FitSugar

Tips on Breaking in New Sneakers

FitSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700

If you run by the motto "new season, new sneakers," you're probably looking to purchase some new kicks. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you break in your new running shoes.

Buy a new pair before your old pair needs to retire. That way if you start to feel pain or a blister coming on, you can switch back to the pair you know and love. Continue alternating between your old and new sneakers until you gradually make the switch over to your new ones.
Before exercising in them, wear your new sneaks around the house or to do errands. It will give them a chance to stretch out and mold to your feet.

Find out other helpful tips after you read more.

Start off with low impact activities before jumping into high impact activities. If running in them is your goal, walk in them for a while and then start running short distances. Gradually work your way up to longer runs.
Break in your new sneaks on the terrain you normally work out on. That means if you only run on a treadmill, break them in on a treadmill.
Always wear the same kind of socks you'll be exercising in while breaking them in.
Be patient and keep in mind that it may take a month of workouts to get your sneakers to shape to your feet.

5 Things: Breaking in New Sneaks

FitSugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:30:00 -0700

Spring always inspires me to buy new fitness gear, so if you're like me, you probably picked up a new pair of sneakers. Here are some things to keep in mind when breaking them in.

Buy a new pair before your old ones start to fall apart. That way if you start to feel pain or a blister coming on, you can switch back to the pair you know and love. Continue alternating between your old and new sneakers until you gradually make the switch over to your new ones.

Start off with some lower impact activities to give your sneakers a chance to stretch out and mold to your feet. Don't just slip them on and continue with your regular running routine. Walk in them for while and then start running short distances. Gradually work your way up to longer runs.
Break in your new sneaks on the terrain you normally work out on. That means if you only run on a treadmill, break them in on a treadmill.
Always wear the same kinds of socks you'll be running in while breaking them in.
Be patient and keep in mind that it may take a month of workouts to get your sneakers to shape to your feet.

Fit Tip: On the inside of your sneaks, in permanent marker, write down the date you started wearing your new sneaks, so you'll know when it's time to buy some new ones.

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Hike the Hill: Preventing Knee Pain

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:28 -0700

Fall is the perfect time to hike. There's a cool breeze, the fallen leaves make the trail even softer, and once you reach the pinnacle, you'll be amazed at the gorgeous foliage across the horizon. I love to try out new mountain trails, but find that the steep inclines and declines can be really hard on my knees. If this sounds familiar, don't let achy knees keep you off the trail. Here are some ways you can prevent pain to these joints.

Make sure your footwear is supportive. Sneakers provide cushioning, but they won't stabilize your ankles, which can also help to prevent your knees from turning out. So wear trail runners or hiking shoes that go over your ankle.
Invest in a pair of trekking poles. They look like ski poles, and when you use them to help you ascend and descend, they take some of the weight and work out of your lower body, and share it with your arms and back. So not only will you get more of a total body workout, but it's less demanding on your knees.
Go easy on the gear. Even though a little pack may not add a ton of extra weight, downward force on your knees can reach eight times the weight applied, so even five extra pounds can add 40 pounds of pressure to your knee joints. For a day hike all you need is water, some food, an extra layer, and your cell phone. If you have to bring along more, ask a helpful friend to carry it in their pack.

For more great tips, keep reading

On Our Radar: Nike 2010 Running Collection

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:00:01 -0700

The fitness world may not have a fashion week, but this weekend I previewed some of Nike's 2010 Spring running line, shoes and jackets, at the Nike Running Summit here in San Francisco. At the event, held the day before the 6th annual Nike Women's Marathon, designers explained their two inspiration behind their latest sneakers and running gear: runners and lightweight.

The first concept is fairly self explanatory - they design their gear to complement the motion of running and what runners need. Secondly, they pared everything down to shave off weight leaving the running feeling free and unencumbered.

To learn more about the shoes coming out early next year, keep reading.

Run Barefoot and Avoid Running Injuries?

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:00:04 -0700

The idea of running barefoot seems like some new age, hippie movement to get people to be free in their bare skin. Or some eco-friendly push to persuade people to forgo sneakers so they don't end up in landfills. Although the freedom and environmental arguments for barefoot running are valid, Christopher McDougall, author of the best-selling book Born to Run, believes running without sneakers could be the answer to preventing shin splints, knee pain, and other running injuries.

After suffering many an injury himself, he set out with the question, "Why does my foot hurt?" In his journey to answer that question, he discovered the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s Copper Canyons. They run hundreds of miles at a time with only thin, homemade sandals on their feet, and don't suffer any of the injuries that the rest of us runners do. After running with them, he realized the secret was ditching his sneaks, and since then, he's been injury-free. McDougall believes today's high-tech sneakers "warp our natural stride, encourage bad form, and lead to injuries."

To hear more about barefoot running, keep reading

Shoe Review: Nike Lunar Glide

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:47:42 -0700

After wearing my new Nike Lunar Glides ($100) around the house to break them in, I took them on all sorts of runs while visiting the East Coast.

These shoes are light - one sneaker is just barely over half a pound (8.75 ounces according to my kitchen scale) - so they are great for traveling as well as running. Nike considers them stability shoes, meaning they help prevent overpronation, rolling too far to the inside of the foot. As one prone to overpronate, I was curious to try these sneakers out, since they rely on "dynamic support" technology rather than a lot of extra bulk to buttress the arch. Learn what I thought of these shoes when you read more.

