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Running is one of the best possible activities one can engage in to keep the heart healthy but you must protect your feet at the same time particularly if you run more than thirty minutes a day. You can go a long way towards preventing injuries by choosing the proper equipment and the choice of running shoe you buy can be the difference in healthy exercise or an activity that causes injury.
People have different biomechanical structures which require different types of shoes. If you have an average normal foot you will have the greatest selection of shoes to choose from including shoes for flat feet and high arches.
Most people who are flat footed are also overpronator. If you think you may have this situation or want to find out it is quite simple. All you have to do is stand on a piece of paper, like a paper bag with wet feet, if you have no discernable inward curve on the inside of your foot then you have flat feet.
For those with high arches you will require running footwear that is well cushioned and made for people who tend to underpronate. More people have high arched feet than flat feet.
For serious fulltime runners or those training for triathlons and marathons you will want to wear lightweight racing flats that are both flexible and allow for maximum speed. You do not really want to train in these on a regular basis as they increase the risk of injury, they should be limited to racing use primarily.
Another consideration is the type of running that you do. If you are a cross country runner that runs through the woods or on trails then you should choose a pair of running shoes from the trail category. These shoes will have better support, stability, and traction than running footwear that is made for normal running on the road or track.
As you can see there are many factors to consider when choosing running shoes. Before you shop determine what type of foot you have and then what type of runner you are. This will give you the information you need to make an educated decision in running footwear that will give you the best performance without injury.