Why is Marathon Training Shoe Important?

The type of marathon training shoe or any other running shoe for that matter determines the likelihood of being injured during your marathon training or running. In other words if you are using the wrong type of running shoe in your marathon training you may experience more injuries than someone using the right training or running shoe. For experienced or advanced marathon runners, this may not be something new to you, but for beginners you may not be familiar with the experience.  Since most running related injuries especially in marathon are associated with the type of running shoe one is using, it is important to know what to look for when buying your marathon training or running shoe. This article will explain some of the important factors to consider as you shop for your marathon training and running shoe.

Qualities of a Good Marathon Training Shoe

Simple Checklist when shopping for Your Marathon Training Shoe

A good marathon training shoe must have enough cushioning.

This is really important not only for comfort and performance, but also for injury prevention. Remember during marathon training you are putting a lot pressure on your feet as you accumulate all the mileage required by your marathon training plan or program.

A good marathon training shoe must have good support.

This relates to cushioning as well, but also includes arch support. Since different people have different types of arches, you should buy a marathon training shoe that suits your feet type. If you have flat feet, you will need a training or running shoe that supports your kind of feet. The best place to start is to talk to training shoe expert at the running shoe store.

A good marathon training shoe should have the right width and length.

This may sound funny, but I deal with beginner marathon runners everyday who complain of running related injuries. Guess what the main cause of most of the injuries is? Training in smaller size running shoe! If you wear a certain size in your regular shoe, your marathon training and running shoe must be a size to size and half bigger than your regular shoe. Remember your feet are going to swell or expand due to blood circulation during your marathon training and running. This means your training and running shoe must have some extra space for the expansion of your foot.

A good marathon training shoe must have a wider base.

This should be common sense, wider base or sole means better support. When you are running or doing marathon training, you need all the support you can get under your feet to reduce the chances of getting injured.

Another quality to look for in a good marathon training shoe is the flexibility.

For a regular shoe we tend to go for the opposite. However, for training or running shoe the more flexible the shoe is, the better it is for your feet. Less flexible shoe will force your ankle muscles and Achilles to strain. This will increase the chances of Achilles tendonitis, knee pain and shin splints among other running related injuries. New training or running shoe may be less flexible and that is why it is important to break into them first before using them for intense marathon training or running.

A good marathon training shoe must be generally comfortable.

Different people prefer different training and running shoe name brands for this reason. Not all name brands are the same; some are more comfortable and suitable for particular sport than others. This is a matter of personal taste, but if you are new to marathon training and running, you may want to try a couple of different marathon training shoes before you find one that suits your taste. Just make sure it meets all the other factors I have mentioned above and you will be fine.

As I mentioned earlier, these are just a few of what I consider – with my several years of running and coaching experience – the most important qualities of a good marathon training shoe.  There are other factors that are specific to specific situations such as flat arches, arthritis, knee damage, Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprain, chin splints, and bunions among others. If you have any of these or other specific problems in relation to your marathon training shoe needs, seek guidance from a running shoe expert near you. Once you have the right marathon training shoe, find a good marathon training plan and enjoy your training.