BLACK : THE HEALTH MAGAZINE vol2 | Page 10

The Runner For runners, selecting running shoes is akin to purchasing a house or a car; you’re going to spend a lot of time in them, so you want something you really like. In addition to a comfortable ride, shoes can play a major role in keeping you running strong. As you set out to find the best shoes for the job, you should first consider the shape of your feet. “Looking at a runner’s foot leads us to what type of shoe they should be in,” explained Robert Smith, owner of Robert’s Running and Walking Shop in Huntington, W.Va The three main foot types are flat, neutral and high arches. Flat feet tend to have fallen arches, making them flexible and prone to overpronation, an inward rolling motion. Neutral feet are the most biomechanically sound variety, putting SIMPLICITY X them somewhere in the middle. High- Adidas Energy Boost, $150, adidas.com Breezy mesh keeps your feet cool; new cushioning technology puts a little more spring in your step. The result: Your feet tire less quickly, so you can keep going and going. arched feet are essentially the polar opposite of flat feet. When the arches are particularly defined, the feet end up being rigid, leading to supination, or landing on the outside edges of the feet.