My biggest concern with running, even on the trail, is how my feet (and then knees) will hold up. When standing, my feet severely over-pronate. In fact, I hate standing and walking feels a bit better, but structurally, my feet are flippers. I've seen a few podiatrists in the past and have had custom orthotics made and have been put into motion control shoes every time. Having such a sturdy shoe on your foot will never feel fast and light, but that's the direction I've been pushed. Until today.
I trekked out to Danville to Forward Motion Sports on the recommendation of a well versed running friend to be properly fitted for a trail running shoe. I've been wearing various trail running shoes from The North Face but wanted to broaden my footwear experience. The TNF Single-Tracks (2010 Outside Magazine Gear of the Year winner) have been great, but am concerned that I'll need more medial post support on long runs. When I got there the staff was great and asked a lot of questions about my running history and goals. When it came time to check out my feet while standing, the footwear technichian said sadly, "I'm sorry, but there is no trail running shoe that will be supportive enough for your over-pronation." However, I was adamant to be put into a trail shoe. She finally pulled out a few pair of the most supportive trail shoes there and we started with the Nike Zoom Structure Triax Trail. We walked out of the store and she had me run down the sidewalk and back. "Um... do it again." As I got back the second time, she announced that my foot strike was neutral, with no indication of over-pronation unless I were standing or walking.
Interesting, but not particularly surprising. I played a lot of sports in high school and have been climbing for over a decade, stuffing my feet into soft shoes several sizes too small. I've also dealt with a lot of pain from standing for several days at a time on concrete floors for work and have noticed that I stand on the outside edges of my feet to alleviate stress on my heels and arches. Perhaps all my time rock climbing in slipper-like shoes have heightened my plantar awareness and I compensate my biomechanical disadvantage by adjusting my foot strike. Either way, I has happy to try on a multitude of shoes, ending up with the Brooks Cascadia 5 and a recommendation to read "Born to Run," by Christopher McDougall. I'm already liking both of them...
