THE JOY IN HEALTHY LIVING stems from the choices made in the process of living healthfully.
Footwear made for an active lifestyle comes with varying levels of support, stability, cushioning, and comfort combined to work best for varying types of feet and functions, but one thing remains constant in this equation—you get what you pay for.
Always compare apples-to-apples. It’s true, performance footwear often has a greater purchase price than shoes designed for everyday fashion or made by cutting corners in manufacturing to lower the price on the shelf. When making a choice to train in lesser footwear that won’t stand up to the test, the savings reflected at the checkout too soon turn into undesired add-on charges. All too often, issues impacting foot health arise and begin to compound expenses far exceeding the savings on the initial purchase. Plantar fasciitis, arch pain, tendon strain, numbness, and other ailments will derail training and set goals to the sidelines. What’s next, quitting? No, physical therapy!
While we love our local physical therapists, and they will be happy to see you and help you regain a pain-free, active lifestyle, their goal is that you don’t need them for too long—but you’ll notice the bills for as long as you do. The cost for physical therapy presents itself in many ways. The copays and deductibles are the obvious new expenses. The time off work, gas, travel, inconvenience to your schedule, and the need to purchase another pair of shoes and possibly orthotics will also reappropriate your earnings unnecessarily.
Avoid paying more in the long run by getting fitted in and purchasing the first time the right performance footwear for you and your active goals. Material used and construction technology dictate overall performance and ultimate success in maintaining a healthy training regimen. Quality will always cost more, so don’t start out on the wrong foot by choosing your primary tool based solely on price.
Feel your feet
Feet are often taken for granted when evaluating personal well-being and social equity, but when we make foot health a priority, many of the lifestyle aches and pains we’re dealing with can be reduced or even eliminated. It all starts with what type of footwear we put on, how often we change them throughout the day, and when we replace them with new ones.
The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments all working together to provide support, balance, and mobility. Those are a lot of moving parts. Additionally, everyone’s feet are set up a little bit differently and should be evaluated individually.
Don’t let the name fool you. Dave’s Running Shop provides performance footwear and orthotics for people of all ages and lifestyle preferences. You don’t have to be a runner to find the right footwear at Dave’s. In fact, a large number of our customers don’t run at all—but they keep coming back because their feet feel good in their selection and they were treated right during their visit.
Getting fitted in the proper footwear consists of several observational and measuring steps. All of these steps are pretty basic, but it takes a trained professional to evaluate what they all mean once put together. During a fitting at Dave’s, you’ll be asked to walk, run or jog, stand in varying ways, and flex your feet through a few low-intensity movements. Measurements will be taken, and your existing shoes will be inspected for wear patterns before any type of shoe is recommended and tried on for comfort. You’ll be able to walk around the store in each pair and ask any questions that arise. It may be that you simply need an insole for the type of shoe you’re already wearing. Ultimately, it’s about what feels best to you, so you shouldn’t ever feel pressured into any one choice during a fitting.
Changing shoes throughout the day is one way to reduce foot fatigue. Those shoes we’ve spent our workday in are not necessarily what we should wear around the house or while exercising. Considering a pair of soft recovery sandals or ultra-cushioned shoes for around-the-home wear, and running shoes with the right lift for your calf flexibility during your runs, walks, and cross-training routines will help with overall comfort. Remember not to overtighten shoe laces; feet need good circulation to perform at their optimal levels. Going barefoot at some points throughout the day is also a great way to stay in touch with our feet and what they might be trying to tell us.
Unfortunately, shoes will not last a lifetime. They only last so long before the stability and cushioning begin to break down and no longer support your foot health. When worn regularly, shoes typically last about six months before they should be replaced. Frequency of wear, type of activity, wear patterns, and miles put on them will be the primary deciding factors in their overall lifespan. Dave’s maintains a personal fitting history and sends out reminders when it’s time to replace shoes too.
