On Your Mark, Get Set....

We're in the final countdown! It's less than one week until the Manitoba Marathon and it's obvious with a lot of runners out this past weekend that there are a lot of people training for the big run!

We know that most of you who have been training for months now have your gear and you're all set to run this weekend. But this week we're going to talk about some of the different running footwear and accessories that we carry in store. Have you been experiencing any foot, leg, or lower back pain while running recently? You may be wearing the wrong pair of shoes and not even know it! 

There are three types of shoes we will be looking at this week. Running shoes, training shoes, and walking shoes. You might think it's easy enough to just walk into a store, see a pair of shoes you like, grab them in your size and you're good to go. Every runner has a different foot and running style, which is why it's always good to talk to our fit specialists before choosing a running shoe.

Even little things like the type of socks and how you tie your shoes can change how your feet perform when you run. Don't worry, we'll cover that too!

Stay tuned this week to check out some featured athletic shoes and what you need to get the most out of your training. If you're not participating in the marathon this year but looking to sign up for some other runs, check them out here.

Happy Running! 

Get Up, Get Running!

Well it's almost the end of January, which means...well we have almost survived an entire month in 2015 so that's great. The weather has been surprisingly warm for this time of year so that's even better.

The start of February is a test for a lot of people. A test to see if they can stick to their fitness and healthy New Year's Resolutions. If you're struggling with the fitness part, or just think you don't know where to start in terms of what you need, we can help!

While we can't make you get up and do your workout every day we can make it easier to do so. How many of you are still using your running shoes from 10,15 or 20 years ago? If you answered yes, there's your first problem. Dusting off the old running shoes may seem like an easy and affordable way to get started, but it's not good for your feet and could actually cause you to have to spend more money in the future. You should be buying new running shoes every 300-400 miles of use. Even if you weren't an active person that many years ago, it's good to get a fresh start with a new pair that you know will fit and know will work for you.

So you walk into Canadian Footwear. There's more than five choices for your running shoes. So many colours, shapes, and styles. How on earth do you pick just one pair? Where do you start? We can help with that! We talked to our fit specialist, Dennis, who gave us the basic run down of the different types of running footwear we carry.

Walking Shoe

A walking shoe has the ROLLBAR technology in the back of the heel for support and stability. The arch support in the shoe keeps the foot lined up and walking straight. If you pronate or supinate it will keep you lined up straight. These shoes come in many different widths, including extra wide widths.

Stability Runner

A stability runner has a harder compound in the outsole. If you pronate when you walk, this runner will help keep you lined up straight. It also has a harder heel strike in the back, so it's able to handle the impact that comes from running. This is also designed to allow the runner to spring forward with power and efficiency.

Neutral Runner

A neutral runner is good for beginner runners or if you're just looking for a shoe to wear to work/casually walk around in. There is nothing in the outsole but it gives you good cushioning. A lot of these runners feature a lightweight mesh to provide more breathing room for your feet. These are generally lighter than most stability runners, and they're good with an orthotic to help support the arch in the foot.

So now you've got some basic information to get you started. But which one of these is the best for a beginner runner? If you have no problems with your feet, you can start off with a neutral runner. If you experience pronation in your feet, you are best to start with a stability runner to avoid injury or pain in your feet/legs.

As always, you can come by our store anytime to ask more questions about our running shoes! We carry them in New Balance, Saucony, Etonic, and North Face so you've got plenty of options to choose from! You can visit us online at canadianfootwear.com to check out our selection as well!