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. The 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 wellbeing, 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. 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. ✲
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.
Woodville 4th of July Celebration 5K
Friday, July 1, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. (Kids One-Mile Fun Run at 7:04 p.m.). A nice out and back along the Portage River on Fort Findlay Road, starting at Trail Marker Park in Woodville, Ohio.
13th Annual Napoleon Rotary Triathlon
Saturday, July 2, 2022, 8:00 a.m. (Napoleon Rotary Kids Fun Tri, ages 7-12, at 7:30 a.m.) at 521 Glenwood Ave., Napoleon, Ohio.
WTOL River Run 10K
Monday, July 4, 2022, 7:30 a.m. at 730 N. Summit St., Toledo, Ohio. Start at beautiful Promenade Park on Summit St. and finish at the WTOL 11 studio on Water St. This counter-clockwise route is scenic and challenging to runners of all fitness levels, crossing two downtown bridges and running along the renovated waterfront and Toledo Metropark. Join us to celebrate America’s birthday and wear your red, white, and blue.
Bascom Fire Bad Axe 5K & Fun Run
Friday, July 8, 2022, 7:00 p.m. (half-mile Fun Run at 8:00 p.m.) at Meadowbrook Park, 5430 W. Tiffin St., Bascom, Ohio.
Delta Chicken Run 5K
Saturday, July 9, 2022, 8:00 a.m. at Delta Municipal Park, 511 Taylor St., Delta, Ohio. The Delta Chicken Run, part of the Delta Community Chicken Festival, benefits the Delta Parks and Delta High School Track/ Cross Country Team.
Trillium—A Women-Only Challenge
Saturday, July 9-Sunday, July 10, 2022, 8:00 a.m. at Centennial Quarry, 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania, Ohio. Since 2005, this women-only event has focused on empowering the competitive spirit in all women. Trillium is designed especially for women of all ages and athletic abilities—whether new to multisport, a casual swimmer/biker/runner, or an experienced athlete. This weekend is all about you.
Dave’s Ohio-Michigan 8K & 5K Presented by Whetro Wealth Management
Thursday, July 14, 2022. 8K at 7:30 p.m. 5K at 7:45 p.m. Kids Run at 6:45 p.m. Dinner/concert (adults only) at 6:45 p.m. Dinner/party for kids 16 and under at 6:45 p.m. The runners border battle—race in two states. Choose the Ohio State, Michigan, or neutral Run the 419 option to receive a soft-spun cotton shirt in your color choice.
6th Annual NapNaz 5K Run for the City
Saturday, July 23, 2022, 9:00 a.m. at Glenwood Park, 521 Glenwood Ave., Napoleon, Ohio. All proceeds will to go towards new playground equipment and other upgrades in a park in our neighborhood.
Holy Trinity Eagle 5K, Walk & Eaglet Fun Run
Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Evergreen High School, 14544 Co. Rd. 6, Metamora, Ohio. Eagle 5K at 8:30 a.m. Eaglet Fun Run at 8:00 a.m. Eagle Walk at 9:30 a.m. Join us for a fun “cross-country” style race for kids and adults. The Eagle 5k will be run like those cross-country races in high school, with a course winding through the Evergreen campus, even including a couple of small hills. The Eaglet Fun Run for kids will be 1/2 mile on the track at Evergreen. The Eagle Walk will be 1 mile. Timing by Dave’s Running Shop. CK Sweets Coffee & Bake Shop will be on site with their food truck filled with delicious donuts, sweet treats, and a wide variety of coffee flavors to delight everyone! Proceeds will benefit the families and students of Holy Trinity Catholic School.
Dave’s MIT – Fall 2022
Monday, July 25-Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Dave’s Running Shop, 5700 Monroe St., Sylvania, Ohio. Join hundreds of other individuals like you for a 16-week training program in the Toledo area—geared to whip you into shape for regional marathon events like Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, and culminating at the annual Churchill’s Half Marathon on Saturday, November 12th.
Dave’s Running Shop also offers a remote training program for those who may have a hectic schedule and need to run at different times or live too far away to make it to in-person training. No matter the reason, Dave’s Remote Training offers the same full program (online) with everything that the in-person program offers except for the official group workouts.
Visit davesrunning.com for complete program details and participation options.
Women’s Distance Festival 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, July 30, 2022, 9:00 a.m. at the Shoppes at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St., Maumee, Ohio. Women only! This is the 42nd annual Toledo Roadrunner’s running of this event. Awards given to the first overall and master runner, top three in age groups, and top three teams in each of the mother/daughter groups. We also give a youngest and oldest finisher award. The first 10 women to finish in a dress or skirt win special prizes! All entrants are entered into our raffle drawing. A women’s specific tank-style shirt is available as an add-on during registration.
