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Tips for buying shoes

Once you know your foot type, head to a specialty running store. Make sure it’s the end of the day (feet swell as the day wears on), and bring along a pair of your typical running socks. Tell the clerk how many miles you’re running per week, that you’re gearing up for a marathon and your foot type. The clerk should be able to show you several pairs that would work well. Try them on, and ask if you can run around the block. The clerks should be happy to have you do so. Some running stores even have treadmills that you can run on, either to help you see if a shoe fits well or to analyze your stride.

Don’t be surprised if the clerk tells you that you need a shoe in a size larger than you normally wear. You should have a good thumb’s width between your longest toe and the end of the running shoe. If you opt for a snugger fit, this can cause blisters and black toenails. So when in doubt, choose the larger shoe.

Shoe experts also recommend purchasing two pairs of running shoes at a time, and ideally two different styles. Then, it’s best to rotate the pairs when you run; shoes should dry out and “rest” in between runs.