<div class="header-image"></div> <table class="table-header"> <thead> <tr> <th colspan="2"></th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>2024-05-12</td> <td style="text-align: right;"><a href="About.md" class="internal-link">About</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> # New Running Gear Part 1: New Shoes!  In getting back to running after my November injury, I skated the edge of over-training while I was pushing myself to return to the fitness level I was at previously. I started getting a pain on the bottom of my foot, right on the inside of my heel, and a more familiar pain on the front of my calf muscle. Both of these were on my left leg; my injury was to my right knee. When I first started running, I got shin splints on both of my legs, and had to stop for 2-3 weeks. I found out then that my problem was my shoes. I was so naive at the time; I had no idea about proper running gear, or injury prevention. I just went out and bought a cheap pair of "runners" and went running. So while I was recovering, I got fitted for a new pair of *actual* running shoes, and the issue never returned. So now, when I started to get the two separate pains, one of which I had felt before, my immediate thoughts were 1. "Uh oh. I'm overdoing it, running too far too fast." and 2. "Uh oh. Time to get new shoes." The shoes I was using never really fit properly, I don't think. But even so, they had somewhere between 7 to 8 hundred kilometres on them, so it was getting close to time to replace them anyway. The injury on my heel was what was really concerning me, as it persisted after I had stopped running. I still felt it while I was at work later in the day. So I went to a local running store seeking the cushiest shoes available. I had always gone for a low profile shoe before, but this time I was determined to try something new. I tried on several different brands, including a Saucony, but that was what I had already and I already made up my mind that I was going to try something else. I tried on Hokas, and a pair of Asics. I really liked the Asics, but I still had one pair that the clerk brought for me to try, and that was a pair of New Balance Fresh Foam 1080s.  These shoes were like walking on a field of cotton. I bought them immediately. I first did a 10 km treadmill run at my local gym. The store I buy my shoes at let me return shoes that I haven't worn outside, so it's nice that I get to try them out first. The 10 km went great, and the new pains were not present. So I next went on a 16 km run two days later. The pains did not return. What's more, is these are the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. I didn't know shoes like this were even made. It's like I've been missing out on a whole new aspect of life that I wasn't even aware existed. Needless to say, I'll be checking out New Balance shoes whenever I buy a new pair from now on, but I'll also be sure to try a variety of shoes as well. Who knows what advancements will be made when I next am in need of a new pair.