REGARDLESS OF OUR CHOICE of daily routine, athletic lifestyle, work, or activity, happy feet are at the root of our overall well-being and desire to keep it up.
Feet are often taken for granted when evaluating personal well-being, 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 the type of shoes 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. Choosing 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. The 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 events sponsored by Dave’s Running Shop. To register or for more information, including any associated fees, please visit davesrunning.com.
Zip the Burg
Friday, August 4, 2023, at 130 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg, Ohio. 4.3551 Mile Run and 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk at 6:30 p.m. Kids Dash at 6:20 p.m. Whether you live in Perrysburg, love to visit, or heard all the buzz, this is your chance to come enjoy the excitement and discover why Perrysburg earned the title of Best Suburban Downtown. Come Zip the Burg and join us for this community run in the historic downtown district!
Line Drives for Larry 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, August 5, 2023, 8:00 a.m. at Biddle Park, 900 N. Glenwood Ave., Wauseon, Ohio. Larry Johnston battled glioblastoma (brain cancer) for 11 months. He was an amazing family man and friend to all, who had an avid passion for athletics. Throughout his journey he never lost hope. Please join us for the 9th Annual Line Drives For Larry: Batting To Beat Brain Cancer 5K, to support awareness of GBM and to keep Larry’s memory alive by funding scholarships for local senior athletes.
Run4Haiti
Show up for our live event on Saturday, August 5 to run our four-mile course, which goes into Oakwoods Nature Preserve. We are also adding a Back to School Bash for the whole family at this live event. If you can’t join us live, you can run/walk your 4 miles anytime during the month of August and submit your results.
Live details: August 5th, 2023, 9:00 a.m. at Gateway Church, 9555 CR 9, Findlay, Ohio. Back to School Bash activities happening from 8:30 to 11:30 with a Kids’ Fun Run kicking them off.
Virtual details: Register online, run/walk four miles during the month of August, and submit your results online.
The Run4Haiti is a four-mile road race benefitting Mission Possible, a non-profit with 10 schools and 16 churches in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Our 2,500 students receive an education and nutritious meal in order to be equipped as the next generation of Christ-centered leaders.
Toledo Jeep® Fest 4-Miler
Sunday, August 6, 2023, 9:30 a.m. (Jeep Walk starts at 9:15 a.m.) at 310 N. Summit St., Toledo, Ohio. A Virtual 4-Miler is also offered. Each year this event gets bigger and better, and 2023 will be no different. We’re stacking up the fun for next year. There will be the signature all-Jeep parade through Downtown Toledo, a massive vendor midway, live entertainment, family fun zones, and much more.
5K on the Fairway 2023
Saturday, August 12, 2023, 8:00 a.m. at 7711 Timbers Blvd., Waterville, Ohio. Come join us for a unique Cross Country Style scenic run on the Fairways of Fallen Timbers Golf Course. This 5k race will cover concrete and grass fairways with a great winding view of the entire course. All the funds raised from this event will go to Cancer Connection of Northwest Ohio and Nature’s Nursery.
Dave’s 5K Training – Fall 2023
Monday, August 15-Saturday, October 21, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at 5700 Monroe St., Sylvania, Ohio. A remote option is also offered. The Dave’s Fall 5K program is a 10-week training program that provides expert coaching alongside a fun and motivating community of runners who are working toward a common goal. Training is always more fun with others, and training The Dave’s Way will get you on the right track to a healthy lifestyle. See Davesrunning.com for full details.
Pemberville 5 Miler – The Freeman Five
Friday, August 18, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at 104 E. Front St., Pemberville, Ohio. The five-mile course starts at the Pemberville Fire Hall, runs through Village streets and along River Road, with an exciting finish at the Fair grandstand.
IBC – 3rd Annual Dick O’Brien 5K Run/1 Mile Walk to Knock Out Parkinson’s Disease
Saturday, August 19, 2023, 8:30 a.m. at The Shops at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St., Maumee, Ohio. The International Boxing Club in Toledo provides free boxing classes for people with Parkinson’s in an effort to Knock Out Parkinson’s Disease! Participating in these classes helps people improve their quality of life and cope with the disease. Money raised through functions such as this 5K Run/1 Mile Walk subsidize the cost of these classes for over 150 people with Parkinson’s in the greater Toledo area. The race is named in honor of Dick O’Brien who was a very active participant in the KOPD classes.
Ottawa Hills Back to School 5K Walk/Run
Sunday, August 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m. (Green Bear 1 Miler at 8:30 a.m.) at 2532 Evergreen Rd., Ottawa Hills, Ohio. Please join us for a fun walk/run through the Village of Ottawa Hills. This event benefits Ottawa Hills 2023 After Prom, an evening of fun, food, and prizes in a drug- and alcohol-free environment.
Boy Scout Half Marathon, 10K & Tenderfoot 5K
Saturday, August 26, 2023, at the Wood County Fairgrounds, 900 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green, Ohio. Half Marathon and 10K at 7:30 a.m. 5K at 7:45 a.m. Virtual participation is also offered. This event offers three distances to satisfy everyone’s ability and training goals: Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K. The half marathon travels a very flat route through the heart of a college downtown. The course scenery has it all—industrial, downtown, wooded bike paths, golf course neighborhood, and City Park.
