58: How to Buy Running Shoes, a Beginner Runner's Guide

Shopping for your first running shoes shouldn't feel harder than your first run. In this episode, I break down the choices so you can walk into a running store feeling informed, prepared, and confident. She explains the terminology, considerations, my preferences, and help you focus on what matters most, finding the shoes that are right for you, for your gait, for the surfaces you'll be running on, and your feet.

Where to shop: Learn why I recommend running specialty stores for personalized help, a broader selection, and connections, i.e., building a relationship with the local specialty running shoe store.

How to narrow your options: Women's vs men's, trail vs road, zero drop vs higher drop, cushioning, toebox size, and more.

Running shoe terminology made simple: Understand the upper, toebox, insole, midsole, and outsole, plus stack height and heel-to-toe drop.

I also explain the importance of allowing the toes to splay and how that comes into play when selecting the best model.