Dave’s Running Shop is the only locally owned and operated footwear store in Northwest Ohio, and was the first running shop in Ohio. Founded in 1973, four area locations serve the community from Sylvania, Perrysburg, Findlay, and Delta. Staff is thoroughly trained on the ideal fitting process and latest footwear technology, and no one at Dave’s works on a footwear sale commission. The sole mission is to fit each individual in what’s right for them and their lifestyle goals.
After getting fitted on a first visit, Dave’s will maintain your purchase history and be able to evaluate initial recommendations to meet evolving needs and preferences upon each visit—giving your feet exactly what they need to feel good the whole time you’re on them. ✲
Don't miss Dave's Races!
Runners, get ready to “take your mark” in these exciting community and regional events sponsored by Dave’s Running Shop. For more information on the following events, including any associated costs/fees, please visit davesraces.com.
NAMI Wood County AfterBurn
Friday, October 1, 2021, 6:30 p.m. at the Wood County Fairgrounds, 13800 W. Poe Rd. #2, Bowling Green, Ohio.
Heroes Light the Way 5K
Saturday, October 2, 2021, 7:00 p.m. (Kids free obstacle course at 6:30 p.m.) at Defiance Reservoir, Defiance, Ohio.
Red Kettle 5K Run
Saturday, October 2, 2021, 8:30 a.m. at International Park, Rails to Trails next to Maumee River, Toledo, Ohio.
D. Sheldon Memorial 5K
Sunday, October 3, 2021, 9:00 a.m. at Elmwood Local School, 7650 Jerry City Rd., Bloomdale, Ohio.
Little Hero 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, October 3, 2021, 9:00 a.m. (1/4-mile Kids Run at 8:45 a.m.) at 2200 Kenwood Blvd., Toledo, Ohio.
Team Showman’s 3rd Annual Superheroes Kickin’ Cancer 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, October 3, 2021, 7:30 a.m. at 1400 State Park Rd., Oregon, Ohio.
Anthony Wayne Homecoming 5K
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 9:00 a.m. at 6119 Finzel Rd., Whitehouse, Ohio.
5K Around the Fairway
Sunday, October 10, 2021, 9:00 a.m. at Stone Oak Country Club, 100 Stone Oak Blvd., Holland, Ohio.
McQueen’s Run for Your Life
Sunday, October 10, 2021 at McQueen Orchards, 7605 Garden Rd., Holland, Ohio. 10K at 8:00 a.m. 10K and Ichabod Challenge at 7:30 a.m. 5K at 9:30 a.m. Kids Run at 10:45 a.m.
Platinum Filament 5K Costume Run
Saturday, October 16, 2021, 9:00 a.m. at 6751 Providence St., Whitehouse, Ohio.
Family House 5K: Race Against Homelessness
Race date: TBD (postponed due to COVID). Registration closes October 8. To be held at 5601 Clegg Dr., Toledo, Ohio.
Spirit of Sierah Ce the Light Glow Run
Friday, October 22, 2021, 5:30 p.m. at the University of Toledo, Stadium Dr., Toledo, Ohio.
Racing for Recovery 10K & 5K Presented by Mercy Health
Saturday, October 23, 2021, at 651 Superior St., Rossford, Ohio. 5K at 7:30 a.m. 10K at 7:45 a.m. 1 Mile Memorial Walk at 8:00 a.m. Free Kids Run at 9:30 a.m. Virtual participation is also an option for the 10K and 5K.
Run for the Pumpkins 5K
Friday, October 29-Monday, November 1, 2021 at 300 North Defiance St., Archbold, Ohio. 5K at 10:00 a.m. Kids Goblin Run at 11:00 a.m. Virtual participation is also an option for the 5K.
Lial Catholic School Trick or Trot
Saturday, October 30, 2021, 9:00 a.m. (Trick or Trot Creepy Crawl Fun Race at 8:30 a.m.) at The Shops at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St., Maumee, Ohio.
Trick or Trot 5K Run and Zombie Walk
Saturday, October 30, 2021, 9:30 a.m. at the Oak Openings Mallard Lake Area, 4139 Girdham Rd., Swanton, Ohio. ✲