Not only do I think these running shoes are cute - a hard thing to accomplish in white sneakers - I think they are super comfy to boot. They provide a lot of cushion in the forefoot, so the ball of my foot felt quite cushioned when running. I paid a lot of attention to my stride in these shoes, so much so it's lucky I didn't run into a stop sign. I couldn't feel myself overpronating and I couldn't feel the shoes really correcting my gait. But my knees, feet, and ankles felt great post-run, so I think the Lunar Glide's dynamic support kept my alignment spot on. The toe box is a bit roomier than other Nikes I have worn.

The extra arch support, which you can adjust by tying your shoes tighter, is helpful as is the "bunion" cutout. I ran with these shoes in the rain, on flats, and on a couple of hill workouts, and I loved them. I do think the insole should be a bit beefier, though. If you need motion-control shoes, the Lunar Glide will probably not provide enough support, but for neutral runners whose form wanes as the miles add up, this shoe will work for you. They are also Nike+ compatible and run a bit small, so if you're in between sizes, I would go up a half size.

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Have any of you tried the Nike Lunar Glide? If so, tell me what you think.

Gear Review: Lug Puddle Jumper

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:30:34 -0700

Sometimes the best way to put some fire in your fitness routine is to get some new gear. If you're in the market for a gym bag, check out the Lug Puddle Jumper ($75). It has a compartment for just about everything.

I love that your sneakers fit snug in the bottom-side compartment, and there's still room inside the bag to fit a towel, change of clothes, and another pair of shoes. There are also inside pockets to hold a water bottle, undies, and other small items. To hear the other reasons why I love this bag and see more pics of what it looks like keep reading

Fit Tip: Don't Wait to Buy New Sneaks

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:30:44 -0700

Finding the perfect pair of sneakers can be just as hard as finding the perfect bathing suit. It can take visits to several stores to try on dozens of different styles until you find the correct fit.

So don't wait to buy new sneakers until your current pair begins falling apart, or you start to feel pain in your knees, shins, or lower back. Buy a new pair before it's time to retire the old ones, and not only will you avoid the stress of rushing to find the perfect pair, but you'll also have time to gradually break them in by alternating between wearing your old and new pair.

Gear Review: Cell Voltra Running Shoe by Puma

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:30:17 -0700

I just took Puma's new running shoe, the Cell Voltra ($100), out for a test run.

The first thing I noticed was that the shoe is incredibly light. Being the curious sort, I put it on my digital kitchen scale to weight it. One shoe clocks in at 10.75 ounces - an ounce lighter than my Under Armour running sneaks.

The Cell Voltras capitalize on Puma's 10CELL technology used for building soles. Essentially, it's a layer system designed to create cushion and shock absorption as well as rebound. To see what I thought of these sneakers, just read more.

When I wore these shoes for strength-training workouts, to break them in a bit before wearing them on a run, I liked them. The front of the shoe felt thin, so I could really get a sense of the floor. The heel is nice and stiff, which seemed to provide support. But when I wore them running, I didn't feel like there was enough cushion on the ball of my feet since I strike mostly toward the front of my mid-foot. I felt like I was practically running barefoot. The insole was rather thin too, so my feet felt vulnerable. I think if you're a heel striker, this shoe might work for you, since the heel is stiff. I will definitely use this shoe for strength training and plyometrics, but not for running. Style-wise, I like how the shoe upper looks like a classic Puma - simple, with a flash of silver.

You can find these shoes at Finish Line.

Does anyone out there wear Pumas for running? Share your thoughts on your sneakers below.

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You Asked: Are Blisters Unavoidable For Running Newbies?

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Dear Fit,
I just started running and was all fired up to get into it this Summer, but painful blisters have quickly extinguished my excitement. A close friend and runner said it comes with the territory since I'm new to running. Are blisters something I have to put up with or is there something I can do to prevent them?
- Blister Sister

First of all, I think it is great that you have been bitten by the running bug. It's the perfect way to work your heart and tone your legs and booty. It stinks that blisters have dampened your enthusiasm, and no, just because you're new to running, that doesn't mean you have to put up with sore tootsies. To learn how to prevent blisters when running, read more.

Many factors can affect your feet and cause painful blisters, such as:

New sneakers: It can take several weeks to break in a new pair of kicks, so start off slow. Wear your sneaks to do errands or around the house when you're not running. This will speed up the time it takes for your shoes to mold to your feet. Do short runs at first and gradually increase the duration of your workouts as your sneakers feel more comfortable.
Poorly fitting sneaks: If your sneakers are too big, they'll shift as you run and rub against your skin, which will lead to blisters. Your sneakers should fit snugly, not too loose and not too tight. There should be about a half inch between your longest toe and the tip of your shoe.
Wrong shoes for the activity: If you know you'll be running on the sidewalk in your neighborhood, don't buy a pair of trail runners.
Your socks: When feet get sweaty, the moisture is sure to cause blisters. So wear a pair of wicking socks when you run to draw moisture away from your skin. I also find thicker socks make my feet more blister-prone, so choose a thin pair instead.
Wet feet: Avoid running in puddles, and if you like to pour water over your head on a hot day, try leaning over so it doesn't drip into your shoes. If your feet are naturally sweaty, try sprinkling talcum or foot powder on your bare feet before putting on your wicking socks, or spray antiperspirant on your bare feet (I have runner friends who swear by this).
Doing too much, too soon: Running long distances when you first start running can be hard on your feet. So stick with runs that are 30 minutes or less. Gradually increase the length of your workouts so your feet can get used to the new demands you're putting on them.
Sensitive feet:If you find that you've tried all this and a certain part of your foot continues to get blisters, protect that area by taping it with sports tape or apply moleskin padding.

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