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How to pick a GREAT running shoe

Running can be a very rewarding experience, and a healthy one. If you are new to the exercise, there are things you should do first, including advice from your doctor. The other thing you will need is a good pair of shoes. When you get to the store, you'll no doubt see hundreds of options. Don't worry, here are a few things you can do to pick the right one. Picking the wrong shoes can make the difference between a wonderful enjoyable hobby, or a painful brutal experience. There are many factors to consider when picking a good, running shoe but a lot of them are common sense, and a lot of them apply to running shoes in general. The first thing you want to do when you pick a pair of running shoes, is choose a pair from a brand that is reputable. It's rather easy to see who is the best...they are largely displayed in the stores. You are probably already aware of some of the brands. Unless you become an avid runner, you don't need to worry about the specialty brands. Some of the brands that are very well regarded out there are many Nike, Addidas, Asics and New Balance. There are many other shoe brands out there but this is just a quick list of a few. In all of these brands that are widely available, you can find great prices to fit your budget. Many times, if you buy from an outlet or you buy last season's models you can get a great pair for half off but still work just as well as the brand-new pair from the new season. Do not get hung up on shoe size. And no, it's not just the women who can get hung up on size! There are men in the same boat. The shoe size is merely a guide to start with. Depending on the maker of the shoes, there are numbers sizing maybe a little bit different. The most important part is the perfect fit, not that you can brag that you can squeeze your feet into a predetermined size. Start with your normal shoe size and try on the shoes. If the shoes are too tight, get a smaller size. If they're to big to get a smaller size. We it is in the shoes, the shoes should fit snugly but not feel like it's completely constricting of the circulation in your foot. While there should be no play in the shoes, or excessive movements, the shoes should feel like it is encased around your foot like a glove but not squeezing your foot. At the front of the shoes if there's a half an inch of extra row that's okay. Pick up the shoes, it should feel light. The heavier the shoes the more tired you are going to get. Feel the heel of the shoe. It should be stiff to support your ankles. Also, a nice style is one that has more mesh than leather. The reason for this is that the mesh breathes more and can wick away alot of the persperation from your foot, helping to keep it cool. If you are going to do only road or concrete style running, make sure you purchase a pair of shoes that is designed just for running. If you are going to do some hiking, treadmill running, or other types of workouts with the same shoe, consider a cross trainer or a trail runner. While style is important, the more critial thing is the fit of the shoe. If you can't find something that fits well in a particular style, get something else. The lasting to consider is to make sure you actually take the sox are going to use when you try on shoes. The thickness of the sox can change how a shoe fits.

2009 New England Indoor Track & Field Championships

Newton South MA (9:04.13 girls 4x8), Cas Loxsom CT (1:18.72 600) break into all-time lists without rivals pushing them; fast 2M wins for Andrew Springer, Emily Jones at the 2009 New England Cross Country Championships. (courtesy of Dystat.com)

Meet results: http://dyestat.com//?pg=reg1-2009-Indoor-New-England-Championships-results

Pros and Cons of NIGHT RUNNING

Ah, spring. Soon its colors, smells and promise will be everywhere. Even people in the northern parts of our country-where trees are still bare and lifeless and the air still chilled-will sense its coming. It's just a matter of time before we're graced with an extra hour of evening daylight, too. For many of us, this means more time for running.

For me, too, but not for the same reason. I'm one of those people who loves to run in the darkness before dawn. I enjoy lurking on the "dark side" of daylight saving time. So when the clocks soon "spring forward," I'll have my extra hour.

Perhaps you've heard of us-the shadowy few. As the rest of the world sleeps snugly under down and flannel, we pre-dawn runners are up and out in the world. Out there on traffic-free streets, enjoying the pitch-black freedom that surrounds us. 

We're guided by moonlight and streetlights and, sometimes, no lights. Often I glimpse wildlife in the shadows, which startles and thrills me. I've seen foxes and deer crossing city roads that in daytime are choked with traffic. These sights are reserved for us pre-dawn runners alone. They are our reward.

We're great rationalizers, we pre-dawners. Most people-even other runners-consider us crazy for leaving our toasty beds to dash onto the roads in the dark of night. But we've worked out plausible reasons for running in most foul-weather situations:

Scenario: It's dark, it's 5 a.m., and the howling wind is whipping through a bone-chilling rain. 

Our rationale: Just another couple of challenges for us morning runners. They make us tough. 

Scenario: It's dark and particularly cold on our morning run, but it brightens and warms up later in the day. 

Our rationale: Smug satisfaction that the weather didn't stop us from running earlier. Anyone can run when it's nice out. 

Scenario: It's clear and pleasant when we run, but turns nasty later in the day.

Our rationale: Sorry about the weather, guys-you should have gone out earlier. Be careful of those lightning bolts now.

For the last couple of weeks, the weather has been growing a little milder here in Atlanta. It's still "tights weather" in the early-morning hours, but I definitely detect a change in the air. Mornings in the 30s often give way to afternoons in the 70s. 

I've been noticing something else, too. By the end of my morning runs, the first hints of daylight have been peeking over the eastern horizon. Like other pre-dawn runners, I've been feeling a tinge of sadness about this. As sure as the sunrise, the days are growing longer. 

Soon, though, all will be set right. On that final Sunday in March, we'll get that extra hour of darkness in the morning. And I'll have more time to run. 

(courtesy of RunnersWorld.com)

German Fernandez World Junior Record in the mile

On February 28, 2009, at the Big 12 Indoor Championships, a while back, German Fernandez improved the World Junior Record in the 1 mile run, improving upon the record he previously attained in the distance. German ran 3:55:02, achieving the sixth fastest time in the world thus far. On another note, German injured his achilles in the NCAA Cross Country Championships only a few months before.

Can you say, BEAST? I can.

Full results: http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/c-xctrack/stats/2008-2009/big12completeresults.html

Video of World Junior Record: http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234523/150921-tasty-race-of-the-week-feb-16

Galen Rupp FINALLY runs a Sub-4:00 mile

At the Husky Classic 2009 on Saturday, March 7, the much-celebrated distance phenom Galen Rupp ran 3:57:86 for the 1 mile run. Galen, a senior at Oregon University, has never achieved this feat, although he has been to the Olympics and had a much celebrated running career. This was also Galen's LAST CHANCE to break the 4-minute barrier in the mile, and by doing so, he certainly cements his place in NCAA running history.

Full results of meet: http://www.gohuskies.com/sports/c-track/stats/2008-2009/09lastchanceresults.html 

Video of race: http://runnerspace.com/video.php?do=view&video_id=8920