Tracking Track Shoes

The spring sports season is upon us. These athletes will need shoes that fit well and hold up to their workouts and meets. Here are a few general suggestions and guidelines for purchasing shoes:

1. Try the shoes on at the end of the day or after a workout. Your feet are the largest at that time.
2. Wear the same type of socks as you will when participating.
3. Be sure to try on both shoes. Most people have one foot a bit larger than the other.
4. Fully lace both shoes.
5. Walk around in the store to make sure that there is enough room in the toe box and the heels should be snug with little up and down movement.

Track athletes put many, many miles on their shoes. Experts recommend that running shoes be replaced every 500 miles. This is not practical for most of our high school athletes. The expense is too great. Start looking for track shoes long before track season starts. Find a shoe that fits well and has a comfortable last. Shoes that don’t fit will create problems such as blisters, shin splints and knee pain. Check with the store to see about their return policy. If the shoe tears or wears out quickly, you will want to know if they stand behind their product.
Throwers will need a different type of shoe that will allow them to slide/glide across the ring. These special shoes help keep the leg in alignment so that there are no knee injuries due to the knee rotating and the foot remaining planted.

Unfortunately many young athletes will purchase shoes for their looks or brand name. Encourage your children to try on the shoes before buying. Just because a brand fits their teammates, does not mean it will fit them. Shoe companies build their shoes on different lasts. Make sure that the shoe they buy has a last that is compatible with their foot shape.

One last note. . . a shoe is a shoe is a shoe. If your daughter has a broad forefoot, don’t be afraid to try a shoe with a men’s last. This question often arises and there is no reason that a girl cannot wear a men’s last. Even though a shoe is a shoe is a shoe, do not purchase cheap shoes that will not last.