The right shoes to go the distance (Pt. 2)

As a pronator (someone who steps more on the inside of my foot), I've experienced the pains and problems associated with over-pronating. More importantly, I've adapted to them. The problem is that excessive pronating can flatten your feet, loosen previously stable joints and cause you to tire out more quickly.

I've run with heel pain, knee pain, arch pain and shin splints. God knows I've been running with flat feet. I have yet to have the pleasure of enduring bunions or hammer toes, but as I get older I'm sure they'll come my way, too.

The most important step to take in fighting these annoyances, which may lead to injury, is to buy the right shoes. My feet have always felt best in Asics or Brooks running shoes with a stiff support for the inside of my feet and a softer cushioning for the outside of my feet. This helps to balance my foot by propping up the inside of my arch, which tends to lean inward. (Side note: Yes, the shoes can be expensive, but I'm pretty sure my comfort and well-being outweighs the higher price. Also, I've been happy with other shoe brands, but these two have served me best for years.)

I've been pretty picky about my shoes for a few years now, and I've had success in maintaining a pretty consistent running schedule. Shin splints are long gone and so is the pain in the arch of my feet. I'm still battling the tendonitis in my right knee, but I rest it appropriately.

If your problems differ from mine, then you may tend to step along the outside of your footprint. This is known as supination. It erodes the soles of your shoes starting from the outside and comes with its own set of side effects.

In the next -- and last -- installment of my footwear trilogy, I will go over the problems related to supination.