Pain Free Gait Analysis!

Since there is absolutely no hope of improvement in my 'swimming' (every time I get in the water is a victory for me given my aversion to being where I can not touch bottom!) and I have in the past been somewhat of a 'runner' (that would be 35+ years past in the high school days!), I decided that this year I would make an effort to improve my 'running'. For the 2010 events I simply walked fast although at the Watermelon Run in Vincennes I was compelled to jog a bit to keep the ladies in front of me in sight since I didn't know the course and there was no one behind me!

Knowing that it wasn't as simple as ordering the pair of cute pink and purple shoes off the Internet, I took advantage of a visit to Ultimate Fit in Evansville (shares space with Gilles Bikes at 1308 South Green River Road) for a 'gait analysis'. They had me walk in my present 'running' shoes and watched how I did that. Then I repeated the activity at a 'run' (and no one laughed!). Then they had me take my shoes off (socks stayed on - no partial nudity in the store!) and looked at how my fit hit the ground when I was seated. Then they measured my feet - yes - both of them, because apparently everyone's feet aren't necessarily the same size.

After a moment the gentleman came out of the back with 2 pair of shoes that he recommended based on what they had done. One shoe from one pair went on the left foot and one shoe from the other pair went on the right foot. They laced/tied them and sent me off to 'run' again (and still no one laughed!). I liked the left shoe better than the right and turns out I have a narrow foot and the shoe on the right foot had a wider box. So we put both of the shoes from the left foot pair on and did some more 'running' and was pronounced good to go.

So, looks like I'm a New Balance girl! Our local cross country coach really likes the Asics brand, so I asked the gentleman why I wasn't going home with Asics, since they are so highly regarded. He quickly agreed as to the good reputation of the brand but my narrow foot/feet are too small for the Asics structure! The gentleman then wanted to know who the xc coach was and, small world, turns out they ran together in college!

I am sure there are MANY other places that will carefully fit you for your shoes - but I can personally recommend Jim Nolan (manager/fit specialist) at Ultimate Fit. Their web site is www.ultimatefit.biz and their phone number is (812) 431-0201!