FEET ARE OFTEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED when evaluating personal well-being, but when you make your foot health a priority, many of the lifestyle aches and pains you’re dealing with can be reduced or even eliminated. It all starts with what type of footwear you put on, how often you change them throughout the day, and when you 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.
Getting fitted for 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 maximize their life and reduce your foot fatigue. Those you’ve spent your workday in are not necessarily what you should wear around the house or while exercising. Consider 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.
Remember not to over-tighten your shoe laces; your 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 your feet and what they might be trying to tell you.
Unfortunately, shoes will not last a lifetime. They only last so long before the stability and cushioning begin to breakdown 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.
Don’t let the name fool you. Dave’s Running Shop provides footwear 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.
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 your first visit, Dave’s will maintain your purchase history and be able to evaluate initial recommendations to meet your evolving needs and preferences each time you 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 events sponsored by Dave’s Running Shop. For further details on events (including information on registration and any applicable fees), please visit davesrunning.com.
Dooby Two Duathlon
Sunday, May 1, 2022, 9:00 a.m., at Secor Metropark, 10001 W. Central Ave., Sylvania, Ohio. The event begins in the quiet, suburban Secor Metropark, just west of Toledo in Berkey, Ohio. Get back outside. Get on your bike and ride. This is a great event for multi-sport beginners and seasoned athletes alike to get a feel for racing again.
Band on the Run 2022!
Saturday, May 7, 2022, 9:00 a.m. (Fun Run/Walk at 8:00 a.m.) at Perrysburg Junior High, 550 East South Boundary, Perrysburg, Ohio. Band on the Run is a 5K Run/Walk and a Kids Fun Run. Even if you are not a runner, you are encouraged to come and help support the HPI and PJHS Bands. Usually over 50% of the participants are walkers. There will be pep bands that play along the route to keep you motivated. This event will start at Perrysburg Junior high, run down Hickory St. and over to Woodland Park. Once you are at Woodland Park, you will take one lap around the park and then proceed back to the junior high.
Dave’s Summer PR Training
Monday, May 9 to Thursday, July 14, 2022. Want to be ready for the upcoming summer road races? With Dave’s Summer PR Training program, you will be ready to tackle everything from a 5K to a 10K with a target race at the Ohio/Michigan 8K. Dave’s Running Shop has been at the forefront of training programs and strives to provide a robust and inclusive program for the running community. Programs are available for beginners, weekend warriors, racers, and remote trainers. See davesrunning.com for full details on the various options.
Kalida Band 4 Miler
Saturday, May 14, 2022, 9:00 a.m. at 18031 Road M, Cloverdale, Ohio. A timed, four-mile course on country roads outside of Kalida, starting at Four Seasons Park. This is a fundraiser for the Kalida Music Department Trip Fund.
Toledo Zoo Dart Frog Dash presented by Buckeye Broadband
Saturday, May 14, 2022, 8:30 a.m. (Kids Fun Run at 9:45 a.m.) at the Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, Ohio. Participants must enter through Anthony Wayne Trail entrance. Parking is included with entry fee.
The Toledo Zoo’s Dart Frog Dash is for the whole family! It offers an accurate 5k race with prizes, chip timing, a non-competitive 5k walk, and a Kids’ Fun Run. The 5k course takes participants through the neighborhood to the west of the Zoo, through the Zoo’s Tembo Trail, and near the iconic hippo heads sculpture. The Kids’ Fun Run is within the safety of Zoo grounds. All Dart Frog Dash registrants and their spectators who arrive by 10 a.m. are welcome to stay at the Toledo Zoo for the day free of charge with parking included on race day (Anthony Wayne Trail lot).
There’s No Place Like Home 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, May 15, 2022, 9:00 a.m. at 1701 Front St., Toledo, Ohio. There’s No Place Like Home 5k is a timed run and walk fundraiser for Family House. Family House is the largest family shelter in Northwest Ohio, allowing families to stay together when the loss of a job, financial hardships, or other unavoidable emergencies occur. We at Family House are building these families up and giving them the skills and hand up needed to become the strong family unit we know they are. We provide case management in a safe, supportive environment to help residents get on their feet to move them on to permanent housing and solutions to hopefully end the cycle of poverty.
South Fork Duathlon
Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 6:30 p.m. at Cycle Werks, 6760 Providence St., Whitehouse, Ohio. Get back outside. Get on your bike and ride. This is a great event for multi-sport beginners and seasoned athletes alike to get a feel for racing again, or to practice and refine your transitions. This is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event, and age group standings will still be applied and submitted.
Race to the Monument
Saturday, May 21, 2022, 9:00 a.m. at Fallen Timbers Mall, 3100 Main St., Maumee, Ohio. A great way to help MAAM, a local non-profit organization, and get a race in too! We will start at Fallen Timbers Mall near the Barnes and Noble store and run on paved roads and bike trails to the Battle of Fallen Timbers Monument and back.
Firecracker 5k
Thursday, May 26, 2022, 5:00 p.m. at 115 N. Fulton, Wauseon, Ohio. Wauseon Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Firecracker 5K. The run will go through the downtown Wauseon Business District to Homecoming Park and then to Indian Hill’s Trail through the woods. The race will end back in downtown Wauseon. All post-race festivities will take place in Sullivan’s outdoor lot. All proceeds will go to the Wauseon Fire Department for the city’s annual firework show.
