Shoes, Shoes, and More Shoes

Boy, oh Boy! Do we coaches love shoes! OK, Coach Bill likes shoes, but we lady coaches LOVE shoes! We love heals, we love flats...and we love running shoes! Why do we bring this up? Because having the right pair of supportive running shoes is important for Girls on the Run!

We've noticed that some of our girls are wearing shoes that are fashioned to look like athletic shoes, but are not really the best for running. You want to make sure your daughter is wearing a shoe that will support her and help her to avoid any injuries. It's not necessary to invest a lot of money into the shoes. Most local sporting good stores (like Dick's and Sports Authority) will provide an ample shoe selection that are both stylish enough for your daughter and inexpensive enough for your wallet.

When shopping for shoes, try to hit the stores at the end of the day when your daughter's feet have expanded the most. You'll want to measure both feet and allow for a half-inch between the end of the foot. Go with the larger foot for the size.

Also, make sure you have her try the shoes on with the socks that will be worn most often with the shoes. Look at the heal grip and ensure it doesn't slip as she walks or runs in the shoes. (Yeah, it's OK to jog through the store isle to see if the shoe fits right! This is one time that running in the store is allowed!)

Please don't be tempted to buy those really cool looking shoes with an elevated heel or sole. They may make Hannah Montana look great in jeans, but these elevated tennies are dangerous for sporting activities.

Just like with any other shoes, you'll want your daughter to break in the new running shoes. Break them in gradually by wearing them a few hours each day. And be sure to keep an extra supply of laces around, both the right length and in good condition so that your daughter can always keep their shoes tied properly. If trying a snug knot is difficult, try the elastic curly laces. They turn the shoes into slip-ons and result in a snug fit.

If your daughter really, really, really enjoys running, you may want to look into having her foot evaluated by someone at a local running shoe speciality store, such as Fleet Feet in the Kentlands. The biomechanics of a foot are different for everyone; so finding the right shoe to meet your daughter's structural needs is very important -- especially if she will be running more than just Girls on the Run.

If buying a pair of shoes is challenging for you (especially now with the price of gas and the overall inflation of everyday items!), let us know. One of the GOTR corporate sponsor is New Balance, and they have generously provided new pairs of shoes for our GOTR participants who may need some assistance!