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Buying running shoes for your kids
Filed under: Health & Safety: Babies, Development/Milestones: Babies
My oldest son (13 in November) began running a few weeks ago. He is on our local swimteam, but there has been a hiatus while we search for new coaches. So, he started running. I watched at first: Would this continue? He went out every day for two weeks, and then began complaining of back pain. I have written before about my son's struggles with his weight (which mirror my own). In fact, just this morning, my youngest child, who has no weight struggles, put on a pair of my flats and marched around the dining room saying, "My name is Jennifer Creer, and I run all day and never get any skinnier!" It is true that I am liable to say that on any given day. But I think my oldest son may have more success than I have had.
When Sam started having back pain, we deduced that it was because he didn't have proper running shoes. I needed to replace my own shoes, so it was a good time to buy us both a pair. I have bought him a pair of running shoes before-- but he didn't initiate the interest in running then. I did. And I got him Nikes that were half the price of my own shoes-- even though I don't like Nikes. They aren't a good quality running shoe. So, this time, I decided to get him what I got.I went to the sports store with the intention of buying Mizunos to replace my old Mizunos. I love them-- they are extremely lightweight. But the sales guy asked me what my needs were. I said, "I'm logging 5 miles a day, 5 days a week." He said, "You'd be better off with Asics." He explained that although he loves the Mizunos too, they wear out faster than the Asics. I try to replace my shoes every six months, but I had done nine months this time, and paid for it with excruciating blisters. So, I got Asics for me and for Sam. I have had Asics before and loved them, and they are a great shoe: I feel like Tigger, springing around in my new shoes.
Other good running shoes are Brooks (my first running shoe love) and New Balance.
My other two boys go tearing around, but haven't established a solid running habit, so I haven't yet gotten them real running shoes. I don't even know how old kids are when they start making running shoes that small-- right now, they wear bargain-priced skechers. But Sam can wear men's sizes, so it wasn't an issue. I started running when I was twelve, so as far as I'm concerned, he is embarking on a lifetime habit-- he can both run and swim.
Have your kids started showing an interest in running? What did you do about the shoes?
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
9-04-2006 @ 12:11PM
LB said...I am not a runner but DH is. His fave brands are Asics and Brooks too. He's been a out of it lately due to a hernia and some disc problems, but he's still wearing those brands for his commute walk or any walking we do.
FWIW he feels a lifetime (since jr high) of running has contributed to disc problems and some painful problems he has had with his periformis tendon so we are not really considering getting our kids into a regular diet of running tho if they want to we certainly wouldn't discourage it. We'd just have to be really on top of giving good support and injury prevention that my DH didn't ever really have.
I also take my kids to the chiropactor about once a month. She says running is pretty bad for your spine unless you are running on the actual ground, like a trail, not pavement and not even club tracks or treadmills are soft enough.
Expensive, frequently purchased snakers for your teen son are just a bitter pill you have to swallow, I think. Right now our 11 year old is on that break between kids and mens. That is something I'll be warning all my friends with boys about. No one told me about it and basically the lad didn't have decent sneakers all summer. He wore sandals. We were shopping for sneakers a couple times a week. It's very hard to find a boys shoe bigger than a 5.5 or a mens shoe smaller than 7.5. (girls won't have this bad a problem since more women have small feet, KWIM) We have finally found a pair of New Balance 7 that seemed small to size. I was reluctant to buy New Balance since the kids pairs I have tried went to bits and I have some NB casual walkers that have faded badly and I only got them last Nov, but I'm hoping this mens pair will live up their reputation.
So long, but a final thought. Jen if you are running and not losing weight maybe you need to make a switch. The Eat Right 4 Your Food Type guy, in his second book...Live Right or something like that talks about how different excerises are better for different blood types and how doing other ones can cause problems or not feel satisfing. I don't agree with a lot in his books, but some of this made sense. Take a look and see is running is the best match to you. If is causing your body stress, that could be why the pounds won't come off.
GL!
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9-04-2006 @ 1:46PM
Michelle K said...The right equipment for any sport can make a big difference. I've learned this with my biking. When I was your lad's age, I rode a cheap Huffy from K-mart. I bought it with my own money,and was very proud of it, but it is a heavy, awkward bike. I rode it all day this past Saturday, and was just knackered. Plus I got a stiff neck and sore back out of the deal, because the geometry of this cheap bike is so awkward. I can ride my good quality mountain bike for hours on end with no pain nor undue fatigue.
I'm sure the same holds true with running shoes. A runner asks an awful lot of his or her feet; the least you can do for the feet is support and cushion them properly!
Sometimes there's a reason quality sporting goods cost more.
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9-04-2006 @ 2:09PM
Kristy said...Buying quality running shoes, though costly, is better and safer. They are built to absorb the shock that results from running on pavement. My favorite sneakers are "Shoes for Crews", which I've been purchasing ever since my restaurant days (waaay back). These shoes are specifically designed for people who are on their feet all day and to combat fatigue. www.shoesforcrews.com
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