McDonald. What really matters is that your shoes aim to protect you feet, ankles, knees, hips and back. They are all connected, and you need them all to run comfortably.

To kick off your shoe-shopping experience (forgive the pun, it was unintentional), you need to assess your step.

Do you walk on the insides of your feet? Do you tend to strike the ground with your heel first? Are you flat-footed? If you do any of the above -- and if you are guilty of one, you probably do them all -- then you're a pronator. You need shoes that support the inside of your feet. (Personally, I fall into this category, and my running life has changed since switching to the only brands I trust, Brooks and Asics).

Coming up in Part Two, I'll address the problems associated with pronation, and introduce its antithesis, supination.